Epilogue
They couldn’t quite manage the next day, but Hecate held firm. Simon would marry them before they left for Doireann Vale, or else.
Faced with her implacable resolution, and the fact that she was of age, Simon sighed, looked at his wife with resignation, and agreed to waive the banns.
“But you understand that this might easily be challenged, don’t you?” He stood in front of both of them in the parlour at Ridlington Chase. “Just because I’m saying the words over you in the church, doesn’t necessarily put the entire matter onto solid footing.” He frowned. “I suppose I could sort of smear the bit about the banns on the parish records…or add them to earlier postings…”
“Good lad. I knew you’d think of something,” beamed Finn. “What time tomorrow?”
Tabby had to laugh. “You’re incorrigible, Finn. But the perfect man for our Hecate, I’m thinking.”
“And I’m thinking you’ve a brilliant wife, Vicar. Well done.” Finn chuckled.
Hecate swallowed. “I’m getting married. Tomorrow.”
“You are indeed,” said Edmund, coming in just in time to overhear her words. “And for more good news, Max and Kitty are here. Not only that, but they’ve brought the baby too.” He grinned. “Our family grows apace, it seems.”
“How lovely,” laughed Hecate. “Now all we’d need is Richard and Cressida, but I wouldn’t ask that of them at this particular time.”
“In lieu of those two, it turns out that Sir Peregrine HawkesburyandMax’s sister Grace are on their way as well. Kitty didn’t want them spending Christmas alone.” Edmund tilted his head to one side. “I rather think we have a full house.”
“Oh that’s wonderful.” Hecate turned to Finn. “So we won’t be marrying in front of a completely empty church after all.”
“And I was so concerned about that,” he teased.
“Edmund,” said Hecate. “You will walk me down the aisle, won’t you?”
He paused, obviously caught by surprise. “Oh sweet girl. OfcourseI will. I would be so proud to give you away.”
“Thank you.” Hecate rose and gave her brother a kiss on the cheek.
“So it’s all settled,” said Simon. “Tomorrow. Let’s say ten o’clock?”
“I’ll make sure we’re ready on our end,” added Tabby.
“Then ten o’clock it is.” Hecate smiled at Finn and took his hand.
*~~*~~*
So once again St. Simon’s church was the site of a Ridlington wedding as Miss Hecate Ridlington was given in marriage by her brother, the Baron, to Mr. Finn Casey.
Observing the proceedings was a good portion of the rest of the Ridlington family, along with those villagers who had scented something going on with the gentry living at the Chase. Many nearby residents had developed a nose for that sort of thing.
After giving his sister’s hand to Finn, Edmund took his seat next to Rosaline. Hugh had been allowed to join them under threat of severe and awful things if he didn’t behave himself.
Like the splendid future Baron he would become, the little boy merely swung his feet, and watched as the ladies tried not to cry.
Miss Helen Ridlington, the vicar’s daughter, was not quite at that stage yet, and her Mama and Papa had elected to leave her in Nanny’s capable hands. Those hands were also administering to Miss Margaret Seton-Mowbray. Nanny was enjoying the day every bit as much as the bride and groom, even though she was in the Ridlington nursery, not St. Simon’s.
None of the assembled congregation knew that at that precise moment, Mrs. Cressida Ridlington, ably assisted by the Branscombe Magna midwife Mrs. Polly Smith, Mrs. Parsnip Worsnop,andMr. Richard Ridlington—much to the midwife’s disapproval—was giving birth to her children, a boy and a girl. Both were healthy and possessed of impressive lungs, as they demonstrated immediately upon their arrival.
Cressida smiled and held her babies. Richard beamed and gulped down a huge glass of brandy while privately wondering if he’d been scarred for life. The news of the arrival of Joanna and Gerrard Ridlington made its way to Ridlington Chase, but not quite in time to enhance the wedding breakfast.
Toward the end of the event, Edmund stood and raised his champagne glass, as the others fell silent. “I’d like to propose a toast, if I may. And though we are here to celebrate Hecate and Finn’s marriage, I think it would be appropriate for me to broaden my wishes to include all of you, including Richard and Cressy, although they’re not here in person.”
He paused and smiled. “I see so many happy faces. And yet it wasn’t that long ago that there was barely a smile in this house. I am moved by the warmth and affection I feel here, and I’m overwhelmed that we have truly become afamily. I’m not sure how it happened, but I do believe that those we love, who now share our lives, have contributed mightily.”
He glanced at Rosaline, sitting at the other end of the table. “I know I couldn’t have done much of anything without my wife.”
