Lady Charlotte and the Lending Library (The Rogue’s Alliance #1)

EPILOGUE

C harlotte’s wedding gown was an elegant cream Saxe-Coburg dress. Her bridal veil, fastened with a brooch of pearls, covered her simply dressed hair of light curls parted on the forehead. Ashford was particularly handsome in his fawn-colored coat, high shirt points, elaborate neckcloth, and fashionable striped waistcoat.

They were not married at St. George’s, the church most loved by the ton, but at the parish church of Charlotte’s family: St. James’s Church in Piccadilly.

Their guests were their closest family and friends. A Venetian breakfast was to follow at her parent’s home before a monthlong wedding trip to the southern counties.

“Did I tell you how beautiful you look today?” Ashford whispered as she signed the wedding registry in the vestibule of the church.

“Several times.” Charlotte finished her signature and looked up to smile shyly. “No matter. You may tell me as often as you wish.”

It was a Wednesday morning in the middle of July. Lady Lamb’s book had been published. Society was in an uproar due to the unflattering depictions of several members of the ton , but true to her word, the lady did not ridicule Charlotte’s new sister Diana in the novel.

Trade still flourished at Thorne’s Lending Library and the employment registry office would soon be open to help veterans find employment.

The wedding breakfast passed in a blur, full of toasts and laughter. Occupied with wedding preparations, Charlotte hadn’t had much time to get to know her husband’s friends Lord Cecil and Baron Harbury, but she looked forward to doing so when she and her husband returned to town in late August.

Louisa and Edith joined Charlotte in her bedchamber as she changed into her traveling clothes. She and Ashford would depart for Brighton that very day and she was eager to see a part of England she’d never visited before.

“Thorne’s won’t be the same without you,” Edith said tearfully as Charlotte’s maid Sally helped her mistress into a carriage dress.

“I will be back in London before you know it.” Standing before a Cheval mirror in the corner of the room, she admired her reflection. She was a married woman now and could wear darker colors. The Cerulean blue of her dress was her new favorite color. It reminded her of Ashford’s gorgeous eyes.

“We still have Miss Tilford,” Louisa said with a wry chuckle. “She insists on visiting Thorne’s far too much in my opinion.”

Charlotte’s mother made sure Alicia was seated next to an uncle with impaired hearing at the wedding breakfast, and Louisa and Lord Cecil were placed far away from each other as the pair sparred whenever they were in close proximity. Diana insisted on being seated next to Cecil, and Charlotte wondered if the couple had a future together as they appeared to get on very well.

She turned from the mirror, ready for her new life. “How do I look?”

“That color is very flattering with your complexion,” Louisa replied, “I’m glad you took my advice.”

“Oh, Louisa!” Edith chuckled and shook her head several times. “Can’t you just tell Charlotte she is beautiful?”

“You’re beautiful, Charlotte. Enjoy your honeymoon but come back to us soon,” Louisa rejoined with a catch in her voice.

She put out her hands, and Louisa grasped them for a long squeeze. When she released Louisa’s hands, Edith enveloped her in a hug.

“Take care of each other,” Charlotte whispered, feeling tears start to threaten.

Parliament had already retired for the season. When they returned from their honeymoon, the newlyweds would take up residence in Ashford’s townhouse in London for a time before traveling to his country estate near the village of Ashford in Kent. Charlotte had not discussed the future with Edith and Louisa other than to invite them to her new home for Michaelmas.

Several minutes later, seated next to Ashford in their new traveling carriage, she sighed in contentment. Her head was tucked into his shoulder, his lips against her hair.

“Happy?” he asked huskily.

“Amazingly so.” She nestled deeper into his body.

His soft chuckle vibrated through her. “I wasn’t sure Lady Edith was going to let you leave London. Or that Alicia would stop talking long enough for us to make our goodbyes.”

“You handled both situations with grace. You really are a very nice man.” She leaned away from him slightly and looked up into his face.

His eyes met hers. “You taught me well.”

“It seems I’ve done all the teaching so far in this marriage.” She raised a gloved hand and touched his cheek.

As his head lowered towards hers, she rejoiced in the knowledge that there would be countless kisses to enjoy today and in the future.

“Well then,” Ashford said softly against her lips. “It’s time for the student to become the teacher.”

THE END