Epilogue

Epilogue

" A nd so, we are wed!"

"Yes, we are." Prudence, hand in hand with Lord Childers, meandered along the path towards her father's estate. The wedding ceremony had just taken place and her nervousness, though significant, had not taken away a single moment of joy from the service. Her mother, father, sister, and brother-in-law had all been present, as had Miss Rockwell and her betrothed, as well as Lord and Lady Drakewater. There had been a few friends and more relatives, but the only person Prudence had cared about had been Lord Childers. In the weeks between their betrothal and their wedding day, she had felt her affection grow all the more steadily, to the point that she had woken in the morning thinking about him and had retired with her mind full of wishes and hopes.

"I do hope that your father does not mind that we sent the carriage ahead of us so that we might walk back to the estate," Lord Childers murmured, his eyes dazzling her with their intensity. "The wedding breakfast will be waiting for us."

"Then let it wait," Prudence answered, finding her steps slowing as she gazed back into her husband's eyes. Lord Childers stopped completely and, after a moment, turned to face her. Then, very gently as though he had never done such a thing before, he wrapped his arms carefully around her and pulled her a little closer to him.

All of her breath left her body as Prudence looked up at him, her heart clamoring with anticipation. They had never stood as close to each other as this before and though she had found her desire for his kiss growing, she had never dared reach for it. He had not offered it either, perhaps afraid that what she knew of his roguish ways would color her perception of it and yet, Prudence had caught the lingering glances he had sent her and had dared to hope that he craved that moment just as much as she did.

"You are Lady Childers now," he said softly, reaching up one hand to brush a curl away from her cheek, tucking it lightly behind her ear. "You are my wife."

"I am." Her skin prickled, heated from where his fingers had brushed against it. "And you are my husband."

"Your devoted husband," he reminded her, his smile soft. "I will not let you forget that, Prudence, for I am determined to make it plain to you every single day."

She smiled and then, licking her lips, let her hands reach up to settle against his shoulders.

"You have already proven yourself in your devotion to me, Childers," she answered, seeing how his eyes flared as she slipped her hands about his neck. "I must confess something more to you, however."

"Oh?" Surprise leapt into his eyes though he did not move an inch from her. "What is it?"

She smiled then, her anticipation growing.

"I confess to you that my heart no longer holds an affection for you." Seeing him frown, she hurried her words, wanting him to understand rather than be injured. "Instead, it holds love."

Lord Childers' mouth dropped open, his eyes rounding and for some moments, he simply stared at her. Prudence merely smiled, wanting him to be convinced of it, only for him to let out a long hiss of breath, shaking his head as he did so.

"I do not deserve your affection nor your love, Prudence." His voice was low and a little hoarse. "You honor me with such a thing."

"You need not speak so," she answered, her fingers now twining through his hair, a little astonished at her own boldness. "We have found each other, have we not? Despite our past foolishness, despite our past. That is something to be wondered at, something to be delighted in."

Lord Childers considered and then, after another moment, smiled at her.

"I suppose that is quite true," he agreed, his head beginning to lower. "Though I do not think that I shall ever stop being grateful for you. You have brought me so much joy, so much happiness, that I cannot help but love you. I have wanted to tell you that for these last few weeks, but I have held those words back, waiting for the right time to confess it."

Prudence smiled up at him, her eyes blinking back tears of joy.

"I think that you have chosen the right moment."

With a small smile, Lord Childers dropped his head and kissed her lightly. It was not a long, heavy kiss but only the very gentlest of kisses, one which left her both satisfied and longing for more. With a sigh, she leaned into him all the more, but Lord Childers broke it, lifting his hands so that he might frame her face.

"I love you, Prudence," he said, a good deal more firmly now. "I do not want you to ever doubt it."

She pulled her hands from his neck and set one against his heart.

"I know that your heart beats for me," she whispered, "just as mine beats for you. I love you, Lord Childers and I believe I always shall."

With a smile, he lowered his head to kiss her again.

"Just as I love you," he murmured against her lips, before pulling her close to him again.

A harrowing journey for Prudence! I am glad she found her happy ever after!

Did you miss the first book in the series? The Wallflower's Unseen Charm Read ahead for a sneak peek!

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