Epilogue
EPILOGUE
“ E mma, do you think this looks right?”
“You look perfect, Sarah. You mustn’t fuss like this!”
Thankfully, Levi’s plan had worked perfectly. As it turned out, the deal struck between Emma’s father and the Viscount had been more insidious than they had thought. The Viscount had severely gambling debts, and was therefore bordering on destitution. He owed so much money to so many men that it would only be a matter of time before one of them caught up with him. He was not worthy of Sarah, not in the slightest.
It did not matter that her father intended on paying the man’s debts, as even he had not been aware of the extent of it all. Unfortunately for him, the Viscount had already had a contract drawn to say that his debts would be paid by Emma's father, and it had been legally done so there was no escaping it. When Levi learned of this, he went to visit them both, and they mysteriously left town shortly after.
It would have ruined Sarah, if the man she loved had cared for any of that.
“I’m sorry,” Sarah said gently, eyeing herself in the mirror. “I suppose I am simply unable to believe that this is truly happening. I cannot believe that Levi managed to do all of this!”
“In all honesty, they have done it to themselves. It is a shame, however, that Father will not be there to walk you down the aisle. I at least had that, even if it is the only faintly good memory I have of him.”
“His absence will give me room for many fond memories indeed. Besides, Levi will be taking Father’s place, and that is far better. You must thank him when you see him, by the way.”
“After you have done so twice each time you have seen him? I do not believe that is necessary.”
Sarah giggled, adjusting her gown one final time before nodding with confidence at her reflection.
“Everything is perfect,” she smiled. “I am ready to be a wife!’
Emma could see, as they traveled to the church, that Sarah wanted the journey to be done with so that she could be married. Emma tried to soothe her, and to tell her to enjoy the moment rather than rush through, but she knew how she had felt on her own wedding day. She had also wanted it to be the end, though for a completely different reason to her sister.
Then again, she had dreamed on a few occasions that they were marrying once again, and she could enjoy it this time. Then, she remembered all that had happened since her wedding, and all that they had achieved, and she changed her mind. Everything had happened as it had for a reason, and it had been worth it in the end.
“I cannot wait to put all of this behind me,” Sarah smiled, turning to Emma with excitement. “All of the trials will be done with, and I can be a wife and mother. It will be so simple at last.”
Emma laughed gently, adjusting her veil.
“Your life will not be easier as a wife, and certainly not as a mother, but the important thing to remember is that, when trouble does come your way, you will not be facing it alone. You will have your husband, and he will help you through everything.”
Sarah nodded, taking one last look at herself in the mirror before turning to the door.
“I believe it is time to go,” she said softly, and Emma could at last sense the nerves in her voice.
They left for the church, and Emma watched as her sister fussed over every aspect of her gown, and though she was trying to smooth the fabric she was creating creases in it. Emma gently took her hands and lifted them from her skirts, placing them gently back down again.
“Perhaps I may be feeling some nerves,” she confessed. “I have dreamed of this day all of my life, and after all that you have done for me I wanted it to be perfect. I owe you that much, at least.”
“Are you marrying a man that you love?”
“Yes, more than anything in the world.”
“Good, then I am content. That is all that I have ever wanted for you, Sarah, and if you have found love then I cannot ask for more. I am simply pleased that you will have happiness, no matter what happens in the future.”
They arrived, and Emma left to take her seat. She met Levi outside, who caught her arm and kissed her, seeming to revel in the blush that crept across her cheeks.
“Levi!” she gasped. “What if someone were to see?”
“Should our affection for one another cause upset, that gives me all the more reason to show it. They ought to know by now that I love my wife.”
Emma laughed, leaving quickly to take her seat. Rosendale arrived, his excitement of equal measure to that of his bride. As Sarah entered, on Levi’s arm with a smile a mile wide, Emma felt herself breathe a sigh of relief. At last, all of the turmoil of their match would be done with. The scandal might remain, but it wouldn’t be too detrimental to their marriage. Levi had made it well known that Sarah was to be recognized as his sister, and any sister of a duke was to be treated with respect. All that to say, there would be whispers, but they would hardly ever reach Sarah and that was what mattered.
