Epilogue
TWO WEEKS LATER
Hold your shoulders back,” Amelia instructed Christine. “Curtsy and hold up your hand as we go in a circle.”
David stood back, watching his wife and daughter dance together.
Christine was wearing a gown that he didn’t entirely approve of.
While Amelia reassured him that lilac was perfectly acceptable for her to wear, it struck him to see his little girl growing up.
It felt as if a dozen more years had slipped away in a single moment.
“When can we go to London, Amelia? Next spring?” Christine’s voice held the excitement of a girl eager for her first Season.
“Yes, we will.” His wife shot her an amused look. “You must endure the hardships I endured when I had to watch my sisters while they danced and enjoyed themselves. I was escorted away, just as all the fun was beginning.”
David couldn’t help but smile. “Or you could wait a few more years, Christine. There’s no harm in that.”
“Margaret would agree with you on that point,” Amelia said. At the mention of her sister, David didn’t miss the relieved look in her eyes. The young woman had returned unharmed, and all of them were grateful for it.
“I had to learn proper manners at a young age,” Amelia continued. “Our mother taught us how to walk, how to behave, and how to dance. Just as Christine will learn what she needs to know, to manage an earl of her own.”
He reached to take her by the waist, and Amelia tapped him lightly with her fan. “If a rogue tries to accost you, Christine, be sure to strike him with your fan.”
He leaned in to her ear. “You like it when I accost you.”
“Sometimes.” She beamed up at him, and he took her through the steps of the country dance she’d been trying to teach their daughter.
“I’ve received some news,” he said, turning serious. “Cain Sinclair’s younger brother was arrested for the murder of Lord Strathland.”
Amelia paled. “He’s just a boy. I can’t believe he could have done such a thing.”
“He didn’t, so Sinclair claims. Margaret and he are trying to find who really did kill the earl.” He spun her in a circle before taking her hand to walk forward.
“I’m glad Strathland is dead,” Amelia admitted. “And I’m thankful that your wound is nearly healed.”
He leaned in again. “You only say that because you want to accost me later.”
“You’re right.” Amelia stole a swift kiss, and he ended the dance. To his daughter, he signaled for her to go and bring the gift he’d arranged earlier.
“I have something for you,” he said. “It’s for your birthday.”
“But my birthday isn’t until December,” Amelia teased.
He knew when her birthday was, but he’d invented a reason to give it. “Then it’s a very early birthday present.”
Amelia rose up on tiptoe to whisper into his ear. “Is it from Aphrodite’s Unmentionables? A gift that both of us will enjoy?”
His wife had been more than enthusiastic in bed, and there were times when her inventiveness astounded him. “No, it’s not that. But perhaps I’ll buy you unmentionables later.” He sent her a dark smile, and Christine brought over the paper-wrapped package. “Here it is.”
Amelia took the gift and remarked, “It’s very light.” She opened it and revealed a set of three embroidered handkerchiefs.
“How boring,” Christine said, rolling her eyes. “Papa, you should have bought her diamonds. When I have a beau of my own, he ought to know that a girl wants beautiful jewelry that sparkles.”
But Amelia’s face had softened at the sight of the handkerchiefs, as he’d hoped.
She unfolded one and saw their initials embroidered together on each.
Then she threw herself into his arms. “I love you, David. And I never should have said you had the personality of a handkerchief before I had the chance to know you.”
He breathed in the scent of her hair, so grateful that she’d come to be a part of his life. “Do you like them?”
She pulled back from the embrace, and in her green eyes, he saw love. “Handkerchiefs are something I can’t live without. And I never want to.” She kissed him deeply, while he overheard his daughter muttering about how his gift made no sense at all.
David ignored her, and as he continued to kiss his wife, he imagined what Katherine would say if she could see the way his life had transformed.
He could only believe that she would be happy for him, though Amelia could not be more different.
He would never forget Katherine, but the pain of losing her had faded.
Perhaps she had sent Amelia to him, knowing that she was the light he needed to overcome the darkness.
“I hope you never have to use these for grief,” he said, touching a handkerchief. “Both of us have had enough sadness to endure.”
“They would only be for tears of joy,” she said, squeezing his hand. “I promise you that.” Then she held his palm and walked with him in a circle, as if they were dancing.
He reached down and lifted her into his arms. Amelia let out a shriek of laughter but held on tightly. “David, that isn’t part of the country dance.”
“It isn’t?” He nuzzled her neck, thankful that Christine had already left them alone.
“No.” But her laughter stilled while she wrapped her arms around his neck. “But I don’t mind.”
“I thought you wanted a man who was delicious and dangerous,” he reminded her.
“Not anymore.” Her eyes softened with love. “All I want is you.”