“One of the greyhounds destroyed her wedding dress,” Lady Emily said. “She was heartbroken, as I would be. However, I’ve brought her here and the seamstress from High Street is modifying my wedding dress to fit her.”
“Oh, Emmie, you are a lifesaver,” he said. “That is so kind of you.”
“It’s the least I could do,” she said. “I think you’ll quite like it. And now that you’ve had your morning exercise, you can go home and relax.”
Edward put his hand on his heart as his shoulders dropped.
“You don’t know what I thought, rushing over here,” he said.
“Should I tell Catherine that you came?” she teased. “And thought that the wedding was called off?”
“No,” Edward said. “I’ll look like a fool.”
“No, you won’t,” Lady Emily said. “You will look like you care about your darling wife.”
“I cannot believe that she will be my wife tonight,” Edward said. “You know how long I’ve spent dreaming about this day.”
“No one knows how long you’ve dreamed about this day more than I do,” Lady Emily said. “And now it’s here. And it’s going to be fine, Edward, so don’t worry.”
“Edward?” Myles came out into the garden then and Lady Emily smiled at her husband. “Is all well?”
“All is well now, thanks to your wonderful wife,” Edward said. “How are you this fine morning?”
“I am well,” Myles said.
Lady Emily let the menfolk continue talking and she went out into the garden to pick the flowers for Catherine’s bouquet. She wasn’t sure how many Catherine wanted, and so she picked what was probably too many. She decided that if Catherine couldn’t wear her own dress, she should have the biggest most wonderful bouquet she could possibly carry down the aisle. When she returned to the bedroom, Catherine laughed out loud.
“Oh my goodness,” she said, as the seamstress stitched her into the dress. “Emmie, did you pick the whole garden?”
“Not quite,” Lady Emily said. “Do you want all of these, or…”
“I’ll take most of them,” Catherine said, with a smile. She seemed a lot calmer now, and so Lady Emily felt comfortable telling her the news.
“Edward was just here,” she said and Catherine spun around in shock to look at her.
“What?” she asked. “Why?”
“He heard you rushed over here in tears, and he was quite concerned,” Lady Emily said.
“Did you tell him what happened?”
“I did,” Lady Emily said. “Only to assure him that you were all right. He and Myles were talking when I left, and I think I saw him get back on his horse.”
“Is he well?” Catherine asked. “Did he seem nervous?”
“No more nervous than any man on his wedding day,” Lady Emily said. “I am sure he is excited and nervous. He is Edward, after all, Catherine. He will always be feeling several things at once.”
Catherine smiled.
“Do you know, that is one of the things I love about him,” she said. “So many people just see things from one angle. But Edward always sees them from several.”
“That is interesting,” Lady Emily replied. “I never thought of that as a good or a bad trait. I’ve just always thought of that as the way Edward is. But now that you say it, I can see why you would admire it.”
“What do you admire most about Myles?” Catherine asked and Lady Emily smiled.
“You mean, besides his accent?” she asked. “I enjoy his unique view on life. He may not see things from several different ways, like Edward does, but he was raised in America, and as such, his views are different. They are a refreshing reminder that the world is bigger than just this little island we live on.”
After another hour, the seamstress stepped back. Lady Emily was amazed at the work she had done. Somehow, despite the fact that she had just added a ribbon, she had somehow made the gown fit Catherine perfectly and turned it into a completely unique piece.
“It’s lovely,” Lady Emily said, in awe. “Catherine, what do you think?”
“I think it's perfect,” Catherine replied. “I think it’s...it’s everything I dreamed of. Thank you. Thank you so much!”
Lady Emily settled the bill with the seamstress, and made sure to give her a generous tip, before returning to Catherine
“My goodness,” she said. “It’s almost time. I should get dressed as well. And…” she suddenly laughed. “And I just realized that this is fate, that we came back here.”
“Why?” Catherine asked.
“Well, because I was so excited to go and help you, that I forgot to bring my dress,” Lady Emily said. “So I would have had to come back anyway.”
“Oh my,” Catherine said, as she sat on the bed. “Isn’t it funny how fate works?”
“Indeed,” Lady Emily said. “And I’ll help you with your hair, if you want. I can call the lady’s maid too. We still have about an hour.”
