Epilogue
London, England
“It is here! It is here!” Charlotte looked up from her desk as Boyd skittered past the doorframe, overshooting the entrance and pulling himself up last minute in his haste, nearly bashing his head on the ornate panelling.
“Careful, Boyd. There is no need to rush.”
“Of course, ther’is, Ma’am. The printer just dropped this off!”
He waved a paper-wrapped parcel above his head. The footman’s uniform sleeve was already too short—it was the second one he had grown out of that autumn.
“OH!” Charlotte shot up, banging her knees on the underside of the desk. There was only one thing it could be.
Her book.
She rushed over to Boyd, taking the parcel and tearing it open so he could see too. Sure enough, it was a bound volume in deep red cotton. In ostentatious pressed gold leaf, the cover read: The Secrets of London’s Underworld.
It was a sensational title she knew. She had wanted to title it something more straightforward like: The Harrowing Conditions of Life Amongst London’s Masses, or something equally informative, but after the cajoling of Benjamin, Wells, Amelia, Lizzy, Elsie, and her publisher, Charlotte had agreed that this title would capture the attention of the London elite long enough for them to recognise the truth of the rest of their fair city—and perhaps, be compelled to do something about it.
Her book.
Here it was.
“Wow, ma’am. It looks better than plum pudding!” Boyd’s exuberance cut through her haze of awe.
“Thank you very much, Boyd.”
“Can you read what it says?” The low voice from the doorway caught their attention.
Benjamin leaned negligently against the door frame, cravat loose and one booted foot crossed over the other, dust from his morning ride still evident despite having spent the bulk of his day in the office right beside Charlotte.
“The Sec-ret-s ov London’s-s Un-der-wo-rld,” Boyd pushed valiantly through, “By Charle-s As-ton.” He looked up to Charlotte and then Benjamin with a proud grin.
“Well done, lad.” Benjamin gave him an affectionate pat on the shoulder. “Run along now. You have more lessons this afternoon, and I'd better not hear of you skipping out to follow the older boys around.”
Boyd bobbed a bow and bounced out of the room. “Of course, Sir. Wouldn’t dream of it, Sir.” He called over his shoulder.
Charlotte smiled and leaned against the desk, looking back down to marvel at the book in her hand.
“Congratulations, my love.” Benjamin moved to stand before her, his strong arms bracketing her hips as he leaned to look down at the volume in her hands.
“I cannot believe it is here.” She flipped through the book, pages filled with type-set stories she had collected nearly her entire adult life.
He smiled as he pressed a kiss to her hair. “You did it.”
“I did it,” she whispered. A laugh bubbled up. “I did it!”
Then she was laughing and shrieking as Benjamin picked her up and spun her around the room. Their laughter mixed and filled the office that had seen so much of their story already.
“Wait!” Benjamin set her down suddenly. “Are you alright?”
Charlotte was still laughing, her head light and her cheeks warm from her smile. “Yes, of course. Why wouldn’t I be?” She held the book aloft again, as if nothing could ever make her unwell after such a victory.
“Carons just said in the kitchen that Dr. Price was here this morning. What happened? Are you ill?” He pressed a hand to her brow, frowning and checking her over like a mother hen.
“Oh, that.” Charlotte laughed again. “No, I am perfectly well. I just had a spell of dizziness this morning when I arrived, and the cook called for the doctor.”
“What do you mean, dizziness?” Seeing Benjamin was ready to bundle her up and deposit her in bed for a fortnight, Charlotte put the book down and placed soothing hands on either side of his face.
“All is well. A bit of dizziness here and there is normal when a woman is expecting.” She watched as the words filtered through his worry and their meaning settled.
His eyes were wide, and his hands gripped hers. “Expecting?”
She grinned and nodded.
“Expecting!” He nearly shouted, and then he swooped her up again. “Charlotte!” His joyful shout had her laughing again.
“Okay, okay. Let me down!” She swatted his shoulder.
“Not a chance, my love.” He was already out the door and up the stairs to their chambers in the back of Elysium. She was sure their laughter could be heard throughout the building, winding in and out of the labyrinth of Benjamin’s underworld palace.
“Benjamin, we have work to do!” she admonished even as she relished her husband’s strong embrace.
“Indeed, we have to celebrate. I plan on being diligent in my duty indeed.” With a devilish grin, he kicked the door to their chambers closed behind them.
∞∞∞