Simply Scandalous (31 page)

Authors: Kate Pearce

BOOK: Simply Scandalous

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EPILOGUE

B
y the
ton's
standards, it wasn't a large wedding, but Helene considered it far superior in many ways. For one, it meant she was able to attend and not have to listen to the members of the
ton
either ignoring her or gossiping about her behind her back. When that inevitably happened, it made Philip angry on her behalf, and she didn't want to spoil a day that was so special for him.

After consulting with the happy couples, they had decided to invite only those people who were intimately connected with the Delornay-Ross family through blood or through their connection with the pleasure house. Helene smoothed down the skirts of her blue satin dress and contemplated the rapidly filling pews.

The pleasure house staff filled the back seats; Seamus and Patrick Kelly's red hair and height made them easy to spot. Marie-Claude sat in between them wearing a new bonnet with cream ostrich feathers curling at the brim. Just in front of the servants sat the plainly dressed couple Ambrose had invited and Lady Mary Kendrick. Helene waved at her daughter Marguerite and her husband, Lord Anthony Sokorvsky, who had chosen to sit in a row that also contained Lord Valentin Sokorvsky and his wife, Sara.

Philip came up behind Helene and touched her shoulder.

“Are you almost ready to take your seat, my love?”

“Yes, I am.” She took a deep breath. “This is a magical day, isn't it? All our children will be married.”

“Leaving us free to do anything we wish?”

She smiled into his beloved eyes. “Indeed, although I have promised the Lennox twins that I will return to France and meet with their grandmother.”

“That is remarkably brave of you.” He kissed her hand. “As Christian is too busy keeping an eye on his charges, let me escort you to your seat.”

Helene smiled at her various acquaintances as she walked up the aisle and took her seat in the front pew. Philip left her and a gust of air from the opening of the door into the side chapel announced the arrival of the two grooms and their supporters. Ambrose had Christian by his side, and Richard had Adam Fisher, which made the arrangement very cozy.

As expected, both of the bridegrooms looked rather nervous. Ambrose was dressed in a dark blue coat and tan trousers, while Richard had opted for brown and black. Christian had time to wink at his mother before he arranged the wedding party to his liking and beckoned imperiously down the aisle.

Philip stepped forward with Emily on his arm. She wore a deep rose-colored satin dress that suited her complexion admirably. Helene's lips twitched as she noticed how Emily was trying to make Philip speed up so that she could get to her bridegroom in the fastest possible time.

Just behind them came Jack Lennox and his sister, Violet. It was the first time Helene had ever seen the younger Lennox twin dressed as a female. She wasn't surprised to see that Violet was taller than most women and very slender. Her expression was a little more apprehensive than Emily's, but Helene understood that all too well. Violet's life hadn't been easy, and she was probably afraid of her good fortune. But Richard would soothe those fears. He was very much like Philip at his core.

As the vicar read the opening lines to the marriage service, Helene let out a contented breath, said a quiet prayer, and prepared to sob quietly into her handkerchief.

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