Epilogue

"Excellent cake," Daisy mumbled through a mouthful of icing. "I love weddings."

Tess sent her a fond smile and turned to Ellie. "Especially when it's for someone we adore. Congratulations, Lady Cobham."

Ellie put her hands to her warm cheeks. "That sounds so strange. I've been ‘Miss Law' for so long."

"It took me months not to turn around and look behind me whenever someone called me Your Grace. Don't you remember?" Tess chuckled. "You'll get used to it."

"Those emeralds look wonderful on you." Daisy sighed. "And you know that dress is my absolute favorite."

"It's Harry's favorite too," Ellie admitted, growing even pinker.

Hugo joined them, looking very dashing in a bottle-green coat and the shiniest boots Ellie had ever seen. He'd clearly been paying the tailors of Bond Street a visit.

"I've heard from a common acquaintance that dear Sofia is back to her old tricks in Venice," he murmured. "She won't be bothering us again here in England any time soon."

"That's excellent news," Ellie said. "I won't be tempted to shoot her, for flirting with my husband."

"I wonder what became of Paolo and Luca? I still have my lovely knife." Daisy patted her thigh.

Tess's mouth dropped open. "You're wearing it now ? Here?!"

Daisy shrugged. "Rule number three: Always carry a weapon. That's sensible advice. Who knows what could happen at a wedding? Emotions are high. Things could easily get out of hand."

"Will you be carrying it at your own wedding?" Tess teased.

Daisy made a disgusted face. "If such an unlikely event should ever occur, then yes, I'll be armed. Why wouldn't I be in a position to defend the people I love?"

Ellie chuckled. "A heartwarming, if slightly bloodthirsty, sentiment."

"It definitely might come in useful to stop Devlin hogging all the cake." Daisy sent a dark scowl at her brother, who was loitering with hungry intent by the wedding breakfast buffet.

"As you once said about Harry, I'm so glad you're on our side, Daisy."

Daisy grinned, just as there was a commotion out in the hall. A flustered-looking footman stepped into the doorway, and announced in awed tones, "Her Majesty, Queen Charlotte!"

After a moment of stunned surprise, everyone in the room dipped in either a deep bow or a formal curtsey.

Ellie straightened as the queen made a beeline toward her, trailing two handmaidens in her wake.

Tess recovered her voice first. "Your Majesty, what a wonderful surprise! We are honored."

The elderly monarch bowed her head graciously. Her gray hair was powdered and curled, as befitted an elderly dowager with grown children, and the pearls she wore shimmered under the light from the chandeliers.

Ellie had last seen the queen a few months ago, when she'd called upon King & Co. to help retrieve a series of sensitive and embarrassing love letters written by Princess Charlotte, her granddaughter. It seemed that their success had marked all three of them for Her Majesty's special affection and gratitude.

The queen took Ellie's hand and patted it maternally. "Miss Law, you are now Lady Cobham, and I for one am most delighted." She leaned in a little closer and her eyes twinkled with a mischievous gleam. "I've heard a great number of tales about your new husband, which have been vastly entertaining, and I must say, I'm so pleased that you've found a man worthy of your considerable talents."

"Thank you, ma'am." Ellie smiled.

The queen gestured to one of her companions, who stepped forward and handed her a small tissue-wrapped rectangle.

"I've brought you a little wedding gift, to wish you a happy union."

"Should I open it now?"

"By all means."

Ellie untied the ribbon and her face broke into a delighted smile as she realized what it was.

"It's a Book of Hours," the queen said softly. "Her Grace"—she nodded to Tess—"told me about your recent case concerning a similar book. I found it most diverting. And since that book was thought to be lucky, I thought perhaps something similar might bring you the same."

Ellie turned the little book over in her hands, stunned at the generosity of the gift. It was clearly as old and as valuable as the one she and Harry had returned to Bullock. The beaten gold front and back covers were inset with two large circular red hardstone roundels, each exquisitely carved with biblical scenes. Smaller gems studded the borders, like tiny, multicolored berries.

"I don't know what to say, Your Majesty," she breathed. "Thank you."

"After what you did for my dear Charlotte, it was the least I could do. Ah, Lord Cobham!" The queen smiled as Harry came to join them. "My felicitations. Your choice of bride shows you are a man of exquisite taste."

Harry bowed low and sent her his most charming smile. "Thank you, ma'am. I shall endeavor to keep her as happy as she's made me today."

He caught Ellie's eye, and her heart swelled with love. She'd already felt like the luckiest woman in England, but perhaps with the book they'd be the luckiest couple in the world.

The queen took her leave, and when the commotion had died down, Ellie glanced over at Daisy.

"Do you know, I'm beginning to think that hermit who told our fortunes at Vauxhall Gardens might not have been a complete charlatan after all. He accurately predicted happy endings for both Tess and myself."

Daisy looked immediately wary. "He said I'd meet my match on a dark highway. What on earth does that mean?"

Ellie shrugged. "I've no idea, but if you're doing any traveling, I'd certainly be on your guard." She sent Harry a laughing look. "After all, there's no telling when you might fall for a scoundrel of your own."