Epilogue

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this Congregation, to join together this man and this woman in holy Matrimony, which is an honourable estate, instituted of God in the time of man's innocence, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church …" the minister began, as Aurelia and Dawson stood next to one another at the front of the church.

It was two months later, the end of a long, hot summer, and the wedding was taking place in the parish church of Wimbourne, of which Dawson was the patron. It was a small affair – despite Aurelia's mother having tried to make it a grand one – attended by a handful of the ton, along with the immediate family and some of the tenants from the estate.

Dawson's reputation had been restored, and he had proved the facts surrounding the allegations against him. But tongues still wagged, and Aurelia had resigned herself to the fact of prejudice – rather than truth – being the arbiter of opinion. But none of that mattered any more, and as they exchanged their vows, Aurelia could not have felt happier.

"I love you," Dawson whispered after the rector – an elderly man with white hair and wearing a billowing white surplice – pronounced the final blessing.

"And I love you, too," Aurelia replied, as now they turned to face the congregation as husband and wife.

Letitia was standing nearby with tears rolling down her cheeks. She was wearing a new dress and carrying a posy of flowers – transformed from a child into a young woman, and as Aurelia took Dawson's arm, she smiled at her sister, knowing there would no longer be a conflict between – at least over the things that really mattered.

"Oh, that was wonderful. What a beautiful ceremony. I wept the whole way through," Aurelia's mother said, hurrying over to them as the organ now played its finale and the other guests filed out of the pews.

Aurelia smiled, glancing at her father, who rolled his eyes.

"Congratulations to you both," the baron said, holding out his hand to Dawson, who shook it.

"Thank you, Joseph. And I'll say it again – I meant everything I said. Whatever happens, I'll take good care of Aurelia, and I'm sure she'll take good care of me, too," he said.

"Yes, congratulations, we're so happy for you," Roxanna said as she and Reuben wished them well.

"Will you go back to Kentucky?" Letitia asked, and the baroness let out a gasp.

"Oh … no, I hope not. You won't, will you? I couldn't bear to think of Aurelia on the high seas – what if there was a shipwreck? No … I refuse to allow it," she exclaimed, clutching her pearls with a look of horror, but Dawson smiled and shook his head.

"No, don't worry. I've no intention of going back to Kentucky. Fate brought me here, and I know where my duty lies," he said.

"But don't you miss it?" Letitia persisted.

"Oh, Letitia – you'd think you wanted to get rid of your sister," the baroness exclaimed, shaking her head and tutting.

"I miss the warm days – you say it was hot here during the summer. It felt like early spring to me. But apart from that … well, don't they say, "home is where the heart is?" I think I've found the place I call home," Dawson said, glancing at Aurelia and smiling.

As they left the church, a round of applause went up, and rice and dried rose petals were thrown as they climbed into a waiting carriage, waving to Aurelia's mother and father as they set off. The celebrations were to continue at Wimbourne Hall, where most of the servants had returned to work after the misunderstanding over the rumours spread about Dawson by Silas.

As for Silas, Aurelia understood he and his mother had gone north, taking a modest house in Derbyshire, and without making any further claims as to Silas' right to marry Aurelia. He had wanted to leave the wagging tongues of the ton behind – or so it was said – and Aurelia felt certain everyone would be better off without him. The past was put behind them, and the happiest futures lay ahead.

"I wouldn't say this to my mother, but … well, I'd like to see Kentucky for myself. We don't have to live there, but perhaps we could visit. Roxanna and Reuben are talking about it," Aurelia said, for she had overheard her brother and Dawson's cousin making plans to visit the United States after their grand tour of Europe.

Dawson smiled.

"They need to marry before they set off on a grand tour of Europe. Let's not have your brother dragged into a scandal," he said, and Aurelia smiled.

"No, that's very true. He's going to ask her, though. You'll give your permission, won't you?" Aurelia said, slipping her hand into his.

Dawson nodded.

"I've already given it. He came to see me yesterday. He's going to ask her today. But as for you and I going to Kentucky … well, we'll see. For now, I'm happy to be an English earl for a while – and enjoy the pleasure of being married to an English rose," he said, leaning forward and kissing her.

On arriving at Wimbourne Hall, they found the servants waiting for them, and they were treated to another round of applause as they stepped down from the carriage.

"On behalf of the servants, congratulations, My Lord. And welcome to you, My Lady," the butler said, bowing to them both.

"You'll be pleased, I suppose, Thompson," Dawson said, and the butler looked up at him in surprise.

"My Lord?" he said, and Dawson grinned at him.

"Well, you'll have the house run properly now – the English way. You've got Her Ladyship running things now," Dawson said, glancing at Aurelia, who raised her eyebrows.

"I think we'll keep things just as they are – for now," she replied, and Dawson now led her into her new home.

It felt strange to call it that and to find herself graced with the title of Countess of Wimbourne. A great deal had changed, but all of it for the better. In times gone by, Aurelia had wondered if she would ever find a man to marry, and she knew she had been too quick to see in Silas the fulfillment of her dreams. But now, married to Dawson, Aurelia knew her dreams had come true, and she could not have felt happier. As the other guests now arrived, the celebrations continued with dinner and dancing, and Reuben and Roxanna shared the happy news of their betrothal.

"And Father, I want your permission for the two of us to travel," Reuben said after a toast to the happy couple.

Roxanna raised her eyebrows.

"I don't need anyone's blessing to travel," she replied, but Dawson furrowed his brow and silenced her with a look.

Aurelia wondered what her father would say. Reuben was his heir, and he had responsibilities on the estate. But to Aurelia's surprise – and Reuben's, it seemed – their father nodded.

"As long as you come back eventually, I'll agree, yes. Travel broadens the mind. I only wish I'd had the opportunity to make a grand tour. You have my blessing – both of you. But not before you marry," he said, and Reuben turned to Roxanna with a grin.

"We'll speak to the rector right away – we could be married within the month," Reuben said, and Dawson smiled.

"I never thought you'd be able to tame my cousin," he said, and Roxanna glared at him.

"Tame me? I think you'll find no one tames me. But I'm glad to know we have your blessing, My Lord," she said, and the baron smiled.

"To new beginnings," he said, raising his glass.

Aurelia smiled, tugging at Dawson's sleeve and pointing to where Letitia was talking to a young gentleman – Lord Burns of Sidebeck, a friend Dawson had made on his passage across the Atlantic. They seemed to be getting on very well, and Aurelia was pleased to see her sister happy at last.

"It's a day of matchmaking," Dawson said as the pair stepped to one side.

"It certainly is, and how glad I am to have found the match we deserve," Aurelia replied as Dawson put his arms around her and kissed her on the forehead.

"We held back for too long, didn't we?" he said.

"Because there were so many reasons to do so. But love found a way – it always seems to, doesn't it? Look at Reuben and Roxanna. They're hardly a match, and yet they're so in love, too," Aurelia replied.

"Are we a match?" Dawson asked, and Aurelia laughed.

"No, not at all – we're like chalk and cheese. The exact opposite of one another. But that doesn't matter. I love you, and you love me. At first, I only saw you as a silhouette. But little by little, I came to see you as you truly are – a gentleman and the man I love more than anything in the world," she replied, and looking up at him, she smiled as he leaned forward and kissed her.

There was no need for further words, only the knowledge of what they now shared, an entanglement over etiquette, turned into the entanglement of their hearts.

THE END