A Country Gentleman (21 page)

Epilogue

T
here could have been no one happier than Lady Thurlby on the morning when her son was united in marriage to Miss Lavinia Muir in Thurlby parish church. The day dawned bright and clear, and the whole village turned out to see the wedding of an exceedingly popular couple.

The ceremony was conducted by The Rev’d Timothy Ames, and the church looked a picture, adorned with flowers arranged by Mrs Ames, whose own marriage had taken place in the next parish only three weeks before, with Miss Lavinia Muir acting as her attendant, as the friends had both agreed.

It had been hoped that Lord and Lady Riseholm would grace the occasion with their presence, but they had not been heard from since their late night elopement.

‘We’ll soon hear about them cutting a dash in London, no doubt,’ said Lavinia one day when she and Thurlby were talking about those who would be coming to the wedding.

‘They are welcome to do so,’ he responded, ‘as long as you don’t expect me to do the same.’ He paused briefly. ‘I hope you won’t be disappointed in me, Lavinia,’ he went on a little
diffidently
. ‘I know you’ll want to go to London from time to time, and I’ll be happy to escort you; but essentially I’m a country gentleman.’

‘I could never be disappointed in you,’ she assured him, giving
his arm a little squeeze. ‘Unless, of course, I find that Isobel has received more sweetmeats and palomino ponies than have I!’

Lord and Lady Thurlby’s wedding breakfast took place in the ballroom at Thurlby Hall, with tables also set out on the south lawn, for the earl’s tenants and servants to share his joy. Scurrying between the two was Benjamin Twizzle, who had been made responsible for the arrangements. Part of his salary was being paid to the landlord of the Horseshoe in order to make up for the loss of his horses and carriage.

‘He makes me laugh,’ Lady Thurlby told her son and
daughter-in
-law at the wedding breakfast, when they asked her if she would be lonely without them whilst they were on their
honeymoon
. ‘And with Miss Wheatman to keep me company, I shall be very well cared for. Unless, of course, you would like to take her with you. Should the weather be inclement, I’m sure that she would have some helpful suggestions as to what to do.’

‘Oh, I don’t think that that will be necessary,’ the earl replied, smiling down into his wife’s eyes.

His Lordship’s Gardener

The Grand Tour

The Squire’s Daughter

Derbyshire Deception

Fallen Woman

The Wild Marauder

The Squire and the Schoolmistress

The Adventuress

The Other Miss Frobisher

A Gift for a Rake

Lady of Lincoln

Clerkenwell Conspiracy

Jilted

Ruined

Spoiled

Theodora in Love