Epilogue

"Are you quite prepared?"

Abigail caught one last look at herself in her reflection before she smiled and nodded. "I am."

"Then let us depart." Lady Townsend came across to her and, reaching out one hand, took Abigail's in her own. "You look very happy, my dear child."

Abigail let out a slow breath. "I am very happy, Mama."

"And I am still very sorry for what I did at the beginning of all of this." Lady Townsend's smile wobbled. "Though I can see now that it has brought you a good deal of happiness, had I known that your father was – "

"Please, do not distress yourself on my account," Abigail interrupted, not wanting her happy day to be sorrowful in any way. "I am happier than I thought I might ever be and it is all because you thought that Lord Crestwood would be a suitable match for me. You might not have had the same thoughts nor ideas as I had about it all but I believe that you did it with the right motivations and out of consideration for my future." She pressed her mother's hand and then let it go, twirling around so that her wedding gown might be displayed in all its glory. "And see now what it has brought about!" With a laugh, she threw up her hands just as Charlotte came into the room. "I am to marry the gentleman I love with all of my heart, knowing that he loves me just as much. It is more happiness than I ever thought I should have in my life and I am beyond grateful for that."

"Oh, and you look so very beautiful." With a sigh, Charlotte clasped her hands under her chin, her eyes shining. "I am glad to see you happy. I could not have borne it if you were not."

Abigail smiled and reached out to embrace her sister. "I am certain you will find your own happiness soon enough," she murmured, as she pulled back and looked into Charlotte's eyes. "There is my own wedding, then there will be Isabella's wedding at the end of the Season – and then, mayhap, your wedding the following Season?"

"Lady Isabella is to marry?" their mother exclaimed, as Abigail and Charlotte giggled together. "Who is she to wed?"

Abigail turned, her heart swelling with happiness. "Captain Harrington asked for Lord Crestwood's permission to court Isabella and he gave him his blessing. I believe the courtship has turned very swiftly to engagement and they shall marry at the end of the Season."

Lady Townsend blinked. "Captain Harrington? She is to marry a Captain when she is the daughter of – and sister to – an Earl? "

"Yes, Mama," Abigail laughed, as Charlotte smiled happily at the news. "My dear Crestwood understands that one cannot help whom one falls in love with. If he were entirely unsuitable, that would be quite another matter, but Captain Harrington is brave, kind, considerate and cares very deeply for Lady Isabella. I think they shall have a very happy marriage."

"As I am sure you shall also," Charlotte replied, before Lady Townsend could say anything more. "Come then, I think the carriage is waiting."

"And your betrothed will be also," Lady Townsend continued, her smile breaking through again. "Abigail, I am very happy for you. Truly, I am. May this day be the beginning of a joyous union between yourself and Lord Crestwood, where your future is nothing but joy and happiness within your own house."

"And may you bring him the required heir within the right time!" Charlotte quipped as Abigail's face burst into flame. "Come now, we must hurry. We do not want to make Lord Crestwood wait any longer than he has already done!"

With a laugh, Abigail followed after her sister, her mind already on Lord Crestwood. Soon, she would be his bride, soon she would take her place as his wife and then, she was certain, her happiness would be complete.

"I – I am sorry, Abigail."

Abigail looked to her father, her eyes wide in surprise.

"I have had a good many things to consider and I realise that you were quite right." Lord Townsend turned to her a little more, though her hand rested on his arm, ready for her to step into the church and make her way down to Lord Crestwood. "I should not only have been thinking of myself and yet that is precisely what I have been doing." His eyes closed for a moment, his jaw tight. "And I will admit that I have been thinking solely of myself as regards your marriage and your future. It was my debts that concerned me – debts that I did bring upon myself, I will admit." He turned beseeching eyes to her. "Might you think to forgive me?"

"Father." Abigail looked up at him steadily. "I am happy. I am contented. In fact, I am overjoyed to marry Lord Crestwood! I love him and he loves me in return. Though that does not excuse what you did nor your selfishness, for I will admit that it is precisely what you have been, it has come to some good, Father, and I am more than eager to step forward this day and become Lord Crestwood's bride."

Lord Townsend blinked furiously but nodded rather jerkily. "Then I am contented. "

"Though I should like to ask you something," Abigail continued, holding back even though every part of her wanted to do nothing more than hurry into the church. "I should like your word on it."

