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One Month Later
The bridal chamber at Stratton Manor was awash in morning light, pouring through tall windows and gilding every ribbon and lace fold in shades of gold. Sophia’s fingers worked deftly over the last row of pearl buttons along Mary’s gown, the silk smooth and cool beneath her touch. The scent of fresh roses—Mary’s favourite—filled the air, mingling with the starch of new fabric and the anticipation in the air.
“You’re shaking,” Sophia murmured with a smile, feeling the tremor beneath her friend’s shoulder blades.
Mary huffed out a laugh, though it was thin around the edges. “I’m about to marry Peter Ashcombe! The love of my life. What if I trip halfway down the aisle? Or say the wrong thing? Or, heaven forbid, cry and ruin Aunt Florence’s embroidery?”
“You will do none of those things,” Sophia said with mock severity. She smoothed the last button into place and circled to face her, hands resting lightly on Mary’s shoulders. “And if you do, Peter will love you all the more for it. He would accept you no matter what, as you know you would accept him.”
Mary’s eyes softened, but her brow still held a crease of concern. “You make marriage sound easy.”
Sophia’s heart lifted, warmth rising to her cheeks. “It isn’t always easy,” she admitted. “But it is wonderful. We’ve had more than our share of storms, as you well know, but Adrian has become my anchor in recent months, and I couldn’t be more grateful. He makes me laugh, even when I don’t feel like it. He lets me win at chess at least sometimes, and he always notices when I need a moment’s quiet.”
Mary’s mouth curved. “Whoever thought it would be me coming to you for marital advice? I mean this in the kindest way, Sophia, but I was certain I would be married first.”
“As was I,” Sophia agreed. “But my uncle had other ideas. And for that, I honestly must thank him. He just happened upon finding my perfect match, even if that was not what he intended at all.”
Mary let out a chuckle, then turned to pick up her bouquet. “And the baby?”
Sophia’s hand drifted, almost unconsciously, to her gently rounded belly. “He or she makes everything brighter. Adrian talks to the baby as though it can already answer him, and I swear the little one kicks whenever he does. I think they’re conspiring against me already. I shall have my hands full, but I already know it’ll be worth it.”
Mary’s laugh was more relaxed this time, but her expression softened into something thoughtful. “It sounds perfect.”
Sophia tilted her head. “Perfect enough. And it will be even better when your turn comes.”
Mary rolled her eyes, but there was no denying the faint blush that rose to her cheeks. “One thing at a time, Sophia.” She hesitated, then added, “I’m glad everything is settled now. No more shadows from the past hanging over you.”
Sophia nodded. “Yes. The trial is over, the estate is secure, and the rest is behind us.”
Mary’s lips twitched into a mischievous grin. “Speaking of the past, you’ll be pleased to know Vivienne has fled to the Continent. Paris, I think. She intends to snare a French aristocrat. Or so I hear.”
“I imagine the gentlemen of London society will breathe easier,” Sophia said dryly.
“And the men of Paris are running amok!” She laughed again, then she looked at Sophia with kind eyes. “And Aunt Helena? Do you know what has become of her since your uncle entered the gaol?”
Sophia’s smile turned wry. “She has taken up teaching young ladies the pianoforte. I suspect it is not for the joy of music but because she is running out of money. And I’d wager she hates every second of it.”
Mary’s brows rose. “Poetic justice?”
“Perhaps. Though I wish her no real harm,” Sophia said softly. “I have more important things to concentrate my thoughts on.”
Mary squeezed her hand. “Like standing up with me today.”
“Exactly,” Sophia said, her grin returning.
“You are a good, kind person, Sophia. It is no wonder that you, of all people, ended up married to one of the infamous Hawke brothers of our youth!”
Sophia laughed this time, her mind cast back to that day, all those years ago, at the fête where she’d first encountered Adrian. She wondered if she’d loved him since then.
“Yes, but it is not my turn to shine.” She gave Mary’s skirt a final, approving shake. “Now, let us see the bride.”
***
The ceremony was every bit as lovely as Sophia had imagined it would be. Sunlight spilled through the church’s stained-glass windows, as if God himself were expressing his approval of their matrimony. The vicar’s voice had been warm and sure as Peter spoke his vows, his gaze never once straying from Mary’s face. Mary, radiant in her pearl-trimmed gown, glowed with quiet joy, her voice catching only once as she promised to stand beside him forever.
Sophia had stood beside her dearest friend, the music of the organ swelling around them, her own heart swelling with the memory of the day she had spoken her vows to Adrian. She had not known, then, how deeply in love with him she would fall, nor how wonderful a husband he would become.
Now, the happy chaos of the wedding breakfast filled Stratton Manor’s grand dining hall, the space and the feast a wedding gift from Adrian to his oldest friend. The long table glittered with crystal and silver, each place adorned with white roses and delicate sprays of baby’s breath. Tall candelabra stood like sentinels down the centre, their golden light reflecting off the polished wood and glass. Footmen moved with practised ease, refilling glasses and replenishing platters piled high with roasted meats, fresh bread, and sugared fruits.
Conversation hummed like a beehive, punctuated by bursts of laughter and the clink of cutlery. Guests leaned towards one another, exchanging animated words about the ceremony, the weather, and most often about the newlyweds themselves.
Mary sat at the head table beside Peter, her cheeks flushed from excitement, her eyes rarely leaving her new husband’s face. She laughed easily, her posture relaxed now that the formalities were over. Peter, for his part, looked as though he had just captured a prize more precious than any treasure at sea, his smile so broad it threatened to split his face in two.
