“It will, Your Grace,” Harriet replied with clear relief. “I know it has only been a short time since I have come to realize my many mistakes, I find it much better to be kind and listen than to be harsh and always speaking.” The woman giggled and then looked down at the floor. “Forgive me, Your Grace.”
Isabel smiled as she took Harriet’s hand in hers. “At one time you mentioned that we would become great friends.”
“Yes, but…”
“Allow me to finish. Friends, and especially family, call each other by their Christian names. So, I must ask you, Harriet, are we friends? Better yet, are we not family?”
Harriet broke into a wide grin. “Yes, Isabel, we are. We are both family and friends.”
“Good,” Isabel replied as she hugged her sister-in-law. If anyone had asked her if this day would come several months earlier, she would never have believed it, and yet, here they stood embracing one another.
“I truly am sorry,” Harriet said as she dabbed at her eyes with a kerchief.
“All is forgiven, so no more talk of apologies. Now, we should return to the party or everyone will think we have sneaked away to drink.”
This brought on a bout of giggles that reminded Isabel so much of her sisters. She was thankful their relationship had been mended.
They returned to the party, and music played, guests laughed and drank, but only one man made her heart leap. Laurence said something to his friends and walked over to stand beside her.
“How is it I have been so fortunate to marry the most beautiful woman in all the land?”
“I often ask myself how my husband is the most handsome,” she replied. “He is such a great painter, among many other traits.” She gave him a cryptic smile that made him grin widely. “Some may call it luck, but I believe what we know it to be.”
“Indeed,” he replied.
They both turned to gaze over the crowd, for what they shared was love. The very foundation of what had brought them together and had been able to heal them of troubled pasts. It was the same love that some who had attended their party already possessed and what others pursued. It was not always an easy journey; in fact, it was as treacherous as any expedition to a faraway land could ever tout.
Yet, it was also the finished painting much like the one that hung behind them that was the goal. For that work of art had been completed together, and it depicted Laurence and Isabel standing at the doors to Camellia Estates, the children to come at their side.
Epilogue
In three days, Isabel and Laurence would leave for London, ready to attend the season. Numerous invitations had already been sent and received, and Isabel could not wait. She had checked and rechecked their belongings, and Laurence, who watched as he leaned against the door jamb of their bedroom door, laughed.
“I will be forced to buy another carriage to carry all the clothes you wish to take,” he teased.
Isabel joined in with his laughter and then looked at the many bags and trunks that surrounded her. “I suppose you might, at that,” she replied. “It is just that I am excited about our first season together as a married couple.” She walked over and took his hands in hers. “I want to show off my husband to everyone who will allow me to do so.”
“And I will be watching in awe as you grace every home.”
Isabel smiled, and then their lips met, which happened several times a day. It was beautiful, soft yet filled with passion.
However, much to their annoyance, a timid knock on the door brought the kiss to an end.
“You do not have to answer, you know,” Laurence whispered.
Isabel laughed. “I know, but it may be important.”
She opened the door to find Weber with a tray in his hand. “A letter arrived for you from Scarlett Hall, Your Grace,” the butler said with a bow. “The rider said it was urgent.”
Isabel took the letter from the tray. “Thank you,” she mumbled as Laurence joined her. She hoped all was well, but as she read the letter, that hope was dashed.
“What is it?” Laurence asked. “Is your mother all right? Or your sisters?”
“Yes, Mother is fine, but it is Hannah. Apparently, Mother asks for our aid.”
“Of course,” he replied. Whatever they need, we will help.”
Isabel nodded as thought rushed through her mind. Could it be true that her beloved and meek Hannah had been doing the things of which their mother accused her? It was something she might have thought Juliet to do, but not Hannah.
“Isabel?”
“We must leave for Scarlett Hall at once,” she said, grabbing only one of the many bags she had packed. “I will explain everything on the way.
Author's Note
Author’s Note
Much like most Regency authors, Jennifer Monroe fell in love with historical novels of dashing dukes and women wishing to be swept off their feet. She believes that no matter how well a romance story is written, love must be the driving force behind the characters.
Born in France to parents who worked for the United Nations, she found herself traveling the world, until she settled down in New York whilst attending University. As she completed her degree in literature studies, she met and married her loving husband and they soon had two wonderful daughters. She chose to stay home and raise her children, and it was not long before she began to wonder about the novels she loved as a young adult and began to reread some of her favorites. This led her to reading newer authors and eventually to try her hand at writing the stories that bounced around in her head for many years.
The Defiant Brides Series
The Duke’s Wager
The Spinster’s Secret
The Duchess Remembers
The Earl’s Mission
Duke of Thorns
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Regency Hearts Series
The Duke of Fire
Return of the Duke
The Duke of Ravens
Duke of Storms
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Whispers of Light: Secrets of Scarlett Hall Book 1 Page 22