by M. C. Beaton
“Charles,” said Fanny in dismay. “Of what good is all this wealth if we are going to be separated so soon?”
“Duty is a hard taskmaster, my love. Tommy knows what I mean.”
“Oh, well,” said Fanny on a sigh. “We should bank all this. It won’t be of much use to me in Spain.”
“You are not going to Spain,” said Sir Charles firmly. “Let that be an end of the matter.” “No, we will not be parted,” said Fanny.
“I am going with Tommy,” put in Miss Grimes. “I can take care of Fanny.”
In vain did Sir Charles argue and protest. Nothing would move Fanny from her purpose.
“And what of your parents?” asked Miss Grimes at last.
“I shall set up a trust for both families,” said Sir Charles, “from which they will receive a quarterly income. They will, of course, be unable to live within it, but it should give us an excuse for keeping them at bay. And now, Fanny, we shall make sure that Tommy and Aunt Martha have a very fashionable wedding.”
Everyone who was anyone crowded into St. George’s, Hanover Square, on the following week. The tale of Fanny handing over a valuable diamond brooch to Mrs. Bidford had gone the rounds and everyone else was eagerly hoping that the Jewel Heiress, as Fanny was being called, would press some jewelry on them.
Miss Grimes was splendid in gold satin with some of the famous Deveney diamonds in her hair. Captain Tommy was an elegant figure for the first time in his life in Weston’s tailoring, reputed to be the fastest suit of clothes ever produced. Fanny, in rich cream satin, was bridesmaid, while Sir Charles was best man. There was no question anymore of any of them being in disgrace. Wealth conquered all.
Fanny recited the wedding vows under her breath, remembering her own wedding. When Miss Grimes had finally changed her name to Mrs. Tommy Hawkes and Fanny walked behind her down the aisle, she looked around at all the smiling faces and was suddenly glad they were leaving London.
She did not have the new Mrs. Hawkes’s tolerance for the cynical vagaries of society.
Lord Bohun stood outside, behind one of the church pillars, a hat pulled down about his face, as the wedding party swept past him. Tricked and double-tricked, he thought savagely. If the Deveneys were rich, then what had been their game?
He had just been to his club and the members had turned their backs on him.
The silly crowd was cheering the married couple and throwing rose petals. And then as he looked across the road, he saw a face he recognized peering through the curtains of a closed carriage.
He shouldered his way roughly through the crowd until he reached that carriage. He rapped on the glass with his cane. The glass was let down and Miss Woodward’s beautiful face looked at him.
“They are a wicked couple,” said Lord Bohun solemnly, “and we have been sorely used.”
The carriage door swung open. Mrs. Woodward leaned forward and said across her daughter, “You are the only one who understands. We would be honored if you would join us for some refreshment.”
Lord Bohun ducked his head and climbed into the carriage. Life was not so bad after all.
That night, Fanny wriggled into a more comfortable position in her husband’s arms. “Something is troubling me,” she murmured.
“What?”
“Our newly married couple in the room just along the corridor.” “So?”
“I cannot imagine your aunt Martha doing anything like this.”
“What can I do to take your mind off it?” teased her husband. “Something like this … and this?” “Oh, yes, Charles. Do it again!”
A Look At: The Dukes and Desires Series
''A romance writer who deftly blends humor and adventure…[sustaining] her devoted audience to the last gasp.'' – Booklist
Lovely Alice Lacey was truly incomparable, and her marriage to the Duke of Ferrant was the event of the season. Almost no one realized, however, that Alice was secretly in love with someone else - or that she had confided her feelings to a clever talking mynah bird who announces these intimacies at the moment of the couple's wedding.
Now the gossip mongers are relentless. Alice's marriage started out, and has remained, cold and impersonal, and her new husband is already rumored to be taken with another woman.
Before she even realizes what is happening, Alice finds herself in a world of opposites: The man she thought she loved is something other than he seems; and the man she married, something far more than she hoped. Her last hope and redemption has to be convincing the man she wedded that they are in love.
This seven-book boxset introduces you to an array of sense and sensibility characters in truly diverting tales that are the perfect escape.
The Dukes and Desires Series includes: The Desirable Duchess, Her Grace’s Passion, Pretty Polly, The Sins of Lady Dacey, My Dear Duchess, Lady Lucy's Lover, and The Scandalous Marriage.
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Thank You
Thank you for taking the time to read the The Endearing Young Charms Series. If you enjoyed it, please consider telling your friends or posting a short review. Word of mouth is an author's best friend and much appreciated.
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M.C. Beaton and Marion Chesney
About the Author
Marion Chesney is known primarily for the more than 100 historical romance novels she has published under her own name and under several pseudonyms: Helen Crampton, Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, and Charlotte Ward. But M.C. Beaton is the pseudonym she reserves for her mystery novels.
M.C. BEATON has won international acclaim for her bestselling Hamish Macbeth and Agatha Raisin mysteries. She is also the author of over 100 romance titles and a series of romantic suspense, The Edwardian Mystery Series. M. C. Beaton lives in a Cotswold cottage with her husband.
Marion is active on Facebook using her most popular pen name, M.C. Beaton. You can find complete book lists, information on events, and sign up for news updates at her website, www.MCBeaton.com.