"I don't believe your friend is involved," the duchess added. "But someone is using his property. Renting space under a false name, by the look of it. If Barrington has established a base of operations in London, it's possible he's done so right under Mr. Gage's nose."
Kit sat back. He thought of Gage's sprawling collection of investments. The gaming hell, the boarding house, the dock properties he'd acquired years ago because the margins were good and the oversight was minimal. Gage was sharp, but he couldn't personally inspect every warehouse. If someone had rented space through an intermediary…
"He'd want to know," Kit said. "If someone is operating out of his property without his knowledge, he'd want to know."
"I was hoping you'd say that." The duchess picked up her tea. "Bring him to see me. At his earliest convenience."
Clarissa caught Kit's eye. She gave him a small, private smile. The one that was just for him. It was a smile that reminded him that he wasn't alone. Whatever was to come, they were in this together.
He returned the smile and added a wink that made her giggle.
For the first time in a very long while, the weight of his family's secrets felt like something he could carry. Not because it had gotten lighter…but because he was no longer carrying it alone.
EPILOGUE
The wedding was small. Smaller than anyone expected for the marriage of a duke's heir and an earl's daughter.
It also occurred much quicker than was appropriate. But, as Kit had reasoned when convincing the duchess of this expedient wedding—if the ton was going to gossip about them, they might as well enjoy the benefits of being a scandal.
And so tongues were once again wagging about Clarissa. But this time they were marveling at how such an unassuming young lady could inspire such devotion from the duke's heir that he broke every convention to marry her in haste.
Of course, it helped that Kit kept putting on ridiculous acts in public, dropping to his knees to loudly and enthusiastically declare his ardor. He'd had Clarissa laughing so hard she'd doubled over last time they went on a stroll in the park.
But the wedding was a much quieter affair. Clarissa looked around at the guests. No performances were necessary. Not by her, not by Kit. Everyone gathered at the duchess's home for the happy occasion knew the couple well enough that no acting was required.
The duchess hosted the breakfast, and Estella handled the flowers. Thea handled the seating chart with the efficiency of a military strategist, and Lord Blackwood stood at Kit's side looking grim, but…not quite as grim as usual. Estella assured her he was, indeed, happy to be there. He felt no small amount of guilt in his part of her very first scandal, and he was “pleased beyond measure,” Estella said, to see her find her own happy ending.
Charlotte was the flower girl, and she took the role extremely seriously. But the best part, for Clarissa, was Lucy's arrival for the event.
Lord Alderton had brought her down from the country for the occasion, and the moment the girl spotted Clarissa, she'd broken free of her father's hand and launched herself across the room to embrace her aunt.
"Aunt Clarissa! Did the princess marry the prince? You never finished the story! Did the horse learn to trust him? Papa wouldn't tell me anything, he said I had to ask you, and I've been waiting for ages and?—"
Clarissa caught her in a hug and laughed until her eyes stung. "She did. The princess married the prince. And the horse is his most trusted advisor."
"I knew it." Lucy pulled back, beaming. "I knew the horse would come around."
John, standing behind his daughter, caught Clarissa's eye. His smile was warm. "Congratulations," he said simply.
"Thank you." She blinked back tears. "For everything, John."
He squeezed her hand.
From across the room, Kit watched Clarissa's happy family reunion with a grin. He'd been grinning like a fool all morning. In fact, his aunt had informed him he hadn't stopped smiling like a dolt since the night Clarissa had told him she loved him.
Of course, she'd said this with a smile and a twinkle of pleasure in her eyes, and Kit had to assume that she meant it as a compliment.
Foolish dolt or not, Kit was unreasonably and unabashedly happy. He'd happily play the fool for the rest of his life if it meant that every morning he woke with Clarissa at his side and every evening he kissed her good night.
Gage appeared beside him, holding a glass of champagne.
"You look revolting," Gage said.
"I look magnificent," Kit shot back. "As always."
Gage smirked. "You look like a man who's been hit over the head with something heavy and is enjoying the concussion."
Kit grinned. "That's a fair description of love, actually."
