“She is a lovely young lady, saddled with an insufferable father who will only use her for his own gain.”
Lord Alderth sighed. “By Jove, I see you both have a liking for the young woman. Very well. I shall call upon Lord Cladborough’s steward and inform him that the courtship between Lady Frances and the Duke of Gatterlen is null and void. He will immediately cease all attempts to interfere, and he will not harass or otherwise threaten my daughter, Miss Evans. In exchange, I am willing to forgive him 80% of his debt. I am well aware of his financial status and he will be able to manage to repay 20% without a problem. Thus, he will no longer have to seek out a wealthy husband for his daughter. Will that satisfy?”
Maxwell’s eyes grew large. “Lord Alderth, you are most generous.”
“I only want to do right by my daughter. I have not been able to my entire life.”
She smiled at him, though there was still apprehension upon her fair face as though she as unsure how she felt about this news.
“Thank you, Lord Alderth. I appreciate what you have done for me and continue to do for me.”
“I hope to have a place in your life, dear child. I cannot make demands. Alas, I can express my hope that you will allow me to be in a part of your future.”
Beside him, she inhaled sharply but before she could say anything else, Lord Alderth raised his hand.
“Please do not feel pressured to respond now. I know you have been through a lot. I simply wish for you to consider it. Now… Let us have the good steward deliver a message.”
The Lord rose and walked out through his office door, leaving Maxwell alone with Miss Evans. He took the opportunity to turn to Miss Evans.
“I am so grateful you are safe. You do not know how badly I wanted to see you and see you safe. I don’t know how I would have carried on had something happened to you.”
“Your Grace, I am sorry I have caused you such hardship.” She paused. Then, suddenly, her mouth twitched as she fought a grin. “Although, as I hear, your search for me as led you to at last experience the lives of those less fortunate. Perhaps it has given you a greater understanding of the plight of the Luddites.”
Maxwell rolled his eyes, “The Luddites again? Miss Evans, I shall set you up with a meeting with Lord Byron after all, as you both share such great affections for these troublemakers.”
“They are no troublemakers. Your Grace must not have learned anything from his experience after all.”
“Oh, I assure you, I have learned much. I have learned that one should never display one’s wealth in public, no matter how careful one might be. For some rogue or another will certainly notice and bash you upon the head at the earliest opportunity.”
He touched the back of his head. She gave a chuckle.
“I am sorry, Your Grace. It is a rather a dangerous neighborhood you’ve ventured into.”
“You, Miss Evans, have certainly increased my view of the world greatly. I hope you will continue to do so in future.” He reached for her hand and squeezed it, delighted when she did the same.
“I shall, Your Grace. As long as you do not mind me speaking my mind.”
He shook his head. “I would never expect anything less.”
“Fetch him at once. Time is a wasting!” Lord Alderth said loudly as he returned from giving his orders.
“We shall have him ride at once and deliver the message. Perhaps you would not mind remaining here with me until we are certain the Earl has understood that he has been outplayed. We have apprehended all the players involved in your abduction, but I cannot be sure there are not more. I have business I must attend to, but you are more than welcome to remain here to … converse.”
Maxwell and Miss Evans exchanged a glance and a smile.
“That would be lovely, my Lord. I thank you.” Miss Evans stopped speaking and pursed her lips. Maxwell knew that meant there was something else on her mind. And there was. “Lord Alderth, before the steward joins us, there is one more item with regards to Lady Frances.”
“By all means, now is the time.”
“Perhaps, since the Lady Frances will be available for a courtship once more, Lord Cladborough could be persuaded to consider other candidates. Especially if money is not a motivation for the match.”
“I gather you have a candidate in mind.”
“I do. Viscount Hendley. He is a lovely young gentleman with a good heart, and he cares for her greatly. Alas…”
“Purse-pinches, is he? Your friend?”
“Yes, unfortunately. Though through no fault of his own.”
“We can certainly strongly suggest the Viscount.” He broke into a wide grin. “Perhaps I should go into the matchmaking business myself!”
A knock on the door interrupted the merry mood that had spread among the group and the rather sad figure of the DeBargh was brought in.
Lord Alderth stood and clapped his hands together.
“Dear Mr. Debargh, why don’t you have a seat? We have much to discuss.”
As the man walked apprehensively to the indicated seat, Maxwell leaned over to Miss Evans and whispered in her ear.
“As do we, my dear, as do we.”
In reply she squeezed his hand, “We certainly do, Your Grace. And I cannot wait.”
