Epilogue Stuart
London. Two weeks later.
Brooke and I spent the day sightseeing. It’s so much fun showing her my world. Then after a light dinner, we decided to come back to my place to rest our tired feet and watch a movie.
This evening may actually be the best part of today.
I love having her cuddled up next to me on the sofa.
I don’t remember being this happy in a long time.
Life was grand when I was traveling the world without a care and partying night after night.
But being with Brooke is fulfilling in a way I’ve never experienced before.
Leaning over to kiss her cheek, I say, “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Me too. It’s been a whirlwind, but I wouldn’t trade a second of it.”
“Neither would I. And I have something for you.”
“What is it?”
“When I went to the ball, I had a grand plan to convince you that we should be together. Most of plan fell apart when you were kidnapped, but I’d already set one part in motion. I bought this for you.”
I take the bracelet out of my pocket and put it on Brooke’s wrist.
She stares at it in silence, her mouth open.
“Isn’t it the one you liked?”
She finally says, “Stuart, this is the Edgar diamond bracelet, isn’t it?”
“Yes. Isn’t it the one you liked?”
“It is, but you weren’t supposed to buy it for me. It’s way too expensive. And how did you even know I admired it?”
“I had a little help from one of the other guests I’d met before. When I was looking for you, I ran into him. He told me that he’d seen you admiring this bracelet and telling two other women that it was your favorite item in the auction. So, I arranged to buy it.”
“Just like that, you decided to spend that kind of money on me.”
“Of course. I hope you don’t mind.”
“You’re too much sometimes, but I do love you.”
“I love you too. And it’s been so hard waiting to give it to you.
I’d planned to give it to you the day after the masquerade ball.
But at the last minute, I was able to take possession of your black pearl necklace.
It seemed more important to return that to you in the elevator.
That’s when I decided to wait to give you the bracelet. ”
“Why tonight?”
“Because tonight feels like we’re at home,” I smile, pulling her against me.
“It does. I do have one question though.”
“What’s that?”
“Were you worried that your parents wouldn’t welcome me?”
“I didn’t really care. I’d already decided that their opinion didn’t matter. As long as you want me, I’m yours.”
“I’m yours too. But I was surprised your parents were so accepting of me. You said they planned on you marrying Lady Whitfield, so I expected them to be upset about us.”
“Actually, they were quite pleased. Apparently, they knew all along I wasn’t interested in her.
Mom admitted they thought proposing a bad match would be motivation for me to find someone I truly cared about.
I told them that their plan almost backfired because it had the exact opposite effect.
I didn’t see any point in looking for someone special with my path already chosen for me. ”
“What about the financial and business benefits of your family joining with the
Whitfields? I promise you that I don’t offer that.”
“That was just an excuse. Mum and Dad assured me that they have all the money and power that they want. They never needed me to marry to help our family. And in retrospect, I’m not sure they ever actually said otherwise. I just made that assumption.”
“What about Lady Whitfield? Will she be disappointed?”
“I sincerely doubt it. She’ll be happier with someone more traditional. I’ve always suspected that she wasn’t any more enthusiastic about our pairing than I was.”
“That’s good. I don’t have to feel guilty about keeping you as mine.”
“Not at all. By the way, have you spoken with Cassie and Lowri since you resigned?”
“I have. They’re doing great. Fortunately, they were only spending part of their summer at the firm in LA.
For the next week, Cassie is vacationing with her parents.
Then she and Lowri will be interns at a law firm in San Diego for the rest of the summer.
I’m glad they had already planned to change firms mid-summer.
This way they won’t have to deal with the awkward aftermath of Mr. Barclay and Justin’s arrests. ”
“That’s a relief.”
“Yes, but it’s too bad they didn’t get to meet your two friends while they were in town. It would have been fun for us all to hang out together.”
“It would have. Sean and Evan are traveling quite a bit now, but there will probably be another chance . . .”