Epilogue
Three weeks after the proposal, Leopold stood at the front of the little family chapel and waited for Honora.
“You are pacing,” Barnaby said beside him.
“I am standing.”
“You have moved six times.”
Leopold looked at him. “I thought it best to mention it.”
“Do you have nothing better to occupy yourself with?”
“Not at this precise moment.”
“You could pace instead. I would find it a comfort,” Barnaby replied.
“That distinction matters a great deal, given that I am not the one getting married.”
The chapel doors opened before Leopold could answer.
Honora walked up the aisle with Cecily on her hip. Honora was smiling, though her eyes were bright with tears. Cecily had one hand tangled in the lace near her aunt’s shoulder and was looking around the chapel with great interest.
Gideon sat in the third row throughout the ceremony with his hands resting on his knees. His eyes were red before it even began.
When Honora walked toward Leopold at the front of the chapel, Gideon had watched her the entire way. And when she glanced back as she positioned herself beside Leopold, she seemed to notice her father.
She gave him a small smile. Leopold had seen his lips move. He could not be sure, but he thought he was mouthing Honora’s mother’s name. He decided he must have been right when Honora put a hand to her mouth and a tear slipped from her cheek.
Leopold held out his hand, and she took it.
“I see we have an addition to our wedding.”
“She refused to be put down,” Honora whispered.
Leopold laughed softly. “I can see that.”
“It took Martha and Mrs. Pritchard ages to help me dress.”
Leopold smiled.
“That is all right. This is exactly as it should be.”
Honora looked at him with a firm nod.
“I concur.”
Leopold gaped at his bride. “You are not arguing.”
“I will concede when you are correct.”
“Did you just say I am right about something?”
She giggled. “Do not get accustomed to it.”
He laughed softly and squeezed her hand.
“Are you ready?”
Honora looked at him with so much love in her eyes that, for a moment, he could think of nothing else.
“Yes.”
“So am I.”
The vicar smiled at Cecily.
“I believe you are the smallest and most precious bridesmaid I have ever seen.”
Cecily answered with a pleased little sound, as though she understood the praise she had just received.
“That seems to satisfy her,” Honora whispered.
“Then we may proceed.”
Cecily babbled again, clinging to Honora.
They took their places.
Leopold knew the ceremony was not a long one.
However, it felt as though it carried on for an impossibly long time.
He would cherish the day he married the woman who had revived his heart, his home, and his family for the rest of his life.
But he was eager to begin his new life with Honora, and to celebrate their love with their closest loved ones.
However, when it was time to recite his vows, the church and wedding guests disappeared around them, and his eagerness to finish the ceremony was forgotten. There were only Honora, Cecily, and his love for his family, and Honora’s eyes had captured him completely.
“I, Leopold, take you, Honora, as my wife.
“I promise to stand beside you, not only when life is easy, but when it is difficult, uncertain, or frightening.
“I promise to trust you, even when trusting is difficult, and to tell you the truth even when it would be easier to keep it to myself.
“I promise that you will never again have to wonder whether you belong, or whether there is a place for you here.
“You have given me a family I never knew I had, and a life I never thought to want.
“I cannot promise that I will always know the right thing to say, or that I will never make mistakes.
“But I promise I will love you completely, and that I will work every day to deserve you.
“I will choose you every day, for as long as I am given the privilege of having you.
“And wherever we go, whatever comes, you will never again face any of it alone.
“You are my wife, and the person I want beside me for all the years to come.
I love you, Honora.”
He paused, looking at Cecily, who had begun waving a fist wildly.
“And I love you, little angel,” he said, gently grabbing the child’s hand with one of his.
Honora’s hand tightened around the fingers of his other hand.
Then, as Honora prepared to speak her vows, Cecily became restless.
Honora shifted her, trying to settle her against her shoulder, but Cecily squirmed until Honora almost dropped her.
She gasped sharply, leaning over so the child could touch the ground.
It looked as though Honora intended to try again to hoist the child onto her hip.
But Cecily quickly squirmed out of reach, turning instead toward the second row.
Toward Mother, Leopold thought with awe.
For a moment, Honora hesitated. The dowager held out her arms. Honora glanced at him, and he gave a nod. He was not expecting anything more than for Cecily to turn back and want Honora to pick her back up.
