Epilogue
ONE MONTH LATER
The month between the proposal and their wedding day seemed to pass at the speed of thought and also drag as slowly as a donkey cart.
But now, the day was here, and Daisy could hardly believe it.
The house was noisy with all her sisters and their families, but she stayed in her chambers, taking advantage of the need to prepare to isolate herself.
The only other person present was Amina, who was currently curling her yellow hair after helping her with her corset and petticoats.
Once she was done with Daisy’s coiffure, she’d help her into her gown.
Daisy kept glancing at it, unable to believe it was hers.
She had never seen anything so beautiful.
It was a silver gown with green veins threading through it from collar to hem.
Patterns were traced all through the gown, drawing the eyes like tributaries of a river on a map.
The bust of the dress was lined with pearls, as were the collar and sleeves.
The lined bustier cradled her bosom lovingly before falling to the floor in a flowing A-line.
There was a knock on the door. “The carriages are here!” Merry called.
“Coming,” Daisy replied.
Tears pricked her eyes as she reflected on how far she and Amina had come.
“Thank you. For everything,” she said to the maid.
Amina smiled. “It’s nothing, my lady.”
“Do not be so modest. I’m not sure how I would have managed without you. You’ve been my strength for so many years. I’ll miss you.”
“I won’t be but a long walk away, my lady. We’ll see each other all the time.”
Daisy reached out and squeezed her hand. Amina blinked a few times then straightened up from smoothing over Daisy’s skirt.
“Come, you don’t want to be late for your own wedding.”
Daisy smiled. “No, I do not.”
They headed out to the carriages that would take them all to the church.
Daisy had invited only a few people aside from her family.
She did not have many friends, and neither did the Earl.
There were a few ton ladies who had finagled an invitation by currying favor with her.
She resigned herself to the prospect that she might have people toadying to her, for an advantage. It was a lot to get used to.
Edmund’s side of the church was even more packed. Lady Archworth had taken it upon herself to invite all her friends, and Edmund also had a large number of peers who were in attendance.
Daisy walked down the aisle on the Earl’s arm, smiling and nodding at faces she recognized.
Soon however, her attention was captured by Edmund and Harry who stood at the altar, clad in matching morning dress.
Their grey morning jackets, crisp white shirts, black breeches, and hessians were all tied together by grey cravats.
The way they had slicked back their hair was almost too much for her to take.
She hastened her footsteps, wanting to get to them faster. Everyone else in the chapel disappeared, and all she could see was Edmund. She reached him and his warm hands slid over her gloved ones as he smiled down at her.
“You look beautiful,” he murmured.
“Thank you,” she mouthed back as the priest began the service.
“Dearly beloved, we are here…”
She heard those words, but then they all just faded away, and all she could see was Edmund’s face. His eyes were filled with softness and warmth.
Her cheeks hurt from smiling, and she could barely get the words out when the priest asked her to repeat after him.
Then Edmund was slipping a gold ring on her finger, and the priest was declaring them man and wife. Something inside of her seemed to fall into place, as if she was now complete.
There was a cheer from the crowd as Edmund led her out of the church and into the carriage. Harry climbed in behind them, and they made their way to Edmund’s house for the wedding breakfast.
“Lady Daisy… I… I wanted to ask… Well, are you my mother now?” Harry asked.
Daisy gasped, looking towards Edmund. He gave her a slight nod, and she turned back to Harry.
“Well, your late mother will always be your mother. Officially, I am your stepmother, though I would be incredibly happy if you called me mother. Or mama.” She smiled, and Harry grinned back. “But only if you want to.”
“All right, Mama,” Harry said, his grin widening.
Daisy gave a little squeal, clutching her heart. “I shall try my best to be worthy of this title,” she said solemnly.
Edmund raised the hand he was holding and kissed her knuckles. “We shall try our best to be worthy of you, too.”
Daisy felt her cheeks heat. “You always know just what to say, Your Grace.”
“I say the truest things, Duchess,” he replied.
Her heart jumped at being referred to like that.
It hadn’t really sunk in that she was a Duchess now, the highest ranking of all her sisters.
She hardly knew how to take it. All she had ever wanted was to be wed to a man who loved her and to feel safe and wholly cared for by him. She could never have imagined Edmund.
Most of the guests had already arrived by the time they drew up at the house. They’d taken the scenic route so that they’d have time to do so. Everyone was excited about the chance to take in Edmund’s gardens.
