Epilogue

Today was her wedding day. Henry had been gone for four days. It had taken him longer than he would have liked. The travel time alone prevented him from returning any quicker. He had made arrangements with the Marquess of Ardmore before he left. The marquess had left all the planning in Victoria’s hands.

Victoria had done miracles in a short time. She had the staff all working on the details immediately. The wedding would be that morning followed by a breakfast. In the afternoon, all the guests would have a mini carnival to attend. That part was originally scheduled for the house party and was now convenient entertainment following the wedding.

Lilah only cared about one thing. That she would marry Henry, and soon. He would be her husband and he loved her. The gown she had borrowed for the ball would be her the dress she wore to marry him. It seemed appropriate. That had what she’d been wearing when she started to realize she felt more for him than hatred. That fine line between love and hate. It existed. She had to believe it. Especially since she adored him beyond reason now.

She walked down the hallway to the sitting room where they were to wed. When she walked inside, she found all of the wallflowers there. What surprised her was all the gentlemen in attendance as well. Friends of Henry’s? She thought she recognized them. The Marquess of Ardmore, the Duke of Castlebury, the Earl of Thornton, and the Earl of Foxcroft… None of them had paid her any attention during her season. But then again, most of them did not attend many societal functions. The duke was nearly a recluse. Why was he here now?

Lilah smiled as she came to stand beside Henry. His lips turned upward when he met her gaze. He mouthed, “I love you.” Then they turned toward the vicar.

They said their vows. They were declared married. He was her husband now. Her father would be livid he hadn’t given his permission, but she didn’t care. She was of age and could consent on her own. Henry was all that mattered to her.

He lifted her hand and kissed her palm. “I love you,” she told him.

“I’m glad you forgave me,” he said. “I cannot imagine my life without you in it.”

She did not want to consider such a life. “Lady Daisy won’t hurt anyone ever again. My fellow wallflowers ensured it.”

Lilah had gotten her revenge, but not in the way she had thought. Lady Daisy’s father had come to retrieve her, and she was going to be sent to a school for refinement. She had a feeling they wouldn’t see her anytime soon, and she rather pitied the other students at that school. Lady Daisy would make them all miserable.

“Good,” he said. “She is reprehensible.”

“She is,” Lilah agreed. “But she’s also no longer important.”

“You’re correct, love.” Henry pulled her against him. “Because she can never hurt us again.” He leaned over and whispered in her ear. “Do we want to stay for breakfast or spend the rest of the day in bed?”

“In bed, of course,” she said. “But perhaps we should take some food with us. We wouldn’t want any excuses to leave our bedchamber. Would we?”

“Excellent idea,” he said. “I’ll pack up a few things and meet you in your room. I’m afraid mine might be full of unwanted surprises again.”

She winced, a little guilty. Perhaps she should tell him why those pranks had been done to him. But later. At the moment, she had other plans, and they all involved being naked with him. Lilah grinned as she headed to her bedchamber. She would never have dared hope for this. But now that she had it, she wouldn’t let it go either. She loved Henry. He was hers. Their beginning was far from conventional, but no one would ever doubt their commitment to each other.

He was perfect for her, and she no longer had to cling to her identity as a wallflower. Her new persona was the Viscountess of Harcrest, and Henry’s adoring wife. That was far preferable to never being truly seen. Henry saw her and adored her. Nothing could ever be more perfect than that.