She sank to her knees and found herself allowing Sabrine, a stranger, to wrap her arms around her and comfort her. “No, do fret just yet, My Lady. All is not lost yet, he…” she stopped mid-sentence and let go of Rowena, “there he is now! Look, my lady! There he is!”
Rowena turned and indeed, there, appearing in the doorframe, was Christopher. He was dragging Thornmouth out behind him. The man could hardly stand on his own two feet. Fire men rushed toward them just as Thornmouth recovered his ability to stand of his own accord and pushed Christopher away.
Leaving others to attend to Thornmouth, Christopher made his way down the steps. Rowena jumped up and ran toward him. At the same time, the crowd around them broke into thunderous applause at Christopher’s heroic rescue.
“Christopher!” Rowena called out as he opened his arms wide. She rushed into them, pulling him close. He wrapped his arms around her.
“I told you I would return for you. I will always return to you.”
She looked up, their eyes meeting. “Oh, Christopher, I never want to be without you again. I want to be by your side for the rest of our lives.”
He smiled at her and ran a hand through her hair.
“As do I, my love, as do I. And so, it will be. I promise you.”
And so, as the crowd continued to applaud his heroics, Rowena melted into Christopher’s arms once more, knowing that he was right. Now they were together again, all would, indeed, be well and they would never part.
Epilogue
Three Months Later
Rowena sat opposite her father and watched as he contemplated his next move.
“If I move my bishop here then you will certainly move yours–” he muttered and scratched his chin. Suddenly, and to her surprise, he took her hand and squeezed it. “I missed our evenings playing chess. I’m ever so glad we are back to it now.”
Rowena smiled and returned the squeeze. “As am I, Papa, as am I.”
They had only recently returned to their regular games. Despite her father’s agreement to undo the unofficial betrothal to the Duke of Thornmouth, and his agreement to allow Christopher to wed her instead, things had been uneasy between them.
Her father had grappled with the fact that, for the second time, he’d selected a husband that turned out to be less than desirable. Thornmouth’s mistreatment of Rowena and Betsy, had wounded him. As had the secret Rowena and Christopher had kept from him for so long.
With the wedding fast approaching, however, their relationship has slowly returned to what it once was. Almost. Her father let go of her hand and shook her head. “I cannot believe you will be wed tomorrow.”
“Neither can I,” she beamed as she watched her father make his move.
“Now I only need to worry about finding a good husband for our dear Catherine.” He glanced up. “You would not have an idea for a suitable one for her, would you?” There was a twinkle in his eye as he asked, but she suspected he was not entirely joking.
Rowena swallowed and made sure not to look him in the eyes. She clutched her hand around the necklace she was wearing. The one with the rose design which had first brought Christopher and Henry, into their lives. And it was that, Henry’s presence in their life and the role he really played, which had her break into a sweat now.
For, over the past three months, Henry and Catherine had been sharing a clandestine romance, not unlike that of Christopher and Rowena. While it was not a well-kept secret, Rowena was certain her father had not yet found out. In fact, that was the plan. Henry planned to officially make an offer after Rowena’s wedding.
“I am certain you will make a good choice, Papa,” she said and stared at the chess board.
“Because we know I have done such an impeccable job of it thus far.” The wounded tone in his voice struck her.
“Please, Papa, you do not need to chide yourself for–”
He raised a hand. “It is quite alright, Rowena. I know I have made mistakes. Let you down. Perhaps it is for the best you chose your own husband.” There was a pause and he peeked at her. “And perhaps it is wise to allow Catherine to do the same. Although I believe she already has chosen.”
Rowena did not know what to say but as it turned out, she didn’t have to.
Her father smiled. “I may be old, but I am not daft. They do a poor job of hiding their feelings. Do not tell her that I know, about her and young Mr. Newmont. I would rather see her gather the courage to tell me when she is ready.”
Rowena nodded and made her move on the chess board and then was overtaken by a yawn.
“By Jove! I am sorry, my Dear. I have kept you here for hours. It is getting late in any case, my dear and you need your rest for tomorrow is indeed a big day for us all.”
“Indeed, for us all.” She rose and let him walk her to the door of his study. At the door, he gave her a rather unexpected hug and a kiss on the cheek.
