Epilogue

Epilogue

"Are you quite sure I look all right?" Celestina asked for the hundredth time as she looked at her reflection in the looking glass. Her daffodil yellow wedding gown gathered around her legs.

Sylvia giggled. "For the last time, Celestina. You look more beautiful than I've ever seen you—and that's saying something, given how beautiful you are all the time."

Celestina blushed, turning to embrace her friend. "Thank you, Mrs Rivers."

Sylvia shivered. "I will never get tired of hearing that. Mrs Rivers … it has quite the ring to it, doesn't it?"

"It suits you," Celestina said. "As does marriage in general. I don't think I've ever seen you smile so much."

"As does The Duchess of Exeter suit you!"

Celestina blushed again, unable to stop herself. The very idea of being a duchess was still overwhelming to her. "I have certainly gone up in the world. I'd wager my parents would like Richard now that he is noble."

"Are you ready?" Walter said as he poked his head around the door. He'd kindly agreed to walk Celestina down the aisle instead of her late father. "I believe the whole of London is waiting for you in the marquee. Who knew the duke had so many friends?"

"I'm ready," Celestina said, though she shook with nerves.

She would have preferred a small, intimate wedding, just as Walter and Sylvia had. It had been such a beautiful day, with only close friends and a handful of Walter's family. But Richard had been so excited to plan a grand affair that Celestina hadn't had the heart to tell him how nervous it made her. She'd been the talk of the town for so long now that she wanted to hide away from them, not step out in front of them in all her glory.

Hearing people talk badly about her had angered Richard, though. That was why he'd insisted on the big wedding and a lavish fest. He wanted to show the world how much he adored Celestina and how she would be the most loved woman in England. As Celestina stepped out of the house and into the garden, she clung to the bouquet to stop her hands from shaking.

"Everyone is going to love you," Sylvia whispered as she dashed past them holding her own flowers. She swept into the marquee to take her place. Celestina took a deep breath, then wove her arm into Walter's, nodded, and stepped into the marquee.

Richard was already at the altar. He stood with his back to her, not turning around as she entered. He was shaking, too; she could see it through the thin fabric of his trousers, and that made her smile. It calmed her own nerves a little.

Everyone turned to look at her as they slowly walked down the aisle to the string quartet's music in the corner. She nodded and smiled at various guests, some of whom she recognized and others she didn't. And when she was just a few feet from the altar, Richard finally turned around.

At first, he looked anxious, but when his eyes met hers, his entire face lit up as though she brought so much joy to his life. And the fluttering in Celestina's own stomach dissipated. With Richard by her side, everything was always all right, even with so many eyes upon her. They didn't break their eye contact while she stepped up beside him.

"You look radiant, my love. I never thought this day would come."

They shared a tender moment, and though the marquee was filled with so many people, Celestina felt as if only she and Richard existed, the rest of the world melting away around them. He was all she needed, all she wanted. And soon, he would be her husband.

The priest cleared his throat. "If you're both ready?"

Celestina and Richard turned to him and nodded, and he welcomed the congregation to the joyous occasion.

As they said their vows, Celestina no longer felt anxious. She no longer shook with nerves. Because everything about this moment was right, and the muttering chatter from the crowd was kind and admiring. They stared into each other's eyes, making promises that she knew they would both keep. This was true, predestined love; there was no changing that.

"May I now pronounce you—"

"Wait," Richard said, interrupting the priest.

Celestina's heart fluttered again. Has he changed his mind?

He took Celestina's hands in his and gazed at her. "I have a few other vows to make."

The priest cleared his throat. "This is highly unusual, Your Grace. It is not something we—"

"I know," Richard said, not taking his eyes off Celestina. "But she is a highly unusual woman and deserves more than the standard vows."

Despite the ripple of murmurs from the congregation, the priest cleared his throat a second time and allowed it.

"Celestina, there has not been a single day in my life when I haven't loved you, and I promise there will not be a single day in the future. We were born to be together, you and me. And as such, I vow to always protect you, especially against those with bad words to say.

I vow to hold you in a safe place while you spread your wings and grow. I vow to love you more than anyone in the world has ever been loved, and I will shout that from the rooftops every day. Everyone shall know the strength of our love so that no one can ever doubt us again."

Celestina held her breath. She had thought he was about to change his mind, but instead … She held back the tears as the priest pronounced them husband and wife.

Later, at the wedding breakfast, everyone feasted, laughed, and drank. When the dancing began, Richard took Celestina's hand and led her onto the dance floor.

"I don't think we've shared a dance since you came back into my life, have we?" he said.

She chuckled. "No. I admit I have not attended many balls of late."

"Well, that shall change now that you're duchess. Appearing at social occasions will be one of your official duties." Celestina smiled, though Richard must have seen through it to her nerves beneath because he said, "And everyone will adore you, Mrs Kingsley. The world will want to be your friend now. I promise you that."

She smiled again, though it felt real, genuine this time, and her gaze softened as she looked at her new husband. She wondered if she would ever tire of looking into his eyes. They turned around the ballroom floor, the eyes of their guests upon them. The room was filled with warmth and good wishes, and Celestina finally felt as though she belonged.

"I wanted to say thank you, Richard. For everything you've done for me."

"You don't need to thank me for doing something out of love. I would do it all again if I needed to."

"You know, I have known a love so passionate. I didn't even realize it was possible. It's a little overwhelming if I'm honest, but in a good way."

Richard leaned in and whispered in her ear, "And it's only just beginning, my love. We lost so many years apart. I won't make the mistake of hiding my feelings ever again."

And then he kissed her. There on the dance floor with everybody watching. His lips tenderly brushed against hers, their softness sending shivers down her spine.

It was days later, after long strolls and picnics in the park, visits to galleries and theatres, meeting the tenants, and celebrating with them, that Celestina saw her name in the gossip sheets again. Her heart flipped with worry as she and her husband shared breakfast together.

Richard stirred sugar into his tea as Celestina picked up the paper and stared at it in horror. She had hoped it was all over. But as she read it, she began to laugh, for her name was no longer besmirched.

"What's so funny?" Richard asked, looking up from the toast he'd been buttering.

"It appears our little embrace at Regent's Park yesterday was spotted."

"Goodness, no," Richard said with a wary chuckle. "And I thought we were well hidden by that willow tree."

"Listen to this," she said, and then she read the story out to him. "They were entirely oblivious to the world around them. One has never seen such an open display of love as that between the Duke and Duchess of Exeter. Why, it's enough to make one fluster!"

THE END