As darkness spread around them, and the moon began to shine in the night sky Marcus and Olivia took a walk in the garden. “The moonlight is so strong that it could almost be daytime,” said Olivia.
“It’s a full moon. Have I told you how beautiful you look in the moonlight?”said Marcus.
She shook her head and looked up at the night sky. “There’s the first star. It shines so brightly.”
“It’s Venus, named after the Roman Goddess of love.” He cupped her chin in his hands and gazed into her eyes.
“By the time of the next full moon you will be my Countess Cendrillon,” he added.
“And I’m not going to miss my next wedding day. I’m determined to dance under a starry sky with the man I met in a woodland grove, not so very many months ago,” Olivia replied smiling up at him.
“Your eyes sparkle even in the moonlight,” he whispered softly as he drew her into a kiss.
Epilogue
A month later
The weather shone brightly throughout July and into August. The days were warm, filled with bright golden sunshine, to ripen the barley and oats growing in the fields.Often there were cooling showers overnight which bathed the land with gentle rain.
Olivia returned to Silverton Hall, together with Jocelyn and her dear friend Marianne.
Marianne held her hand as the carriage trundled up the driveway to the main door, sheltered by its stone pillared portico.
“Are you alright?” Marianne asked her friends. “I know this is one of the most difficult things you have ever done.”
“It’s fine,” said Jocelyn. “My happiest memories are here at Silverton. When I think of Mama and Papa it is always here. They loved Silverton.”
“Olivia?” asked Marianne.
“I have memories. Somehow dealing with Jonathan has helped. When I was held captive, I thought about my life a lot. I had no idea if I would ever escape, and it became increasingly obvious that Lady Cressida was deranged. I believe Jonathan was once a decent man. He changed, due to financial pressure, and an obsessive belief that if he had access to my fortune then his problems would be solved.”
She looked at Marianne, her green eyes glowing like citrine jewels in the sunshine. “When I was captive, I wondered if I would ever see Silverton again. Like Jocelyn, my memories were here at Silverton.” She paused for a moment before adding, “Well Silverton and a certain forest glade, where I met Marcus. The fire and loss are there. We won’t forget. But we need to shape the future and be glad to be alive. We need to make Silverton into that special place again.”
“Your uncle has worked wonders with the place,” said Marianne. “It is different from how it was before, and he wanted it to be that way. The new central section blends beautifully with the older wings of the building, but there is definitely a new design.”
As they alighted from the carriage and Olivia saw the familiar faces around her, she felt comfortable and calm. She reached for Jocelyn’s hand. “Come, my dear, let’s go and find Uncle. There is much to do in the next few days before the wedding.”
Olivia looked up at the new section. The stone matched the rest of the building, it had not been painted white like the current fashion in architecture. However, there were wrought iron balconies across the second and third floors and it would be possible to throw open the doors of those rooms and let in air and sunlight.
“I’ve seen this style in London. It’s just right here,” Olivia remarked.
“Your uncle asked Mr. John Nash, the architect, to add to the design and he has succeeded in joining older and newer sections of the building quite seamlessly. I think you will meet Mr. Nash, as he’s invited to the wedding.”
They were joined by Mrs. Jennings, who raced out to meet them. “Welcome, welcome”, she called. “I can’t believe we are all here again.”
“And such a beautiful day,” added Jocelyn. “I hope it stays like this for the wedding.”
“Old Tom at Home Farm says it will stay settled all week. He reads the signs and patterns and he’s rarely wrong,” laughed Mrs. Jennings.
Ellen was busy checking the coach and handing out reticules and portmanteau to the waiting footmen. “All the luggage should have arrived yesterday. Are the dresses set out ready for the final fittings?” asked Marianne.
“Madame Beauchamps, the dress designer has arrived, and Ellen’s sister Esther has arranged the gowns, the headdresses, and any remaining fabric in the morning room. Everything is ready and waiting for you”.
“It’s so exciting,” said Jocelyn, twirling a pirouette, unable to restrain herself.
“And is everything packed for the journeys afterwards?” asked Marianne.
“All the trunks and portmanteau are packed ready for the journey to France, then Italy.” confirmed Mrs. Jennings.
