Epilogue

EPILOGUE

A FEW MONTHS LATER

“Y ou look beautiful!” Rose gasped.

“Do you really think so?” Amber asked, turning in front of the mirror, chewing on her lip.

“Of course, I do. You make the perfect Spring bride.”

“You have to say that. You’re my maid.”

“Have you ever known me to give false compliments?”

“Yes,” Amber laughed, joy bubbling inside her. “I feel as though you do almost every night!”

“When!?”

“Every time when I go out, you tell me I am going to be the most beautiful girl at the ball, party, or afternoon tea. Whatever the occasion, I am the loveliest.”

“I only say it because it’s true.”

Amber scoffed, rolling her eyes, but the smile on her face gave away the good nature of the gesture. “It can’t always be true.”

“I mean it. It is! The Duke is going to be blown away when he sees you.”

Amber grinned. “Even if you are just saying it for my sake, thank you. I do hope you’re right.”

“Of course, I am right! And I would never say things just to stroke your ego!”

“No, never,” Amber rolled her eyes.

Rose chuckled. “But seriously, regardless of whether you take my compliment as genuine or not, I want you to know that I am so incredibly happy for you.”

“Thank you. I hope you meet someone someday too.”

Rose chuckled, placing another pin in Amber’s hair. “Thank you, but I think that is still a long time off.”

“Who knows? You might meet someone when we get to Easton Manor.”

“If I’m honest, I haven’t even thought that far ahead yet.”

“No? But why not?”

She chuckled. “I’m just glad that I get to stay with you.”

“Me too. When Simon disappeared after the party, I was worried he would take you with him out of spite. I won’t lie, the idea of coming back to this big empty house, just mother and I without you here was almost unthinkable.”

“I was worried he would ask, but it isn’t like he could have forced me. You didn’t need to worry. Even if he tried, I would have quit before I went with him.”

“I know you would try, but I didn’t know what he could offer you.”

“No amount of money would make me consider staying with him.”

Amber laughed. “I’m glad to hear that.”

“Even if you weren’t, it’s too late to do anything about it now. You’re stuck with me, whether you like it or not.”

“Then it’s lucky for both of us that I do.”

The pair shared a giggle as Rose put the finishing touches on Amber’s hair.

“I still can’t believe how generous the Duke was!” Rose exclaimed.

“I know, he paid off Simon’s debts so Mother could keep the house, and all he had to do was agree never to come back!”

“How lucky for all of us,” Rose finished her ensemble before stepping back with a sigh.

“All right, you look perfect.”

“I thought we were done with the excessive praise.”

“I never agreed to that.”

“Then perhaps I should make it a rule when we move into Easton Manor.”

“You wouldn’t say something like that to me!”

“Who knows? Maybe I will. They say marriage changes people,” Amber insisted, crossing her arms.

“I don’t think it will.”

“I suppose only time will tell.”

“Speaking of time, it’s about time for you to get in the carriage, isn’t it?”

“Is it that time already? Time sure does fly.”

“I’m surprised. I thought you would be so nervous that the seconds would creep by.”

“I’m not nervous,” Amber said with an easy smile.

“Not even a little?”

“Not even a little. In fact, I’ve never felt surer of anything in my life.”

“That’s what I wanted to hear. Now, go on. I don’t want you to be late to your own wedding.”

Amber leaned in, pulling her maid and friend against her in a tight hug. “Thank you, for everything.”

“I’m just doing my job. You deserve to be happy.”

After a moment, Amber pulled back. “Right, I suppose I should get going.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

“Enjoy your day off.”

“I will. I can’t wait to hear all about it.”

Amber laughed, making her way downstairs and outside to the waiting carriage.

In truth, she was more than a little nervous, not that she wanted to admit that to Rose. Not about her choice. Amber knew marrying Christopher was the best decision she’d ever made in her life and most importantly that she was the one who made it.

Still, it was a big change.

