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“Wonderful. Because I do have a few more dates and events to mention,” Alice sad with a grin.

Rosamund rolled her eyes heavenward.

“ You have ruined yourself, Perry,” Adrian drawled.

The two of them were lounging in the Westbournd drawing room, which Peregrine felt he was just becoming accustomed to after his prolonged stay at Ashbourne.

“How is that?” Peregrine asked.

“Well, you have damaged your rakish reputation! What about all your widows and previous, er, acquaintances?"

“I will try to survive the shame,” Peregrine replied dryly.

“On a serious note, congratulations my dearest friend. I hope you and Lady Rosamund the best. I am glad that you have finally found our match,” Adrian said sincerely.

Thomas Wycliff also called at Ashbourne Hall to offer his formal congratulations to both Rosamund and Peregrine. He shook Peregrine’s hand with warmth and gave Rosamund a respectful bow.

“I am here to offer my congratulations. I want to assure you both that there is no jealous and resentment between us. Consider me a friend, both of you.”

Meanwhile, Crowther had been formally charged for his blackail scheme. The truth about Eleanor and Marian Vale would remain a secret, and Rosamund herself did not want Marian’s name mentioned alongside Crowther and his crimes.

“I will not drag Marian’s name in the mud simply to please everyone’s curiosity,” Rosamund said.

Rosamund also used a significant portion of her Harcourt inheritance that you would finance women and children greatly affected by family scandal or widowhood, both of which could have sent them to a life of poverty.

After she had signed the last of her inclusions for her trust, she watch the autumn leaves fall from the view of tall windows of the Ashbourne library. Peregrine sat next to her, watching the same view.

“Ashbourne,” he whispered.

“It is our home now,” Rosamund murmured.

“We have come home. Finally.”

Epilogue

“You will be marrying the man you once described as the most detestable creature in England,” Alice teased, as she ensured her friend’s gown was in order.

There was nothing to worry about. The gown was white lace with a hint of blue ribbon around its empire waistline. The scooped neckline provided everyone with a view of her diamond and sapphire necklace, a gift from Peregrine.

“That was before I had sufficient information,” Rosamund explained, her eyes dancing as she watched herself in the full-length mirror.

“Oh? Apparently, sufficient information includes blue-gray eyes and a dangerous smile,” Alice goaded playfully.

Rosamund threw a lace handkerchief at her friend, which Alice caught happily.

At church, Peregrine waited not so patiently with Adrian. They stood near the altar, watching people enter and take the pews. The guests were not only members of the ton who were close to them, but some villagers and tenants who had gotten close to him or to Rosamund were also invited.

“Are you nervous, my dear friend?” Adrian asked.

“No,” Peregrine replied curtly.

“Have you realized that you have adjusted your cravat six times already?”

“Perhaps you should find a different occupation,” Peregrine advised. “Something that has nothing to do with watching me.”

Then, the murmurs from the guests reached a crescendo. Peregrine turned to see Rosamund entering the church, looking like an angel. His jaw dropped, and remained open as his chest tightened. He could not breathe. Was it possible to be this overwhelmed?

She began walking toward him, and he could not hear anything at all. All he knew was that she was gliding into his life and he was merely standing still and waiting for her to choose him. He still could not believe it when the ceremony ended, and the vicar declared, “I now pronounce you man and wife.”

“I have finally acquired the neighborhood estate through marriage,” Peregrine declared, raising his glass.

The wedding breakfast was held at Ashbourne Hall, for where else should it be?

“Is that the way to make a toast, Your Grace?” Thomas asked teasingly.

“This man is showing his true colors now, I am afraid,” Adrian declared, raising both his hands.

“I am sorry to say that I am still the mistress of the house,” Rosamund joined the teasing. “You, dear husband, should remember that I now own Ashbourne. It technically means that I have acquired you, and not the other way around.”

Laughter and applause received her declaration.

“That bargain sounded suspicious,” Peregrine said, but all the while, he was smiling at his new bride.

“It looks like you want to be acquired, Your Grace,” Alice remarked.

“Oh, he does,” Adrian agreed.