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 honorable 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 was saying, facing the congregation as Tabitha and Roger stood before him.

Johanna slipped her hand into Edmund's, squeezing it as the couple began to make their vows. It was early spring, and the wedding was taking place in the village church. Johanna's mother was in floods of tears at her side, and after the final blessing, she shook her head, turning to Johanna with a smile on her face.

"Oh, isn't it wonderful? Both my children married, and to such excellent matches!" she exclaimed.

Johanna smiled, glancing at Edmund, who shook his head.

"Am I really such an excellent match?" he asked, and Johanna's mother furrowed her brow.

"Oh, really, sir—isn't it a truth universally acknowledged that a mother wants only the best for her daughter? And certainly in terms of matrimony. When I was at the home of the Fortescues the other day—you remember them, Johanna, he's the one with gout—I was addressed as the mother of the Countess of Beaumont. It was quite the honor," she said, and Johanna smiled.

"Well, if it makes you happy, Mother," she said, and her mother nodded.

"It makes me very happy to see my children happy. Look, here they come now," she said, nodding toward Tabitha and Roger, who were now coming down the aisle, arm in arm.

Tabitha looked very pretty in her dress—she and Johanna had chosen it together from the modiste, an ivory-colored gown with a matching shawl. She was wearing jewelry her mother had gifted her, and the smile on her face radiated happiness. To see her now reminded Johanna of her own wedding day and the contrast in feeling she had experienced. On the day of her own vows, Johanna had not been certain of anything, and certainly not of her feelings toward Edmund. But all that had changed, and the past six months had been a blissful, happy time filled with the delights a newly married couple were meant to share.

"I'm so happy for you, Tabitha," Johanna said, kissing her friend, who smiled and took Johanna's hand in hers.

"Can you believe it? I hardly know what to think. It's...wonderful," she said, glancing at Roger, who was shaking Edmund's hand.

"It's the strangest feeling, isn't it? The vows you make...they mean everything," Johanna said.

Again, she had not realized it at the time. The gravity of what she had promised had only slowly dawned on her, but to see Tabitha make those same vows was to be reminded of just how serious they were. Marriage was for life, and it was not to be entered into without due and proper consideration.

"It feels like a dream," Tabitha replied.

They now made their way out of the church. A carriage was waiting to take Tabitha and Roger to Wilton Grange, where further celebrations would take place, and having seen them off, Edmund offered Johanna his arm.

"It's a beautiful day. Shall we walk?" he asked, and Johanna nodded.

"I think that's a very good idea," she replied, knowing her mother would still be in a flood of tears over the affair and preferring to leave her aunt to deal with the overflow of emotion. Arm in arm, she and Edmund walked across the village square toward the road leading to Wilton Grange. It was still early in the springtime, but there was a freshness in the air, and the promise of new life to come. Johanna was looking forward to seeing her plans for the garden come to fruition and watching as the plants in the orangery put forth their first tentative buds.

"Seeing Roger and Tabitha married reminded me of just how lucky we are," Edmund said, and Johanna looked up at him and smiled.

"It reminded me of the same. We have so much to be thankful for, Edmund. We really do," Johanna replied.

"Do you remember I told you I wanted to surprise you? On that day in Bluebell Wood?" he said.

Johanna nodded. She often thought of that day—the day they had both revealed the true extent of their feelings for one another. It was the day Johanna thought of as the beginning of their marriage—a day to rejoice in the memory of and be reminded of often.

"I do, yes. But I was beginning to wonder if you'd forgotten about it," she replied, smiling at him as he laughed.

"Forgotten? No, not at all. Quite the opposite, in fact. I've spent a great deal of time thinking about it. But I had to wait," he replied, and Johanna looked at him curiously.

"Wait for what?" she asked.

"For today. I couldn't very well take you away from your best friend's wedding, could I?" he said.

Johanna was confused. She could not imagine what kind of surprise might have prevented her from being absent on such an important day…

"I wouldn't have missed the wedding for the world," she said, and Edmund smiled.

"I know, but it's the world I want to give you, Johanna. haven't you always spoken of your love of traveling? It's been such a delight to hear the stories of your adventures with your aunt. I was thinking...no, I've intended for us to travel together ever since the day of our marriage. It's been a dream of mine, too, and I can't think of a better companion along the way," he said.

Johanna's heart skipped a beat. She had feared her days of traveling were over. They had their duties to attend to. Edmund was the earl. He had responsibilities, and Johanna, too, was beginning to find her place as the Countess of Beaumont.

"You mean...we're going to travel together?" she asked, and Edmund nodded.

"I've booked passage for us on a boat across the channel. We'll go to Paris first, and then on to wherever the fancy takes us. I've always wanted to see Verona—I suppose it has something to do with Shakespeare," he said.

Johanna could hardly believe it, and now she threw her arms around him and pulled him into her embrace.

"Oh, Edmund...you don't know how happy it makes me to hear you say that. Ever since I returned from Europe, I've wanted to go back. We could go to Florence and Venice—to Rome, even. I can show you everything my aunt and I saw. Oh...how wonderful!" she exclaimed, and he smiled at her.

