Epilogue
And finally, on New Year’s Eve morning…
M itchell and Corrine stood before Reverend Wilton on a bright wintery morning at the Bow Church. Nearby were Drew and Jeffery Edgeworth.
They had invited Corrine’s brother over after meeting the solicitors and the baron. To say he was relieved about the loan would be an understatement. Edgeworth had collected all but eight hundred pounds from his viscount father and agreed that prudent investments would be wise. He promised he would consult with Mr. Dobson and Mr. Chambers.
As for Corrine’s father, the viscount had grudgingly agreed to sit on the board of The Strand Bank, and while it had taken some convincing, Mrs. Robson had decided to marry him. They would be moving into the Baker Street viscount residence sometime in January. Edgeworth was considering finding other lodgings.
Corrine was still not sure she could ever forgive the viscount for his thoughtless actions through the years, and especially for not warning her about Danaher. The wounds were still too fresh. Jeffery had told them their father was scared—Danaher had threatened him and his family. Regardless, it still hurt Corrine, and that cut Mitchell to the bone. Mitchell thought the man was unworthy of Corrine’s concern and affection, but ultimately, it was her decision whether she wanted her father in her life.
He would do anything to protect her from any more strife. And so he’d suggested they stay at the cottage for two months instead of one. Corrine had readily agreed. They would need that time to rest. And to be alone. Mitchell had much to consider, like his future with the Metropolitan Police. He wanted to return to work, but when? And doing what? He also needed to come to terms with finding out about the man who’d fathered him and what that entailed in the future. Yes, they both needed time to reflect—and revel in each other’s company, physically and emotionally.
When they returned from the honeymoon trip, Corrine agreed to meet Mrs. Robson and her son, James. Corrine was also eager to reestablish her girlhood friendships with Celia, Countess Winterwood, and Selena, the Duchess of Barnsdale. She had already written them letters, as she hoped that come spring, Celia could make a trip to London and stay either with the duchess or with them. Mitchell agreed to the visit, for he would do anything to see Corrine smile.
Mitchell only wanted to focus on Corrine—his lady. She looked lovely, wearing a white-gold gown and holding a bouquet of snowdrops and primroses. Mitchell had been alone and lonely for more years than he cared to count. Corrine had changed all that. First, with her tender and compassionate care while he recovered from his injury, and then by asking him to take on her case. He’d loved her the moment he laid eyes on her. And that was even before he’d seen her courage, generosity and goodness. She deserved to be happy, free from stress. And so did he.
They exchanged rings, the solemn words reverberating in his mind. “I give you this ring as a symbol of my love, and with all that I am and all that I have, I honor you.”
For all the days of his life.