Epilogue

"Do not be jealous, Red."

Nate's brother narrowed his gaze at him. "I am not jealous."

"Could have fooled me." Nate pointed to his cravat. "Does this look right to you? Hamilton could not seem to get it right this morning."

"Your valet is one of the best there is. It looks fine."

Nate peered into the full-length mirror and scowled. He had to look perfect for Patience, especially after all the fuss there had been over The Dress. It would be the only time he would ever see Patience actually interested in a gown and he would not ruin things for her by looking less than flawless.

"What is the time?" Nate demanded.

Red pulled out his pocket watch. "Time to leave. Your fiancé should be at the church soon."

Nate nodded, drew in a breath and straightened his waistcoat once more. There was little he could do now. If he tweaked or toyed with his finery any longer they would be late to the church and Patience would string him up for making her wait.

He glanced at his brother's frown. "Do stop scowling. You are meant to be the proud brother."

"I am not." Red attempted to smile and it was thoroughly disconcerting.

"Your wedding is a mere week away. It will be your turn soon."

Red shook his head and genuinely smiled this time. "It has been too damned long."

"I knew you were jealous."

"Well, some of us have to do things properly, unfortunately."

"Whereas I am the scandalous younger brother who swept a woman off her feet and now must make things right by marrying her." He grinned.

"Indeed." His brother lifted a brow. "But I am glad you are making things right. You would have been damned miserable had you not persuaded Patience to marry you."

Nate lifted a chin. "I like to think she would have been miserable without me too."

"If you say so," Red said dryly. "Come let us not keep your bride waiting."

Nate and his brother headed out to the carriage. Hannah waited for them inside, having announced they needed some time alone together. Perhaps she expected Red to give him some words of wisdom but Nate needed none. He knew full well what he needed to do with Patience. Love her, treasure her, worship the damned ground she walked on. A woman like her made that easy enough because, quite frankly, it was no less than what she deserved.

Knight and Drake were also huddled into the carriage. It was odd to see Knight squashed into a formal waistcoat and jacket. He half expected the gold buttons to pop off at any moment as the carriage set off.

They mostly remained silent on the journey to the church. Nate tried not to fidget but it was hard to remain still when he considered how close he was to marrying Patience. They had arranged a quick wedding with a license from the bishop to avoid having to read the banns. Most of the village had been merrily gossiping about them anyway so it was no big scandal. As far as he was concerned, he could not wait to make her officially his wife. He understood his brother's frustration at having to wait so long to wed Hannah.

Many of the villagers were gathered outside the church when they arrived. Nate shook many hands and uttered a few thank yous as men and women wished him well. He paused as he spotted a familiar face. The woman, her face mostly hidden under a huge hat, gave him a slow smile.

"I would have thought you had left the country by now."

Pauline's smile expanded. "Soon," she said.

"Managed to give the government men a slip then?"

"Of course."

"I wish you well."

"As do I. I will not stay but be sure to tell Patience that I hope she embraces her next adventure. And I hope she has flung away that awful pink dress."

Nate laughed and recalled the last time she had worn the hideous garment. Truth be told, he had quite an affection for it now. He should put it in a frame or have it locked in a treasure box.

" Au revoir, Nathaniel." Pauline twisted into the crowd and vanished. Nate shook his head at the brief encounter. He had a suspicion Pauline would have no problems settling wherever she went and likely finding some generous donor to provide her with all that she needed.

Patience did not leave him waiting too long. When the church doors opened, his heart nearly leapt out of his throat and flopped onto the aisle. Not from nerves, however. He had simply never seen anything quite like it. The Dress was well worth all the fuss it seemed. White lace and delicate embroidery with a matching bonnet had turned his Patience into quite the site to behold.

As she beamed at him, he could feel a ridiculous grin taking hold and there was little he could do about it. What made his smile increase was the sight of the sheep, walking on a lead next to Patience, flowers twined around the leather.

She came to his side and handed the sheep over to her brother Jacob, and they faced the vicar while everyone settled into the pews. He leaned into Patience.

"The Dress is wonderful. You look spectacular."

"Thank you." A tinge of color appeared on her cheeks.

"I hope this does not mean this is the end of the breeches."

"Never," she promised.

Something nudged the back of his legs and urged him closer to Patience. Nate turned to find the sheep backing up and preparing for another shove. Jacob gave him an apologetic look and tried to rein the animal back in.

"I think the sheep wants us to get on with it."

Patience nodded. "I think she might be right." He leaned down to kiss her and the soft touch of her lips almost made him forget they had an audience of just under one hundred. The vicar coughed and Nate straightened.

"May I?" the vicar asked.

Nate chuckled. "Please do." He had never been more ready for his next adventure.

THE END

Author's Note

Pauline Fourès did exist. She was Napoleon's mistress and her early history in this story is correct. However, I took a few liberties and brought her to England. In reality, she divorced her horrible husband whilst they were stationed in Egypt where divorce was relatively easy. She remained Napoleon's mistress for some two months more until he went to Syria and then France. Very simply, Napoleon eventually lost interest—or was perhaps wary of creating scandal when he became First Consul—and refused to see her when she returned to France. He gifted her a house near Paris and money. She married not long after.

Her later history is what interested me most in her. She was a painter, a harp player, wrote two novels, and moved to Brazil to sell exotic wood to France with a new husband. She lived a long—and hopefully happy—life finally returning to Paris to live in an apartment surrounded by monkeys.