small wedding, performed by Reverend Clements. Andrew and Phoebe stood up with us. Jon and Elizabeth came,” Sam said.
“My bride looked lovely,” George praised.
“Well, I was a bit bedraggled,” she said, a look passing between them. “At least we wed on the day we planned to. And we’ve been deliriously happy ever since.”
Weston could tell there was something more to the story. He’d get it out of George later.
“I’m glad to hear it. I always thought you two would wind up together.”
“Where did you vanish to?” George asked. “I came looking for you in Exeter. You never replied to the letters we sent to London.”
The maid arrived with the extra cup and Sam poured out for them. Over tea, he described where he had traveled and the work he’d done on the Digsby farm.
“Being away from everything helped clear my head,” he told them. “I, like George, discovered that I was merely existing and unhappy beyond words. I am ready to be the duke I should have always been. One who would make Father proud.”
His sister’s eyes lit up. “Does that mean you will be at Treadwell Manor more often? And better yet, that I may have a sister-in-law?”
He nodded. “I plan to make Treadwell Manor my primary residence so you’ll be seeing a good deal of me. As to a wife? Yes, I’ve put away all the darkness. Juniper Radwell has held me in her clutches long enough. I tried to live up to her lies and be someone I wasn’t. Now, all I want is to settle down and raise a family. That means finding myself a duchess. The hard part will be convincing the ton I’m no longer a scoundrel.”
“You’ll have to be careful,” George advised. “Once Polite Society sees you are serious about marrying, all the frantic mamas will come out of the woodwork and foist their daughters upon you. An eligible duke doesn’t come along that frequently. You’ll have to weed through those who only want to wed you for your title.”
“I know.” Weston sighed. “Frankly, I dread going through the Season and perusing the Marriage Mart.” He brightened. “Who knows? I may be lucky enough to find my duchess before the Season ever begins.”
Chapter Eight
Elise stared at the two coffins sitting at the front of the church as the clergyman droned on. He’d said several nice things about her father but when his remarks starting praising what a saintly, Christian woman her mother had been, Elise refused to listen.
She’d had but a single day with Papa. The day after she arrived, she had introduced him to Claire, having told the child how sick her grandfather was. Claire had climbed into the bed and snuggled close to him. The smile on her father’s face had been worth the journey there. Moments later, he passed away, the smile remaining on his lips.
She hadn’t gone back to visit her mother. She saw no sense in punishing herself. Elise didn’t know who had told Lady Shelby of her husband’s death but the countess hadn’t lasted but a few hours after her husband’s passing. That had led to their double funeral, with all their tenants and servants in attendance, along with her cousin and his family and people from the village. Cousin Leonard, whom she hadn’t seen since childhood, would now be the new Earl of Shelby.
The funeral ended and those gathered left the chapel, with only the family going to the graveyard. Elise had not wanted Claire to attend a funeral at such a young age. Leonard also had two children, a boy and a girl, and they were also left behind at Shedwell. The skies overhead threatened rain any minute, which was why she suspected the good reverend kept his remarks brief. He came and offered his sympathies to her while the new earl and countess made their way to the waiting carriage.
She thanked the clergyman and then hurried to the vehicle as cold rain began pelting her back. A footman saw her inside and closed the door behind her.
“Nasty weather,” Cousin Leonard said. “It’s good things ended when they did.”
Not knowing what to say to that remark, Elise remained silent.
“Will you be leaving soon?” asked the countess.
Her plans of asking Papa to allow her to live at Shedwell had been shelved. Leonard’s wife had made it obvious she was only tolerating Elise and Claire being there.
“I suppose we will leave in the morning,” she said cautiously and then added, “I will need your carriage to return.