Chapter Twenty
Six months later…
The Italian opera singer, Rosangela Sabatini, who had been traveling the Continent earlier in the year, had come to the grand opening of the Milton Arcade.
Everyone who was in Glasgow was in attendance.
There were six stores in total, a theater, and at least twelve dry stands all under the same roof.
It was an architectural masterpiece, not only because of the beauty of its interior, but the neo-Gothic facade that made it a jewel of a building for the city.
Dressed in a cornflower blue gown with gold filigree piping, Jane held onto Samuel’s arm behind a heavy velvet curtain in a small side alcove just before they were presented at the party. She was shaking.
“Are you nervous?”
“Somewhat,” she answered honestly. “It’s a little frightening, don’t you think? To be presented here, together?”
“Not at all. We’ve been married for a week now.”
“Yes, but we’ve not been out publicly since the wedding and it seems a little, well…”
“Gauche?”
“Yes.”
He grinned, the flash of white in the dark making her stomach curl.
“Well, I am. But a man is allotted a flaw.”
“Just one?”
“Do you have any others you wish to address?”
Jane laughed. It was strange. Ever since she had allowed herself to trust Samuel six months ago, she had been laughing and smiling more than in her entire life combined.
He was gauche, and stubborn, crass when he was tired, and bothersome when he wanted attention.
But Jane had never felt so happy in all her life.
After Mr. Liddell had left the city, Jane had moved back to Harris House, where Samuel had asked to court her.
She had accepted, of course, and was surprised that he had wanted to wait.
But he insisted on trying to go about things the proper way, and Jane was pleased with how happy she was about it.
Perhaps she finally felt settled in a way she never believed possible.
But she was happy to be with him, even here, behind a curtain before the entire city of Glasgow.
“Presenting, Mr. and Mrs. Milton…”
“Ready?” he asked.
“Yes.”
With a sudden kiss that took her breath away, Samuel pulled back and winked as the curtains drew back and they walked out into the golden light of the arcade, smiling at one another.
The End