Epilogue
On a Sunday afternoon, late in November, the lights at Ridlington Chase glowed brightly from most of the windows on the ground floor of the mansion. It was “Stirring Sunday”, and—like many of the other homes in the area—the Ridlingtons were doing their own celebrating by making sure everyone got to stand in front of a giant bowl and stir the Christmas pudding.
Edmund grinned as he gave it a good whisking, sniffing the deliciously fragrant mix of fruit and brandy. “It’s going to be a great one this year, Mrs. Hempstead,” he whispered, leaning to the side where the cook stood overseeing the entire process.
“It is indeed, my Lord. You make your wish now, sir, then pass it on.” She grinned back, wisps of hair twirling from beneath her cap in the heat of the kitchen.
“Right then, who’s next?” Edmund raised the spoon.
The entire family had assembled; Edmund and Rosaline, with baby Hugh in his nurse’s arms. Simon and Tabby had already done their stirring and were now waiting for the first batch of jam tarts to emerge from the new oven.
Letitia and James were waiting their turn, chatting with Paul and Harriet, and to everyone’s excitement, the “London contingent” of Ridlingtons had arrived in time for this auspicious day.
Hecate drew Letitia aside. “This is quite a change from that conversation we had a while ago, dear sister.” She picked up Letitia’s hand and observed the beautiful sapphire nestled into a circlet of pearls. “Are you happy?”
Letitia nodded. “So very happy. And embarrassed too. I was so stupid about the whole not being able to love business.”
“It wasn’t wrong of you. It was a safety net, Letitia. A necessary one, I believe.” Hecate released her sister’s hand. “We all have them. They came about from the man who sired us. He left marks of one kind or another on all of us. It’s how we respond to those marks, how we overcome them, that makes us truly a family. And restores some of the pride in the name of Ridlington.”
“My goodness.” Letitia blinked. “You have acquired great wisdom from your London tenure, Hecate.” She smiled. “Along with some really lovely dresses.”
Hecate laughed back. “Indeed. Kitty has been a miracle worker in that regard. And…” She glanced around, making sure nobody else was within earshot, “…there might be a gentleman in my future.”
Letitia gasped. “Who? Dear girl, do tell…is he acceptable? Of good family? Does he care for you? Do you care for him?”
“Good Lord, slow down, Letitia.” Hecate shook her head. “It’s far too soon to be asking or answering any of those questions.”
“Well, you’d better let me know when I can ask them.”
“I will.” Hecate hugged her. “Oh, here’s Kitty and Richard.”
The addition of the twins filled the kitchen with noise and laughter, and James took Letitia by the hand, tugging her toward the back of the room.
“Is everything all right?” Letitia looked up at him.
“Yes.” He sighed. “So all right I just want to burst with it.” He squeezed her hand. “Can we get married tomorrow?”
“No.” She rolled her eyes. “You know we have to wait for the banns. I agree it would be lovely, but we have to at least pretend to follow the customary traditions.”
“I know.” He leaned closer. “Come to me tonight?”
“If I can,” she whispered back. “It helps having you under our roof.”
“Of course.” He smirked. “Why do you think I scheduled varnishing and painting for these weeks?”
“Clever man,” she leaned against him.
Paul walked over. “Are you two about to be romantic with each other? If so, I shall discreetly move on and leave you to it…”
James chuckled. “We’re always romantic. So you don’t need to leave.”
Letitia nodded. “As a matter of fact, Paul, I was wondering if Harry has mentioned any plans to you? With everything going on, our engagement, and all that, I haven’t really had chance to grab more than five minutes with her since that eventful night.”
Paul shrugged. “I can’t say that she’s come to any decisions yet.” He absently rubbed his shoulder. The bandages were still there, but a fortnight of inactivity had helped the healing along. “I have some ideas on that score, but I’m waiting for a couple of letters before I say anything.”
Letitia clenched her jaw. “I do wish people wouldn’t be so annoying.” She glared at Paul. “First Hecate, and now you, hinting at things to come but not saying anything definitive. It’s quite aggravating, you know.”
Paul gave her an angelic smile. “Of course it is. Why do you think I do it?”