After that day, she would move out of her childhood room, her childhood home. Her mother would no longer be just a hallway away if she needed anything. Since Christopher was kind enough to offer his future mother-in-law a stipend to live on, she was eager to reclaim the house she had called home for so many years. Even if she could never own it in name, it could at least be hers in use.

And not only that, but she would be responsible for a whole household as well.

She would be expected to plan dinners and balls. It probably wouldn’t be long before they had their first child and all that that would entail.

She could only hope she wouldn’t fall pregnant right away. She wanted some time to settle in as a wife before she had to become a mother.

Not that she didn’t want to be a mother, mind, but it was another massive change. She simply wanted some time to get herself figured out before it was time for that.

She was sure Christopher would understand. Maybe she should talk to him about it.

Her thoughts were still racing a short time later when Amber found herself walking down the aisle.

The second she saw Christopher standing there, any nervousness she felt immediately died away. He met her eyes and gave her a reassuring smile, and all Amber could do was beam back at him.

Every step closer to him made her heart lighter. It felt like walking into a new and beautiful life, like nothing she had ever dared to dream of before.

When they finally joined hands, it felt like being reunited with a part of herself she hadn’t realized she had lost.

He looked down at her, and all Amber could feel was an overwhelming sense of peace and belonging.

The pair exchange their vows, both of them unable to stop beaming. Each word made Amber know in every fiber of her being that she had made the right choice.

The priest announced them as husband and wife, and a cheer as loud as could be considered polite went up, much of which seemed to come from Felicity.

The couple made their way outside to the waiting carriage then they made their way to the wedding breakfast.

As they rode, the two had a moment alone to talk.

“Still feel good about your decision?” she asked.

“I couldn’t be happier. And you.”

“I feel very much the same.”

The breakfast was back at his home. Amber sat between Christopher and Felicity.

“Does this mean I can call you my sister now?” Felicity asked.

“Of course,” Amber smiled back. “I would be honored if you would, but only if I can do the same.”

“I would love that.”

Christopher squeezed Amber’s hand under the table. “I’m glad to see the two of you getting along so well.”

“You make it sound like you thought we wouldn’t,” Felicity pouted.

“You can be a bit… trying.”

“Me!” Felicity gasped in mock shock. “I am absolutely delightful! Everyone simply adores me.”

He shook his head. “Perhaps you should talk to someone.”

“And why is that?”

“So someone can help you work through your delusion.”

“Delusion! It isn’t a delusion if it’s true.”

“But it isn’t. That’s the thing.”

“Do you deny that people like me more than they like you?”

“I don’t see how that’s relevant.”

“I’m sure you don’t. Perhaps that’s an admission on its own.”

The pair bickered as Amber sat there. She opted not to chime in this time, simply enjoying the company of her new family.

She looked around with a smile on her face. Things had changed so much since she met Christoper earlier that year.

It was truly astounding how much had happened in just a few short months.

After Christopher ran Simon off, he left town only a few days later, heading for the colonies. As far as Amber knew, no one had heard from him since.

She couldn’t say she was disappointed to hear it.

With him gone, her mother was able to reclaim the house she’d called home on her own for so many years.

Now, Amber was finally about to start building her own life.

There was only one thing missing.

“Amber,” Christopher’s voice pulled her from her thoughts. “Is something wrong?”

She shook her head. “I was only thinking.”

“About what?”

“The people who aren’t able to be here.”

“You don’t mean your cousin, do you?”

She chuckled, shaking her head. “Of course not. I was thinking about my father.”

“Oh, Amber,” he pressed a kiss to her hair, “I’m sorry he couldn’t be here with you.”

“It’s all right. I’m sure he’s here in his own way.”

“That’s right. He would never miss something like this.

Amber nodded.

“I know you’re right.”

“I’m glad you can see it. I usually am.”

Amber rolled her eyes. “I’m happy I met you.”

“I’m happy I met you too.”

The End?