Epilogue
Three months later
“Look at you!” Deborah praised, smiling widely as she pressed her hands to her face.
In front of her, Hester grinned sheepishly and twirled the lavender skirts of her taffeta gown.
“It is not too bold?” She asked, hesitation flashing in her eyes.
Deborah quickly shook her head as she stepped further into her sister’s room.
“Not at all, you look positively radiant,” Deborah assured her.
Like Deborah, it had taken Hester a little while to get comfortable wearing the more extravagant, expensive dresses that noblewomen wore.
Eventually, she became used to the pretty day dresses, but tonight was the first time in over three years she was wearing a ball gown for the party Deborah was throwing in her honor.
The first month they had arrived in Calder, as Deborah predicted, Hester kept her distance when Cedric and Deborah received visits from nearby nobility. As time passed, though, she began joining them for the dinners and even made friends with the other ladies, just as Deborah had.
Beatrice, her husband Algernon, and her brother-in-law Henry were also coming.
Deborah and everyone else in her new little family very much enjoyed their company, and it amused Deborah greatly to see her husband and Beatrice both watch over them almost obsessively, even though there was no more danger for them to watch out for.
It had been a shock, but also a great relief when Algernon had come to proclaim his love for Beatrice at the boarding house, and now they were happily married.
Adeline, of course, had been a big help with Hester’s adjustment, as had Grace, who had yet to return to London even though the summer had passed and fall was turning into winter.
“Are you feeling alright?” Deborah asked, coming forward to help Hester with her white silk elbow-length gloves, “Do you need a drink? Or we could always postpone if you are not ready, or-”
“I am fine,” Hester laughed softly, taking the gloves from her, “I promise, sister. I know you would not want me to push myself into something I was not comfortable with, and neither would I.”
Deborah relaxed, if only a little, and turned to inspect herself in her sister’s mirror.
She had chosen a dark forest green gown, accented with golden thread, and a dainty gold necklace and earrings.
She’d had Kathy sweep her hair up in a neat bun, accented by a small braid that ran behind each of her ears.
“Besides,” Hester added, “It a small party, and I know everyone who has been invited. In fact, I think I am looking forward to a little dancing and good conversation.”
Deborah turned to her, her relief evident on her face.
“I am so very glad to hear it, sister,” she answered warmly. “Our guests should be arriving in a few moments. Should we go check on Grace and Adeline? Make sure they are ready?”
“Yes,” Hester replied readily, and together they went to Adeline’s room.
After they had returned to Calder three months ago, Cedric had told her about the secret door in Adeline’s room.
Grace had quickly asked to be moved to the room next to Adeline’s and had volunteered to keep watch over her during the nights.
Thankfully, though, Adeline had not suffered another fit since their return.
Adeline had been a bit perturbed after finding out about the door, but soon she began using it, and often, when Deborah went to wake her up in the mornings, she found her in Grace’s bed, having sleepovers just as the three sisters had when they were younger.
Deborah loved how well all four of them got along, and though Grace had made no mention of returning to London anytime soon, she knew they would all be sad to see her leave.
“Good day,” Deborah said cheerily as she opened Adeline’s door. “Are you two almost ready?”
Grace and Adeline both turned to her and Hester, their smiles wide.
“We just finished,” Grace replied, helping Adeline out of her vanity chair.
Adeline grabbed the skirts of her teal gown and spun in a circle, giggling.
“What do you think?” She asked, her eyes glittering with happiness.
Hester and Deborah both clapped.
“Lovely, sweet girl, absolutely lovely,” Deborah praised.
“As pretty as a princess,” Hester agreed.
“And will I do?” Grace asked, smoothing the white-gloved hands down her sunny yellow skirts.
“Lovely as the sun that reflects on your gown, dear sister,” Deborah complimented, and Hester readily nodded in agreement.
“I think we all look quite pretty,” Adeline piped up.
“You most certainly do.”
As usual, when she heard Cedric’s voice, Deborah felt a tingle of delight run down her spine as he made his presence known.
She turned around, and her breath hitched as she saw his handsome figure clad in a French blue suit and white dress shirt.
He had on his usual charming smirk as he leaned casually in the doorway, and her heart fluttered as his dark eyes focused solely on her.
“Incredibly pretty,” he added, his smirk widening into a grin.
“And you look quite handsome yourself, Uncle Cedric,” Adeline answered, going to him. Then she gave him an almost scolding look as she added, “But remember, this is our party, not yours. You said we could greet the guests as the ladies of the house.”
They all chuckled at her, and Cedric quickly nodded his head.
“But of course,” he replied, sweeping into a low bow before his niece.
“And speaking of, your first guests are pulling into the drive as we speak. It might be a good time to head downstairs so you can greet them properly.”
Excitement sparked in Adeline’s eyes, and without another word, she hurried past her uncle.
“Wait for us!” Grace called, laughter tinging her voice as she and Hester both hurried to catch up to her.
Alone for the moment, Deborah walked up to her husband and leaned up on her tiptoes to kiss him.
“You truly do look handsome,” she teased, tugging at the lapel of his blue jacket, “It is interesting to see you in another color besides black or white.”
Cedric chuckled as his arms came around her waist, pulling her closer.
“It is just an experiment,” he replied, “But I am glad you approve.”
He leaned down, this time being the one to initiate the kiss, and he kept it slow and sweet, despite knowing that Deborah should join the others downstairs.
“How is she?” He asked once he pulled back.
“Hester?” Deborah asked, “She seems more than fine. In fact I believe she is even a little bit excited.”
“Good,” Cedric said with a nod. “I am glad she has grown so comfortable.”
“Mmm,” Deborah hummed in agreement, smoothing her palms down the lapels of his jacket.
“And Grace?” He asked next.
“She loves it here as well,” Deborah replied. “I think she is enjoying her time away from London and our mother.”
“You know she is welcome to stay as long as she wishes,” Cedric answered, and again, Deborah’s heart swelled with happiness.
“I do,” she agreed, resting her cheek against his chest.
“Also,” Cedric mused, reaching up to massage the nape of her neck, “It might be good to have so many extra helping hands in the not too distant future. In case…”
Deborah’s smile widened as she looked up to meet his eyes.
“In case?” She mused teasingly.
“In case you are ready…now that Hester is settled…to work on making our child,” Cedric finished, his dark eyes sparkling.
Deborah giggled, her heart feeling so full she feared it might just burst in that moment.
“Only if you are ready,” Cedric quickly added.
“Oh, of course,” Deborah teased, and they both chuckled as their lips met for another quick kiss.
“I think I am ready,” she replied, slowly pulling out of his embrace and heading for the stairs.
She looked behind her and saw excitement spark in Cedric’s eyes as he hurried to catch up with her.
“You are?” He asked excitedly, taking her hand.
“In fact, I think we should attempt to make our first child tonight,” she teased.
Cedric groaned.
“Temptress,” he teased. He attempted to pull her back in for another kiss as they were halfway down the stairs, but she playfully pushed him back.
“After the party, that is,” she said through her smile.
“Evil temptress,” Cedric remarked, narrowing his eyes as he looked down at her. Even as he did so, though, he smiled.
The End?