“These flowers are even more beautiful than what I had,” Catherine said, as she picked up the bouquet with the red ribbon tied around it. “This was meant to be.”
It wasn’t long before both the women were ready to go to the church. The carriages that Catherine had arranged were sent for, and the rest of the bridesmaids met them at the church. Despite the panic of the morning, the wedding began as if everything was going as planned.
“Wow,” Myles said to her, as soon as the ceremony was over. Lady Emily thought that the ceremony had gone perfectly, and she couldn’t wait to talk to Myles afterwards. “You outdid yourself”
“Nonsense,” Lady Emily said, with a smile. “I simply helped a dear friend, that was all.”
“You simply helped a dear friend by pulling off an extraordinary act,” Myles replied. “I don’t think I could do any of those things if I tried. You thought so fast, from what Catherine told me.”
“Oh, the dress though, Myles,” Lady Emily put her hand to her mouth. “Myles, you should have seen the dress…”
“Was it terrible?” he asked, and she couldn’t help but giggle.
“Myles, it was shredded,” she replied. “I don’t understand HOW that dog managed to do it...but he did. Somehow. It was beautiful and wonderful in its disaster. It was such a disaster and it was such a...oh my,” she said. “I couldn’t stop staring at it and Catherine was crying and I just felt so awful.”
He laughed with her.
“I mean, I suppose it’s funny now,” he said. “Poor Catherine.”
“But she looks so lovely,” Emily said, as they gazed upon the new bride. “Doesn’t she?”
“She does,” Myles said. “Almost as beautiful as you did.”
“Oh my,” Emily said. “Do you remember our wedding day clearly?”
“I do,” Myles said. “Or rather, more importantly, I remember our wedding night.”
“Mm,” she leaned her head against his shoulder. “I remember that too. I was so nervous.”
“You were nervous?” he said in surprise “But you’re never nervous”
“I know,” she said. “But that night...that night I was nervous.”
“Why?” he asked. “You were wonderful?”
“Well,” she said. “I wanted to make sure that you were happy and…”
“Oh, my love,” he said. “I think that you don’t understand me as well as I hoped.”
She looked at him in surprise.
“I don’t understand you?” she asked.
“I love you no matter what,” he replied, and she nuzzled his neck.
“Well, I know that,” she replied, as the rest of the guests started to join them. She stepped back, to maintain decency, but she couldn’t take her eyes off her beautiful husband.
“Emmie,” Catherine approached her as soon as she got a free moment. “Emmie! Thank you so much! You saved my wedding.”
Emmie gave her friend a hug.
“I didn’t do anything,” she said. “You did it all yourself, Catherine. You loo
ked stunning, you stood up front and said the vows, and you managed to not take a shredded dress as a bad omen.”
Catherine paused.
“I never even thought of it as a bad omen,” she said.
“Don’t,” Edward gave her a look. “Because it wasn’t a bad omen. It was simply a shredded dress and an unruly dog.”
Catherine smiled.
“I suppose,” she replied. “I thought that those roses made all the difference. They were much more lovely than my own bouquet.”
“They looked nice,” Lady Emily said. “But you, my dear, were the true star.”
It felt amazingly peaceful, despite the fact that they were surrounded by guests. Lady Emily turned to Edward, who was standing beside Catherine.
“At last,” she said to him and he chuckled
“At last,” he replied. “I didn’t think it was ever going to be possible, but here we are.”
“Indeed,” she said. “I also didn’t think Catherine would ever come around.”
“I was starting to think that,” Edward said and Catherine laughed.
“I would have,” she smiled. “I would have, eventually. I am so glad that you were patient.”
“So am I,” Edward said, looking at her with such love.
“So,” Lady Emily said. “What are the plans for the future? You two will stay at Edward’s then?”
“Oh yes,” Catherine said. “But we wanted to talk to you.”
“To us?” Lady Emily asked. “Why?”
“Well, because we would be very disappointed if you two didn’t stay as well,” Catherine said. “At least...for a little while longer. You are our dearest friends...and we couldn’t bear to be apart from you.”
“Oh,” Lady Emily said, and looked at Myles. She knew they had plans to head to America after not too much longer. She knew that they couldn’t delay if they wanted to return and start up Myles’s business. “Well…”
“I understand your business…” Edward said. “But with the news of the war…”
“Yes,” Myles said. “I had heard all sorts of dangerous things. And I am worried about my friends back home.”
