Epilogue
THREE MONTHS LATER
Charlotte had intended to spend much of her time on her research, but while she had managed to allocate some time to that end, the vast majority of her time had been spent planning the wedding.
Everyone had been eager to help, and it had been a monumental task to filter everyone’s ideas and end up with the wedding she wanted.
The wedding was being hosted at Winthrop estate, but the actual ceremony was taking place in the nearby forest as Charlotte wanted to be surrounded by nature. It was a rare privilege granted under special license at Charlotte’s request.
“So, the day we never thought would occur has finally arrived,” Edmund said, coming into the room. He placed his hands on Charlotte’s shoulders and kissed her cheek. Flowers wound through her hair, and her gown flowed down her body, billowing out like a glorious summer cloud.
“It has,” Charlotte said with a sweet smile.
“You look beautiful. The Iron Duke is a lucky man.”
Charlotte shot Edmund a look.
“I don’t believe it’s proper for you to refer to him as such any longer.”
“I mean, it is a term of endearment.”
“I’m not sure he will take it as such.”
Edmund shrugged and then stepped back. He had a thoughtful look on his face.
“It’s going to be strange without you at Stonewood.”
“I shall visit often.”
“It won’t be the same. It will be the first time since our school days that we shall be separated. The first time since…” he trailed away.
“…mother and father passed,” Charlotte finished in a soft voice. Edmund’s head dropped, and he nodded with sorrow.
“It has always been the three of us. Now, it is just two.”
“You are wrong, Edmund. It is four because Nathaniel is a brother now, too. Seven if you count Mary, Alfred, and Clara. Our family is not diminishing. It is growing.”
“It’s just… it seems so long ago now that we were all in the garden together. I thought those days would never end.”
Charlotte took his hand.
“They were always going to end, Edmund. Things cannot stay the same forever. All plants wither and die, but new ones grow again. It is the natural cycle of life. People are like plants; we should not be allowed to stagnate.”
Edmund arched an eyebrow.
“Are you trying to hint at something, sister?”
Charlotte gave him a meaningful look.
“It’s time for you to have a life of your own, Edmund. Mother and father would want us to be happy.”
“I am happy,” Edmund said, but she got the sense that he was lying. However, she didn’t have the opportunity to continue the conversation because he pulled the veil over her face, grinning as he silenced her.
“Your groom is waiting,” he said, holding out his arm. Charlotte shook her head, but allowed him to escape this discussion as she did not want her wedding day to be marred by disputes.
Horse-drawn carriages had been leaving the estate in a steady rhythm, escorting the guests to the location of the wedding. Charlotte and Edmund were the last to leave.
Her breath caught in her throat as she stepped onto the carriage, knowing that there was no turning back after this. Marrying Nathaniel meant saying goodbye to the life she thought she was going to have for herself. But she had always said she would get married if the right man came along.
She entered the carriage and smoothed down her dress, smiling all the way to the forest.
Servants had been busy carting chairs out to the forest. The carriages were all lined up, ready to take people back to the estate once the ceremony was over and people had had their fill of exploring the forest. The summer Season was over, and the leaves were changing color. The air was mild.
Charlotte believed it was the perfect day to symbolize change.
“You look just like a princess!” Clara exclaimed, her mouth agape.
“Thank you, Clara; that is most kind,” Charlotte replied.
“How are you feeling? Are you nervous?” Mary asked. She was standing beside Lydia, who kept running her finger below her eyes.
“I’m excited. You were correct when you said that the right person won’t bring about any nerves. There is no need for anxiety when the heart is filled with certainty,” Charlotte said. Mary squeezed her hand in response.
“And how are you feeling? Are you sure you wish to walk down the aisle?” Charlotte asked.
Mary chuckled.
“I am quite well. It is still early, so I am not carrying too much extra weight around yet.” She patted her abdomen gently. “And I would not want to miss this for the world.”
“Lydia, are you well?” Edmund asked with concern.
“I’m just so happy. I never thought this day would come,” she said, her words wobbling in the air as she almost burst into tears. Edmund left Charlotte’s side for a moment to embrace his youngest sister and offer her some strength.
