A Lady's Scandal

EPILOGUE

1830
NOBLEBRANCH ESTATE, DERBYSHIRE

The sun shone brightly that autumn morning, casting a golden hue over the sprawling gardens where laughter and playful shouts of Luke, Anthony, and Mary Whitbell echoed, the children of Paul and Ophelia. They were happily chasing each other around the bushes.

Inside the drawing room, Ophelia, now the Marchioness of Glanchester, sat with her mother and her mother-in-law. The women were engrossed in conversation about the lives of the other Whitbell siblings.

"How are the others faring?" Ophelia inquired, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.

Lady Pembroke added with a slight smile. "Ah yes, Catherine. I heard dear Edward is courting Miss Margarette Strowell, the daughter of Viscount Strowell. Has he proposed yet?"

A distasteful look crossed Lady Glanchester's face as she shook her head. "No, apparently those were just rumors. He was merely being kind to Miss Strowell by dancing with her thrice at the Goodthall's ball. He told me he got caught by nonsense chatter and he was trying to be polite. He is interested in another young lady yet, another gentleman caught her attention before the season ended. Now, he is off  somewhere to propose to her before the gentleman does."

Ophelia chuckled at the thought. "Territorial, is he not?"

Lady Pembroke softly giggled. "Well, Edward is known to be the most possessive of them all, dearest."

Lady Glanchester joined in the laughter. "He is indeed that. I remember when he won something from their little game with Emily and William back when Catherine was still engaged to the Duke of Devonshire. He firmly told them the prize was all his."

All the ladies chuckled at the memory.

"Dear Henry is doing quite well with Nicola and the children," Lady Glanchester continued. "They seem to live happily in Dorset, they do travel a lot, fighting for their cause. Although, a lot of impolite whispers can still be heard from the Ton, but I am proud of them. William is obviously enjoying the peace in Norfolk with Bella and the boys and little Sienna. Emily finds Somerset delightful, and the most delightful news is that she is with child."

Lady Glanchester's eyes softened as she added, "It is good that Cathy is just half a mile away from Pembroke. I find comfort in seeing at least one of my children regularly. Ever since John passed and with Edward gone off to whoever knows where to pursue his lady, it has been terribly lonesome here. I am fortunate that your mother keeps me company most of the time."

Lady Pembroke gave a comforting smile to her friend and squeezed Lady Glanchester's hand. Ophelia, feeling the depth of the dowager marchioness's sorrow, embraced her. She could still remember how her late father-in-law's death deeply affected everyone, especially her husband.

Just then, Paul entered the room, a bemused expression on his face. "Fifi, it seems that little Mary here has been climbing too high on the trees, and now I have told her if she does not come down, she is to be a monkey," he said, with a grumpy Mary holding onto his breeches.

Ophelia giggled, her heart full of love and satisfaction for her husband and children. The other two women also chuckled at the scene.

Paul gently set Mary down and walked over to Ophelia, his smile filled with affection. "Our children are quite the adventurers," he said, pressing a gentle kiss on her forehead. "They seem to have taken quite a lot from their mother."

"I firmly believe that you are quite mistaken, dear." Ophelia quickly replied, her eyes sparkled with mischief as she looked at her husband. "Yet, we do both know that we would not have it any other way."