Page 44 of Her Summer Duke

Epilogue

The wedding was simple, but no less wonderful in the hearts of all present for that. Lady Mantrell, once resigned to the inevitable, had found a kindred spirit in the Dowager Duchess of Milbrook, and the two widows had made the best of the wedding, given all of the constraints of mourning.

Adam and Margaret left them to it – allowing them whatever joy they could make of it – for all that they cared about was becoming husband and wife – the trappings of it all mattered not.

The Dowager Duchess had greeted Adam with tears in her eyes, and had eyed the parade of carriages which had accompanied him up the drive with surprise and consternation, which quickly transformed to joy, once all had been explained. She had taken to Margaret, and allowed that having another woman at Milbrook Park might lighten her days as she dealt with the grief of losing both husband and son so close together.

What was utterly clear to her, was that they loved each other.

The wedding was indeed the talk of the town for years afterward, mothers would tell their daughters, yes,true love does exist, sometimes it can be found in the arms of your intended with just one waltz, just like the Duke and Lady Margaret, who loved so much that they defied all convention to be together.

But, on the day, no one could know that would be the case. On the day, all that mattered was the moment when they were declared man and wife, the moment when all else fell away, and all of the emotional stress of the past months seemed worth it.

That evening, as they stood on the balcony of their suite of rooms in Milbrook Park, with the soft summer heat still rising from the gardens, laden with the scent of roses, Adam turned her into his arms, and brought his lips to hers.

This kiss was full of passion, and sent heat throughout his body – just as that very first kiss had, on the terrace after the waltz that had started it all. But this time, when they finally drew apart, she did not turn and flee from him. She held him close, and turned her face up for another kiss.

The End