Epilogue
The leaves were falling as Alexandra walked through the park, Lady Chatterley by her side. It was early morning still and the air was chilly.
“It gives me such pleasure, walking in the autumn. The air so crisp, and so fresh.
Especially out here in the country,” Lady Chatterley said.
“Indeed,” Alexandra spotted a pile of leaves near a tree and walked up to it. She pulled up her dress and kicked the pile, sending the leaves flying into the air. She watched with a smile as they danced through the air. Beside her, Lady Chatterley laughed and proceeded to another pile, kicking those leaves up herself.
The two ladies smiled at one another as the leaves made their way to the ground. “Hawthorne Hall is at its most beautiful in fall, Miss Evans. I so enjoy coming here, and for such a joyous occasion.” She clasped Alexandra’s wrist gently. “You must be so very excited!”
Alexandra beamed at her. “I am, dear Lady Chatterley, I am. I can’t believe how much my life has changed. I never would have thought this day would come.” She paused, then added with a smile, “I have not slept in days. I am so consumed with excitement.”
“Well, you are about to go from Alexandra Evans, matchmaker extraordinaire to the Duchess of Gatterlen. My, you will outrank even me as of tomorrow!”
She swallowed.
Duchess. I shall be Duchess in a few short hours. I do not know that I feel quite comfortable with the thought of it all. What I really want to be is his wife. Whether is a Duke or a mere merchant does not matter to me.
“It is all rather peculiar, how my life has changed. I never wanted to be a wife; I was perfectly content being matchmaker.”
“I recall, you were quite adamant that you would never wed. Life changes, and so do we. I never thought I would be so pleased being someone’s wife and a mother as well, but the Marquess has opened a whole new side in me, and it’s thanks to you that I have the most wonderful life. Miss Evans, we shall both have a wonderful life. Next Season, we shall have luncheons, and we will go to dances at Almack’s together.”
Alexandra grimaced at the mention of Almack’s. “I do not believe I shall be going there again. Not since they rescinded my voucher.”
“Ah what nonsense. It was a rather harsh reaction. No matter. They will change their minds soon enough. In any case, they did this before they were aware that Lord Alderth is your father. Apply again in the spring, and you shall have your voucher reinstated, I guarantee! And if not, Woodley House has a lovely ballroom. We shall have our own dances!”
Lady Chatterley looped her arm through Alexandra’s and the two walked side by side back toward the house. Alexandra was most grateful for Lady Chatterley’s friendship. The last three months had
not been easy. As predicted, the ton did not take kindly to the end of the courtship between the Duke and Lady Frances. They were scandalized by the revelation that the Duke, one of the most eligible bachelors among high society, would choose to instead court a lowly commoner.
The fact that Alexandra had ensured many of their own successful unions seemed to escape the members of the ton as they began swiftly to turn on her. Many of her clients declined to work with her further and she received a notice from Almack’s, revoking her voucher. When walking in the park with the Duke, she often found herself at the receiving end of disapproving stares from assorted nobles who passed them.
The Duke, while receiving some flack himself, weathered the scandal with rather more ease. The stares and whispers did not appear to bother him much. In addition, his closest friends had known all along that he was enamored with Alexandra, and thus did not desert him or frown upon his decision.
The only woman in the ton who seemed entirely unbothered by Alexandra’s status as a social pariah was Lady Chatterley. She frequently reached out to Alexandra, inviting her for dinners at her London house. Later, after giving birth to Louis, her first baby, she joined Alexandra for walks in the park. There had been no question she would serve as Alexandra’s bridesmaid at her wedding today, while Lord Hendley would serve as the Duke’s best man.
“It appears your father has arrived,” Lady Chatterley said when they arrived at the house.
Indeed, Lord Alderth stood outside and conversed with the Duke and his mother. A wide smile spread upon his face when he saw her as he walked her way in great strides.
“My dear, how lovely you look! What a glorious day this is. And Lady Chatterley, you too, look like quite the vision.”
“Lord Alderth, I am pleased to see you. I feared you would not be able to make it after the troubles at the...business.”
Alexandra did not want to say what business in front of Lady Chatterley. While his parentage of Alexandra was now public knowledge and might over time help restore her in society, his side business remained a secret to all but those who were in debt to him. She did not care to know too much about his dealings as a money lender anyhow.
“It is quite alright; I have managed to sort it out. Although I sometimes wish I had a son to take over for me.”
“I should wish to have a father who owned vineyards, I should love to take over!” Lady Chatterley laughed. Alexandra and her father joined her in laughter, though they exchanged a knowing glance with one another.
