Chapter 29

Chapter 29

“Merry Christmas, Pa,” whispered Selene, kissing her father on the cheek. “I am so happy that you and ma are home at last and able to spend Christmas Eve with us.”

Mr. Bomind smiled, gazing around the ornate parlor. He looked completely stunned that he was there, sipping port before dinner at Trenton House, along with the duke, Lady Lenore, and Captain Redford, who had brought Emma, as well. The two of them looked so happy, gazing at each other shyly, glowing with love.

Emma had whispered to her as they walked into the parlor that the duke had intervened on their behalf, talking with her parents, assuring them that the captain would look after their daughter and had given their blessing for their betrothal. Selene was so happy for them. There was no impediment to their union, now.

Not like me. The duke and I have declared our love, at last, but there is no guarantee we will ever be able to marry. I must appreciate this time together now.

“We are so very happy for you, daughter,” replied her father, his eyes misting. “We always wanted you to find your place… we just never thought it would be here.” He gazed around the parlor again, shaking his head incredulously. “Whoever knows what fate has in store for any of us?”

Selene sighed. “Yes, it is truly amazing.” She paused, a wave of sorrow sweeping over her, amid the joy. “But… it is probably a brief sojourn, Pa. I do not know what my future holds.”

Her father put a hand on her arm, looking at her intently. “Have faith, Selene. You might be surprised.”

Selene opened her mouth to ask him what he meant, but at that moment, Lenore rushed to them, clutching a neatly wrapped gift in her hands, gazing up at her adoringly.

“The bow on the back of your dress has come undone,” whispered Selene, caressing her face gently. “Turn around and I will tie it for you.”

She bent down, tying the bow. When she looked up, the duke was staring at her from where he was standing at the fireplace talking with the Captain, with a look of such tenderness and quiet joy on his face, that her heart shifted in her chest.

“Go on,” she whispered to the little girl. “Go and give it to him.”

Lenore nodded, rushing over to her father, shyly handing him her gift. He thanked her, ripping off the paper, a slow smile spreading across his face as he gazed at the homemade book in his hands.

“It is a book about birds,” he cried, holding it up in his hands, so everyone could see. “My daughter made it herself!”

Everyone cheered, crowding around to admire Lenore’s work. Selene felt like her heart was going to burst with pride and love as she watched the girl transform with joy, gazing at her father, as he proudly showed off his gift.

She blinked rapidly, gazing around the parlor. The Christmas evergreens were draped everywhere, and so many candles were lit, glowing brightly in the room.

Soft snow was falling outside, pure white flakes against the indigo of the darkening sky. And she was there amid it all, with her parents and friends, his daughter… and him.

She took a deep breath, still unable to believe it was actually real. She had a special Christmas present for him—one that she thought he needed, more than anything in this world. She would give it to him later, when they were alone together.

Their eyes met and held across the room. The love between them was so blindingly strong now and growing stronger by the day. He had welcomed her family for Christmas. But would they ever be able to declare their love to the world? Or would they be forced to always live apart?

***

Ian stood up at the table, clinking a spoon against his glass for silence. Dessert had just been cleared and they were enjoying the last glass of wine. Everyone fell silent, gazing at him.

“Thank you all for coming and sharing Christmas Eve with us,” he declared, his voice strong. He turned to Selene, his eyes softening. “This woman has changed everything for me, turned my world around… and now, I am overjoyed to tell you that her father has given his blessing to our marriage. That is, if she’ll have me…”

There was a shocked silence for a moment, then everyone started cheering wildly, clapping. Selene jumped up, rushing to him, staring at him incredulously.

“Is it true?” she gasped, turning to her father, who nodded slowly, looking overwhelmed with joy. “Oh, I am so happy! I will marry you!” She hesitated. “But… how is it possible?”

Ian took a deep breath, and taking her hand, gazed into her eyes. “Selene, there is no easy way to say this…” He stole a look her parents, who nodded. Turning his gaze on her again, he squeezed her hand and spoke softly.

“It seems that your parents, who love you to the ends of the earth, adopted you. You were left in their care by the late Marquess of Garton. He asked your parents to raise you as their own. But in truth, you were his illegitimate daughter. He wanted you cared for.” He took a deep breath. “So, you see, there is no impediment any longer to our marriage. You have noble blood running through your veins.”

“What?” stammered Selene, the blood draining from her face. “I… I do not understand…”

“It is true, Selene,” said her father, his voice breaking in the stunned silence. “We never told you because we thought it would only cause you pain. There seemed little point.” He drew a deep breath. “But now… now, it is the key to giving you your heart’s desire, daughter.”

Selene put a hand to her mouth, looking utterly overwhelmed. Tears glistened in her eyes. Lenore jumped up, running to them, gazing at Selene.

