Epilogue

They chose to marry in the chapel on the Clairville Estate. The sun shone with a clear blue sky all day. They didn't want to wait, aware they had almost lost their chance of love. So, one summer day in mid-August, they exchanged their vows.

The chapel was filled with family, friends and all the estate staff from Clairville and Rowton Castle. Rowton was now under Audrey's management, as it seemed likely Ethan would remain in the asylum for the rest of his days.

The six bridesmaids were dressed in different shades of celestial blue with stars, moon, or sun, embroidered on the bodice, in silver or gold thread. The dressmaker had created individual headdresses for each bridesmaid, with a different pattern of sparkling crystal and silver wire. As they walked together into the chapel there was an audible gasp from the congregation.

The dowager duchess felt her heart gladden at the sight of all her daughters together to celebrate the marriage of their brother. She reached for and gently squeezed the hand of the man beside her.

The celestial sky theme was important to the bride. Her own gown was a column of bright, white silk, with a silvery gossamer overlay, which wrapped around her like a shimmering cloud. As she walked, the light of the sun illuminated the silver sparkles scattered on the bodice and throughout her hair.

She wore diamonds, which had been her mothers, retrieved from her brother's secret hoard at Rowton Castle. A sheer diaphanous veil fell from her hair and down her back, gathering around her feet when she stopped walking, almost forming a silver pool.

Sasha, as flower girl, was dressed in dusky pink, and had been very specific with the dressmaker about the design of her gown. Audrey smiled when she saw how Sasha had tied flowers around Flossie's collar and involved the spaniel in helping her sprinkle the flowers up the aisle of the chapel.

Sasha had found happiness at Clairville and was now a legal ward of the Duke of Clairville. Daniel had found her grandmother, living in a villa near Rome and the elderly comtessehad been delighted to know her granddaughter was alive and well.

She agreed Sasha could stay at Clairville, and Daniel had papers showing how Sasha would inherit a sizable fortune one day. All her grandmother asked was that Sasha continue with her musical education, and learned to speak French and Italian. She was already well on her way to fluency in both languages.

The simple service was filled with joy. Jude had organized a small orchestra to play music throughout the ceremony. He wanted to remind his bride of that celestial ball where they had declared their love. Audrey's cousin Rupert had walked her up the aisle and given her away.

When the parson asked if there was any just cause or impediment why the marriage could not take place, Audrey had half expected Rupert to say something as he had at Rowton Castle. He would consider it a jolly jape of a joke. She breathed a sigh of relief when he stayed silent. She didn't think Jude's mother would appreciate Rupert's quirky sense of humor.

The chapel fell silent as they made their vows and rings were slipped on fingers. They had made their own individual vows in the gazebo the previous day.

Audrey had promised to be true to her individuality and love Jude with all her heart, mind, and soul. She would love him as the sun rose in the morning sky, until it set at the end of each day. She would love him in stormy weather and still, calm summer days.

Holding her hand in his and placing an aquamarine pendant around her delicate neck, Jude had promised to love and protect his bride and always trust her. He smiled as he remembered the dark days of her illness, and promised to fill their days with sunshine and sparkles. Most of all he promised to be like his father and always put family ahead of business.

As the parson spoke the formal words which made them man and wife, both remembered their vows in the gazebo, recognizing the strong connection between them.

As the ceremony ended the orchestra played a slow pavane and a tear slid down Audrey's cheek as she recognized the music from their dance at the ball.

They left the chapel to walk into a shower of rose petals, falling around them in a perfumed haze.

After the service, before they joined their guests for refreshments, Audrey and Jude walked to the gazebo, Tess, following close behind them. Jude stopped to throw a stick and Tess chased after it into the trees.

"This is our special place. We just had to visit here today," he said, cradling her hand in his.

"So far from where we met on that dark, rainy street. Such sadness. Sasha's mother almost made it to safety. It's so sad she won't see Sasha growing up," said Audrey, holding tight to Jude's hand.

"We'll keep her alive in Sasha's memory. There is so much of the performer in Sasha, and she has such musical talent," he added. "I'm glad we've finally found her grandmother."

"Come on," said Audrey. "We've another announcement to make."

"We've time for a kiss first?" he suggested.

"Always," sighed Audrey.

When they arrived back on the terrace Jude clapped his hands for quiet and hush fell among the crowd. "There is a further surprise today. I'd like to announce the betrothal of my dear Mama, the Dowager Duchess of Clairville, to the Duke of Batton. My wife and I," and he paused to smile at Audrey, "wish them happiness for the future, and we invite you all to return in a month's time for a wedding, dancing, and a harvest supper.

It was a surprise how a romance had formed so quickly between the dowager duchess and the Duke of Batton. Yet both had been lonely, looking for love, and seemed so grateful to have found a second chance of happiness with each other.

As darkness fell, the stars shone brightly over Clairville Hall, with dancing on the terrace under a starlit sky, and the new Duchess of Clairville waltzing in the arms of her duke.