Epilogue

T hom disappeared before he could be apprehended. He was later spotted working at an inn in the notorious area of Covent Garden, where many women of loose morals could be found.

The newspaper that had printed the false engagement announcement printed a correction the next day, apologizing for the error.

Miss Campbell did spread rumors of her courtship with a young English officer of the army, but after she was seen in public with no such man, the rumors died, much like her chances of romance. She remained single, sour, and bitter. Due to her parents' poor luck at the gambling tables, they could not afford for her to have a London Season.

Marie and Samuel became engaged. His parents were keen to meet her, and at first were less inclined to do so upon learning she had been working as a maid, but when they learned of her background, their sympathies were aroused. Marie charmed them, but she was still keen to find news of her parents. Baptiste relayed the history of them and her father's nobility as a chevalier in Gerberoy.

Mrs. Dove-Lyon wrote to her contacts in France, who, in a few weeks' time, relayed the happy news. Marie's parents were alive and well. After their separation years ago, Marie's parents had been imprisoned and it had not been safe to correspond with or trust many of the people they'd once known. But there were some channels sympathetic, and thanks to Mrs. Dove-Lyon's help, Marie, Baptiste, and Samuel at last received an invitation to visit.

Marie stood on the smooth deck of a ship, this time supported by Baptiste and Samuel at her side. She gripped the wooden railing and watched the waves go by. The ship was making good time and they would cross the English channel in a few hours. Marie's heart lifted with every minute closer they got to France.

"What do I say? What if they don't recognize me? If they don't like me?" She fingered the silver locket that hung at her neck.

Samuel had found her missing locket amongst pieces of the dinner service belonging to the Lyon's Den in a pawnbroker's shop, which Thom had been selling off, a piece at a time. Surprisingly, Thom hadn't been lying about her locket being at the pawnbroker's. Samuel returned it to Marie, along with a gift of a simple gold ring, which now winked on her finger.

"They will love you," Samuel said. "Whether you are a servant or not, a cook, a lady, a Frenchwoman. They will love every inch of you. Just like I do."

Marie looked at him, her eyes sparkling. "Promise?"

He kissed her then, and Baptiste pretended to look away. But after a minute, he coughed and cleared his throat. There were standards to be upheld, after all. Especially for the daughter of a chevalier.

The End