“Prosperous, too,” he added. “I fear I no longer have anything to tempt you to marry me. Except my heart, and you know better than anyone what sorry condition it is in. But whether you choose to claim it or not, it belongs to you and always will.”
“I would not have dared wed a man who could not forgive.” Rebecca seemed to have forgotten their audience. “And I could not have been a proper wife until I had learned how, myself. Now, I believe we can be happy together. And I would rather have your battered heart for my treasure than all the gold and titles in the world.”
This was better than good fortune, Sebastian realized as he surged to his feet. It was pure, sweet grace, precious and unfathomable.
“Go ahead and kiss the lady!” called someone from the crowd, of which Sebastian and Rebecca were suddenly aware again. “You cannot make tongues wag any harder than they will already!”
The onlookers erupted in laughter. Sebastian and Rebecca laughed too, as they fell into each other’s arms. Their lips met in a kiss of such tender intensity that neither heard a sound as the crowd broke into loud applause.
Except the pulse of their two hearts, healed and united by the power of love.
Epilogue
The Cotswolds,
June 1815
“UNITED AT LAST!” Sebastian’s voice rang with a note of sweet triumph as he and his bride rushed from the church to their waiting carriage under a shower of rice and rose petals. “I was beginning to wonder if this day would ever come.”
A gurgle of joyful laughter welled up from the depths of Rebecca’s heart as he helped her into the carriage for the drive back to Stanhope Court for the wedding breakfast. “Eight months is not such a long engagement. To hear you and your brother complain of late, one would think Hermione and I had made you wait eight years!”
She turned and waved to her new brother and sister-in-law who were presently running the gauntlet of rice to the carriage behind theirs. It was her dearest hope that they would enjoy many more moments as happy as this one in the years ahead.
Climbing into the carriage beside her, Sebastian caught her hand and raised it to his lips. “I suppose you are going to remind me that I was the one who objected to couples rushing into marriage before they were very well acquainted.”
“Why should I remind you?” She raised her forefinger to give his nose a gentle tweak. “You seem perfectly well aware of your position. I must confess, though I’ve enjoyed getting to know you better these past eight months, I have grown impatient to begin our life together.”
She and Hermione had insisted that if either of the gentlemen wished to withdraw from their engagement at any time, they would be free to do so without reproach. As a result, both brides could now bask in the happy certainty that their new husbands were as eager as they to be wed at last.
“I reckon these nuptials will long be remembered in Avoncross.” Sebastian did his best to insure that by producing a pouch full of coins which he proceeded to toss among the throng of local children. “Not only was it a double wedding for the House of Stanhope to the two most beautiful and accomplished ladies of the parish, but coming so soon after the great victory at Waterloo, all of Britain can rejoice. Mark my words, Bonaparte is finished for good this time!”
“That is certainly cause for rejoicing.” Rebecca’s happy smile faltered a little. “Though it grieves me to think how many women have lost husbands in that dreadful war while I have been blessed to gain such a fine one.”
Having emptied his coin pouch, Sebastian signaled his coachman to drive on while he took Rebecca’s hand once again. “Your compassion for others is one of the qualities I love most about you, my dearest girl. We will find a way to help those women, I promise you. That will be my new mission in Parliament—to see that our troops and their families are properly looked after now that the war they won is over. But I hope your concern for them will not dim your happiness in our special day.”
She gazed into his eyes. “Nothing could do that, I assure you. Today is a celebration of our love. I was pleased to see how many of my relatives came to the wedding. Aunt Charlotte must have soaked three handkerchiefs during the ceremony. I only wish...”
“What?” Sebastian prompted her, eager as ever that she should have anything her heart desired.
One day he would understand that all she needed to make her happy was his abiding love. “It would have been so nice if some of my school friends could have come to the wedding. But they are all so far away and have obligations to their employers.”
She could not help wondering if Evangeline, Leah, Hannah and Grace had also stayed away for fear of looking poor and dowdy at such a grand occasion.
Before that thought could dampen her spirits, Sebastian spoke. “I was planning to take you to Vienna or Italy for a glittering honeymoon. But if you would rather, we could make a tour of our own country, stopping to visit with each of your friends on our way. Would you like that?”
“I would indeed!” Rebecca hesitated for an instant then remembered that they were married at last. On her wedding day, surely a bride could be forgiven an ardent impulse. Throwing her arms around Sebastian’s neck, she pressed a warm kiss upon his cheek. “My friends were such a great comfort and support to me during dark times. I hope one day they will all find the kind of happiness I have found with you!”
The Baron’s Governess Bride
To Elaine Logan Melanson, a wonderful mother and stepmother and an amazing friend! I’ve been waiting for just the right story to dedicate to you, and this was it.
Chapter One
Berkshire, England
1815
MOST GOVERNESSES HEADING off to meet with a prospective employer for the first time would have made every effort to look their best.
Grace Ellerby did quite the opposite.
In her tiny room at Reading’s George Inn, Grace retrieved a small, cracked mirror from her trunk to check that not a wisp of golden hair peeped out from under her cap. With long lappets down each side, it was the type of cap worn by older women who had entirely given up hope of finding husbands. Grace approved of the way it narrowed her face, making her features appear flatter and plainer. Its starched whiteness conspired with the drab green of her high-necked dress to drain all the color from her complexion. Once she put on the tiny spectacles to obscure her eyes, she would be prepared to meet Lord Steadwell.
The bells of a nearby church tolled the half hour. She must be on her way.
Grace tucked the mirror away and donned her dark bonnet and shawl. Then she slipped out of her room and made her way to the Old Castle Coffeehouse, where she had been directed to meet the gentleman.