“I made my apologies to Catherine earlier this morning. Gave me quite the dressing-down, but we’ve made our peace. She neither likes nor condones what I did, but she understands why I did it. I did not believe you would come home otherwise. Indeed, I wasn’t certain that even news of my impending death would drag you back to England.”
“Your faith in me never fails to astound, Father. Tell me, how did you achieve your sickly look?”
“I severely cut back on my eating.”
“And your pasty complexion?”
“A dusting of flour.” Before Philip could say anything further, Father continued, “You have every right to be angry, but I hope you will understand that while my actions were dishonorable, my intentions were not. Although my health thankfully remains good, that of many of my peers does not. I wanted us to have the chance to repair our relationship before it was too late, and you were not showing any signs of returning.” Father lifted his brows. “If I’d not lied, would you have come home?”
Philip’s hands clenched. “Most likely no,” he admitted.
“I sensed as much. I hope you’ll forgive me for resorting to trickery, but I felt I had no choice. I’m sorry I lied to you. However, I am not sorry you are home. I missed you, Philip. We once had a good relationship…”
Memories of days spent walking the grounds at Ravensly Manor, afternoons spent reading together in the library, evenings spent bent over the chessboard, swept through Philip, leaving sadness and regret in their wake. “Yes.” Philip pushed the word past his tight throat. “Before I failed to keep my word. Before I failed Mother. And you.”
A muscle jerked in his father’s jaw. “I’ve waited years to say this, Philip, and now that the moment is upon me, the words are still difficult…” He exhaled a long breath. “I did us both a great disservice that day when your mother was caught in the rain, then fell so ill. Yes, I was upset and distraught, but not at you. At the fates that were robbing me of her. She’d been so fragile for so long, and we’d known for months me end was near. That day, I said things to you in anger. Hurtful things impinging your honor that I did not mean. But things which, once said, erected an ever-growing wall between us I did not know how to scale… a wall I hope we can, as adults, somehow climb over. You’re a fine man, son. I should have apologized to you years ago. As I did not, I can only pray that it is not too late. I’m sorry.”
His father extended his hand. Philip stared at the gesture of sorrow, friendship, and respect, and swallowed to dislodge the lump in his throat. Feeling as if a huge weight had lifted from his shoulders, he reached out and clasped his father’s hand in a firm grip. Philip wasn’t certain who made the first move, but seconds later they were embracing in a back-thumping hug. When they stepped apart, both pulled linen handkerchiefs from their pockets. Dabbing at his eyes, Father said, “Blast it, Philip, this place is bloody dusty. You simply must hire more servants. Especially now that you’re taking a wife.” He slipped his handkerchief back into his pocket. “You said there was something you wished to discuss with me?”
“Yes. Actually, I wished to thank you. It was your efforts to secure me a bride that set into motion the series of events that led me to this moment: anticipating taking Meredith as my bride.”
Father’s brows rose. “I see. Does that mean you forgive me for deceiving you in order to get you home?”
“I suppose it must, for if you hadn’t, I would not have returned. And if I hadn’t returned, I would not have met Meredith. So indeed, it would appear that I am grateful for your deceit.”
“About Miss Chilton-Grizedale, Philip… although she is not of the peerage, I quite like her. And Catherine assures me she will lend her support to your wife and that she has the makings of a fine viscountess.”
“She does, Father. On my word of honor, she does.”
“Well, that is good enough for me.”
Standing next to Andrew, Philip watched Meredith enter the drawing room, and his breath hitched. She wore a pale blue muslin gown, exquisite in its simplicity, the unadorned column highlighting her extraordinary eyes and vibrant coloring. Her midnight hair was gathered into a classic Greek knot, and strands of lustrous pearls, his wedding gift to her, were wound through the shiny tresses. Her gaze locked onto his, and a smile filled with pure love and happiness trembled on her lips.
She walked slowly toward him, her gloved fingers resting lightly on Albert’s sleeve. Albert, who beamed with pride at his “Miss Merrie,” and who would be marrying Charlotte Carlyle early next month.
Albert delivered Meredith to Philip’s side with a solemn nod, to which Philip responded with an equally grave bow of the head. Then he looked down at the woman who owned his heart. “You look beautiful,” he whispered.
“Thank you. So do you,” she whispered back. “Your father told me about your conversation.”
“Quite the trickster, is he not?”
The vicar cleared his throat and frowned at them.
“Yes,” Meredith whispered with a smile, blithely ignoring the vicar. “I thanked him profusely.”
He smiled in return. “As did I.”
“I think the vicar is growing impatient with you two,”
Andrew whispered into the fray. “His face resembles a thundercloud.” He nodded toward Meredith. “You look lovely, Miss Chilton-Grizedale.”
She beamed at him. “Thank you, Mr. Stanton, as do you. So lovely, in fact, I’m certain that it won’t be long before you are standing before the vicar. Indeed, I intend to see to it.”
Andrew shot Philip a pointed look, to which Philip shrugged. “She is the Matchmaker of Mayfair, you know.” He returned his attention to Meredith, whose beautiful eyes glowed up at him.
“You look happy,” he whispered.
A slow, beautiful smile lit her face. “Happy? I prefer to call it unequivocal, indubitable, flagrant, euphoric joy.”
He laughed, earning him a stern glare from the vicar. “Yes, I’m certain you do. And this time, my darling Meredith, I completely agree with you.”
Author’s Note
Dear Reader,
I hope you enjoyed Philip and Meredith’s love story! I had a wonderful time writing about their adventures, especially as the research I conducted for this book led me to some fascinating information regarding ancient civilizations. Of special note is the story of Cleopatra’s very clever way of hosting the most expensive feast in history. This is indeed based upon writings found in Pliny the Elder’s Natural History, a comprehensive work detailing his observations of the world around him, and devoted to a variety of subjects such as agriculture, geography, astronomy, botany, zoology, and medicine, as well as history. Gaius Plinius Secundus (known as Pliny the Elder) possessed a passion for directly observing phenomena and taking notes. Unfortunately, his dedication to this method, along with his curiosity, was directly responsible for his death in 79 A. D., when he ventured too close to Mount Vesuvius during its eruption and the destruction of Pompeii.
Also of special note is the poem Philip recites to Meredith during their Mediterranean dinner, which is an actual lyric translated from an ancient Egyptian glyph.
I love to hear from readers! You can contact me through my website at
Thank you so much for spending time with Philip and Meredith!
Best regards and happy reading,
Jacquie D’Alessandro