Epilogue
Lady Dorothea Langley watched the sun set over the spires of Arcvale as she waited for Lord Silas Ashcombe on the terrace above the Turning of the Green stage. He’d sent a note asking her to meet him, said note being immediately delivered into her hands by none other than Randolph Renslow himself.
“I can’t pretend to understand you, sister. Never could. But what I see in your face now...well, it’s a whole new light. And it becomes you.” He sighed. “If this fellow doesn’t make you happy, let me know?”
She smiled. “And you’ll do what, Randolph? Quote him some profound statement from a philosopher none of us have ever heard of?”
He laughed at her teasing. “Probably. Or I might shoot him. I’ll decide which if I ever get to that point.” He took a breath. “Be happy, Thea.”
Touched that he’d called her Thea, she hugged him. “I will, Randolph. There’s no doubt in my mind.”
She was still smiling at that memory when a hand touched her shoulder, and she spun around only to find herself in Silas’s arms.
“Hello,” she whispered. “I’ve missed you...Lord Ashcombe.”
He sighed. “You know all about it, then?”
“Most of it. I’d rather hear it from you, but for now? Well, my mother is in raptures, and already rehearsing how to say ‘Lady Ashcombe’ without fainting.”
He burst out laughing. “I can very well imagine that.”
“Are you all right, Silas? Really? I’ve heard what happened back then, but not what happened today.”
He turned her so that she leaned back against him, and they both stared out over Arcvale.
“They offered to welcome me back as High Warden.”
Dorothea choked in a breath. “Great coggles, Silas.”
“I turned them down.”
“Oh.” She gulped. “You did?”
“Yes. I had a better idea. No more High Warden, just Wardens. People who know both Arcvale up here, and the Undercroft down there. Engineers, machinists, Wardens with skills, abilities, and knowledge, not just money. You won’t be able to buy yourself a Wardenship. You’ll have to earn it.”
“Silas,” she breathed. “That’s absolutely brilliant.”
“It took a while to convince them,” he said tiredly, “but they know it’s the right thing to do.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” She sighed.
“So...in the immediate future, we get married. Then after that, I think we should...”
“Wait, what? What? Say that again?” She spun around in his arms, her voice trembling.
“Marry me, Thea. As soon as possible. I need you. The Forge needs you. Undercroft needs you. Arcvale needs you. And so do Gen and Lyra, and Hiram, not to mention Nelson, and let’s not forget little Thim...”
She had to swallow down her heart, since it was presently lodged in her throat.
Then she cupped her hands around his face and drew it close.
Of course I’ll marry you. But understand this.
I’m not marrying Lord Ashcombe, I’m marrying Silas Gray because I’m completely and madly in love with Silas Gray. ”
“That’s comforting, since I have this strange passion for a certain Miss Thea Smith...”
“Oh, wait...” She pulled back before he could kiss her. “Lyra. Gen...Hiram...we have to tell them.”
He sighed. “All right. Let me think.”
He turned them, linked their arms, and walked her quickly down a side path. “If I remember correctly...yes, here.” He stopped before a large Central Exchange kiosk. “I know where they are. Inside.”
It was snug, but Dorothea had no complaints whatsoever.
The cries of delight when they connected through a CE near where Hiram had settled himself and the ladies, were joyous and loud.
The highlights of the day were quickly related, with Lyra cheering and Gen jumping up and down at the news of the upcoming wedding, and Hiram raising an eyebrow and threatening to call Silas “his Lordship” from now on. Especially when it came to closing time at the C&C.
“Come home soon, Silas,” said Hiram, his arms around Lyra and Gen. “Nelson will be bored silly until you get back.” He glanced at both of the girls he held close. “My ladies have agreed to come and stay with me for a while. And we’re hoping it’ll be a long while.”
Gen did a little dance, effervescent as ever, and hugged Thim. “We’re going to be a family, Miss Thea. Isn’t that the best thing?”
Silas and Dorothea looked at each other.
“It’s the best thing ever, Gen,” he replied, dropping a light kiss on Dorothea’s lips. “The very best thing ever.”
“Coooooo.”