The Colonel's Spinster - Audrey Harrison Page 0,72

have to leave the cavalry if I were to have a family. I had no idea what I was going to do, but when I went to the mill, it was almost as if I had arrived home. It felt so right to be there, so invigorating. Something I knew, without understanding the finer details, that I would be perfectly at home with.”

Prudence looked at him as if considering his words and then a smile lifted her lips. “You would even be able to cope with the mill girls?”

“Ah, now that is one area in which I might struggle, but hopefully I would have my fearsome wife at my side.”

“You really are a coward aren’t you?”

“Most definitely. Now isn’t it time you kissed me and said that you thought my plan was a good one?”

“I should curse you to the devil.”

“Kissing is a far nicer occupation.”

“I suppose it is.”

“Then kiss me, Prudence, today and every day.”

And she did just that.

Epilogue

Lady Anne De Bourgh and Mr. Huxley were married by special licence as soon as Anne was able to venture downstairs every day for a week. The married couple remained with the Bamber’s for another month before it was decided that Anne was well enough to start their journey in slow, careful stages.

Lady Catherine and Mrs. Jenkinson travelled to meet them, having decided that they would not travel to Manchester for the wedding. Anne got to visit France, Spain, and Italy, only returning to Rosings two years after she had left.

As most people were curious to see the far stronger, happier, more outgoing Anne, the gossip about the start of her marriage was forgotten. After spending a few years at home, the couple departed once more for the continent, claiming that the warmer weather was far more beneficial to Anne’s constitution. Some wondered if it were the distance from her mother that helped more than the weather, but none would openly say it. Anne did not have children but lived a long and happy life in Italy.

Colonel Fitzwilliam resigned his commission and joined the Bamber Mills. His father-in-law was delighted that the man who loved Prudence was willing and able when it came to mill business. Having been a very often overlooked second son, Fitzwilliam was to shine in the business arena. His personality and intelligence were a perfect mix in negotiations, and it wasn’t long before he was the one making the deals to benefit the two mills. This was especially important when cheaper imports started to flood the market, and the cotton industry began to struggle.

He eventually married the love of his life in a grand ceremony in Manchester Cathedral ― only the best for Mr. Bamber’s daughter. They had their own house built very close to Mr. Bamber, close enough that the grounds butted up against each other. It made visits to the well-loved grandfather all the easier when the six children came along.

Prudence never doubted that Fitzwilliam loved her for herself and not her fortune. Others, like Selina Beauchamp, might think so, but it didn’t worry Prudence that there might be speculation. As she had fallen in love with Fitzwilliam very early in their acquaintance, she believed him when he professed the same. His actions were always those of a besotted fool, which she of course regularly pointed out to him, at which point he would kiss her into squeals and laughter.

They were a well-respected, happy couple, liked by those they came into contact with.

The Darcy family travelled to Stretford, and Fitzwilliam proudly showed Darcy around the mills. He timed it perfectly so the mill girls would be in the yard as they crossed it and was not disappointed at Darcy’s discomfort at the raucous comments aimed at them. It kept Fitzwilliam laughing for days.

Prudence and Elizabeth were immediately drawn to each other. Similar in personality, they found amusement in the same situations and were both quick-witted and intelligent. Darcy and Fitzwilliam would often escape to the billiard room if the teasing attention of both women at the same time focused in their direction.

Darcy had cleared the air between himself and Prudence before her marriage to Fitzwilliam. He thought highly of his cousin and did not wish there to be any contention between the families, especially as they lived so close to each other.

Fitzwilliam’s immediate family had been astounded at his change of career, but once they had seen him chatter on about the mill and all it entailed, they realised he had found his place in