Chapter 28

February 1861

One month and two days later, Lydia and her husband were on board a ship to France. Before they left, they had spent ten thousand of Dorian's part of Lydia's dowry, and Lydia had added a sizable sum from her earned funds to commission an incredible mansion to be built near St James. Elizabeth had not been wrong when she had suggested that Lydia was soon to be a wildly wealthy woman. With her generous salary, and seven percent share of the magazine's profits, on top of Dorian's funds in the percents, and profits from Haye Park, the couple's income was more than enough to maintain their lavish lifestyle. Dorian was extremely content, as long as Lydia tried to make it home for dinner each evening. The two were looking forward to their time alone in Paris, but they could not wait to eventually return home to see to the construction and preparation for the new home where they would share their life.

Dorian spent most of their time on board the ferry speaking to the captain, but after some time, he came up behind his wife as she stood at the railing, and wrapped his arms about her waist, burying his face in her neck and inhaling her scent. His breath tickled, and she shivered, "Sir Dorian, you must wait until we arrive at the hotel."

"Lady Goulding, as if I will have the opportunity. We will be given time to bathe and dress, and then be whisked off to some dinner or event by that ghastly dressmaker. We will barely be alone all week," her husband objected.

"We are not alone now darling," she giggled. "Do not worry. Do I not always make time for you and our shared interests? Even with all of the work I have been obliged to manage last month, I have yet to miss a lesson with Mr Carter, nor neglect our private time together." She had rather neglected her educational societies last month, but she would make up for it when she returned, and that was something they could do together as well, for he had taken an interest in her eccentric little academic groups.

"It will be alright, darling, for in one week, we shall be quite alone in the most romantic city in the world," he murmured into her ear.

"Every city is the most romantic when we are together," sighed Lydia, as she turned in his arms and slipped her arms about him, regardless of who saw. It was her job to set or follow the fashions, and the fashion right now was love matches. "I assure you, my love, I shall be infinitely more delighted by you than I shall be by Paris. Did you ever truly think, when we met after all those years in London, that we should one day be on such an adventure together?"

"I know that I knew the very first night we met, that I would be glad to be on any adventure with you, my dear," he assured her. "What did you think the night we met?"

"Lydia tipped her head up to gaze at him and smiled, remembering that special night, and every exquisite emotion she had felt in her innocent fourteen-year-old heart. "I thought that I was enchanted to meet you…"

~ Finis ~