Flirting With Fortune

Epilogue

“They love you.”

“I definitely wouldn’t go that far.” Beatrice peered over Colin’s shoulder to where his grandmother was conversing with Mama over a cup of tea. The older woman looked up, catching Beatrice’s stolen glimpse. Inwardly cringing, she smiled serenely before ducking back behind him. “I think your gran is still suspicious as to why I didn’t love you unconditionally instead of sending you on a fool’s errand.”

“Good question, actually,” he murmured, seeming to enjoy her discomfort a bit too much. “Why was that?”

She smacked his arm lightly, rounding her eyes at him. “Oh no, I forbid you to mention that little lapse in judgment ever again.” She didn’t know why he thought it was so adorable—his word—that she was so discomfited around his family. Attempting to make a good impression on people that were predisposed to dislike a person was more than a little daunting.

“Very well. Shall I mention all the things I’d like to do with you in less than a fortnight, when we are married?”

“Colin,” she admonished, glancing around the room even though she knew full well that no one else could hear them as they strolled around the perimeter, especially with Carolyn playing the pianoforte in the adjoining room.

“Is that a yes? Let’s see. First I shall unbutton—”

“Oh, good Lord in heaven, shush!” She didn’t care if no one else could hear him. She could hear him, and it was already bringing a blush to her face. It was one thing to think such things, but to speak of it with one’s grandmother fifteen feet away was another thing entirely.

“I do so love seeing you blush. I almost never have the pleasure.” His hand covered hers where it rested on his arm, giving it a little squeeze. “I shall endeavor to make it happen more often.”

The music came to an end, and both families paused in their conversation to applaud. Beatrice snuck a glance at the clock on the mantel. It was almost time. “Come. Let’s go have a seat on the sofa. I have a bit of a surprise for you.”

“For me? Well, I do like the sound of that. Have you finally come to your senses and decided to elope with me to Scotland to get this wedding over and done with?”

“Not a chance. No, this is a little something I planned to give to you when I had you come to me in your father’s studio, but your—eagerness, shall we call it?—” she said with a mischievous lift of her brow, “told me it wasn’t quite the right time. But now, with your family here with mine, is perfect, I think.”

Behind her, the clock struck five, and Finnington appeared in the doorway, right on time. Disengaging her hand from Colin’s arm, she motioned for him to have a seat on the sofa beside his grandmother.

“If I could have your attention for a moment, there is something that I would like to share with you all on this special occasion of our families coming together for the first time.” She looked to Colin, smiling in earnest.

“Sir Frederick is the entire reason that we met, and I am forever grateful to him for bringing you to me. And now, as my betrothal gift to you—and your family, for that matter—I’d like very much to bring him to you.”

On cue, two footmen came into the room, carrying a framed canvas covered by a sheet. Colin watched it with interest, then turned his charcoal gaze back to her. “Is this what’s become of the portrait you painted for me?” He smiled broadly, softening the angles of his face. “I told you to use your own techniques, not his.”

She bit her lip and shook her head, suddenly swamped with unexpected butterflies. His portrait was completed. In fact, she had finished just this week, signing the mainly black, white, and gray painting with a crimson kiss in the bottom corner. But that was for later—this was for his whole family. His siblings watched her with curious gazes, while Gran eyed her with a spark lighting her whole face. Did she suspect?

A third footman set up a small easel, and the others set their bundle on it before retreating. “I’m sorry to say it’s not that painting, but I’m hoping this one will be infinitely more dear.”

Watching her soon-to-be family, she grasped the edge of the sheet and drew a deep breath. Her life with them wouldn’t begin when she exchanged her vows, but when she lifted the sheet, returning to them all that they had sacrificed because of her stubbornness. She caught Colin’s eye and basked in the love and joy held in his gaze. With her heart bursting with excitement, she counted down to the rest of her life.

Five, four, three, two . . .