“I’m afraid that I must carry on with life now that this saga has come to an end. I’m not sure what I shall do with myself, but I must get on with it.” Lord Dunham bowed politely to them all.
“Lord Dunham, is there anyone special in your life at present?” Lady Isabella stood and spoke for the first time since he’d entered the room.
Lord Dunham gave Charlotte a curious glance before addressing her friend. “I can’t say that I have; my work has kept me far too busy,” he answered with a frown.
“If you were willing, I have someone in mind that just might be perfect for you.” Lady Isabella beamed and exchanged a knowing look with her mother.
Charlotte felt lost in her own emotions, oblivious to whom they were referring. Her insides knotted with tension as she wished everyone would leave so that the flood of tears threatening the back of her eyes could flow. “Let us hope that whoever it is likes being asked a million questions,” she said, attempting a joke despite the tension in her body.
Lord Dunham tilted his head back and laughed from the pit of his stomach, leaving the room while shaking his head.
Coming forward, Lady Thornton grasped her hands. “How are you feeling, my dear?”
Allowing the flood to take hold, Charlotte began to sob, hot tears falling down her cheeks as the pent-up emotions burst. The reality of the fact that her uncle had taken the life of her parents was more than she could bear.
“Charlotte?” Jameson hurried into the room, taking a seat beside her, and pulling her into his chest.
“We’ve had some shocking news about her parents’ deaths. I think I should give the two of you some time alone.” Lady Thornton stood and left the room, beckoning Lady Isabella to follow.
Wrapping his arms around her shoulders, Jameson pulled her close. “I know, my love, I know. Cry as much as you need to.” He rocked her gently in his arms as he soothed her, smoothing his hand over her hair.
Charlotte felt at peace for the first time in many years. The warmth of Jameson’s body against hers made her feel loved despite the sadness in her heart. An innate part of her knew that everything would be fine from then on out. As long as they were together.
Epilogue
Two months later …
Charlotte’s heart sang with joy as Jameson placed the gold band on the tip of her finger.
“In the name of God, I, Jameson Sinclair, take you, Charlotte Grey, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until parted by death. I also promise to run into any burning building without so much as a thought for my safety, but let’s try to keep that to a minimum.” He winked at her as he slipped the band on
The guests all laughed in hushed tones, spellbound by the intimate moment they were witnessing.
“In the name of God, I, Charlotte Grey, take you, Jameson Sinclair, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until parted by death. And I also promise to try and not get trapped in burning buildings.” Her smile was radiant as tears of joy filled her eyes.
The priest stepped forward in his ceremonial robes and lifted his hands to the guests. “By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife; you may kiss the bride!”
Dipping his bride in his arms, Jameson kissed Charlotte passionately, sealing their union for the rest of their lives.
A round of cheers erupted among the guests, guiding the couple into their new life that promised to be filled with plenty of love and joy.
***
Their voices rang out in a harmonious duet as Charlotte and Jameson sang to their guests to start their lavish wedding breakfast.
Eyes filled with tears as guests watched the emotional duet, their harmonies as lovely as the smiles on their faces.
Charlotte’s emerald dress with puffed sleeves complemented the radiant look in her eyes. Her husband’s gaze never left hers as his fingers danced across the keys alongside hers.
Lady Thornton turned to the duchess with tears in her eyes, exchanging a grateful look of a job well done. It had later come out that Lady Thornton and the duchess had built a friendship by conspiring to make a match between the marquess and Lady Charlotte. Everything from the picnic to the Opera had been a ruse to bring the two together.
Lady Rose stood at the front of the crowd, blushing slightly as a handsome young earl took her hand.
Lady Isabella, however, seemed far too taken with Lord Ashburton to notice anything else in the room at all.
The duet ended amid a rampant round of applause as the guests stood and cheered. Giving her husband a grateful look, Lady Charlotte allowed herself to be led from the stage.
“I can’t tell you how pleased I am that the two of you finally came together. Your parents would have been so proud of you.” Lady Thornton sobbed as she pulled Lady Charlotte into her arms for a warm embrace.
