“Sebastian,” James said, extending a hand. “Welcome home.”
“Thank you.” Sebastian clasped his hand, then pulled him into a quick, rough hug. “Rose sends her deepest regrets that she couldn’t make the journey. She’s expecting the baby any day now and couldn’t risk traveling, even the short distance.”
“Of course,” James said. “I’d hoped she could meet Georgiana before the wedding, but there will be time enough after her confinement.”
“She’s beside herself that she’s missing it, but she made me promise to tell you how happy she is for you both. And she’s already planning to spoil your future children terribly.”
James grinned. “I look forward to that. Now come inside. Let me show you what we’ve accomplished.”
They followed him through the great doors and into the main hall, where sunlight filtered through the newly restored leaded glass windows, casting golden patterns across the polished floors. Fresh plaster, soft hues of cream and blue, and woodwork gleamed like it had thirteen years ago. But it wasn’t just the grandeur that made it seem like home. It was as if the memories of the happy times they’d shared together had lingered just below the surface, waiting to come out of hiding.
“I feared you would not be able to get the scent of mildew out but it smells like it once did.” Sebastian gazed up at the chandelier now glowing with dozens of fresh beeswax tapers.
Sophia ran her fingers along the curve of the banister. “I didn’t think we’d ever see this place again.” Her voice softened. “I can remember the day they came for us.”
James nodded slowly. “I do as well. But perhaps it’s time to make new memories. Happy ones. All of us here together.”
He led them through the rooms, beginning with the library, the dining room, and then onto the drawing room. Finally, he showed them the ballroom. “We have a ball planned for later in the summer,” James said. “My soon to be mother-in-law has driven me nearly mad with the planning but it’s kept her occupied, which is an important feat, believe me.”
“It’s all spectacular,” Sebastian said.
“You can see Georgiana’s imprint on every inch of the place, but the past is here too. She found a way to honor our dear Papa with every choice.”
There was a moment of silence before Sophia crossed to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. “You both have done very well.”
“I hope you’ll consider moving in with us,” James said to his sister. “And that you and Georgie will become best friends.”
“We’ll speak of it later,” Sophia said dismissively.
Sebastian cleared his throat. “We will be discussing it later, Sophia.”
Sophia’s blue eyes glittered rebelliously. James had his doubts that he or Sebastian would get their way. She seemed strangely attached to her employer and the child when she should be focusing on finding a husband.
He led them to the back terrace, where the view of the orchards spread wide and golden in the late-day sun. Chairs and ribbons were already being arranged for the upcoming wedding. Flowers bloomed in tidy rows, and the scent of lilac and honeysuckle drifted on the breeze.
“This is where Cecily put her focus and I think they turned out beautifully. She loves the gardens and spent a lot of time planning their return.”
Sophia’s eyes glistened. “It’s perfect.”
Sebastian nodded once, his expression softened by something rare and quiet. “You did well, brother. Rose will be so sorry she missed seeing it, but perhaps you and Georgiana could visit once she’s recovered. It’s only an hour’s drive, after all.”
“I’d like that very much,” James said, warmth spreading through his chest at the thought of introducing his wife to his sister-in-law. “For now, I’m just grateful you’re both here.”
They stood together in silence for a long while, the three of them watching the wind dance through the gardens.
*
In the diningroom that night, candlelight danced across freshly polished silver and crystal. Each place had been carefully arranged by Mrs. Ellsworth, love in every detail. Downstairs, Mrs. Honeycutt had spent the day preparing a feast for their pre-nuptials supper.
What an evening it would be. Being here with his siblings felt like a triumph all over again. From the time they’d learned of their family’s redemption, he’d been slowly healing and coming to terms with what had happened to three innocent children. And here they were, enjoying a meal as if those hard days were only a nightmare instead of truly lived. The nature of human resilience never ceased to amaze him. The strength the three of them had shown during those frightening, painful years, were proof of what the human spirit could endure.
His brother’s courage and commitment to finding the truth and then exposing it had at first seemed impossible to James. But he’d done it. Not only that, but he’d not turned away from the love between him and Rose, despite its complications. Despite the gossip that followed.
James settled into his chair at the head of the long mahogany table, the worn wood smooth beneath his palms as he surveyed his family. The table stretched nearly the full length of the dining room, dressed in white linen and trimmed with blue and cream ribbons in honor ofthe wedding festivities. A simple garland of fresh greenery and white roses ran down the center, interspersed with small silver candlesticks whose flames flickered in the warm June breeze drifting in through the open windows.
To his right sat Georgiana, resplendent in soft rose silk, her fingers loosely curled around a crystal wineglass. Beyond her was Cecily, laughing at something Lavinia had said from across the table. Lavinia, looking delighted with herself in a new emerald hued gown, was seated to James’s left. Sebastian seemed relaxed and so unlike the fighting mad man he’d been before exposing Wentworth for the murdering liar he was. Sophia had taken the place beside Georgiana, wearing a soft blue gown.
After everyone was seated and wine had been poured by a competent footman, closely watched by Isherwood, James clinked his glass. “I’d like to propose a toast. Three years ago, when I won a tavern in a card game, it had seemed our fortune had changed. But my older brother could not accept that as our fate. Despite the odds of failure, perhaps even disaster, he changed our lives, brought us back to the legacy left to us by our dear Papa. Our reputations and fortunes restored, we are now living the lives we should have been all along. Thanks to my Georgie, our family’s home shines once more. In a way, the restoration of our childhood home has mirrored that of my heart and spirit. Both were brought back to life by this beautiful woman who tomorrow will become my wife.”