Again, her father looked at her but there was a steadiness in his eyes that she had not seen before. "Yes, Abigail. What is it?"

"I want you to make certain that Charlotte can pick her own husband," Abigail replied, firmly. "And to swear that you will not touch her dowry, now it is substantially greater than it was before. I know that you have said you did not take a single penny from my dowry and I am grateful for that, but I should like you to promise that you will not do so to Charlotte's dowry either."

Her father lifted his chin and for a moment, Abigail thought he was going to rail at her angrily only for tears to spark in his eyes. Dropping his head, he paused for a few moments before putting his hand over hers as it sat on his arm.

"I give you my word, Abigail."

She smiled and leaned into him. "Thank you, Father."

"You are better than I could ever be," he told her, nodding to the two footmen who held the doors. "Now come, let me see you happy."

Abigail took in a long breath, steadying herself as the doors were pulled open. She did not look to the right nor to the left but only straight ahead, seeing the gentleman she loved standing there, waiting for her, with Captain Harrington beside him. Her heart leapt with joy, her face wreathed itself with smiles as she walked down towards him, her father beside her and her happiness overwhelming. She wanted to cry for the sheer joy of it but managed to contain her tears, seeing the love in his gaze as he waited for her to reach him.

Coming to stand beside him, Lord Townsend still between them both, Abigail dragged her gaze to the vicar, watching as he opened The Book of Common Prayer and, with a glance to them both, began the ceremony.

"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 honorable estate, instituted of God in the time of man's innocency, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church; which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence, and first miracle that he wrought, in Cana of Galilee; and is commended of Saint Paul to be honorable among all men: and therefore is not by any to be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, to satisfy men's carnal lusts and appetites, like brute beasts that have no understanding; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the causes for which matrimony was ordained. First, it was ordained for the procreation of children, to be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, and to the praise of his holy Name. Secondly, it was ordained for a remedy against sin, and to avoid fornication; that such persons as have not the gift of continency might marry and keep themselves undefiled members of Christ's body. Thirdly, It was ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort, that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity. Into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. Therefore, if any man can show any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace.

Abigail looked up into Lord Crestwood's eyes, smiling as the silence wrapped around them both. She did not expect anyone to speak up and though the wait became almost unbearable – for all she wanted was to make her vows – the vicar finally continued.

"Very well. Now, I shall speak to you both. I require and charge you both, as you will answer at the day of judgment when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if either of you know any impediment why you may not be lawfully joined together in matrimony, you do now confess it."

Again, Abigail was forced to wait though a small smile began to spread across Lord Crestwood's face. Did he too feel the same agony as she? Was he waiting for the moment where he might make his promise to her, where they might finally be declared as husband and wife?

"Very well." With seemingly agonizing slowness, the vicar cleared his throat and, thereafter, turned to Lord Crestwood.

"Arthur, Earl of Crestwood, will you have this woman as your wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep only unto her, so long as you both shall live?"

"I will." Lord Crestwood said those words so quickly, a quiet murmur of mirth ran around the church and Abigail herself smiled so brightly, even Lord Crestwood grinned.

"Miss Abigail Townsend, daughter to Viscount Townsend, will you have this man as your wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you obey him, and serve him, love, honour, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep only unto him, so long as you both shall live?"

"I will." Abigail spoke clearly, seeing Lord Crestwood's expression soften as she smiled up at him.

"And," the vicar intoned, "who gives this woman to be married to this man?"

Lord Townsend cleared his throat. "I do. "

Nodding, the vicar gestured to Lord Townsend and, much to Abigail's joy, her father took her hand and placed it upon Lord Crestwood's. The touch of his hand to hers had her heart beating a little more quickly, her eyes fastening to him, knowing now that they were about to make their final vows to one another.

Lord Crestwood cleared his throat, speaking in rich, deep tones that flooded right through Abigail, settling him into her heart all the more.

"I, Arthur, the Earl of Crestwood, take thee, Miss Abigail Townsend, as my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth."

Tears of joy burned in her eyes as she spoke her promises, her voice shaking slightly but her happiness increasing with every word she spoke, with every vow she made. "I, Abigail Townsend, take you, Arthur, Earl of Crestwood, as my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth."