But as she watched the dowager duchess beckon to her with outstretched arms, Cecily went to her, walking on unsteady legs for the first time at such a distance.
The entire church froze, watching with silenced awe. Cecily had stolen the entire ceremony, but Leopold did not mind. When Cecily reached her, the dowager caught her without any hesitation and settled the baby against her carefully, one hand beneath her legs and the other supporting her back.
There was no uncertainty in her now. She simply held her granddaughter, as if there was nothing else in the world she wanted to be doing.
And despite how infrequently Cecily had spent time with her, the child looked at the dowager duchess with wonder and a large smile. She patted her grandmother’s face, causing the woman to laugh. She stifled herself, but not before making Cecily giggle, as well.
Leopold looked at his mother, who met his eyes.
Something passed between them, and Leopold smiled at her.
It might take a little more time still before he could forgive his mother.
But what she was doing right then told Leopold that there was, indeed, hope that he could someday.
It felt like a beginning, and Leopold was sure they both felt it.
His mother gave the smallest nod. Leopold returned it. Then, he turned his attention back to Honora so she could recite her vows.
Behind him, Barnaby made a small sniffling sound.
Leopold ignored it for the moment, concentrating on what the vicar was asking them.
When the vows were finished, however, he glanced over his shoulder.
Barnaby was very carefully looking at the wall, dabbing at his eyes.
Leopold smiled. He will deny that he cried, he thought with a warm smile.
And I will remind him that I saw it until my last breath.
Once the church settled once more, the vicar gave Honora a gentle smile and nodded. She took a deep breath, staring at Leopold so intently that it left him momentarily breathless.
“I came to Belgrave for a child who was the last piece of my sister I had left in the world, and I was prepared to take her and go, and never look back at this house or anyone inside it. I did not plan for you.
“With you, I found a family I never believed I could have. I found a wholeness that I was sure I would never feel again. I found my home.
“I promise you the truth, from this day forward, in every part of my life you ask to share. I promise to stay in the chair, however long the sitting takes, the way you once asked your own mother to.
“I promise to raise Cecily, and any children who follow her, knowing exactly who they are and where they come from, so that no child in this family ever again grows up not knowing “the whole of her own story. And I promise that whatever else life will bring us, you will have all the love, devotion, and support that I possess.”
At the end of the ceremony, Cecily was still in her grandmother’s arms. The vicar introduced Leopold and Honora as the duke and duchess of Belgrave with his blessing, and then the chapel began to fill with movement as everyone rose to congratulate them.
For a moment, Leopold was overwhelmed. He was not accustomed to feeling so much love and support, and he had to brace himself.
Honora noticed and gripped his arm gently.
“Are you all right?” she asked.
Leopold nodded, blinking back tears.
“I am realizing just how all right I truly am.”
Honora smiled, brushing his cheek. She pulled it back damp, and Leopold realized that a traitorous tear had landed there. He kissed it, then took her hand in his own as they greeted their guests.
Her father waited for Honora just outside the chapel doors. When she and Leopold emerged, Gideon Bellamy fiercely embraced his daughter. He held her for a long moment, and Leopold stepped back to give them a moment together.
Neither father nor daughter said anything for as long as the embrace lasted.
Then, Gideon stepped back.
“You looked so beautiful up there,” he said. “Your mother would have been so proud. I whispered to her briefly while you were walking to the altar. I know she was smiling down on you today.” He paused. “And Celestine, as well.”
Honora smiled as fresh tears welled in her eyes.
“It means so much to hear you say that.”
Gideon nodded, rubbing at one red eye.
Honora smiled through the tears still gathered in her eyes. “I am glad you came.”
“I am grateful that you wanted me here.”
Honora wiped a tear from her face. “I could never get married without my father.”
Gideon cleared his throat, taking a second to compose himself. He looked at her for another moment, glancing back at Leopold. Leopold thought he looked sheepish and uncertain, so Leopold approached them again.
Gideon gave him a short nod before turning back to Honora. “You are happy?”
Honora looked at Leopold with the affection in her eyes that made him feel weak all over.
“I did not know such happiness existed.”
Gideon looked toward Leopold again, offering his hand then. “Thank you for bringing the light back to my daughter’s eyes, Leopold.”