A Spinster for the Earl: A Steamy Historical Regency Romance Novel (The Hale Sisters Book 3)
A Spinster for the Earl: Epilogue

FIVE MONTHS LATER

Lucy shouted, squeezing her eyes shut as the rain poured down on her as she exited the carriage. Her fingers were intertwined with Isaac’s, and she hurried up the driveway of her childhood. Once they reached the door, they let go of each other and laughed.

Inside, the house smelled of freshly baked bread and puddings. The guests cheered excitedly as the bride and groom entered the drawing room. Harriet waved from the pianoforte, her fingers playing a soft melody, while her husband, Morgan, stood nearby.

Lucy and Isaac had opted for a small wedding breakfast with only close friends and family. It was certainly an occasion to remember. Her aunt Bridget and her husband, Lord Murrey, had traveled from the country. They were just as sweet with each other as Lucy recalled back when she had spent the summer there with Harriet. Even Lord Murrey’s daughter, Daphne, was in attendance. She was older now, taller, and well on her way to surpassing Lucy in knowledge.

Lucy exchanged hugs with each of them. She couldn’t help but watch Isaac wrap his mother in a hug. They were now closer than ever. After mingling with family and friends, the guests made their way to the dining room.

An incredible spread of cakes, biscuits, breads, and jams adorned the table. Lucy was starving. She set her eyes on a golden brioche bun.

Once everyone had taken their seats, Isaac stood up. “Thank you, everyone, for coming out to London for our wedding.”

Immediately, Adam began to clap, and everyone else followed.

Lucy put a hand on her husband’s elbow and added, “My entire family and all of my friends have known me to denounce marriage for my entire life, but Lord Ramsbury was able to change my mind. So, I guess what I would like to say is that I am sorry to my sisters and my parents for all of the undue stress I caused. You were right about marriage, after all.”

There were more cheers.

“The unattainable spinster no longer,” Adam intoned.

Everyone in the room laughed while Lucy’s nose twitched in annoyance. “I will have you know that I still detest that nickname.”

“Good!” Harriet smiled, tight-lipped. “You shall never have to hear it again!”

The room erupted with more laughter.

As Lucy sat down, Isaac covertly placed a hand on her knee under the table. Everyone else was busy chatting amongst themselves and enjoying their breakfast.

“Your sister is right,” he said. “You never have to hear that nickname again, although I don’t mind hearing it myself.” He smirked. “I cannot say I dislike knowing that I was the reason you have a ring on your finger.”

Lucy looked at the wedding band. It was simple, understated, and silver, exactly what she liked. She hadn’t stopped admiring it since she’d left the church. And still, it was only half as eye-catching as Isaac was.

The breakfast was delicious, and Lucy was glad to see her friends and family, but the truth was that she was very overeager for her honeymoon to begin, perhaps as soon as the carriage doors shut behind her and Isaac. They were planning to spend the first few days in Isaac’s London house just for some extra privacy before she settled into her new home.

“Miss Barrington is awfully quiet today,” she noted.

Kitty looked happy, but she wasn’t nearly as talkative as she usually was.

“That she is,” Isaac agreed as he buttered a piece of toast for his grandmother.

Lucy paused. She had known Isaac long enough to know when he was being purposefully quiet about something. “Do you know something that I do not?”

He glanced at her before cursing quietly under his breath. “I am not supposed to say anything.”

“Why?”

He sighed, before passing his plate off to his grandmother on the other side of the table. The elderly woman inspected her toast carefully before biting into it.

“Miss Barrington doesn’t want to disturb the breakfast.”

“Is something wrong?” Lucy’s mind raced. Perhaps something had happened to Kitty. Hopefully, her mother was healthy.

Isaac sighed once more and leaned closer to his wife. “Adam proposed to her.”

Lucy’s eyes widened, and a huge smile bloomed across her face. “Really?”

“You know how she is. She worries if she opens her mouth, she won’t be able to stop herself from telling everyone on our wedding day.”

“Can you believe it?” Lucy giggled. “Two rakes and a spinster felled by one season?”

Isaac laughed. “No.” He grinned, his blue eye glinting with mischief. “I still have to remind myself that I married the unattainable spinster.”

“Oh, stop that!”

The End?