Adrian stood at Sophia’s side, his arm brushing hers as they watched the couple from across the room. “She’s glowing,” he murmured, his voice pitched for her alone.
“So is he,” Sophia replied, smiling. “I think they’ll be happy.”
“I’d wager on it,” Adrian said, raising his glass towards the pair when they spotted them watching.
A call for quiet rippled through the hall as Adrian stepped forward, drawing every gaze. “Ladies and gentlemen,” he began, his voice carrying easily over the chatter, “I am here to speak on behalf of everyone who knows these two, though I warn you, my speeches are infamous for running long and wandering off topic.”
Laughter rang out, and Adrian’s eyes gleamed with mischief. “But I promise to keep this one short. Mostly because Peter has been eyeing the cake since the vicar said ‘Amen.’”
Even Mary laughed, shaking her head fondly.
“I’ve known Peter a long while,” Adrian continued. “Long enough to say he’s braver than most, cleverer than some, and in all likelihood, far better suited to married life than I ever was—though I’ve been told I’m improving.” His eyes darted towards Sophia with a smile that made her heart trip. “And Mary … well, if I could have chosen a sister for myself, I would have chosen her. She has courage, grace, and the good sense to keep Peter in line when he needs it. Which, I assure you, will be often.”
The room erupted in warm laughter again.
Adrian lifted his glass higher. “So,” he concluded, “to Peter and Mary. May your life together be long, full of joy, and may you always find in each other the greatest adventure.”
Glasses clinked all around the table, the cheer of the toast ringing in Sophia’s ears like music. Mary’s eyes shone with happy tears as Peter leaned in to whisper something that made her laugh all over again, her hand coming to rest lightly over his.
Sophia sat back, her hand finding Adrian’s under the table. His fingers curled around hers, warm and sure, and she knew she would remember this moment—the light, the laughter, the look in his eyes—for the rest of her life.
***
The last of the guests had departed, the laughter and music fading into the quiet hum of night. The manor stood hushed now, the only sound the rhythmic sweep of the breeze through the gardens. Above, the stars spilled like silver across a black velvet sky.
Sophia and Adrian sauntered along the gravel path, arm in arm, their steps unhurried, as they so often did these days.
“They were perfect together today,” Sophia said, breaking the comfortable silence. “Mary and Peter. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so happy.”
Adrian’s mouth curved. “I think she’s found her greatest adventure.”
Sophia smiled at the deliberate echo of his toast. “You do realise you’ve set the bar high for every speech you make in the future?”
“I’ll try to pace myself,” he said, his eyes glinting in the starlight. “But I meant every word.”
They paused beneath an arch of climbing jasmine, the pale blossoms glowing in the moonlight. “I hope they start a family soon,” Sophia said softly. “It would be lovely for our children to grow up together.”
Adrian’s gaze dropped to her swelling belly, his expression tender. “One adventure at a time, my love. But I admit, I like the idea of them running wild together, just as Peter and I once did.”
Sophia laughed, the sound low and warm. For a moment, they simply stood there, the hush of the night wrapping around them.
Her thoughts drifted back to the months before, when everything felt so dark, uncertain days filled with danger and doubt. And then she thought of the day they had unearthed the treasure near the lighthouse.
“Do you remember our first kiss?” she asked. “Just after we found it?”
“How could I forget?” Adrian said, his voice rich with the memory. “I thought nothing could compare to discovering what William had hidden … until you kissed me.”
She tilted her head, her smile tinged with mischief. “The treasure fixed so much for us, didn’t it? No more debts, no more worry.”
“No more Edgerton,” Adrian added wryly. Then his tone softened. “But the real treasure wasn’t the gold or the jewels.”
“The real treasure was finding the truth,” Sophia said quietly.
“And finding you,” he replied without hesitation. “Always you.”
The words settled between them, as steady and sure as the stars above. Adrian brushed his thumb over her knuckles, then slid his hand to her cheek, drawing her close. She rose onto her toes, meeting his kiss beneath the jasmine arch.
OFFER: A BRAND NEW SERIES AND 5 FREEBIES FOR YOU!
Grab my new series, "Love and Secrets of the Ton", and get 5 FREE novels as a gift! Have a look here!
Hello my dears, I hope you enjoyed the novel and the Extended Epilogue! I will be waiting for your comments here. Thank you 🙂
Loved the story and the beautiful ending.
Another story if denial, true love, mystery and romance. Thankful truth exposed changes everything. Sweet characters.
I am so happy that you liked it Wendy! Always a pleasure to bring interesting plots, and characters to my readers!
Have always loved reading historical mystery books & this one was perfect.
Thank you! I’m so glad this one hit the mark for you.
I enjoyed this book because it has romance, mystery plus kidnapping and excitement ! I did not want to put it down. Thanks for a great book.
Such a wonderful book. I loved how strong the female and male leads were. I was surprised at how much my own heart was pumping when Sophia snuck into her uncle’s office to find information. I love it when a book grips my attention in that way. It just goes to show how engaging the story is for your readers. The extended epilogue gave us the perfect ending.
Thank you! I’m so glad the story kept you engaged and that you enjoyed both the characters and the epilogue!
I thotoughly enjoyed this book, well written always keeping the plot exciting, Its the best clean regency romance I have read for some time, recommended.
Thank you so much for your kind words! Your support truly means a lot, and I’m excited to share more stories with you.
Loved the story and the beautiful ending.
Thank you so much for your kind words!
Loved it! You kept it interesting and romantic. Very well written, my favorite, so far.
Thank you so much! I’m really glad you enjoyed it — more coming soon.