"I'm glad to see it makes you so happy, Johanna. That's all I've ever wanted—for you to be happy," he said.

"And I am. I can't imagine being happier. But when do we leave?" she asked.

Edmund now slipped his arm around her and leaned forward to whisper in her ear.

"We leave tomorrow," he said.

"Tomorrow? But...how can we possibly leave tomorrow?" Johanna exclaimed.

It had taken months of planning and preparation before she and her aunt had left for the continent. There had been so much to organize and see to. How could Johanna possibly arrange matters in time? There was the packing to do, not to mention the arrangements she would have to make regarding the running of the household.

"Because I've arranged everything. I've had Mary seeing to your clothes these past few weeks. Everything's packed. She'll come with us, too," Edmund said.

Johanna laughed.

"I wondered why she kept telling me various shawls and bonnets were missing. She's been packing, hasn't she? Oh, but what about the estate? How long are we going to be away for? Can you really just...leave it all behind?" Johanna replied, and Edmund nodded.

"I've asked Roger to take care of things while I'm away. He's more than capable, and it'll be good experience for him when it comes to running your father's estate in years to come. And my mother's going to come down, too," Edmund said.

Johanna raised her eyebrows.

"Your mother? But she hates the countryside," she said.

Edmund laughed.

"Yes, she does. But what she likes is being in charge of things. I suggested she was indispensable under such circumstances and that we'd need her here to oversee the household. I promised she could organize the Beaumont Dinner in our absence. It was enough to persuade her. She arrives this evening," he replied.

Johanna could hardly believe what he was saying. It was a dream come true and a hope she had long since given up on realizing. To imagine herself back in Europe, surrounded by the marvels and beauty of the ancient world, was quite overwhelming.

"Oh, Edmund...it's simply wonderful. I can't begin to tell you of all the wonders we'll see. And the sun...the warmth of it. It's like nothing you've experienced before. And the thought of sharing it together...I can hardly believe it," Johanna said.

"But it's true. We leave tomorrow. I'm surprised the secret has remained hidden for so long. I've had to tell all sorts of people. But I've sworn them to secrecy," Edmund said as they continued their walk to Wilton Grange.

"Does Tabitha know?" Johanna asked, for she had always thought there could not possibly be any secrets between them, given how well they knew one another.

"She knows, yes. I had to let Roger in on the matter to make the arrangements for managing the estate. Everyone knew...except you," he said.

Johanna still could not believe it. She was overjoyed at the prospect, and her mind was now filled with all those things they would see and do together. It was one thing to have experienced them for the first time with her aunt, but quite another to share them with the man she loved.

"Thank you…" she said, resting her head on his shoulder as they walked arm in arm.

"You deserve all the happiness I can give you, Johanna. I can't imagine my life without you. We came so close to losing one another, and now I don't ever want to risk losing you again. It's going to be a wonderful adventure," he replied.

"It truly is," Johanna replied, knowing there was no one she would rather share it with than him.

***

"You'll write to me every day, won't you, Edmund? Oh...I'm sure there's something I've forgotten. What about…" the dowager said, but Edmund interrupted her.

"Mother, you were the Countess of Beaumont for twenty-five years. You know far better than I do what needs doing and what doesn't," Edmund said, glancing at Johanna, who smiled.

"I'm sure it'll all be fine. And you've got the beautiful new orangery to enjoy, too," Johanna said, leaning forward to kiss her mother-in-law goodbye.

The dowager sighed and shook her head.

"Oh, I know, but...you'll come back, won't you? Don't stay away for years," she said, and Edmund laughed.

"We'll be back. I promise you. And I might not write every day, but I'll certainly write most days," he replied.

His mother raised her eyebrows, but the time for their departure had come, and the carriage was waiting outside Beaumont Abbey. Johanna had returned home from the wedding celebrations at Wilton Grange to find her bags all packed, and she had passed a restless night, growing ever more excited at the prospect of departing on their adventure. The previous evening, she and Edmund had mapped out some of the journey they wished to undertake, with Johanna insisting on their taking in various famous gardens along the way. There was so much still to see and do, and the thought of sharing it with Edmund filled her with joy.

"Go on—before I change my mind. Look after him, won't you, Johanna?" the dowager said.

Johanna nodded, kissing the dowager on the cheek and assuring her she would. Her own parents were there, too, and her mother now began to sob as she turned to her.

"It was just the same last time, wasn't it? To see my daughter off on another adventure...oh, I thought I'd seen the last of your gallivanting across the continent. Will you ever settle down?" she asked.

"One day, perhaps. But for now...there's so much to see," Johanna replied, then she kissed her father before turning to Tabitha and Roger.

"Look after one another," Tabitha said, and Johanna kissed her on the cheek, slipping her hands into hers and squeezing them.

"We will. I promise. And you do the same. I want at least one niece or nephew by the time I return," Johanna said, and Roger laughed.

"Be careful what you wish for—we might say the same to you, too," he replied.

