Epilogue
One Year Later
Milton fondly watched his wife from across the crowded ballroom at his country estate near Brighton.
That he had envisioned her gowned in her wedding finery holding court to their guests had run rampant through his mind for over a year.
She had wanted him to call in favors so they could immediately wed, but in this instance he had to refuse her.
He owed her after all the anguish he had put her through, and he had spent the last year courting her properly as any young lady of Society deserved.
Besides, Josephine deserved all the details of a full wedding and everything that any future bride looked forward to leading up to the event. She had been worth the wait.
“I expect you to never let her forget how much you love her,” a male voice calmly stated next to him.
Milton gazed over at the man who had made his best attempt to woo Josephine as his own bride. He had become friends with Philip, which might seem a bit odd, but Milton harbored no ill feelings toward the man.
“I’ll be sure that I do,” Milton said with a small smile of understanding. He wasn’t exactly sure that Philip was completely over Josephine but that would come with time.
“Daily,” Philip added.
Milton chuckled. “Of course.”
Philip went off to stand near George, who raised his flute of champagne in a silent toast to Milton. He gave a nod while Richard, Frederick, and Digby came to his side. The four friends stood silently for a few minutes, enjoying the view of their wives talking together.
Frederick finally spoke up. “Do you suppose Georgie will find his own lovely lady soon or remain a bachelor forever?” he asked, with an amused look upon his face.
Digby laughed. “He has no idea what he’s missing out on. My Constance is the love of my life, and she was everything I could have ever asked for in a wife.”
Richard nodded, agreeing. “I inherited a ready-made family when I married Patience, but I never regret the choice I made when I fell in love with her.”
Milton raised his glass to his lips. “Clearly, there is much to be said for marital bliss. Just look at Frederick staring all moon-eyed at his lady.”
Frederick smiled. “I’m as much in love with Margaret as I was the first time I met her in a London art gallery. She fits in perfectly with the ladies of Society, as though she has always belonged there.”
Milton smiled. “I’m certain her father the vicar misses her greatly.
” As he observed his own wife across the room, a part of him stirred, and he wondered if it was too early to make their excuses to their guests.
But when her hazel eyes met his with a seductive gleam, he realized they could have left over an hour ago. “Gentleman… if you’ll excuse me.”
His friends began chuckling while their words of about time echoed in Milton’s mind. He came up to his wife, kissed her cheek, and whispered in her ear before she also excused herself from the ladies.
Once upstairs, he locked their bedroom door and went to a table that had a small banquet for them to enjoy, along with a bottle of champagne. He popped the cork and poured two glasses, handing one of them to her.
“I have a surprise for you,” he said with a mischievous wink.
She giggled as the bubbles from her drink tickled her nose. “I am certain you do,” she said, apparently thinking of the night ahead of them, or so he supposed.
“Not that, my lady, but I like what you’re thinking.” He set his glass down and went over to the vanity for her use that he had brought into his bedroom. He picked up a box and handed it to her.
“Milton… you shouldn’t have. You already gave me these pearl earrings and necklace as a wedding gift that I’m wearing.” Her fingers caressed the lid of the box.
“Just open it, Josie,” he urged, with a knowing grin.
A gasp escaped her when she finally saw what was inside. “Milton! How did you―” The rest of her words escaped her as she lifted the necklace that the highwayman had taken from her over a year ago.
He kissed her temple. “I knew you would be pleased,” he said, taking the gems from her hands and putting them back down.
“Apparently the highwayman had a conscience. They were found inside the local church along with several other valuables. It took a while to sort out who the owners were, but I’m glad I am finally able to return them to you. ”
“I can’t believe you found them. I’m so thankful.”
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. “I’ve been waiting hours to do that,” he murmured, nuzzling her rose-scented hair.
“I thought you’d never come and whisk me away, my darling husband,” she said, winding her arms around his neck. “What took you so long?”
“I wanted you to enjoy every moment of our wedding celebration,” he said huskily as she began untying his cravat.
“I would have enjoyed it more if you had just taken me upstairs hours ago,” she said in a breathy whisper.
“I’ve waited a lifetime for you, Josephine.
A few hours more wasn’t a sacrifice, so long as you enjoyed the day to its fullest potential.
But I’m glad I have you here now,” he said turning her around as he began undoing the back of her gown and corset.
“I hope you don’t mind that I brought you here to my bedroom instead of the connecting one next door made for the lady of the house. ”
She looked over her shoulder with a mischievous gaze. “I’m never sleeping in that room, Milton. We can make it into a nursery once we’re blessed with children.”
“Thinking of our future already, my dear?” he teased.
“Always. As you just mentioned, I’ve been falling into you and the love I have always felt for you all my life, Milton. I couldn’t be any happier than I am right now.”
“Hold that thought, and tell me if I can change your mind once I make you mine completely,” he murmured as he picked her up and carried her to their bed.
The covers had already been pulled down, and he proceeded to place her on his bed before tearing off his own clothes to join her.
As he pulled her again into his arms, a breathy sigh escaped her.
She pushed back a lock of his dark hair and cupped his cheek. “I love you so much, Milton, and I’m so happy I am finally your wife.”
He leaned into her hand before taking it and kissing the inside of her wrist. “And I love you, my sweet Josie. Forever and always will I be falling into you.”
And with those final words of devotion, Milton began to make Josephine his in every way, which took them far into the night.
The vow he made this day to love and cherish her was always at the forefront of his mind, and he looked forward to a lifetime of never letting Josephine forget how much he loved and cherished her.
They had somehow found a way back to each other, and forever and always would their two hearts beat as one.
THE END