Epilogue
Epilogue
A Christmas Eve snowfall wasn’t unprecedented in New Hampshire. For residents of South Somerset, it was a thrilling phenomenon. At mid-morning, flakes dotted the gray slate roof of All Saints church in Milverston Magna, where Lady Nina Gwendolyn Latimer was christened. By early afternoon, a layer of white blanketed the Stanwell House lawn and gardens.
British Ballet Theatre had issued a survey to collect information about company member’s religious affiliations, to determine who and how many wished to be released on Bodhi Day, any night during Hanukkah, in the run-up to Christmas or the aftermath. Ellie asked for and received a three-day break from duties in The Nutcracker. She wouldn’t perform Columbine again until Boxing Day, and her next appearance as the Sugar Plum Fairy would come later in the week.
Dan removed his Jaguar from the storage facility, and they drove to Tayer Court to collect Terry, who was also invited to join the festive activities in the Milver Vale.
After lunch, Hannah put her infant daughter and boisterous son down for their afternoon naps and caught up on her own sleep after a wakeful night of feeding. Martin, Dan, and Terry bundled themselves into winter jackets and took the household dogs and young Jasper for a ramble.
Ellie went to the guest room bath to fill its soaking tub with hot water and luxuriated there until the temperature cooled. Thoroughly relaxed, she stretched out on the fourposter bed and reviewed this year of transformations.
In springtime, she’d arrived in London for the final weeks as a burlesque artist. She fell in love with a corporate executive. She completed a drama course and earned a certificate. Her visit with Lana and Henry Colman had resulted in a warming of their relationship, and disturbing insights into Gil Cooke’s character. Her portrayal of Lyla Carrigan was favorably received by theatrical critics and audiences. Rafe’s firm friendship comforted her during the separation from Dan, and his confidence had sustained her while rehearsing Les Sylphides and other ballets. Terry had named his pink rose Stella Nue.
Awareness of Dan’s presence pulled her out of a dreamless doze.
“I let you sleep through teatime,” he told her. “Would you like me to bring a tray from the kitchen.”
“Stay,” she said, patting the duvet.
After making love to her with exquisite tenderness, Dan propped himself on one elbow.
“We walked all the way to the River Milver, where the topic turned to angling. Hearing Dad expound on certain types of lures, I decided he ought to fish the streams of New Hampshire. Shouldn’t we have the wedding there, during our August vacation time? At the lake cottage.”
“Yes, and yes, and yes. Zack and George’s party barn at The Maples is the perfect place for a reception. Decision made. We can tell everyone tonight.”
Dinner for six was served on the mahogany dining table. Terry traded gardening tips with Martin’s mother Isobel. Hannah asked if Ellie would consider a cameo appearance in a movie in the earliest stage of development.
Before she could answer, Dan tapped his knife against his water glass. He rose to make their announcement, extending an invitation to everyone present.
Martin bounded out of his chair and kissed Ellie’s cheek. He slapped Dan on the back and hurried to his wine fridge for several bottles of champagne. After it was consumed, no one but the nursing mother could claim sobriety. Her tipsy husband escorted her up the staircase, followed by a wobbly Terry and an amused Isobel.
“We needn’t go up just yet,” Dan told Ellie. Taking her by the hand, he led her to the terrace.
The clouds that had delivered the snow were dissipating. Ellie gazed up at the black sky, speckled with bright and twinkling light. “This is where we kissed the first time.”
“Let’s do it again.”
Leaning against him, she said, “Yes, please. I want as many kisses as stars in the sky.”
“I’d better get busy.”
And he did.