Epilogue

London, England, Summer 1819

Brannon & Avery Antiquities

Olivia Avery stood next to her husband on the bustling London street and faced the storefront with her eyes closed.

Lucas moved his hands on her shoulders and adjusted the angle at which she was standing. "Open your eyes and tell me what

you think."

She opened her eyes, and the new shingle hanging outside the shop door, fresh with bright and shiny gold paint, boasted the

words Brannon & Avery Antiquities .

She clasped her hands before her. "Oh, Lucas, it's beautiful!"

He put his arm around her waist and pulled her tightly to his side. "Are you happy?"

"I could not be happier." She flung her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.

"Now it's official," he bantered. "You can teach me everything you know about antiquities and all things unusual and ancient."

She placed her hand on his chest and leaned toward him. "We can teach each other."

Lucas looked back to the building, and his expression sobered. "I'm only sorry we were unable to secure your father's building.

I know it would have pleased you."

Olivia's heart tightened. Upon learning about Russell's betrayal, Uncle Thomas cut Olivia and Laura out of the business and

sold everything—the building and the inventory—and left for America.

At first the news stung, but time and her new circumstances were softening it. "Whether we like it or not, Father left his

part of the business to his brother, not me. It was his to sell or to do with it as he liked. Besides, I think this is what

Father would want for me. A fresh start. A new beginning."

"And me?" Lucas asked. "What would he have thought of me as your husband?"

"I'm sure with a little coaxing he would have come around eventually." She smirked. "But I do think this change has been good

for Laura. She seems so much happier living with us than she ever did on Kingsby Street."

"And for my mother as well. She and Laura have become quite good friends, haven't they? Laura even got her to go out on a

carriage ride. I've been trying to do that for months."

Tate, who'd stopped by to see the new addition to the building, exited the shop, let the door slam loudly behind him, and

turned to the shingle. "Look at you two. So in love. And to think, none of this would have happened if it wasn't for me."

Lucas scoffed. "And how do you figure that?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Tate propped his fists akimbo. " I introduced you to Wainbridge. I secured the invitations to Cloverton Hall, at which point you connected with your lovely future bride. And if it weren't

for that, none of this would have been possible."

"You're ludicrous," Lucas observed.

"Perhaps. But I'm right." Tate's expression shifted, and he shook his head. "As exciting as this all is, it is also a pity.

Your focus will change entirely. No more carousing for us. I hate to think all our adventures will be coming to an end."

"Who says the adventures will be coming to an end?" Lucas retorted. "Olivia and I have the whole world to explore."

Tate stepped closer to Lucas and stood with him shoulder to shoulder as they assessed the shingle. "Speaking of the world,

when are you leaving for Egypt?"

Egypt.

A thrill surged through Olivia at the very word. It was to be her wedding present—a trip, a dream come true.

"We leave next April. But before we go, we will oversee the auction for Mrs.Milton's collection. We've already found buyers

for the bronze pieces and every one of the shells, and inquiries are coming in for the gems and other pieces. I expect it

to do very well."

"Ah yes. And how is Mrs.Milton?" Tate asked. "Still cantankerous?"

"Yes," Lucas blurted.

Olivia swatted playfully at his arm. "Don't listen to him, Mr. Tate. She is not nearly so much now as she was during the house party. She and Mr. Wainbridge have come to an understanding of sorts, and he has sold her a cottage on the grounds. It's not entirely ideal, but it seems to be working at the moment. In fact, she's here in London now. Laura and I are to have tea with her and Miss Wainbridge tomorrow if you'd care to join us."

"Tea with her and MissWainbridge? I thought they didn't like one another."

"They've been spending a great deal of time together. I think it's a positive development. They are family, after all."

"Family, eh?" Tate lowered his voice. "Speaking of family, whatever happened to the girl? The illegitimate daughter?"

Olivia sobered. The last time she'd seen Tabitha, not to mention Russell, was the night at Cloverton when they were apprehended.

"Tabitha. She is in prison and will be for some time. As are Mr.Crane and Mr.Wakes."

Tate clapped his hand on Lucas's shoulder. "Well, I'd love to stay and chat more about all of these happy developments, but

I'm off to meet my father."

"You'll have to tell him that we send our regards," Lucas offered.

"I fear this is not a social call. Oh no. No, no. You know my father, all seriousness, all the time. He says he has a few

concerns he would like to discuss with me." Tate jerked his head and an exaggerated expression crossed his features. He then smiled,

bowed toward Olivia, and tipped his tall beaver hat at Lucas. "I'll be off, then."

Olivia and Lucas bid their farewells and then turned back to the shiny gold paint on the shingle. Lucas took her hand in his,

and together they made their way back into their store, back amongst the valuable vases and paintings and statues.

She moved to go back through the office, but he caught her hand and playfully pulled her close to him. "A moment before we do, if I may."

She giggled and allowed herself to be drawn into his embrace.

He kissed her, and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Promise me, my darling," she said softly, "that we will always be this happy."

He lifted his hand and brushed a lock of hair from her face. "You have my word."

He kissed her again, and she surrendered to it, resting in the fact that there was nothing she needed to prove. She was loved

and respected for who she was. She had found the person who not only viewed her entirely as an equal but also challenged her

to continue chasing her dreams and following her passions. What was more, they could do it together.

She had found her home in Lucas Avery's arms. It was a beautiful place to be.