Epilogue

"My darling," the Duke murmured, his lips close to her ear. "I am sorry for all that you have had to endure. It has been a great trial, I know, but it is at an end now." Leaning back gently, he looked into her eyes. "I am sorry, my dear. But it is at an end now and I promise, all will be well."

Lillian let herself smile, her heart aching with relief, joy and love. "It is finished?"

The Duke nodded, lifting one hand to brush his fingers along her temple then down to cup her cheek, making her shiver. "It is," he promised. "I still must speak to Lord Jedburgh but he appears to be a gentleman easily swayed. Lady Vivianne will marry Lord Huxley, I am sure of it, and Dinah and your brother will wed also. Though," he continued, his eyes searching hers, "while that makes me happy, it does not fill me with overwhelming joy. That can only come from you, Lillian."

She closed her eyes for a moment, though she smiled as she did so. "You did tell my brother that there was something you wanted to discuss with me, Wrexham." Her eyes fluttered open as his fingers skimmed down the side of her neck. "What was it?"

The Duke smiled at her gently, tenderness blossoming in his eyes. "I am sure you know very well how much I have been longing to say these words to you," he answered, his other hand at her waist. "Lillian, I have fallen quite in love with you. You are the most extraordinary person I have ever met, right from the very first moment I met you. Your intellect inspires me, it pushes me forward, it amazes me! I delight in your desire to learn all you can, to further your own skills in any way you can. I promise you that you will never find me pushing that away from you, demanding that as a lady, you pursue things such as the pianoforte or the like."

"Which is just as well, given that I do not play well at all," Lillian interjected, making him chuckle. "Did you say that you were in love with me?"

A seriousness returned to his gaze as he nodded slowly. "Yes, Lillian, I do love you," he murmured, beginning to lower his head as her heart quickened. "We have been separated, held back from each other for a long time, but no more. I do not want only to court you, my love, but I wish to marry you. I want to have you as my bride so that we might explore this life together." His thumb pushed up gently into the curls at the back of her neck and Lillian closed her eyes, overcome by the emotions and the sensations flung up within her.

"I love you too, Wrexham," she breathed, opening her eyes to see him so close to her, her whole being burning with an affection, a love for him which she knew would never be dampened. "You have never once rejected me for the learning I love so dearly but have only championed it. I trust you completely and in giving you my heart, I know you will keep it safe and secure."

The Duke leaned closer, his lips brushing against hers and igniting a spark deep within Lillian's core, her hands going up around his neck. "Then is that a yes from you, my love? You will marry me?"

Lillian pressed her lips against his, his arms wrapping tightly around her as they embraced. Every moment now was nothing but brightness and joy, the shadow of the Mad Duke, the storm of Lady Vivianne and her brother now fading into the background. There was nothing holding them back now, nothing that would keep them apart and Lillian revelled in it, clinging onto the happiness which wrapped around her. "Yes, Wrexham," she whispered against his lips, feeling his arms tighten all the more about her waist. "Yes, I shall marry you. I shall be yours, this day and for always."

THE END