Epilogue

EPILOGUE

T hree months had passed, and Emma sat comfortably in the orphanage’s small library, surrounded by a dozen eager young faces. The children, seated in a semicircle around her, looked at her with wide, expectant eyes. The room was warm, and Emma could not help but smile at the sight before her.

“Are you ready for the rest of the story?” she asked, her voice as gentle as a breeze.

“Yes, Your Grace!” the children chorused eagerly, their excitement palpable.

Emma opened the little leather-bound book into which she’d carefully transcribed her story and began the tale she had shared with them over several weeks. Today, they would hear the end of The Silent Duke, and she could feel the children’s anticipation thick in the air.

She cleared her throat and read aloud:

“The Silent Duke opened his mouth for the first time in years. 'Mary,' he said, his voice low and hoarse, 'I have waited for you. But I cannot ask you to wait for me any longer. Come with me.'

Her heart swelled with hope, and she stepped forward, her hand outstretched to him. 'I have always waited for you,' she whispered. 'But I did not know that you would ever ask.'

In that moment, the Duke knew that his silence, his isolation, had come to an end. He had found the one person who could truly understand him, the one person who could see through the walls he had built around himself. They were no longer two separate beings living in the shadows; they were one. And from that day forward, they walked side by side, through the village and beyond, with hearts full of hope and love.

And so, the Silent Duke found his voice—and in doing so, he found the woman who would love him, not for his title, but for who he truly was. Together, they built a life of happiness, free from the constraints of the world, with nothing but each other to hold onto. They lived, as they always should have, in silence no more.”

Emma closed the book slowly, the children's clapping filling the room. Their joy was contagious, and she smiled at the gleaming faces that surrounded her.

“Thank you, Your Grace!” Clara, a young girl of no more than ten, said as she bounced up from her seat and rushed to Emma’s side. “I love the Silent Duke!”

“I’m glad you liked it, Clara,” Emma said with a gentle laugh, ruffling the girl’s hair. “It’s a reminder, isn’t it? That sometimes, it takes someone special to help us find our true selves.”

“Yes!” Jamie, a boy near the back, called out eagerly. “And sometimes it takes a long time to find them!”

“Indeed,” Emma replied. “Patience, as always, is key. Life does surprise us when we least expect it.”

Just then, the door to the room opened, and Mother Superior entered, her kind eyes scanning the room. “It seems the story has ended,” she said with a warm smile. “Children, before we go for our afternoon meal, I’d like to thank Her Grace and His Grace, her husband, for their most generous donation and for starting the apprenticeship program. Thanks to him, many of you will be able to learn valuable skills and work with noble families, building better futures for yourselves.”

The children clapped again, their faces alight with gratitude. Emma’s heart swelled with pride as she watched them. Evan's generosity had truly made a difference in their lives.

Mother Superior turned to Emma, her smile widening. “I’m sure His Grace will be pleased to know how happy we all are, Your Grace.”

Emma returned the smile, though her thoughts were with Evan, whose contributions had made this all possible. “He would be. He has always believed in giving others a chance,” she said quietly.

“And thanks to his kindness,” Mother Superior continued, “the older children in the orphanage will now have the opportunity to work as apprentices. They will be placed with noble families to learn trades on estates—from grooming horses to household management.”

Emma nodded with approval. “They’ve all worked so hard,” she murmured. “The children are thriving.”

Mother Superior smiled warmly. “Indeed, they are. And I believe they will continue to do so.”

The sound of carriage wheels outside broke the moment of reflection, and Emma glanced toward the door. “There is His Grace. I should be off now, or we’ll be late,” she said, rising to her feet.

“Of course,” Mother Superior said. “Please, do give my best to Lady Ophelia and her family. I trust the wedding will go wonderfully.”

Emma smiled, her heart light. “I’ll be sure to.”

As she passed by Evan, his hand brushed hers. He had been waiting quietly in the doorway, observing the scene with a proud smile.

“You were wonderful,” he said softly, his admiration evident.

Emma smiled up at him, a warm affection filling her heart. “Thank you”

“Well,” he teased, “I couldn’t have done it without my very capable wife.”

Emma blushed slightly, a smile curving her lips. “I’m just glad it’s all worked out.”

Together, they made their way toward the carriage. As they climbed inside, the sound of the wheels turning echoed the quiet certainty of their lives. Emma sighed, her heart a little heavy yet hopeful. The road ahead was still uncertain, but the journey had already borne fruit—opportunity for others, and a future that, at last, felt full of love and promise.

“I can’t believe everything has worked out as it has,” Emma said, her voice soft with wonder. “I never imagined Ophelia and Jonathan would marry and now, look at this grand scheme. It feels like a dream.”

Evan chuckled. “I am glad it worked as well. They deserve this. They both need this. And you’ve played just as large a part in making it happen.”

Emma smiled, warmth filling her chest. “Do you really think it will work?”

“I do,” he replied, squeezing her hand. “As long as we all stick to the plan.”

It had been three months since Ophelia and Jonathan had begun their pretense, their carefully orchestrated roles as a couple for society’s eyes.

Ophelia would live with Jonathan, pretending to be his wife, while Brigitte played the role of her lady’s maid. It would not be easy to maintain but they would manage. Eventually, after an appropriate amount of time, Brigitte would become Jonathan’s housekeeper while Ophelia would relocate to one of Jonatha’s vineyards – where she and Massimo would live together.

“I’ll miss Brigitte,” Emma said softly. “She’s become such a dear friend.”

“You’ll still see her,” Evan reminded her gently. “Jonathan and I are like brothers.”

Emma nodded but couldn't suppress a trace of sadness. “Ah yes, you are indeed. And I am glad you and he are so close and spend so much time together. I only wish the same could be true of Rose.”

By now, Emma had met Rose and she genuinely liked the young woman. Alas, she had no interest in engaging further in society or being known as Evan’s sister. Emma understood this but still wished Evan had the chance to spend more time with his only sister. Still, the siblings were close and she hoped with time, she too would forge a connection with Rose.

Evan’s expression softened. “She doesn’t want to be part of society’s expectations. But we’ve arranged for a cottage, where she can live freely. She doesn’t want anything more than that.”

Emma sighed. “I wish she could be known for who she truly is.”

Evan’s voice turned firm. “In this world, she would only be seen as the illegitimate child of a fallen woman. She’ll never be allowed the peace of simply being herself.”

Emma nodded. “It’s a shame, but she deserves the life we’ve promised her. A quiet, peaceful life.”

As the carriage carried them toward Jonathan’s estate, Emma’s thoughts turned to the ones she loved. Though none of their lives had been without hardship, they had made peace with their pasts and, at last, looked to the future.

And so, as the carriage came to a stop before the estate, Emma squeezed Evan’s hand, content. “We have made peace with the past, haven’t we? Now, we build our future.”

Evan smiled, his gaze tender. “Indeed, Emma. A future with you.”

Together, they stepped from the carriage, greeted by the familiar faces of friends and family, ready to witness the beginning of another chapter in the lives of their friends. With hearts full of hope, they entered the house where their loved ones awaited. Their future, one shaped by love, was now within reach.