A large number of tents had been set out near the pond, and most people were seated by the time they went down. They sat down on a raised dais and were joined by Winston and Lydia as well as their families.
Harry had no interest in sitting down, however. Not with so many people about. He ran between tables, talking to guests and asking them questions. Daisy and Edmund watched him for a while with trepidation.
Edmund leaned close to whisper in Daisy’s ear. “Should I send Mr. Oswalt to get him and make him sit down?” he asked.
Daisy shook her head, suppressing a shiver at the feel of his cool breath on her skin. “No. Let him be. It’s not as if he’s being a nuisance. Mr. Oswalt or his nurserymaid will fetch him soon enough so he can go and eat with the other children.”
He placed a hand on her knee and squeezed. “He has enjoyed spending time with your little nephews and nieces.”
“Yes, it’s been quite nice.” She agreed with a shaky nod, her breath coming faster.
“I’m glad our families get along so well.” He ran his finger back and forth along her thigh, and she was hard put not to melt into a puddle at his feet.
“Yes, and my father has been doing quite well too. He hasn’t come home drunk once all month.”
He nodded, adding a second finger to his caresses. “That’s hopeful.”
“Mmm.” Her eyes closed as she felt the warmth of him, the sparks of electricity produced by his touch.
Then the first course came around, an exotic fruit salad with mangoes and bananas as well as apples, covered with dollops of cream. It was Daisy’s first time tasting both mango and banana.
“I had them sent from the West Indies,” Winston said, leaning over to speak to her.
“Oh… that was… generous of you.”
“Least I could do for the woman who finally conquered my friend here.”
Daisy giggled. “Hardly conquered.”
“Yes, conquered. Wouldn’t you agree, Edmund?” he asked, turning to the Duke.
He raised an eyebrow. “Agree you ask? I heartily endorse.”
Winston made a mock sad face. “It’s not enjoyable when you agree with me.”
Edmund laughed. “And that makes it all worth it.”
Lady Archworth approached the table, and Daisy got to her feet to embrace her. “Thank you for coming.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” She gave her nephew a sidelong glance. “Especially since Edmund decided to take the long way around in getting to this marriage.”
Edmund held up his hands in surrender. “I was wrong. I apologize,” he said with mock solemnity. “Aunt, they’re serving the meat course.”
“My eyes still work fine. Can I not congratulate my new niece-in-law without you badgering me?”
Edmund smiled. “Certainly not. I shall simply have them move you to our table.”
“Yes, that’s fine,” Lady Archworth said as Edmund fetched her a comfortable chair.
Daisy turned to Lady Archworth. “I wanted to apologize formally for the deception. It was in no way malicious. I can return the rest of the money if you’d like. I’m afraid I only have half of it.”
Lady Archworth waved it away. “Edmund already explained things to me. I admire your fortitude, my dear. You have been through much and prevailed. You will make a worthy wife for my nephew.”
“That means a lot coming from you.”
“I do have one stipulation for complete forgiveness.”
“Anything,” Daisy said at once.
“I want you to give Harry a few siblings. That boy would thrive in a big family.”
Daisy laughed, even as she blushed. “I will do my best.”
“That’s all anyone can do.” Lady Archworth patted her arm.
“Oh.” Harry gave a little jump. “I want brothers and sisters!”
“I know you do, darling. And you shall have them,” Lady Archworth assured him.
Daisy looked at Edmund, her cheeks hot, and found him looking back at her, his eyes blazing with passion.
She held her breath, as sound faded and everyone else disappeared. She could almost read his mind, sense his impatience. She knew he could not wait for everyone to leave so they could embark on the business of making siblings.
“Ah-ah,” Winston said, waving a hand between them, “Not yet. The sibling making will have to wait until later.”
Daisy’s face grew hotter as she realized their thoughts were visible to others and not just each other. Lydia leaned over and patted her hand. “Don’t worry. You’re married now. It’s expected,” she whispered.
Daisy covered her face. “Stop.”
Lydia laughed. “Are you getting shy now? Don’t be. It’s promising to see how much you love each other. It gives me hope.” Her voice dropped on the last part, and Daisy turned to her.
“You’ll find your love. I know you will.”
Lydia nodded. “Yes, I know. Now are you excited to have the house to yourself for an entire week while you…?” she teased.
Daisy covered her eyes again. “Let’s talk about something else.”
“Aunt Regina?” Harry said, “Can we go to the park when I come to stay with you?”