“Does this mean you will be my mother?” she asked, in a faltering voice.

Selene burst into tears, crouching in front of the little girl, taking her hands.

“Yes,” she whispered, her voice breaking with emotion. “Yes, it does, my lady. And I will be honored to be your mother.”

Lenore gave a cry of delight, wrapping her arms around Selene’s legs. Ian enveloped them both, embracing them fiercely. He had everything he wanted in the world in his arms. A new beginning. A new life. A chance to start anew. He blinked back tears.

I am sorry, Mary. I will always carry the sorrow that I was responsible for losing you within me. But it is time, at long last, to move on.

***

Selene held the candle high, clutching the old, worn, leather book to her chest, as she drifted down the hallway toward the duke’s chambers. Her mind was still reeling with all that had been revealed that night: the revelation of her true identity, his proposal, and the fact that they were going to be married.

She took a deep breath. At the end of the night, as everyone had been leaving, he had smiled wolfishly at her, pressing a piece of paper into her hand.

Meet me in my chambers at midnight.

She tapped softly, then pushed open the door. He was standing near the window, dressed only in his britches and a white shirt, unbuttoned to the waist, exposing his hard, muscular chest and a smattering of dark hair. Her heart started fluttering wildly.

“There you are,” he breathed, striding toward her. “I have been pacing the room, longing for you.”

Selene exhaled slowly, feeling the air thickening around them. Deliberately, she took a step back. There was something she must do first before they submitted to their desire for each other. Something she must give him.

“Here,” she whispered, holding out the old book to him. “This is my Christmas gift to you. I found it tucked behind some books in the library. I have earmarked the pages you need to read, for I believe they will set you free.”

He frowned, looking at her quizzically. He took the book, turning it over in his hands, before opening it to the pages she had marked. He gasped.

“This… this is Mary’s handwriting,” he stammered, his eyes widening in shock. “This is her diary. You found it in the library?”

She nodded. “Yes, it was tucked behind some books. I do not know how it got there, only that it seemed I was meant to find it.” She hesitated. “Please, read the pages.”

He nodded, sinking down into a chair near the fire, his eyes scanning the pages. Selene’s heart started pounding as she sat in a chair opposite him, watching him read. When he was finished, he looked up at her, his face twisted and his eyes misty with tears.

“Mary wrote that she always knew she was going to go into labor early and die in childbirth,” he whispered, shaking his head incredulously.

“She was suffering from bleeding and the physician told her that it was due to the placenta rupturing.” He drew a long, ragged breath, wiping a hand over his face. “She begged him not to tell me. And she would not take to her bed to rest as he advised, for she wanted me to believe that all was well.”

Selene nodded, her heart aching for him. “Yes,” she whispered. “She knew she was going to die.” She swallowed a painful lump in her throat. “So, you see, that carriage trip in the snow may have hastened Lenore’s birth, but it did not kill Mary. She was going into early labor anyway, and no one but God could have stopped the bleeding which killed her.”

“The physician should have told me,” he whispered fiercely, putting down the diary, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye. “He said nothing.”

“She swore him to silence,” said Selene. “She sacrificed herself for her child. For Lenore.”

There was a heavy silence. He put his head into his hands. Selene whimpered, rushing to him, putting her arms around him.

“Look at me,” she whispered fiercely. “You were not responsible for her death. You must let go of the guilt, for it has been gnawing at you. It was her time. That is all.”

He gave a shuddering sigh, lifting his head, staring at her with such fierce love glowing in his eyes that her heart melted into a puddle. He took her hands, kissing them wildly.

“Yes,” he whispered. “I know it is time. I thought it this evening, as I embraced you and Lenore at the dinner table, asking for Mary’s forgiveness.” He hesitated. “And now, knowing this, I feel it has come full circle. I am ready to marry you and begin again, Selene. I have let the past go at long last. And I could not be happier. “

Selene felt like bursting into noisy tears. But she didn’t. She kept looking at him, as he bent his head, kissing her hands again, love and intense desire for him sweeping over her, making her feel so faint and dizzy that she could barely stand it.

He stood up, forcing her to rise with him. With one swift movement, he swept her into his arms, gazing down at her with eyes glittering with passion.

“No more talking,” he whispered, in a husky voice. “Tomorrow is Christmas Day, which will belong to family and friends… but tonight… tonight you are mine.”

She circled her arms around his neck, burying her face into his chest, as he carried her to the four-poster bed, laying her gently upon the mattress, before falling upon her with a furious intensity that took her breath away, leading her to the stars above, again and again, until she was slick with sweat and exhausted with passion.

She was going to become his wife. Their life together was about to begin. And the next day, it would be Christmas. She couldn’t imagine celebrating with anyone but him. She knew that the healing had finally started. And now, it really was their time.