Page 54 of Fortune’s Final Folly

“Welcome home, my love.” He lowered himself into the chair next to her, and she immediately wiggled onto his lap. Truthfully, the chair wasn’t overly comfortable, but it was large enough for both of them. “I missed you dreadfully. How was your day?”

Over the course of the last three months, Kate had come to think of Joshua’s townhouse as her home, as well. She loved everything about the house, especially how welcome everyone made her feel—from the servants, all the way to Dolly.

They loved and accepted her without reservations.

It had become their way of handling everything that stood in their path.

They faced all things with complete abandon.

Their love for one another.

Their journey to restore the schoolroom.

The trial against her father, the Earl of Holderness.

And, more recently, their quest to find the marriage log from her mother’s family’s vicarage.

“My day was splendid,” she purred, fitting her body against his. “Everything is ready for my students. What of yours? You appeared awfully distracted when I came in.”

Joshua sighed. Since the Lord High Steward had chosen to pursue charges against her father, the earl’s barrister had brought into question not his client’s guilt or innocence, but Kate’s right to inherit the Shrewbury estate. The last month, with Mr. Burns’ assistance following his fallout with, and his utter distaste for his previous client, they’d written tirelessly, trying to locate any documentation of her mother’s marriage to De Vere. The servants from Shrewbury had gladly testified to the facts as they knew them, but more was needed. Joshua and Burns wanted to prove Kate’s right to her inheritance, and with Walter’s letter, his will, and the vicarage log, everything would work in her favor.

“Burns thinks the log resides at Shrewbury Gardens, taken by the duchess after you and your mother were cast out.”

“It could be anywhere,” Kate said.

He tapped the tip of her nose before kissing her gently. “Yes. But we will not give up.”

“Search with complete abandon?”

The door to the study flew open, and Dolly bustled in, Kate’s mother not far behind. The pair had quickly taken to one another since A’laya had agreed to live in Cavendish Square with Kate, and were as close as Dolly had been with Joshua’s grandmother.

“The Post, it has arrived.” Dolly waved the afternoon paper high above her head. “I cannot believe it, my dear A’laya. It finally happened.”

Kate slid off Joshua’s lap and snatched the Post as the two women sat on the lounge.

“Page two,” her mother called, pointing at the paper. “Open it to the second page. Top corner. You cannot miss it.”

Kate scanned the paper.

Joshua’s breath warmed her neck as he looked on over her shoulder.

Finally, she found what she was looking for…

It is with great honor that Lord Joshua Stuart, son of the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort, hereby maketh known his intentions to wed Lady Katherina De Vere, granddaughter of the Right Honorable Lord and Lady Oderton, and daughter of the Right Honorable Countess of Holderness.

Kate smiled at the honor paid to her mother’s parents and continued reading as it went on to list the date of their upcoming nuptials.

Only a few short weeks away. Soon, she would be Lady Stuart and could do away with the remnants of the family who’d torn her and her mother apart. While Kate had accepted her place as a lady, her mother still refused the title, going simply by A’laya to anyone she met. Her mother had taken to teaching alongside Kate and helping her arrange the schoolroom.

Their relationship had become as natural as any between a mother and daughter.

They laughed often. They cried just as frequently.

But they loved one another at all times.

And this had come to include Joshua and Dolly, as well.

“I love you.” The announcement was perfect—simple, as she’d requested. “Thank you for bringing me home.”

If she spoke of the night of the fire or the gradual progression after, Kate was uncertain. Truly, she was simply thanking him for everything he’d done for her. Especially helping her discover who she was and who she was fated to be by his side.

“Dinner is waiting,” Dolly announced with a clap of her hands. “A’laya has taught Cook one of her family dishes. I do not wish to spoil the surprise; however, it will melt if we do not hurry.”

Joshua leapt to his feet and held his hand out for Kate. “My love?”

Placing her hand in his, she stood, rising to her tiptoes to press her lips to his. “We shan’t want to ruin a lovely dish.”

As they departed the study, Joshua slowed his pace until Kate’s mother and Dolly were several feet ahead of them before he leaned down and murmured in her ear, “Thank you for making this my home again.”