Epilogue

EPILOGUE

C hristine waited outside the chapel while Theodore went inside. They had arrived earlier than anyone else except for the minister, who was in his chambers at the rear of the chapel, readying himself for the service.

She looked up at the sky and basked in the lush blue covering above. It was a beautiful shade. The sun had not reached its zenith in the sky yet, and the blue was a little darker than it would be by midday. She thought of Adeline as she looked up.

Adeline and Lord St. Vincent would soon be married, and he would raise the child growing inside her as well as fathering more of their own. He was a good man, and he would treat her well. Christine's only hope was that Adeline would fall head over heels in love with him when she got to know him fully.

The love the Duke displayed for Christine gave her hope that Adeline would feel that for the Baron someday.

Christine was stirred from her daydream with a gasp when she was grabbed around the waist and lifted into the air. She was scared for a very brief moment before she looked back down and into the eyes of her husband. He kissed her gently before letting her go.

"Any sign of him," Christine asked.

"Thankfully not," the Duke replied. "All word is that Percival is gone, but if he was planning anything, today would be his last chance to disturb the relationship. He is not inside."

"Good," Christine stated. She furrowed her brow at the look on her husband's face. "What is the matter?"

"I could not tell the minister what I was doing," Theodore replied. "He must have heard me and come out of his room to find me searching the confessional."

Christine placed a hand over her mouth and giggled. "What did you tell him?"

"I told him I was making sure I knew where the confession box was, so I could come back and give my confession someday."

Christine laughed again. "Did you inform him that you might need the entire day to tell all of your sins?"

Theodore tilted his head and then grabbed his wife by the waist again, kissing her.

"Perhaps we can sin together later," the Duke suggested.

"No, thank you," Christine replied. "Although, as we are married, there is a lot of mischief we can get up to that is allowed. We could engage in some of that instead."

"I like the sound of that," Theodore agreed. "Ah, here come the rest of the guests. No time for sinning right now."

"This is all so exciting, isn't it?" Christine asked. "Did you ever think life would turn out like this? Adeline will be married today, and she will have a child by the end of the year. I can't wait to meet them. I will love that child like no other."

Theodore brought his wife in close, placing an arm around her. "I know you will."

"Now, before the guests arrive at the chapel, let me tell you one thing," Christine said. "You have never looked more handsome. I am worried you will outshine Lord St. Vincent on his wedding day."

"But look at you, my dear," the Duke replied. "You are resplendent in that dress. If I will outdo the groom, then you will surely outshine the bride."

"I will not because she is wearing a cream dress and will be the only one to do so. Everyone will know she is the bride. We both know Lord St. Vincent cannot outdo you when it comes to looks. I knew you should have worn your very worst and ripped attire. Still, you might be more handsome."

"I could wear anything, and you would think that," the Duke observed.

"Or wear nothing at all," Christine suggested with a raise of her eyebrows.

"That is what I plan to wear later when we are back at the manor," the Duke said with a smile. "Perhaps you can wear a matching outfit."

"We shall see," Christine replied. "Now, please kiss me one more time before we have to greet everyone and ensure the wedding goes without a hitch."

Theodore leaned in and kissed his wife. "There will be more where that came from later."

"Mmm, I look forward to that," Christine admitted.

The first coaches arrived, and the guests were greeted by Theodore and Christine. Christine became excited when she saw one of the Duke's coaches approach. It was not Adeline—she would arrive last—it was the Duke's mother. She had come back from the countryside for the wedding.

Christine made sure she welcomed the Dowager Duchess from the coach.

"I am so glad you could make it," Christine said. "How are you feeling."

"I feel good on the day of my daughter's wedding," she replied. "It has put a spring in my step, but I am afraid it will not last."

"You never know how things will turn out," Christine said. "You might enjoy your time here and come back and live with us. We do miss you."

"You are far too kind, my dear." The Dowager Duchess kissed Christine on the cheek before embracing her son and then entering the church.

When Christine saw the Dowager Duchess out of the house and enjoying herself, she saw hope for her mother. One day, she knew her mother would get out of bed, and she would get to live the rest of her life.

More and more guests arrived then Lord St. Vincent. He shook the Duke's hand warmly. Christine went in soon after to take her seat, and she basked in the love in the small chapel. As she studied the look on Lord St. Vincent's face as he waited for his betrothed to arrive, she could see an ocean of love. She had no doubt the love would be contagious, and Adeline would become swept up in it.

It was not for Lord St. Vincent that she wished it but for Adeline's. Her sister-in-law deserved to be loved.

The music changed, and Adeline entered the chapel on the arm of her brother. Theodore walked her down the aisle and handed her over to Lord St. Vincent.

Christine had not been able to enjoy her own wedding, but she enjoyed this one. She hung on every word of the vows, the prayers said by the minister, and the look that Adeline and her new husband gave each other when they were pronounced man and wife.

Theodore and Christine joined the couple at the front of the chapel to sign the registry, and it became official.

The circumstances for Theodore and Adeline's weddings were unorthodox, to say the least, but they had somehow worked out. It had worked out better than Christine could have ever hoped or imagined.

"I enjoyed that," Christine said as she walked into the manor with Theodore.

"I am happy for them," the Duke declared. "Adeline is happy; that is all I need to know."

Christine looked around the entranceway and listened. There was no less noise than before, but the place had changed.

"I hope your mother comes to live with us," Christine said. "I don't know why, but the manor feels empty without Adeline here. I would not have her back here for anything, but it will take some getting used to."

Theodore suddenly grabbed his wife and swept her off her feet.

Christine shrieked and laughed.

Theodore kissed her. "I have been thinking about that. The manor will be emptier now, even if Mother might join us in time. We should plan to fill it out a little more."

"What do you have in mind?" Christine asked.

"I have been thinking about us for a while. I wrestled with my love for you, but I wrestled with something else. I am scared, but I can't deny you of it."

"Are you talking about…?" Christine asked.

Theodore nodded. "I want to expand our family. You might have to deal with my emotions a lot more, but I have found the right woman, and I am ready."

Christine burst into tears. "I love you so much."

"I love you, too," the Duke said. "And I will love our family."

The End?