With a deep breath, Lord Crestwood turned and Captain Harrington stepped forward, offering Lord Crestwood the ring he was to place upon Abigail's finger. Holding her hand out, her heart beat furiously as Lord Crestwood took her hand and held the ring to her fourth finger.

"With this ring I thee wed. With my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow. "

Abigail watched as the ring was slipped onto her finger. It tied her to him, proclaimed to all that she was his wife and that he was her husband. Lord Crestwood smiled softly as he pressed her fingers and it took all of Abigail's strength not to lean into him. The vicar cleared his throat gently and Abigail turned, her hand still in Lord Crestwood's as they turned to kneel.

Then the Groom will put the Ring

"Let us pray."

Abigail inclined her head as the vicar spoke a blessing over them both.

"Eternal God, send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy Name; that they may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant made between them, where this ring given and received is a token and pledge. May they ever remain in perfect love and peace together and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. "

Pressing her lips together, Abigail looked up as the vicar smiled gently, perhaps aware of just how much her heart longed for him to say these final words.

"Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder."

Lord Crestwood rose, taking Abigail with him as they turned to face the assembled congregation.

"As both the Earl of Crestwood and Abigail Townsend have consented together in holy wedlock and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth either to other and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a ring, and by joining of hands; I pronounce that they be man and wife together."

Abigail wanted to throw herself into his arms but there were still lines to write and documents to be signed. She did all of this in something of a daze, hardly able to believe that she was his bride and looking up into Lord Crestwood's eyes at almost every moment, just to make certain that it was true.

"Come, my dear."

It was done. Her hand still tight in his, Abigail turned again to face the gathered congregation of friends and family. Everyone was smiling, her mother was dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief and smiling beatifically. Charlotte and Isabella were standing to one side, ready to follow out after them and, looking up to Lord Crestwood, Abigail found herself lost in his eyes.

"My darling wife," Lord Crestwood murmured, pressing her hand tightly. "We shall walk down this aisle and then I must be alone with you – even for only a few minutes."

Those words sent a joyous trembling to her soul and they walked down the aisle together as husband and wife, her heart singing with the sheer joy of it all. Cheers and cries from well-wishers surrounded her, flower petals and rice thrown over them and many a blessing given. Abigail laughed and smiled and wanted to weep from happiness, looking up into Lord Crestwood's face and thinking to herself that she had never seen him smiling as happily as he was at this moment.

"You will have to all excuse me for a moment," Lord Crestwood declared, as though he had seen her thoughts. "I must take my bride for a short walk around the churchyard and then we will return to you all."

This brought with it some laughter and knowing looks and, blushing from head to foot, Abigail ducked her head but let Lord Crestwood lead her away from the crowd, satisfied to be, at last, solely in his company .

"My darling." Lord Crestwood took both of her hands in his now that they were both hidden from the view of the other assembled guests. "We are wed at last! Is that not wonderful?"

"It is." She squeezed his hands lightly, having no desire even to blink for fear of missing a single moment of being in his company. "I can hardly believe that we are man and wife!"

Lord Crestwood lifted one of her hands to his lips, pressing a kiss to it. "I do not think I have ever been happier than when I put that ring on your finger. It was as though heaven itself had opened in the sky and sent light down upon us both. It is a wonder that I did not collapse where I stood such was the sense of gratitude and happiness within my heart."

"I am glad you did not for I do not think I would have the strength to catch you!" Abigail laughed, as he laughed along with her. "But in truth, Crestwood, I am truly overjoyed at being your wife."

"And a Countess, no less," he murmured, as heat rose in her cheeks. "I could ask for no-one better, my dear. I think you are the most wonderful, the most beautiful and the most incredible lady – not only in England but in all the world!"

She smiled and then, pulling her hands from his, stepped into his embrace, putting her hands around his neck and letting her head rest on his shoulder for a moment. Lord Crestwood held her tightly, his strong arms around her waist, the steady beat of his heart a comfort. Letting out a contented breath, she looked up at him and Lord Crestwood immediately bent his head so he might kiss her. She leaned into him all the more, her heart full as his lips met hers in loving kiss, knowing that she was safe, that she was loved and that she was protected, standing here in the arms of her new husband, the supposed Beast of Crestwood… who was beast no more.

THE EN D