Epilogue
One Week Later
“And there I was, standing in the dining room of Mrs. Kilborn’s boarding house when these two suddenly fling themselves together!
Can you imagine my shock?! After everything Beatrice had told me, after how she was sure that she’d never talk to him again, he shows up one time, and within minutes, she’s kissing him!
Well, I just gaped, I tell you, I gaped!
And thank goodness Mrs. Kilborn had gone to the kitchens, otherwise I fear the woman would have suffered a coronary from such a sight! Oh, and then…”
Henry, Alice, Mrs. Sheer, and Mira all laughed at Deborah’s story as Beatrice felt her cheeks turn beet red. Today, for this particular occasion, there were no roles to fill other than the role of friendship, and they had all gathered to celebrate her wedding.
She had forgotten that her new friend had been standing in the dining room with a perfect viewpoint of her and Algernon’s reunion. That was until Beatrice had gone upstairs to collect her things, and her friend had caught her hand, asking her if she was sure she wanted to go.
Deborah looked over at her presently, her smile wide and genuine as she took in Beatrice in her wedding dress and winked.
Beatrice winked back then looked up to the face of her new husband standing by her side.
His green eyes twinkled with happiness as they locked eyes, and he tightened the arm already laying across her shoulders, bringing her closer so that he could kiss her forehead.
“She said yes,” Deborah said with a helpless shrug that made the others chuckle again. “She said he was what she wanted, and she had forgiven him.”
Deborah made a mischievous face as she threw a glance at Algernon.
“Well, she may had forgiven, but I had not, so I marched right up to him and asked…”
As Deborah continued the story, Beatrice felt Algernon’s arm tighten around the back of her shoulders.
Then, as if that was not enough, he pulled her tightly back to his chest and wrapped that arm around the front of her protectively.
Beatrice looked up at him again, curious, and her small smile faded as she found a stern frown on his face and his eyes narrowed and focused on someone among their small crowd of wedding guests.
She looked toward the others congregating in the reception hall, confused, then she felt the blush drain from her cheeks and her blood run cold as she spotted three familiar faces.
“No,” she whispered, feeling fear creep into the bliss she’d felt the entire day thus far. “Not here. Not today.”
She felt Algernon’s lips press against her temple, her cheek, and then to her ear.
“I will take care of this,” his deep voice murmured. “Go to Henry. Now.”
He pressed another kiss to her temple then moved, his large frame making their small crowd of guests part like the red sea for him. Beatrice moved to Henry’s side, but she kept her eyes locked on Algernon’s back.
“Beatrice, darling, what is it?” Henry asked when she took hold of his sleeve. “Goodness you’ve gone utterly pale!”
Deborah paused her story, and she and the others turned to Beatrice with a concerned look.
“They are here,” Beatrice said softly.
“Who is here?” Deborah asked.
“My par- ahem. The man that sold me. He is here with his wife and stepdaughter,” Beatrice rasped out.
At once, Henry’s arm bounded around her shoulders, pulling her close as her other friends whirled around, making a protective wall around Beatrice as they looked to where Algernon now was.
They all knew the truth now. Deborah had, of course, known from the beginning, but after she had returned to the Fitzroy estate, Beatrice had confessed her secret to the others as well.
It was not something she wanted to necessarily shout from the rooftops, but she wanted her friends to know exactly who she was.
Mrs. Sheer, Alice, and Mira had listened without judgment, and when she was finished, they all hugged her and told her that she was not only a true lady but a true friend for sharing her story.
“The gall,” Mrs. Sheer huffed, casting a disgusted look at the three interlopers. “Worry not, my dear, His Grace will make quick work of it.”
Beatrice nodded, but as she continued to watch Simeon argue with Algernon, she felt herself taking a step forward. Then another. Then another.
“Beatrice,” Henry whispered loudly as she left the protective circle, “what are you doing?”
Beatrice waved him off, feeling pulled by some great invisible force to the three people who had made her life awful for so many years.
Her posture changed with every step she took.
Her back straightened. Her chin tilted up.
Her shoulders drew back. She walked with grace and authority through the crowd of wedding guests, feeling regal in her white gown, long diamond earrings, and the simple but beautiful silver and diamond tiara Henry had gifted her for the wedding.
