“Let’s get out of here,” he said to her as he nodded toward the door. ‘I’ll send someone to fetch yer faither’s body.”
She looked at the lifeless body lying on the ground.
“He deserves a proper burial, even after all of the things he did wrong. Everyone deserves a second chance, even if his is in death,” Daniel said.
“I like that.” Melissa sighed as she took his hand and allowed herself to be led out of the cottage.
Everyone in life deserved a second chance at dignity, even if her father’s came in death. She would ensure that he was laid to rest properly.
“Melissa,” Daniel asked quietly, when they were eventually outside. “Are you all right?” He held her in his arms as she continued to stare over his shoulder.
“I’m just glad this is all over now,” she whispered and buried her face in the crook of his neck, giving in to the exhaustion, fatigue, and emotions from the past day. She cried like she’d never cried before in her life.
“That’s it,” Daniel soothed as he held her tight and stroked her hair. ‘Yer safe now, naething will ever happen to ye again.”
She felt her body giving in as she gripped his torn shirt and hung on for dear life. “I thought I’d never see you again,” she croaked, utterly exhausted.
“Look at me,” Daniel said gently as he placed his hands on either side of her face and tilted her head up. “A team of wild horses couldnae keep me from getting to ye.” He attempted a smile but winced from a gash on the side of his head.
“Are you in a lot of pain?” she asked as she returned the gesture and held his face in her hands.
“I’ll live,” he said and winced again as he laughed. “All I need is some of that delicious cherry jam, an’ I’ll be right as rain in the morning.”
“You’re such an idiot.” She laughed and gently kissed the corner of his mouth, not wanting to cause him any more pain.
“But I’m yer idiot.” He smirked at her.
‘This is true.” Her heart lightened as she gazed into his eyes. “I’ll tell you what, once this is all over and dealt with, I’ll go into the orchard and pick fresh cherries to make you some jam with my own hands. How does that sound?”
“Like I’ve made the best choice in making the woman of me dreams me wife.” He gently leaned in and pressed a tender kiss to her lips, conveying every ounce of longing he’d been feeling since that morning.
Everything in Melissa’s world was beginning to fall into place now that she was back in the arms of the man she loved.
EPILOGUE
Daniel watched as Daphne, Melissa and Avery held each other at George’s memorial, reminiscing about the joyous times they had shared as a family before the viscount’s insatiable thirst for power and money took control of his mind.
Both Daniel and Darragh stood by and watched as the women mourned the man they had known as well as the hopes they had harbored, thinking he’d wanted to change his ways. Daniel couldn’t quite bring himself to feel sad that the viscount was gone, yet he respected the fact that George Young had been a different man before they’d met.
“I know your father became a monster,” Daphne whispered, holding onto her daughters. “But there was a time when he made me feel like the most special lady on earth. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have the two of you, so I will always be grateful to him for that,” she said as her tears fell onto her black mourning dress.
The chapel had been decorated with pure white lilies and black ribbons that had been used to tie the stems together. Daniel had thought it too much effort for a man that had done so much wrong, but he’d looked the other way and allowed the women to do as they saw fit.
“He was still our father,” Melissa said, hugging her mother but not sharing in the tears. Daniel didn’t blame her for not grieving her father. He admired the way she allowed her family to express their grief without standing in the way.
“I will forgive him one day,” Avery said, holding back a sob. “But for now, I think we are all just relieved that his tyranny is over, and we can all move on with our lives.”
“Thank you, my dears,” Daphne said as she took a deep breath and walked over to the men. “And thank you both for loving my daughters the way you do. I may not have been blessed with a son of my own, but I am twice blessed to know you two.” She gave them a sad smile. “Please don’t judge me too harshly for letting him back in our lives. Life can get rather lonely in your old age when your children are all grown up.”
“Dinnae even mention it,” Darragh was the first to say.
“Aye, everything is as good as forgotten,” Daniel agreed and winked at her.
Melissa and Avery came up and started a discussion about the future and where everything would be going now that the funeral was over.
It was quickly established that Daphne would be staying with Avery and Darragh for some time. This suited Daniel just fine; he had been wanting to spend some time alone with Melissa ever since the incident.
He waited for the group to move on before drawing his wife into his arms. “I cannae wait to take ye back home,” he whispered, holding Melissa so close to him that she wouldn’t be able to get free from him even if she tried.
