Page 15 of 1797 Club 2nd Epilogue Collection (The 1797 Club #11)

“You have had a great success here,” came a voice behind her.

Helena turned and smiled as Isabel, Duchess of Tynsdale and wife of Baldwin’s oldest and probably dearest friend slipped up beside her. Together they watched the two of them.

“He seems pleased,” Helena said with a wide smile of her own. They were quiet a moment and then she turned to her friend. “I admit I was worried about him for a while. He seemed…focused on the idea that I was not given such riches as the rest of you, due to the financial situation.”

Isabel wrinkled her brow. “Oh no. I thought his guilt about that was behind you. ”

“I think it is, mostly,” Helena said with a little sigh. “But it rears its head from time to time. Especially when my dear cousin loves to flaunt all her jewels and baubles so loudly. But he hasn’t repeated the statements since and today has been perfect.”

“It has,” Isabel agreed. “I love watching you and Baldwin together. You two have such a strong connection, there is never a moment you aren’t offering a warm hand on a back or a smile to shore the other up if they need it. You anticipate each other perfectly.”

Helena smiled, even though the fact that others saw that deep bond made her eyes sting with joyful tears. She was so proud of it and never wanted to hide it.

“Oh and it looks like there is something new to anticipate,” Isabel said, motioning toward Baldwin. “It seems your husband is trying to draw the attention of the room.”

Isabel leaned forward as Baldwin tapped a small fork against his glass and their friends fell silent in response. He beamed out at them, wider when his gaze found her.

“Thank you all for coming tonight,” he said. “This was a wonderful surprise for our anniversary, as Helena knows we don’t all come together enough for any of our tastes.”

There was murmuring and nodding from the crowd before Baldwin continued.

“I could say a thousand things to thank Helena for in these last five years. It wouldn’t be the half of what she has done to improve my life since our marriage.

I could speak of her sweetness, her kindness toward all she meets.

I could speak of her intelligence, and how I am forever trying to keep up with her mind. ”

Helena blushed deeply and took a step closer to him.

“I could speak of what a wonderful mother she is to our son,” he said, his tone gentling.

“How watching her with him brings me hope for his future. But there is really only one way to sum her up. And that is that all my happinesses can be traced directly to her and the moment that I was lucky enough to make her my bride.”

There were sighs from the audience and light applause for that wonderful statement. Tears were stinging Helena’s eyes as she made her way to him. He smiled as she did.

“Yes, do come up here, my love. I have more to say.”

She was surprised by that but she took her place beside him and pressed a kiss to his cheek before she took his hand in both of her own.

“My problems since my father’s death were once a secret I bore on my own,” he said. “Though once I shared them with you all they became much lighter. And you’ve watched Helena be my greatest partner in rebuilding all that was lost. You’ve watched her sacrifice for me, without ever complaining.”

“That is because there is nothing to complain about,” Helena insisted, not caring that they had an audience for this. “Baldwin, when I look back on these five years, I see only happiness, no sacrifice. No heartache.”

He cupped her cheek, his eyes only for her even in this room of their dearest friends.

“And this is why you bring me such joy. Your lightness brings me out of the dark when I try to stray there. I wanted, so much to bring you a little of the same, a token, even if you don’t wish it, that reminds you every time you see it that you have my heart. ”

He reached into the inside pocket of his jacket and withdrew a small box.

She glanced at him and then opened it. Her breath caught.

It was an emerald ring. Not overly large or garish, but perfectly sized for her finger and in a shade that matched her eyes.

He withdrew it and slid it onto her right hand.

She watched it sparkle in the light of the chandeliers and dancing firelight and was struck by its beauty.

Then she looked at Baldwin and saw the pride on his face, alongside his love.

She had been denying she wanted this for so long, and if he had never done such a thing, she could have been perfectly happy.

But he wouldn’t have been. She could see how much this meant to him.

“Do you like it?” he whispered .

“I adore it,” she promised. “Just as I adore you. I shall never take it off.”

And she reached up to kiss him as their friends applauded a second time, her joy as bright as the gem. Her happiness just as perfect. Because of him, as it had always been because of him. As she knew it always would be.