Epilogue
“Inow pronounce you Man and Wife.”
Cheers and applause filled the church hall as the minister concluded the wedding ceremony. Everyone that Charity loved and cared about was present in the audience, but the only person who she had her eyes on was Duncan.
Her Duncan.
“How does it feel to be my wife?” Duncan said to her as they made their way down the aisle, hand in hand. He had a smile on his face, one that hadn’t left since he had set his sights on her at the start of the ceremony.
The wedding had been a whirlwind. They had not waited very long, and within just a week of confessing their love to one another, they had married. Why wait for a good thing, Duncan had said to her, and she could not have agreed more.
In fact, she could not wait to spend the rest of her life by his side. It all felt like a dream to her still, but in the best possible way.
“Do you wish to take a guess?” she said, mirroring his smile, but it was not without the faintest hint of blush on her cheeks. Even now, the butterflies in her stomach were constant whenever he was around. She hoped that it would stay like this forever.
“Oh, I am not sure about that. You know I am not the most apt at guessing feelings,” he laughed. It had become somewhat of a running joke between them that neither of them could gauge the feelings that they had for one another.
“Well, then, let me put your mind to rest and tell you that I am the happiest I have ever been,” she beamed.
“I can say the same, Duchess,” he grinned. Charity’s blush deepened.
Duchess. It felt like such a foreign title, but it was hers now.
“Congratulations to the new couple,” Temperance’s chirpy voice greeted them, and she stood next to the rest of her friends, who all took their time congratulating the new couple. The men engrossed the duke in conversation, giving Charity the opportunity to have a few moments with her friends.
“Why, I didn’t let it show before,” Maria said, “but I was incredibly disheartened when I got news that the wedding had been postponed, or rather, even called off. I did not want to believe it, but I am glad that has been sorted out.”
Charity laughed. Sorted out was one way of putting it.
“Oh, would you believe that she had every intention of running off back to London?” Augusta said, jumping into the conversation. “It was a tremendous turn of fate that got them both to understand that they cannot find anyone else better suited for one another. Yes, well, it was rather romantic.”
“I am happy that she married him,” Matilda said, innocently. She was still carrying the flower basket, for she had been designated as the flower girl for the occasion.
“My darling, you were perfect in your role,” Charity said, pinching her younger sister's cheek, which the latter scrunched up her nose but then dissolved into a warm smile.
“In my opinion, it was all rather perfect,” Alethea spoke. “I could not have imagined it going any better. In fact, it was just so you. Intimate and simple. But classy, and just so well done.”
“That is high praise coming from the Duchess herself,” Charity grinned.
“Well, you are one to talk,” Alethea chuckled, “now you have joined us in sharing a title. I expect to be invited to a lot of dinners and balls in the future.”
“Oh, don’t scare her with the expectations of her title already,” Temperance said. “I think we should let her breathe for a moment. She’s had enough adventure for a lifetime in these last few weeks.”
“I think she will rise to the occasion brilliantly,” Maria said. “
“I am just saying that we should let the girl rest,” Temperance laughed. “Charity, have you gotten any proper sleep in the last week?”
“I haven’t,” Charity admitted, and she let out a half laugh, “I keep waiting for something to go wrong.”
“It’s over. He’s arrested,” Temperance leaned in.
“It will take time,” Alethea said, watching Charity closely. “You’ve been running on fear for months.”
Augusta crossed her arms. “Besides, you’re forgetting something very important. If anyone tries anything now, they’ll have to get through him,” she said, nodding toward Duncan with an expression of pride.
Charity’s gaze shifted toward the men for a moment, and she caught Duncan looking back.
“I suppose you ladies will have to excuse me now,” she said, blushing.
She moved away, skirt rustling as she crossed the hall, and Duncan met her halfway.
“You’re all right,” Duncan said, taking her hands into his own.
“I think I am,” Charity said. She looked up at him, then immediately glanced away again, annoyed at herself. “I keep expecting someone to come running in and ruin it.”
“No one is coming,” Duncan said.
Charity nodded once, then hesitated. “Malcolm said Robert left.”
“He did,” Duncan said, and his tone made it clear he didn’t care about Robert’s comfort. “He left yesterday for America, which I suppose is the safest thing for him. Rest assured, he will not be bothering us anymore.”
Charity nodded and swallowed.
“And what about…”
“The trial will go ahead,” Duncan said. “I’ve given the solicitor the letters and the doctor’s note, and the constables are taking statements.
Your uncle wanted to barge in, shout, and scare everyone into giving in.
That won’t work now. He’ll have to sit there and answer questions like everyone else. ”
Charity exhaled slowly. “Good.”
Duncan looked at her for a moment. “You don’t have to carry it anymore,” he said, “I’ll do all the heavy lifting from now on.”
“I don’t know how to stop,” she admitted. “I’ve been doing it for so long.”
Duncan’s hand closed around hers.
“Then learn,” he said. “You have time now.”
Charity looked down at their hands, then up at him again, and the feeling in her chest was too full for a speech.
“I’m glad it’s you,” Charity said.
Duncan’s hand tightened once, then he leaned down and kissed her, like it was the most normal thing in the world now.
The End?