39. Epilogue
Epilogue
“Ooh, look—they’ve trimmed the front door with holly,” Abby exclaimed. Emma chuckled as her younger sister pressed her nose against the window of the carriage as they rolled up the drive to Gilchrest House.
As the carriage came to a stop, Andrew emerged from the house. He stood tall and handsome as ever, with snowflakes falling down to dust his shoulders. A welcoming smile graced his face, and he lifted a hand to wave as he descended the stone steps.
Emma had not seen him in several days. There had been far too much to do in preparation for Christmas.
Purchasing Christmas presents for the children, preparing Boxing Day gifts for Mrs. Fenway and Francine, mending and pressing their best clothes for Christmas dinner with the Langdons.
The last few nights, Emma had fallen exhausted into bed.
She flung open the carriage door, nearly knocking the poor footman senseless.
Not caring about propriety, she flew across the short distance between them and threw herself into his waiting arms. Feeling those strong arms band tightly around her, she buried her nose into his neck, drinking in the scent which was uniquely Andrew.
The fur collar of her cape tickled her ears along with his warm breath.
“Hello, my love. Miss me?” He laughed at her enthusiastic greeting.
But Emma didn’t mind. “Yes, indeed I did, Your Grace,” she mumbled against his throat.
Fergus’ paws landed against them, and his large wet nose snuffled against her cheek.
They broke their embrace, laughing. Excited voices rang out as her family tumbled from the carriages.
Last to exit was Lucy, who stepped elegantly down.
Her eyes scanned from Emma and Andrew across to the front door, and a smile bloomed on her face.
Davenport stood on the top step, a large black umbrella open above him.
The look exchanged between him and her sister proved Emma wasn’t the only one who had missed her beau.
“Let’s get everyone inside,” Andrew said.
In the drawing room, a fire was roaring. Caroline greeted them with a warm smile. “Welcome. Happy Christmas! Can you believe the snowflakes outside? Normally we have to be at Stoneleigh for any hope of a white Christmas.”
“It is a lovely surprise,” Emma agreed. Then she made her way over to Andrew’s mother. “Happy Christmas, Your Grace.”
The duchess gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Happy Christmas, my dear. We are so glad your family could join us for dinner.”
Two footmen came through with trays of hot apple cider. Emma wrapped her hands around the mug, grateful for the warmth it gave off. A tray of gingerbread squares set on a low table caught the attention of the children. They devoured the fragrant biscuits while they sipped their cider.
The duchess clapped her hands. “Let’s give out some gifts before dinner, shall we?”
A chorus of yeses rang out. Emma stood back behind the sofa as the children gathered on the rug to open gifts.
The happiness and excitement on their faces warmed her heart.
A strange feeling replaced the usual knot of worry and regret in the center of her chest. She rubbed the spot with her fingers as she realized the feeling was hope.
Max and William would be raised as gentlemen.
They would be able to attend the right schools and stand with their peers as equals.
The girls would be able to make proper matches with gentlemen that they chose.
It had been sheer luck Lucy had met Davenport.
Her sister could have just as easily ended up marrying the wrong man simply for financial security.
Emma watched Lucy open a gift from her betrothed, who sat next to her.
She pulled out a velvet scarf in a vibrant blue hue.
Lucy rubbed the soft fabric across her cheek.
Davenport took the scarf from her hands and gently wrapped it around her neck.
The smile they exchanged was intimate and full of love.
Emma startled as a hand stole around her waist from behind. Andrew turned her to face him, his hand still settled on her waist. His other hand was behind his back. “You wore the dress I bought you.”
“Francine mended the shoulder for me. I thought the red flowers were just right for Christmas.”
“You look beautiful.” He brought his arm out from behind his back and held out a beautifully wrapped present. “I have a gift for you.”
“You shouldn’t have. I haven’t anything in return.” She’d barely had time to shop for gifts for the children. Distressed, she eyed the package with its elaborate gold bow on top.
“Open it,” he commanded. Then he smiled and gave her a cheeky wink.
She snatched the gift from his hands, quickly untying the bow.
Unwrapping the beautiful paper with care, she found a flat velvet box under the wrapping.
Her head snapped up. Andrew stood there, looking supremely pleased with himself, his hands clasped behind his back.
Emma slowly lifted the lid, and she could not hold back a gasp as dozens of rubies winked at her from their dark velvet background.
“Turn around and let me place it around your neck.” Andrew’s eyes glowed under hooded lids.
Emma knew exactly what he was thinking about. She too remembered the last time she had worn these jewels in Andrew’s bedroom and all that happened between them that night. She shook her head to break the spell the memory wove around them.
“I couldn’t. These are your mother’s.”
“Who do you think gave them to me? She wants you to have them.” Andrew gently turned her away from him.
Picking up the jewelry from the case in her hands, he drew the necklace around her throat.
The ruby flowers and gold filigree vines wound down her collarbone, and the large ruby pendant hung right above her cleavage.
She looked across to where the duchess sat, catching her eye.
Emma lowered into a curtsy. The older woman smiled and gave a graceful nod of her head.
Emma leaned her head back against Andrew’s shoulder.
She drank in the cheer and chatter from the family gathered.
Feeling Andrew’s strong chest behind her and his arm about her waist, she allowed herself to believe that this could actually be her future.
Emma ran her fingers along the red gemstones at her throat.
This necklace would always be her most prized possession.
Not because of the value it held, but because it had brought her to Andrew.
She had planned to steal a small fortune in rubies, but instead, she had stolen his heart—and in return, gained a sense of hope in love and what the future could hold.