There were a couple of quiet “aye’s”, corroborating Lord Southwick’s declarations.
“In my extreme grief, I made a foolish decision that I have always regretted. I sent the babe away. Far away. With the intention of never being reminded of my late wife again, and being able to recover and go on with my life.”
His sigh was audible in the silence.
“I did so, and in time the pain eased, as all pain must. I remarried my dear Mary and we were blessed with Emmeline, a joy and a daughter to be proud of.”
Emmeline was standing next to Brent, her arm through his, her gaze fixed on her father’s face. Reid had no clue what she must be thinking as she listened to all this ancient history.
“However, as time passed, I realized that I had done a terrible disservice to that child I abandoned. I never saw her grow up, never heard her laugh or watched her take her first footsteps. And that, my friends, was very wrong of me. It is time for me to publicly right that wrong, and acknowledge my daughter.”
He paused and took a breath. “She is here tonight. Right there.” He pointed. “Next to Reid Chillendale. Yes, Lady Prudence Eldridge is my daughter. And I hope she’ll accept this apology because I give it with all my heart.”
“Oh God.” Prudence staggered, held upright by Reid’s arm around her waist.
Lord Southwick stepped off the hearth and walked through the silent ballroom to stand before Prudence. “Can you forgive me for sending you away, Prudence? I have not been a good man, you know, nor any kind of a father to you whatsoever. But I’m hoping that here, tonight, I have managed to redeem a little of myself in your eyes.”
He held out both hands to her, a gesture of supplication.
For a long moment, nobody moved. Reid was as stunned as anybody and held on to Prudence for dear life.
Then she moved, easing herself from his arms and moving toward Lord Southwick. She took his hands in hers and stepped close to him. “Thank you, my Lord. Thank you,” she whispered, so low that Reid barely caught the words.
And then she leaned forward to kiss his cheek.
Absolute pandemonium broke out and the cheers rattled the chandeliers and set the candles to swaying.
The mistletoe wreaths were produced and Reid and Prudence were marched to the head of the ballroom and seated with great fanfare.
Lady Jocelyn was the first to rush and embrace them, followed by a manly slap on the shoulder for Reid from his father. He noted that Prudence got a paternal hug that looked like it was about to crack her ribs.
The Southwicks approached, Lady Southwick looking confused, disturbed and with a light in her eye that bode no good for her husband when they got home. But she was politeness itself in her congratulations and willingly surrendered her place to Brent and Emmeline, who were eager to talk with the two of them.
“I have a sister,” said Emmeline, her eyes wide. “And I never knew.”
“Extraordinary, isn’t it?” smiled Prudence, hugging her. “I couldn’t ask for more, or a lovelier sister. And you shall marry Brent, who will become my brother in law and we will be a rather muddled family.”
“I couldn’t have put it better,” said Brent. “We’ll talk later.” He too punched Reid on the shoulder. “Take care of her.”
“I will. But don’t hit me again, all right? That hurts.” He feigned pain.
The laughter rang out around them, the musicians struck up a jolly tune and the dance floor rapidly filled with couples ready to whirl away the rest of the night, in between discussing the extraordinary revelations made by Lord Southwick.
Prudence herself was hugged, kissed, hugged and hugged again. So many present felt that she was now one of the family, having been acknowledged as a Southwick, and betrothed to Reid all in the same night.
As for Reid, he had a million questions and couldn’t wait to find out the answers.
