Epilogue

Fortunately, Olivia's second wedding day did not feel as doomed.

She did not change her gown. One might have considered that a bad omen, a reminder of the disaster that had happened a month before, but she did not see it that way. Besides, it was lovely enough to have been proposed to in, and so there was no reason why she could not be married wearing it.

It also had nothing to do with the fact that her father had withdrawn any and all support, be it financial or emotional. It hardly mattered regardless; there would be plenty of guests in attendance that day, and this time it would only be those that mattered.

"It is funny, you know," she smiled as Virginia doted on her, "After all that has happened, I almost see no point in having a wedding at all. It is little more than a formality at this point."

"You do not truly think that. That is your nerves talking, Dear. You know perfectly well that this day is something that you have been looking forward to since your engagement."

"Well, when you put it like that, I cannot refute it."

"You cannot disagree with me because you know it is the truth," she laughed, "Now, I assume there will be no last minute changes to the day?"

"Not this time," she said firmly, squaring her shoulders, "It is right this time. I wouldn't have it any other way. I only wish it had all happened sooner."

"Well that is one wish that cannot come true, so I would not waste much time on it. Personally, I am simply happy to be in attendance this time!"

"I would have invited you to the other if I had been able to, and you know it."

"Of course, dear, and if you are going to wish for something impossible then so am I. I wish I could have seen the look on your father's face!"

"It was quite priceless. If only it had been painted."

"And you are sure that his absence will not bother you at all?"

"No more than it would anyone else in my position. Even less so, in fact. Those that truly care about me will be there, and that is all that I care about."

"Wiser words have never been spoken. Now, I cannot quite believe that I have hidden this from you all this time, but I have a gift for you."

With that, Virginia pulled out a box and handed it to her. It was heavy, far heavier than a box that size needed to be, and she opened it to reveal an exquisite ruby necklace.

"Oh, Virginia, you shouldn't have!" She gasped, "It must have cost a fortune."

"Then it is just as well that I did not pay for it," she laughed, "It comes with a story, and fortunately I have just enough time to tell you it."

She took the necklace and stepped around to her back, fastening it around her neck.

"My mother bought it for me for my own wedding," she explained, "And it certainly did cost a pretty penny. She told me that it was crafted specifically for me, a one of a kind that could never be replaced. I fell in love with it, and told my suitor about it. It was his first act of control, I suppose, to tell me that I could not wear it."

"Whyever would he be against it? It is beautiful."

"That was precisely the reason. He told me that it was more exquisite than anything he would be wearing, and that I could not upstage him at his wedding. The day was to be about him, and so I had to give it back to my mother. Fortunately, she refused to accept it. She told me that, one day, I should give it to my own daughter, and tell her to always choose her own happiness."

"And then you had two sons. That must have hurt."

"For a while, but you know just as well as I do that you are practically a daughter of my own, and starting today it will be as official as it can be, and so what better day to give it to you?"

"Oh, Virginia, are you sure?"

"Olivia, I have received few precious gifts in my life, and you are one of them. Lord Buckingham was right; you deserve the world. A necklace is not the world, of course, but it is something."

"Well, it means the world to me, and you're right. I will choose happiness every time from now on. I only wish that I had-"

"Started to do it sooner?" Virginia asked with a chuckle, "Now, now. We will not be doing that anymore. What is done is done. We will be living only in the present now, alright?"

Olivia nodded resolutely, and for the first time in her life she truly believed that it would be possible. She saw her life stretching in front of her but not as a cage. It was an adventure, one that she was determined to go on. It would be the best part of her life, and she could hardly believe that she would spend the rest of her life so content.

Once again, the aisle seemed endlessly long, but only because she wished so desperately to be at the altar. William was standing there, the most handsome gentleman she had ever seen in her life, not that she was at all biased, and when he smiled at her she knew that, at last, everything was as it should be.

There were no objections, though both bride and groom couldn't help but laugh softly as that part passed. Soon enough, it was all over and they were married and Olivia was the Duchess of Bolton. There were only well-wishers to be seen, and although there was a small pang in her chest that her parents could never quite come around, Olivia knew that at least her mother would see her soon.

After all, they attended meetings at the same women's society.

"So," Beatrice said brightly to her as the other guests danced that evening, "It appears I was right after all."

"Yes, as you so often remind me," Olivia smirked.

"I simply wouldn't like for it to go unnoticed, that's all."

"Believe me, it is recognized every single day, and I couldn't be happier about it."

"Then I have done my duty. How does it feel to be a duchess?"

"Wonderful, exhilarating, and…"

"Not at all different?"

"Not in any way, shape, or form, no."

"That is perfect."

"I thought it might make me feel more regal, almost," Olivia laughed, "But no, I am still very much myself, Miss Olivia Staunton, and nothing more."

"Rutherford," Lily corrected her, "You are Olivia Rutherford now, the Duchess of Bolton."

"Ah, yes, Rutherford. I must admit, it sounds far nicer than the other."

"Because it was meant for you, of course!" Lily beamed, "Now, are you going to stand and watch your guests have a wonderful evening, or are you going to find your doting husband and have one yourself?"

The three ladies laughed, and Olivia went off in search of her husband. She repeated the word over and over in her mind, hoping that it might make it all feel somewhat more real, but it was no use. It was a dream, and she was living in it, and she wouldn't have had it any other way.

"Your Grace," she asked, curtseying to her husband, "Would you care for a dance?"

"When a lady is as beautiful as you," William winked, "A gentleman can never say no."

"Never, you say?" She jested, "We shall see about that."

"Oh, dear. Whatever have I gotten myself in for?"

"The most willful wife in all of London!"

"I absolutely have, and I wouldn't dare have it any other way."