Charlotte took a moment to stare at the gathered crowd.
For one who prided herself on enjoying her own company, it was surprising to see how many people turned up to celebrate her wedding.
Her gaze passed across all of them and then fell upon Nathaniel, who was standing at the other end of the aisle.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Their eyes met. Something profound and unspoken passed between them. This was the man to whom she entrusted her heart. This was the man who challenged her convictions.
This was her man.
She then looked up at the gentle sunlight filtering through the canopy of leaves. She closed her eyes and thought of her parents, wishing they could be present, hoping they would be proud of her.
Soft music filled the air as the bridal party began the procession down the aisle. Clara went first, scattering petals. Lydia and Mary followed, Lydia barely able to hold her emotions together.
Then, Edmund and Charlotte.
Every step felt momentous. Time became a fluid thing. Nathaniel seemed far away, but only a moment later, she was standing before him, and he was lifting her veil.
“You are a vision,” he whispered, with an awestruck look upon his face. She smiled sweetly as everything began to fade away—everything except him.
Charlotte couldn’t take her eyes off Nathaniel as they spoke their vows. She was aware of her mouth moving, but the voice sounded as though it came from someone else, someone far away. His tone was rich, and every word he spoke was imbued with emotion and meaning.
When he took her hand and slipped the simple golden band onto her finger, tingles raced up her arm and stole her breath.
Charlotte was a woman of science, but reciting these vows made her a believer in magic.
There was an indefinable quality about the emotions that were conjured, and their vows sounded like a spell was being cast.
The air thrummed with tension as they became man and wife. Charlotte stood a little taller and held herself with more poise than usual, feeling that some of Nathaniel’s notorious authority was now hers.
They turned to face the gathered crowd and welcomed the adulation that came their way. Charlotte had never felt so celebrated before. All eyes were on her, and she drank in all the love.
As they came to a stop at the end of the aisle, they received their guests, thanking them for their attendance and their well wishes.
One guest in particular surprised her, that being Lady Honoria, who was in attendance with her parents.
She directed her gaze away from Nathaniel but smiled at Charlotte.
“I’m surprised she attended,” Charlotte said.
“Mother insisted. Lady Honoria sent us a letter not long after her abrupt departure. She apologized profusely, saying that she could not in good conscience get married due to pressure and convenience rather than love.”
“She sounds like Lydia. She’s clearly romantic and should be applauded for following her heart instead of convention.”
“In this instance, I am inclined to agree, although her parents were not as forgiving. Mother took it upon herself to mend the rift between families and show that we bore no ill will toward Lady Honoria. You don’t mind, do you?”
“Of course not. I’m glad that Lady Honoria stuck to her convictions. If she were interested in marrying you, then our relationship would have been even more complicated, and I might not be standing here now.”
“I dread to even contemplate such an eventuality,” Nathaniel said warmly.
After receiving their guests, they all spent some time admiring the natural surroundings. Clara frolicked, running about with glee, while other people clustered together in small groups. Agatha and Beatrice were deep in conversation until Agatha moved away.
Charlotte excused herself from her husband and approached her mother-in-law.
“Excuse me, Your Grace, might I have a word?” Charlotte asked. Even though she bore the Blackwood name now, Beatrice still inspired fear. Charlotte was aware that she did not meet Beatrice’s expectations, but she hoped to change that.
Beatrice folded her hands across her abdomen and adopted a cool, collected expression.
“Anything for the woman of the hour.”
“First of all, I want to thank you for opening your grounds to us.”
“Nathaniel insisted.”
“But he would not have gone through with this unless you gave your blessing. I am indebted to you. I know that you may not think I have the qualities suitable to be a duchess, but I assure you that I will represent the family as best I can. I will honor my husband, you, and the Blackwood name. I am proud to bear it, and I will do my best to learn from your example.”
Beatrice softened and let out a long breath.
“I admit that at first I was… surprised by Nathaniel’s decision. It came as quite a shock, as you did not meet the requirements he gave me. However, I have been impressed with the way you have conducted yourself over the past three months.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.”