The ceremony passed quickly, Emma thought, and it was clear that Sarah had rushed her way through it in spite of the warning she received. She seemed almost lost, as though she hadn't been aware that it had even begun. Emma couldn't help but smile at her; her sister who never seemed to learn but always came away unscathed.
The celebration afterward was what Levi had been most looking forward to. He had watched Sarah rehearse her prepared speech over and over, though it was not customary for a bride to speak at a wedding she had been determined to do just that. Rosendale had prepared one in turn, and when everyone was seated for breakfast he remained standing, commanding attention.
“I would like to thank you all for being here today,” he began. “My wife and I have been waiting for this day for longer than many know. I met her during an outing with a good friend of mine, and from the moment I saw her I knew she would be my bride. My wife, however, was not as certain.”
The guests laughed brightly at that, Sarah flushing scarlet.
“You see,” he continued, “she had a particular desire to be in love with her husband, and as we had only just met she refused any advances I made, no matter how amiable. Fortunately for me, she came to like me well enough in the end to marry me. Though not entirely certain of what I did to deserve that, I must admit that I am very grateful indeed. Sarah, I love you, and I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”
There was applause at his speech, and when he sat down Sarah room her turn.
“I would first like to explain myself in regard to what my doting husband has said. As a little girl–”
She froze. She had always been timid, and she seemed to notice that people were watching her and it made her pause. She looked to Emma, who nodded for her to continue. She steadied herself, and then continued,
“As a little girl, it was my sister that always told me the importance of love, and that a life without it was not a life worth having. I was fortunate to have her for a sister, and I now have even more fortune in that I have a husband that would do anything to make me happy. I may have had to make him wait, but I couldn't be happier to have done so, as now I know for certain that he is the perfect gentleman, and the perfect husband.”
She sat down again quickly, quite surprised that she had done it. The guests applauded again, but nobody louder than Emma and Levi, and as Emma turned to him she saw that he was bursting with pride. They had been practicing for days, and it had clearly paid off as far as he was concerned.
After the breakfast, the festivities continued, and when the time came for the dances Levi took Emma's waist as if instinctively. He took to the floor with her and twirled her until she was dizzy, and they did not stop there. She felt the most like herself when she was in his arms, safer than anywhere else in the world.
When the wedding had come to an end, and Sarah had left with her beloved to see her new home, Emma left with her own to return to the one place she had ever seen as a home. Levi sat beside her, pulling her close.
“You seem upset,” he commented. “Is something wrong?”
“No, no,” she replied quickly, before thinking about it. “Well, yes, but I do not wish to spoil everything.”
“A day such as this cannot be spoiled. Believe me, whatever your concern, it will be alright.”
She steeled herself, knowing that each time she had mentioned it he had become angry.
“Levi, I–”
Just then, they drove past a family. There was a mother and father, and their immaculately dressed small daughter. She could not have been more than four years old, and at once Emma’s breath caught in her throat. It was the one thing that she had wanted that Levi had refused to give her, and she felt selfish for daring to mention it again and so she stopped.
“I told you, it is nothing,” she finished, but as she turned to him she saw that he was watching too.
“I have been thinking, for a while now,” he explained, “that I am a fool. This curse, it hasn't changed a thing for me thus far. I have always done exactly what I pleased, and no bad has ever come of it. I have begun to wonder if I have been wrong about all of this, and that I may not necessarily bestow a terrible fate upon a child.”
She searched his face carefully to try and find the meaning in his words. She felt as though she knew what he was saying, but she refused to give herself false hope.
“I must say,” he chuckled, “I was expecting a smile, at least.”
“Levi, do you mean– are you–”
“I believe my thoughts on children have been too harsh. I have had such thoughts for a long time now, and I have been waiting for the right moment to tell you. If you still find yourself in want, we will try.”
She kissed him without a care as to who might see.
“Oh, Levi, do you mean it? You do not understand how happy you have made me.”
“I hope that it is even a fraction of the joy that you bring me, Emma. I love you.”
“And I love you.”
She was dizzy and breathless for the second time that day, and it hadn't even required a dance.
The End?