She stopped by Algernon’s side as he was mid-sentence into his tirade, and she slipped her hand into his.
Algernon’s words ceased immediately, and he all but snapped his neck in his quickness to look down at her. However, it was not her husband’s look of surprise she stayed focus on. It was that of Simeons, Elspeth’s, and Verity’s.
They looked at her wide-eyed and terrified, as if she were someone they buried long ago and were surprised to see alive. In a way, she supposed they had.
“It is time for you to take your leave,” she said calmly, feeling a strength rise in her she’d never felt before.
At her hand, she felt Algernon’s grip tighten, but he let her speak.
“You are my daughter—” Simeon began to say.
“No,” she cut him off. “You made that very clear long ago. Therefore, you have no claim on me, my husband, or his fortune. I am nothing to you, remember? Is that not what you told me so very many times?”
Elspeth opened her mouth to speak, but with the single shake of Beatrice’s head, she shut it again.
“The only claim you have now is to your sins,” Beatrice stated. “Nothing else.”
“Beatrice, I sold you because we were in trouble. We needed the money; you were all I had to—”
“I do not care for the reason why you did what you did,” Beatrice cut Simeon off again. “There is no excuse you can offer to make this right.”
She lifted her head, finding one of the guards, and waved at him. At once, he and another moved toward them.
“Take them out,” she ordered. “Quietly. I refuse to have my wedding day ruined by such monsters.”
Simeon’s wide gaze turned livid as a guard grabbed his arm.
He pulled it away, as if ready to make a scene, and then, as if only then realizing they were not alone, looked around the crowd.
Most were being polite, keeping their heads down and pretending not to see or hear what was going on.
Others, though, were looking at the five of them with open curiosity.
“My husband has already given our wedding toast,” Beatrice said with a smirk. “However, if you would like him to make another announcement? Perhaps about he and I met…?”
Simeon’s lips drew back into a sneer, but he shook his head.
“No. We are leaving. But you will reap what you sow, daughter. You should never turn your back on family,” he angrily warned.
Beatrice quirked an amused brow.
“We are not family. Remember?”
“Take them,” Algernon commanded the guards, and without another word, Simon, Elspeth, and Verity turned away and moved toward the doors, the guards closely following them.
“Are you all right, my love?” Algernon asked, turning to her as soon as the three were gone.
Beatrice smiled as she turned to him and reached up to cup my cheek.
“Perfect,” she replied, and meant it. “It feels… over now.”
“It is,” Algernon vowed. He cupped her cheeks and leaned down until they were face to face and whispered, “I am so proud of you.”
Warmth tingled up her spine, over her shoulders and into her heart.
“Thank you, husband,” she breathed. “I think I am proud of me too.”
Algernon nodded, a slow smile forming on his lips.
“You should be,” he whispered and then sweetly kissed her lips.
Turning in Algernon’s arms so that her back was to his chest, Beatrice took a long look around the reception hall. She took in her friends, her new acquaintances, the numerous families Algernon and Henry shared business with, and decided it was time to go.
The ceremony had been beautiful. Her dress, thanks to Henry, was immaculate, and the reception, save for the brief visit from Simeon, had been warm and full of laughter. Now, though, she wanted her life with Algernon to truly begin.
“Take me home, husband,” she sighed, reveling in the way Algernon was nuzzling into her neck. “Make me your wife in every way.”
She felt Algernon’s lips form into a smile then he placed a kiss on her neck. It was small, but even so, it sent tiny lightning bolts through her waiting body.
“Let us take our leave then,” Algernon whispered back, “Henry can handle the lingering guests.”
Despite her excitement, Beatrice felt a tremor of anxiety run down her spine as she looked at herself in the mirror. Algernon had seen her naked before, but it seemed different now—more important than ever that she appealed to him.
She combed her fingers through her curls then arranged them over her breasts to provide a small covering. Then her eyes dipped down further, and she blushed, wondering if she was actually bold enough to carry out the plan in her head.
“Beatrice?” Algernon’s voice came muffled through the closed door. “Is all well, my love?”
Beatrice smiled at herself in the mirror. That is what Algernon called her now, and she loved it. She could hear the longing and worry in his deep voice, and it smoothed over some of the sharp edges of her nerves.
“I am perfect,” she called back, turning away from the mirror. “I shall be right out.”