Edmund cleared his throat. The carriage driver was growing impatient, and having said their farewells, Johanna and Edmund now climbed into the compartment. Edmund pulled the window down, and the two of them leaned out to wave everyone goodbye.

"Take care—and make sure you write," the dowager called out.

The carriage set off, and Johanna felt just as she had done on the day she and her aunt had set out for their adventure across Europe—but with some differences. Now, Johanna was older and wiser. She had grown up, and her youthful naivete was gone. She was married, and to think she would be sharing the adventure with the man she loved filled her with delight.

"Isn't this wonderful," she said, slipping her hand into Edmund's as the carriage drew out of the gates of Beaumont Abbey.

"I couldn't think of anything more wonderful. This is my first time abroad. I've dreamed of something like this for so long," he replied.

"But why didn't you go on your grand tour when you were younger? A man doesn't have the same restrictions placed on him as a woman does. I was lucky—even traveling with my aunt might've been frowned on by some. But my parents wanted me to broaden my horizons before I settled down. They wanted me to see the world and to know something of other people and places. It was far-sighted of them, I suppose," Johanna said.

She had not appreciated at the time just how lucky she had been. Her parents had given her a freedom denied to most women, and for that, Johanna could only be thankful. Edmund smiled.

"Well...there's something about me you might not have fully appreciated, Johanna," he said, and Johanna looked at him with a puzzled expression.

Over the past few months, she believed she had come to know him better than anyone. What was he about to tell her?

"What do you mean?" she asked, and he smiled.

"I don't have a lot of confidence in myself. The thought of adventure fills me with excitement, but to think of doing it on my own...no, I couldn't possibly. But with you, it's different. You've given me the confidence to live as I should be living, rather than burying myself in work. Without you, I'd never have done this, and I'd never have had the courage to stand up to Lavinia. You complete me, Johanna," he said, and Johanna smiled.

She would never have suggested her husband lacked confidence. If anything, he exuded it. In their dealings with Lavinia, it had been Johanna who had felt herself lacking the confidence she needed to face up to her detractors and overcome them. She couldn't have done it without him. And now Johanna realized something more.

"We need one another, don't we? That's what marriage means. It creates a new kind of bond—one of equality. As husband and wife, we're more than just two individuals. We can do anything if we put our minds to it," she said, and he nodded.

"Yes, I hadn't thought about it like that. We complete one another," he said, and Johanna smiled.

That was just how she felt. She could not imagine her life without him. Since the accident in the woods they had been gradually growing closer and closer to one another, and now it felt as though they were one. Johanna could not have felt happier, and the thought of sharing the future with him filled her with joy.

"And I feel completed," she replied.

***

"Can you hear that?" Johanna said, cupping her hand to her ear.

Edmund paused, furrowing his brow as he listened intently.

"Someone's singing?" he said, and Johanna nodded with a smile on her face.

They had just emerged from a narrow street into the vast open square of the Verona amphitheater. There, towering above them, were the walls of the arena, the ancient Roman arches catching the evening sun in a mellow golden yellow.

"It's the opera. They perform here—opera, plays, concerts. My aunt and I came to a performance of Romeo and Juliet—it's their city, after all. Come along, let's go in and listen," Johanna said, taking Edmund's hand in hers.

It was a sultry night. The day had been hot, and Johanna and Edmund had spent it exploring the ancient city, stopping into its churches where the thick walls and small windows kept the worst of the heat at bay. But the evening had proved more pleasant, and after they had dined at a hostelry and sampled an excellent wine, they had set out to explore the city by night.

"Listen to that voice. It's quite extraordinary," Edmund said as they emerged into the arena, where the stage was set for a magnificent operatic spectacle.

A large woman in a flowing dress was singing loudly, her voice carrying across the arena filled with people. Johanna did not know which opera they were seeing performed, but for a while, they stood in silence, overawed by the spectacle. It was like nothing on the London stage, and to see it performed in such a remarkable setting was breathtaking.

"I could stand here all night," Johanna whispered, and Edmund put his arm around her.

"So could I. We're the luckiest of people, Johanna. I couldn't imagine my life with anyone but you. And to share all this...to experience it together...well, it's quite breathtaking," he said.

Their journey had taken them across Europe from Paris, and down through France, visiting towns and cities along the way. They had spent time in the Alps, marveling at the immensity of the valleys and towering peaks before descending to the plains of the northern Italian peninsula. Turin, Milan, and now Verona had followed, and they intended next to make for Venice before turning their sights south toward Florence and Rome. Everywhere they went, Johanna found herself remembering details from her previous travels and experiencing something new every day. And to see those sights with Edmund at her side was more than she could ever have wished for.

"Isn't it wonderful," she said, resting her head on his shoulder as they stood watching the performance continue.

Above them, the stars lit up the night sky like a thousand little lamps glowing against the darkness beyond, and the moon was perched on the rim of the arena wall, as though peering over to watch the performance, too. There was nowhere Johanna would rather be, and no one she would rather be there with than Edmund.

THE END?