Epilogue
Sarah took a deep breath before entering the room, preparing herself for their first dinner party as husband and wife. They were the hosts, and every invitation she’d issued had been promptly accepted. That was no surprise, since they had caused quite a scandal.
Of course, few people discussed it openly, but she was aware of the hum of conversation wherever they went, especially for the first few weeks after their return to London. They had been married by special license within a week, though it had only been a repeat of the ceremony that had joined them as husband and wife at Gretna Green. Her father had insisted on a real marriage, as he called it, and that was only after he had calmed down.
Things were still slightly tense with her parents, especially between her husband and her father, but she was optimistic that they would both mellow in time. Tonight was important, because they had to present a united front to society and her parents. It was also her first event as Lady Collingsford, the hostess, but her mother had trained her well.
Conversation flowed, and everyone seemed to be having a good time. There were no awkward questions, and other than an occasional knowing look in her direction, which she quickly ignored, she was satisfied that the evening would be a success.
“And where is Lord Palmore this evening?” asked Victoria Hoyton, the Countess of Whitmore. Honoria and Pru sat to her left, and their discomfort at the question was obvious by their shared look and low moans of embarrassment.
Sarah had taken pity on her friends, knowing they were sick of being shoved at Lord Palmore, who no doubt felt the same way. “He was busy this evening.” She hadn’t bothered to invite him, for the twins’ sake, but didn’t reveal that information to Victoria.
“And Lord Draven?” asked Harold Hoyton. He was a loathsome little toad, and only strict adherence to etiquette had forced her to include him in the invitation.
She managed a bland smile. “He is not really in our intimate circle, Mister Hoyton.” After learning about the connection between Eric and Lord Draven, she’d made it a point to distance herself from anything and anyone related to the Dravens’ circle. It wasn’t a cut direct, but it was as far as she could pull back without being unforgivably rude.
Lord Draven had no idea that her husband was his half-brother, and Eric wanted to keep it that way. Seeing the malicious glint in Harold’s eyes, it made her question if the other man was somehow aware of the connection between Eric and Lord Draven. Surely not though. He was likely too indiscreet to have ever kept such a secret for long.
Those were the last of the uncomfortable questions, and the evening finally drew to a close. After they had left, she put her arm through Eric’s and followed him up the stairs. The worst was over, and they were now firmly cemented as Lord and Lady Collingsford.
Any remaining gossip would soon die down, though it might temporarily flare up again when others in the Ton realized she was pregnant. They would probably speculate that she had conceived before her marriage, and they would likely be right, but she didn’t care. There was no proof, and it wouldn’t matter if there was. They were married, and their child was legitimate regardless of the time of its arrival.
As though reading her thoughts, Eric suddenly curved his hand over her stomach, which was as flat as ever, still hiding the secret of new life forming inside her. “How do you feel?”
“Tired, elated, and relieved that’s over.”
“We have the rest of the evening to ourselves. Would you like to sleep, or did you have another pursuit in mind first?”
Sarah pretended to think about it. “I would like to sleep.” As his face fell with disappointment, she grinned. “Eventually. First, I have this insatiable craving for my husband.”
Eric grinned. “And I have a desperate desire for my wife.”