Epilogue
The Twelfth Night celebrations were the most joyous Hamptonlea House had ever known.
The shadow that had been cast by the furtive departure of the Thompsons had faded.
The arrival of Violet and Cecilia’s parents rekindled the excitement of their children’s engagements, though they professed they were not in the least surprised at the events.
The Blaynes had invited several neighbors to join them for an evening of dancing, as was tradition at this time of year.
And having two betrothals to celebrate made the evening that much merrier.
While the older couples nodded and beamed at their offspring, the more youthful guests lined up for the Scotch reel and even partook in the waltz, the Blaynes being more open-minded than many of their peers to allow such propinquity between the sexes.
Violet’s dress swirled about her ankles as Victor guided her with both his hand and the gentle pressure of his fingers upon her back. They moved as one, evading other couples easily in the ballroom that was not nearly filled to the high season’s capacity.
The music swept them along, as if they were skating on the winter ice. The notes told their feet when to move, but their north star was the love that pulsed between them, steering them towards their shared future so that even when the players stilled, their connection stayed.
A tinkling of spoon against crystal glass sounded.
“It is almost midnight,” announced Mr. Blayne. “Time to tend to the yule log.”
The small crowd filed into the large drawing room, the ladies’ silk dresses rustling against the starched trousers of their partners.
In the hearth, the fire burnt very low, really just glowing in the belly of what little remained of the once great log.
Splinters of wood had snapped off in the continuous heat of twelve long days.
Mr. Blayne now reached for one of these and lifted it for everyone to see.
“To light the fire next year,” he announced. “This year’s wood has served us well. May your Christmas wishes all have come true.”
Victor lowered his head toward Violet’s neck. “I know mine has,” he breathed into her ear.”
Violet’s core lit up at his closeness, his words echoing her own thoughts.
A few feet away, she noticed her brother wrapping his arms around Cecilia, drawing her closer, no doubt to speak words of a similar nature. It only added to her own happiness. And she leaned against Victor to tell him so.
He smiled at the mention of their shared joy. “Ah, yes, soon our little group of friends will have no more single belles.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” murmured Violet into his broad shoulder. It was a shoulder she knew she could always lean on. And she knew she had a lifetime to do so.
The End
***
If you enjoyed Single Belles, Elizabeth Donne presents Sophia’s Letter for your further reading pleasure.
Inspired by the life of Elizabeth Barrett-Browning, Sophia’s Letter is the story of a lonely poet with family secrets. Sophia has never expected to experience love, but a letter from an unknown admirer will change everything.
Find Sophia’s Letter here:
ophias-letter