“I shall take my leave and get into the proper attire for the wedding.” She departed, leaving Alexandra and her father standing outside.
“I am most grateful that you have invited me to take part in your wedding. I know we are still only getting to know one another, but I will say the moment I learned of the wedding, I hoped you would ask for my participation.”
He took Alexandra by the arm and they walked back toward the house where the Duke was still standing with his mother. The truth was, Alexandra had only hesitated for a moment before asking him to come to the wedding. She’d initially felt oddly about allowing him to be in her life, but as the Duke liked to say, after all he’d done for them, he deserved a chance. Now she was glad she’d given in, for he had greatly enriched her life.
Some days Alexandra could not quite believe how her life had changed. A short time ago, she’d had only her business and Mr. Holmes. Losing her business as she now had would have meant utter devastation. Now, while it hurt to see so many clients depart her services due to her damaged reputation, she knew she would survive. Perhaps even rebuild.
She knew she would persevere, for she now had so much more. With her father now a constant part of her life, she had a family beyond Mr. Holmes, who remained a close friend. In addition, Lady Chatterley had become her closest confidant and since the progression of her courtship with Lord Hendley, Lady Frances has begun to show signs of affection toward Alexandra again once more.
And of course, most of all, there was the Duke. She was still surprised at the ease with which they had settled into a courtship, once his entanglement with Lady Frances was ended. Perhaps it was that ease that had led them to overcome the frustrations and challenges they faced from society.
While the stares and whispers did bother her when she was alone, they were little more than a distraction when she was with him. The Duke had made her understand that love could bring as much joy as it had brought her mother pain. She turned to her father and smiled at him.
“I am glad you are here.”
“As am I,” the Duke said as they climbed the stairs to the house. “We depart for the church in two hours, if you would like to freshen up after the journey.”
“I would, Your Grace.” He turned to Alexandra. “I shall see you at the church where it will be my pleasure to present you to this honorable gentleman.” He kissed her and hand turned to the Dowager Duchess.
“And it was a pleasure to see you again, Your Grace.”
The Duchess nodded at him as he passed. Then she fixed her glare on Alexandra.
“You have little time, should you not be getting ready yourself? Unless you intend to wed my son in the dress you are presently wearing.”
“Do not worry, Your Grace. I shall don a dress appropriate for a Duchess. I shall not embarrass you.”
“You already...”
“Mother, I am sure you have nothing but kindness for the woman that is about to be your daughter-in-law, certainly?” the Duke said, a smile on his face as he held Alexandra’s hand.
Alexandra looked her straight in the eyes, knowing she was burning with the desire to say something rather rude to her future daughter-in-law, but could not.
The two did not see eye to eye on much, and the Duke had to intervene on a number of occasions as his mother continued to make Alexandra’s life difficult. However, she had learned not to let the older woman bother her. She understood that she struggled with her changed position. She would have to live with the fact that her son was about to wed a commoner who would soon have the title she once carried.
“It is quite alright. I know Her Grace is feeling overwhelmed with the excitement of the day. Perhaps it would be a good idea for Her Grace to check on your brother, to ensure he is ready for the wedding?” Alexandra suggested to Maxwell who nodded in agreement.
“Yes, that is an excellent idea. Mother? Why don’t you see if Charles needs help getting ready? I would much appreciate it.”
The old woman scowled but said nothing. Instead she huffed and turned on her heels as she made her way into the house.
Alexandra felt him take her hand and lead her toward the lake. “I cannot wait to make you my wife, my dear. You have truly enrichened my life in ways I never thought possible.”
She looked up at him and her heart swelled. “I feel the same. I cannot wait for our life together to begin. I never thought this day would come. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do for me. I feel truly blessed.”
He hesitated for a moment before squeezing her hand.
“Despite all the hardships I have caused you? Despite Lord Cladborough’s actions? Despite my mother?”
Alexandra laughed at the mention of his mother.
“Despite and because of it all. All my experiences with you have made me the woman I am today. Without them, I would still want nothing but to be the number one matchmaker in London, and I would not have all that I have. You’ve opened my world.”
“And you, mine.”
He stopped and turned to face her. Cupping her face in his hands he leaned in to kiss her. When she felt his lips on hers, a tingle rushed down Alexandra’s face. When he pulled back, he stroked her face.
“Are you ready to become my wife?”
“I am, Your Grace, I am.”
They held on to each other’s hands and walked back to the house and toward their joint future.
The End?
Extended Epilogue
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Perfectly Mismatched With The Duke (Historical Regency Romance) Page 26