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Epilogue

Castle Montford

Early September

"I now pronounce that they be man and wife together," came the loud, strong words of the Reverend Nathaniel Colbrooke as he married his friends Robert and Arabella on a sunny September day in St Mary's Church on the village green in Montbury.

The bishop had wanted to conduct the service as the duke was a peer of the realm, but Robert had been determined that his friend should marry him to his beautiful Bella.

The bride wore one of Mrs Cribbage's designs in a bright, white silk, with an organza train with silver strands embroidered to look like shooting stars. She wore the peridot tiara as her borrowed item, with the green pendant she wore every day.

The seamstress looked on with pride as Arabella walked gracefully to the altar to meet her duke.

Today they were surrounded by family and friends, and their hearts filled with joy at the love around them.

Sir Joseph had given away Arabella to her duke. Simon had been best man, now the brothers were reconciled, and their mother's heart was content to see them together as they had been as boys.

Elinor and Emma were matron-of-honour and bridesmaids, wearing shimmering gowns of yellow daisy-coloured silk. Mrs Cribbage had needed to let out Elinor's dress that morning, and she had whispered to Arabella that she was expecting a baby in the spring.

Lord Colonel Rathby would return in a few weeks after finishing his service with the Duke of Wellington.

Henry and Freddy had refused to dress as page boys, but when she assured them they would wear the same outfit as the duke and Lord Orsdale, they had agreed.

There would be two more weddings before the harvest celebrations in the following weeks. The Reverend Nathaniel Colbrooke would marry his Emma in a week's time, and Judd and Tabitha would marry the following week.

Arabella was adamant that she did not want the traditional month's honeymoon. They would return to France in the spring, but now she wanted to spend time at Montbury Castle.

The Duke of Montbury had a special surprise for his bride. Jason Brown and the estate staff had built a tiny pavilion on the island in the middle of the lake. Elinor had decorated it with rugs, cushions, and hung lanterns from the trees. They had created a special place on the island.

After the wedding feast at Horton Hall, the Duke of Montbury would row his duchess across to the island, where they would spend the first night of their married life.

With no sign of a cloud in the sky, the weather looked good. The duke had dreaded a storm demolishing his plans for a romantic evening on the island.

Tonight would be a full moon to give them light and a starry sky to gaze at into the early hours of the morning. A perfect night to spend in the new pavilion.

Henry raced towards his mama and stepfather as they left the church. "Mama, Nathaniel says there is a red squirrel gathering nuts for the winter in the tree behind the vicarage. Can I go and look?"

"Of course," said Arabella, ruffling his hair gently. "Don't miss the carriage back to the Hall. I don't want Tabitha to be worried about you today."

He raced off to join Freddy, and they climbed over the gate and into the vicarage garden.

"Will we ever keep up with him?" said Arabella.

"I doubt it." Robert laughed. "There will never be a dull day with Viscount Henry Farrington in the castle."

THE END

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