Epilogue

Epilogue

Eight Months later…

The room was busy and noisy as Mason and Ethan shared a meal at the gentlemen's club. It was going to be their last meal together for some time.

"We find ourselves here again, friend," Ethan said.

"As always," Mason answered with a laugh. "You know I'm never around for too long."

"That's true." Ethan took a large bite.

Mason had noticed that his friend had gained a small amount of weight over the last few weeks. That was likely due to all the fun he and Miss Harper had been having together, and all the cakes they'd shared. It was good to see his friend so happy and the chubbier cheeks that rounded out his wide smile.

"The house has ruled the duke's proposed laws into place," Ethan said. "I heard it from my father this morning. They've asked him to take on a team to run the audits."

"That's good news," Mason said. "Pass along my congratulations to your father."

"I'll be sure to do just that," Ethan said. "He asks about you often."

That surprised Mason. "Really? He usually doesn't approve of my antics."

"Well, you're a hero now," Ethan said. "You saved the duke and rescued London from chaos! Suddenly, you're the best friend I could ever have chosen."

The men burst out into laughter. They had been friends for so long that Mason had stopped worrying about what Ethan's father thought about him years ago.

They were used to the cycle. When Mason was in London, they saw each other multiple times a week. Then Mason would go off on his next adventure, and they wouldn't even so much as write to each other.

"How are things going with you and Miss Harper?" Mason asked. "You didn't cancel our plans the other night to rather be with her, did you?"

"I did," Ethan confessed. "I had tickets to the theater. She loved it. Besides, you always leave anyway."

"You chose her over me?" Mason asked, pretending to be heartbroken.

"I did," Ethan said. "Because I want to marry her."

"You do? Have you spoken to your parents about it yet?"

Ethan rubbed his eyes. "I did. And it did not go down well at first," he said. "My father was furious and outright refused in the beginning."

"Oh dear," Mason said. "Is it because of her status?"

"They see her as nothing more than a lady's maid," Ethan said. "It infuriates me. They've met her. My father knows how bright and wonderful she is. Shouldn't that be enough?"

"This is why your father thinks I'm a bad influence," Mason teased. "Just a few months ago you were so concerned with finding someone of a high enough status for your family."

Ethan shrugged. "That's just how I was raised. But I've learned that life simply isn't that simple. I still want to be happy. I want to marry someone I can depend on and enjoy my time with."

"That's what makes life so sweet," Mason said. "But what about Miss Harper? Will you ask for her hand?"

"My father eventually gave in," Ethan said with a smile. "He has given his blessing. I only had to threaten to leave and never see them again to get there."

"That's wonderful! I am sure she's going to say yes."

"I just know that she's going to show my family just what a wonderful wife she'll be. She makes my life better in every way."

Mason held out his drink to Ethan to celebrate the news. Then, they ordered another round. He was happy to know that his friend was finding such happiness.

"Perhaps the next adventure can include the four of us," Mason suggested.

"No way," Ethan said with a laugh. "Miss Harper will never be in danger on my watch. We'll travel on our own, thank you very much."

"Oh, come on," Mason said. "You won't be in danger."

"How many times did you and Miss Owen have to run for safety?" Ethan asked. "You burned down a warehouse! I want nothing to do with that."

"Fair enough," Mason said. "Think about it though. The four of us on a great adventure sounds fun."

"Let me marry her first," Ethan said. "The rest can come later."

The two men spent the rest of the night talking about their dreams and what they hoped for the future. It was a positive conversation that left them much to be excited about.

***

The cold air brushed over Isabella's cheeks as she stared out over the open ocean. It seemed so vast that she wondered if they'd ever reach land again. The ship creaked beneath her as it pushed through the water.

The rocking motion of the ship made her feel cradled by the air around her. Isabella had never been more sure that she was exactly where she was meant to be. Nothing in the world could tear her away from her new life.

"Here you go, Mrs. Alton," Mason said, handing her a warm cup of tea.

"I will never tire of hearing that," she said with a wide smile. " Mrs. Alton ."

She touched the gold band on her finger before gladly accepting the tea. Despite the fact that they were officially married, she still had a hard time believing that Mason was truly hers. That each day when she woke up, she would wake up to him.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Mason asked, looking out over the water. "There is hardly a sight more exciting than this."

"Well, I hope you're ready to see it more often," Isabella said. "I want to go everywhere this world has to offer with you."

Mason wrapped his arms around her, warming her from the cool ocean air. She leaned into his embrace and welcomed her new life of travel. Isabella and Mason were on their way to India.

The tickets were a wedding present from the duke. They hadn't even bothered to search for a home to live in since they were going to travel immediately. Isabella loved the idea that she wasn't tied down and that she never would be.

Already, they had planned their next trip after India.

"What will we do one day when we're done traveling?" Isabella asked.

"Done?"

"You know…when we decide to hang around someplace for a while," Isabella said with a laugh. "Just for a short while. Maybe we find a place so wonderful that we don't want to leave."

"Perhaps we can start a private investigation company," Mason suggested. "We could solve crimes and chase after the bad guys."

"Ooh." Isabella had a bright smile. "That could work. It sounds like fun, actually."

"We'd be unstoppable," Mason added. "The two of us are capable of anything. I think we've proven that to ourselves."

Isabella and Mason had a quick, small wedding. Only their closest friends and family were in attendance. Isabella hadn't wanted it any other way. It was perfect for her.

All that mattered was that they could profess their love to each other and promise to spend the rest of their lives in each other's company.

Isabella didn't know what lay ahead. They had no plans for when they reached India. Nothing had been more exciting. She didn't know when they'd set foot in London again.

What she did know was that she was leaving her family in a good place. With the new alliance with the duke, her family had added wealth. Isabella had no need for a lady's maid, but her parents could afford to keep Eliza in the house as part of the family.

Just before they left, Eliza and Mr. Langley announced their engagement. They had a great, elegant party to celebrate. Isabella had never seen her that happy before.

She looked out over the dark waters beneath them, at how the ship broke the surface of the water. There was so much in those waters that she did not know or understand.

It was not unlike the life that she was sailing toward.

"Just wait until you see the sunset," Mason said softly. "I rather look forward to it. Or perhaps, I'm looking forward to going back below deck with you after."

He kissed the side of her neck, and Isabella gave in to him.

"There are others on the deck of this boat, husband," she reminded him. "We don't want to give them too much to look at."

"Let them look, Mrs. Alton," he said. "I'm proud to show my affection for you."

She turned to face him and smiled. It felt as if they were floating through the air. Traveling quickly toward their new life, they kissed each other passionately as they sailed across the vast ocean.

They would travel the world at each other's side, leaving a legacy everywhere they went. There was no place too far for them.

"Mrs. Alton," Mason said as they came up for air. "I love you more than anything in this world. You have, by far, been my greatest adventure."

"I love you too, Mr. Alton," she said. "But we're only just getting started. I hope you're ready."

THE END