Page 87 of A Proposition for the Comte

Epilogue

Ten weeks later

They were married at Compton Park, under a bower of roses, in the small chapel attached to the house. Violet could not even imagine where her husband had found flowers in such abundance.

She wore pale ivory silk overlaid with the most beautiful lace she had ever seen. Aurelian told her that it made her look like an angel and that she should always be dressed in such finery.

His father had come from France, and although he was thin and pale at first, he began to look healthier with each passing day. Amaryllis and the children had also returned from being abroad, looking much better than they had in years.

Summerley Shayborne was the best man and Violet had asked Aurelian’s sister to stand up with her as a bridesmaid. Berenger was sweet and young, and her laughter and enthusiasm brought joy to all the proceedings.

Celeste Shayborne arrived with vases of jasmine and camellia and fuchsia from her hothouse at Luxford, her grandmother having bound them with colourful ribbons so that the chapel looked like a fair with all the marks of celebration upon it.

Aurelian’s aunts were also present, and although they seemed stern to begin with they soon lost their inhibitions and danced away with the rest of the party.

Lytton Staines, the Earl of Thornton, came to support Aurelian as did his other great friend Mr Edward Tully.

Towards midnight Aurelian led Violet out on to the glassed-in balcony overlooking a courtyard.

‘I need a moment alone, my love, to give you these.’

He pulled a small green case from his pocket and when she opened the box, earrings of gold and rubies lay in the velvet baize.

‘They match your hair and they were my grandmother’s. Will you wear them for me?’

Her wedding ring sported a ruby, too, so they were a matching set. Smiling, she fastened the baubles to her earlobes.

‘I have a gift for you, too, my love,’ she whispered, the music and the scent of flowers providing a glorious setting.

This was a gift she had never thought she could have given, the perfect present on a day when they had been joined together.

She barely knew how to say the words as tears spilled down her cheeks. Happy tears. She wiped them away with one hand and took in a breath.

‘We are going to have a baby,’ she whispered then, as if saying the words aloud was almost sacrosanct. When she had found out she had conceived a child two weeks ago she had decided not to say anything at all to him until tonight.

Delight crossed into his golden eyes, the look on his face one that she would always remember until the very day she died.

‘A baby? But you said...’

She silenced his words by laughing shakily. ‘My body was barren but now it is not. With you.’

‘You saw a doctor?’

‘Celeste’s physician. She took me to see him. I hope you don’t mind that she knows? It’s just I could not believe I might be pregnant and needed to make sure. He confirmed everything.’

‘My God.’ The words were breathless. ‘A little child. Our child. When?’

‘Some time in November. An almost-Christmas baby.’

‘So I have been married and have learned I am to become a father on the very same day? What could ever be better than that?’

‘Aurelian?’

‘Yes?’

‘I will love you for ever.’

‘And tonight is the beginning of always.’