“Do you think that it is safe?” Catherine asked. “To even consider the crossing?”
Myles turned to Lady Emily and she was worried he would say that they had to go very soon. Now that Catherine brought up the idea, she didn’t really want to leave.
But Myles said something that surprised her.
“It is,” Myles said. “But I want to stay and see what we can do with the business here. The business of steam is quite interesting and I want to know whether I can invest in some of that.”
“I’ve had quite a bit of interest in steam too,” Edward said. “Maybe we can work on something together?”
“That would be wonderful,” Myles said, and turned to Lady Emily. “I hope that would be all right?”
“Oh,” Lady Emily squeaked. “That would be more than all right. That would be perfect!”
“You’re going to stay!” Catherine cried and the two girls embarrassed
“Yes,” Lady Emily said.
“And our children really will grow up together,” Catherine whispered to her.
“I hope so,” Lady Emily said. She didn’t know what the future held, but she knew that as long as they stayed, and remained friends, anything was possible. She hoped that she and Catherine had many children and they grew up just like the two of them, best friends and sisters. She hoped that one day, their children and grandchildren walked on this land, and spoke of the great friendship the four of them had. Looking forward to a future like that, she couldn’t wait to see what life brought her.
THE END
Can't get enough of Emily and Myles? Then make sure to check out the Extended Epilogue to find out…
Is the social pressure going to challenge Lady Emily’s and Myles love even further?
How will Myles manage to adapt to Lady Emily’s society way of life?
How will Sir Peterson and Myles react after Emily surprises them with some great news?
Click the link or enter it into your browser
http://emilyhoneyfield.com/myles
(After reading the Extended Epilogue, turn the page to read the first chapters from “Surrendering to the Mysterious Duke”, my Amazon Best-Selling novel!)
Surrendering to the Mysterious Duke
Introduction
Duke Philip Keats is never going to be satisfied with opening his heart up to love again. Ten years ago, he broke an engagement, and his life has been the talk of the town ever since. When his nine-year-old niece is left orphaned, the Duke has no choice but to take her under his wing. However, since he cannot raise her alone, he decides to sacrifice himself and get married to provide a mother figure for young Lydia. But he did not bargain for his new wife to be as lovely as she is and so hard to resist. Will the Duke manage to forget his past and give in to a burning love with Emily?
Emily Bragg has not only lost her parents, but she is also becoming peniless because of her brother's poor investments. She has no choice but to marry Philip Keats even though her life will look miserable next to an icy, isolated man. To her surprise, she will win the Duke niece's heart, and she will get to see another side of the Duke, which makes her intensely drawn to him. Will Emily find true happiness, as well as pleasure next to her mysterious husband? Will she be able to resist her growing lust, or will she surrender to his mystical beauty?
A story filled with love, passion, intrigue and twists and turns that will leave you breathless. Phillip and Emily cannot stop fantasising about each other, craving intimate moments together, but the Duke's dark past will not allow Emily to trust him that easily. A forced marriage turns out to become a strong desire and a passionate love. Will Emily and the Duke heal their wounds together and give a chance to love and to be loved?
Chapter 1
The day had been non-remarkable, indeed. But the evening after tea time had been full of excitement for Emily, getting dressed to see the opera known as The Beggar’s Opera, already highly successful in France and other cities too.
“Oh, I just love The Theatre Royal, Martha,” said Emily to her lady’s maid. “It is so opulent, and the richness of the songs and the feel of the place are really second to none. My heart feels as if it belongs in that place.”
“Right you are, m’lady.”
Emily could tell that Martha was not really interested by the way she curled up her lip and seemed to check the clock hanging on the far wall. Martha usually got tired at around six fifteen, and it was thoroughly understandable, because she was over fifty years old now.
“Martha, just fix the pins in my hair, and then I shall go down to meet my brother. I am sure he will be impatiently awaiting my arrival downstairs. And you know how he simply despises being late.”
“Yes, m’lady. Would you like the green or the blue pins?”
“Oh, a mix of both, in equal measures,” said Emily, smiling brightly with anticipation about going to the opera.
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