Epilogue

Three Months Later

“I have a surprise for you, Elaine.”

Elaine sighed, a smile touching her lips. She stood, her ivory gown flowing around her body like the soft wings of a butterfly. Unable to help herself, she glanced at herself in the full-length mirror of the spare bedchamber where she had chosen to prepare at Ryewood House.

She was a vision. She could hardly believe it. Within a matter of hours, she’d been scrubbed clean by doting maids, garbed in layers of undergarments to preserve the beautiful wedding gown, and sat down at the vanity table for her hair to be curled and her cheeks adorned with a touch of colour. By the end of it, Elaine felt like the most beautiful lady in all of England, a feat she never thought possible.

Of course, Lorna had played a significant role in making this possible. She’d gifted Elaine the lovely pearl necklace and matching earrings already. To think she had yet another surprise for her.

“Aunt Lorna,” Elaine began, facing her aunt who stood at the door with a bright smile. “You have already done so much for me.”

“Well, you needn’t worry because this surprise is not from me,” Lorna told her.

Elaine frowned. “What do you mean?”

Lorna’s smile widened and she stepped away from the door, opening the door. Elaine gasped.

Her father stood there, leaning heavily on a cane, dressed smartly with a broad grin on his face.

“Pa,” Elaine breathed. She wanted to rush forward to help him, to get him to the nearest seat so that he could rest. But the fact that he was standing at all, the fact that he was smiling at her—and she had not seen him smile in years—left her speechless. Tears gathered in her eyes.

Slowly, Edward started forward. His movement was stilted, relying heavily on his cane. But as slow and awkward as it was, he managed to make his way all the way to her.

“May I have the honour of leading you down the aisle?”

Elaine crumpled to the floor, sobs hitched in her throat. “Pa, I…I can’t believe that you…”

“As much as I would love to, Elaine, I am not certain I will be able to rise again if I lower myself to the ground.”

She managed a laugh through her tears, pulling herself to a stand. “H-how?”

Lorna appeared by Edward’s side, wrapping a supportive arm around his waist. “Do you recall when I suggested that you wait until the Season has almost come to an end to have your wedding?”

Elaine nodded, sniffling. “You said you wanted Michael and I to enjoy our courtship a while longer.”

“Which is true. But it is also to help Edward prepare for this day. He wanted nothing more than to walk you down the aisle, so I hired a physician to help him each day.”

“How didn’t I notice that?” Elaine gasped. “I was by your side for most of the day.”

“And when you weren’t,” Edward said with a conspiratory grin, “that was the time to strike.”

“Michael was aware of it as well,” Lorna informed her. “We needed his help to keep you away for a few hours during the day and he was more than happy to oblige.”

“I cannot believe this.” Her sobs tore from her mouth. She reached out, embracing her father as gently as she could. “I’m so happy. I didn’t think anything could make me any happier.”

“Then perhaps I should not bother entering.”

Elaine gasped, eyes flying to the door. There, looking older, more rugged, but still with that cheeky grin, was her brother.

“Simon!” Elaine gently released her father before flying across the room and into her brother’s arms. “You have gotten taller!”

“I did not think it possible either,” he confessed with a laugh. “I am happy to see you, Elaine. And even happier to learn that you have found love.”

Elaine wiped her tears, looking up at her younger brother. “And what of you? Do not tell me you are still committed to your bachelorhood?”

“I am committed to my studies,” he said with mock seriousness. “So committed, in fact, that many of my peers were surprised to learn that I asked for a leave of absence to be here. But I could not miss this day.”

Elaine smiled, turning to Lorna. “I presume you were behind this as well?”

Lorna shrugged. “Guilty as charged.”

“I was wrong,” Elaine said. “I couldn’t possibly be happier than this moment right now.”

“Perhaps you should wait until after the ceremony to make such a statement,” Lorna suggested. “And if we do not go now, we shall be late. Come, darling, we should not keep your future husband waiting.”

Elaine left the bedchamber, walking slowly so that she could do so by her father’s side, even if it meant being a little late. The ceremony was to take place in the gardens of Ryewood House, a private and intimate occasion. The wedding breakfast would take place there as well, after which Elaine and Michael would leave for Scotland for their honeymoon.

At last, they made it to the gardens. The harpist began to play upon her appearance and the small amount of guests claimed their seats. Elaine’s eyes fell on James and Clarissa near the front. The past three months had been full of nothing but private smiles and adoring looks between the two of them, though James always seemed to get flustered when asked about his feelings for Clarissa. They were an adorable couple, clearly in love, and their wedding was set for two months away.

Elaine smiled at the other guests before her eyes fell on Michael. And then everything else disappeared.

Lorna was right. It was far too early to say how happy she was because this moment beat them all. Walking down the aisle with her father by her side, heading towards the love of her life, with her family watching. Tears touched her eyes once more.

As she reached Michael’s side, she watched him look at her father and nod. Edward said nothing, only nodding back. Something passed between them, something Elaine could not decipher but could tell they had come to an understanding.

“You look beautiful,” Michael breathed.

“You took the words right out of my mouth,” she whispered back. “I cannot believe the day is finally here.”

“Is that why you have been crying?” he asked, brushing a tender thumb across her cheek.

“No, I…I’m just so happy.”

Michael brought her hand to his lips, kissing the back of it. “Save your tears, my love. Because I intend to make you happier for the rest of your life.”

“Do you promise?”

“With all my heart.”

She believed him. So, she put her heart in his hands once and for all. From the moment their eyes met for the first time, from the day she realised she had fallen in love with him, she was his. But now, as the priest told Michael he may kiss his bride, she knew that he was completely and wholly hers.

The End