Three weeks later…

E lsbeth stood in front of her dressing table mirror and admired her reflection.

The silver gown shimmered faintly in the sunlight streaming through the window.

It had once been her mother’s, worn on her wedding day to Alfred.

Now, knowing the truth about her father, the dress carried a deeper meaning, connecting her to both her past and the future she was about to embrace.

The revelation of her true parentage had been tumultuous, but it had brought healing.

Over the past weeks, she had grown closer to Alfred, seeing firsthand the honor and quiet strength that had captivated her mother.

He was not just a man who had helped rescue her from peril; he was a father who had loved her from afar, and now she was proud to call him her own.

She was happy now. Truly happy. She was about to marry the man she loved. A man who valued her. Understood her. The most beautiful part was she hadn’t even been looking for love when she found Niles. But he completed her in a way that she never thought possible .

The door creaked open, and her mother stepped inside. Elsbeth’s face lit up at the sight of her. “You look stunning!” her mother exclaimed, her voice warm with pride.

Elsbeth smoothed down the gown. “Thank you, Mother.”

Her mother stepped closer, her eyes shimmering with emotion as she took in every detail. “This dress fits you perfectly. It’s as if it were made for you.” She reached out, taking Elsbeth’s hands in her own. “I hope you find the kind of happiness I’ve found with Alfred.”

Elsbeth smiled. “I have, Mother. Niles reminds me every day why I fell in love with him.”

Her mother’s expression softened further. “Good. You’ve been through so much, and you deserve every ounce of happiness.”

“And so do you,” Elsbeth said earnestly.

Her mother’s lips trembled into a smile. “I love you, my darling,” she murmured, drawing her into a gentle embrace. “Now, let’s get you married.”

As they exited the bedchamber, Elsbeth caught sight of Charles waiting in the corridor. His easy grin was already in place as he greeted them. “Good morning, ladies.”

“Good morning,” they replied in unison, their steps falling into rhythm with his as they made their way towards the staircase.

Charles glanced at her with a teasing glint in his eyes. “It’s a fine day for a wedding, wouldn’t you agree?”

“It is,” Elsbeth agreed.

He leaned slightly towards her, lowering his voice in mock conspiracy. “Are you sure you want to marry Westcott? There’s still time to change your mind, you know.”

She laughed, shaking her head. “I do. With my whole heart.”

“Well, I had to try one last time,” he teased.

As they reached the bottom of the stairs, Alfred appeared in the entry hall. His expression was calm but purposeful. “Elsbeth, Charles,” he called, gesturing towards the study. “May I have a word?”

“Of course,” Elsbeth replied, glancing at Charles, who shrugged in response.

The three of them entered the study, and Alfred quietly closed the door behind them. His demeanor shifted, becoming more formal. “I wanted to speak to you both about something important,” he began. “It concerns Elsbeth’s dowry.”

Charles raised an eyebrow, leaning casually against the edge of a desk. “And what’s prompted this discussion?”

Alfred hesitated for a moment, his gaze softening as it fell on Elsbeth. “You look radiant, my dear.”

“Thank you, Father,” she replied.

His eyes grew moist, and he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket to dab at them. “Hearing you call me that means more than you could ever know. I waited so long to tell you the truth.”

“And I’m glad you finally did,” Elsbeth said.

Alfred took a deep breath. “I’ve spent weeks searching for the perfect wedding gift, and I believe I’ve found it.”

“There’s no need—” Elsbeth began, but Alfred raised a hand to gently silence her.

“It is my right as your father, and it involves both of you.” Alfred’s expression turned serious.

“I know the truth about your parentage has complicated your feelings about your dowry, Elsbeth. But I believe I’ve found a solution.

I intend to match your dowry with my own funds and gift it to Charles to help his estate. ”

Elsbeth’s eyes widened. “Are you certain, Father?”

“Quite certain,” Alfred replied. “Declining your dowry would only invite questions, and I refuse to let that happen. This way, we ensure discretion. ”

Elsbeth stepped forward, emotion spilling over. “Oh, Father, thank you. This means so much.”

Alfred placed his hands on her shoulders. “All I’ve ever wanted is for you to be happy.”

“I am happy, more so than I ever thought possible,” Elsbeth admitted as tears flooded into her eyes. “How can I not be?”

As Charles stood quietly to the side, he looked stunned. “Thank you, Alfred,” he said sincerely. “This will make all the difference.”

“I wish you luck, I truly do. I know I am merely a merchant and can’t possibly understand the pressures of your position in Society—” Alfred started.

Charles cut him off before he could finish. “You are one of the finest men I know, and you have accomplished more than most men could ever dream of. Do not think yourself any less because you were not born into gentry.”

Alfred studied Charles for a long moment, his expression unreadable, before he finally tipped his head in quiet acknowledgment. “Shall we depart for the chapel?” he asked. “I suspect Lord Westcott is rather impatient to get this day started.”

“I think that’s a fine idea,” Elsbeth agreed.

Alfred extended his arm, and Elsbeth placed her hand on it.

The simple gesture carried an unspoken weight between them, a sign of their growing bond.

As they made their way to the entry hall, the sound of Niles’s voice reached her ears.

Her heart quickened, as it always did when he was near.

Would she ever grow used to this feeling? She hoped not.

Niles’s face brightened as she approached. “Elsbeth,” he greeted, closing the distance between them. Without hesitation, he leaned in and pressed a kiss to her lips.

“You cannot take such liberties,” she teased, a light reprimand in her tone. “We are not married yet.”

Niles, not looking the least bit repentant, said, “My apologies. ”

“Well, if you refuse to observe propriety, neither shall I,” she quipped, and before he could respond, she kissed him back, letting herself melt into his embrace.

From behind them, Charles groaned loudly. “Good gads, could either of you show some restraint? Spare the rest of us.”

Elsbeth broke the kiss with a laugh, stepping back but still holding Niles’s hand. “Perhaps Charles has a point.”

“Please don’t say that again,” Niles replied, placing a hand over his heart in mock distress. “It sounds dreadfully wrong.”

Charles looked heavenward. “Why are you here, Westcott? Weren’t you planning to meet us at the chapel?”

“I was,” Niles admitted. “But I realized I wanted to be the one to escort Elsbeth to the chapel, assuming she doesn’t object.”

Elsbeth arched a brow playfully. “Will there be kissing involved?”

Niles’s grin grew wider. “Always.”

Feigning deliberation, Elsbeth nodded. “In that case, I most definitely want Niles to escort me.”

“You two are insufferable,” Charles muttered, though there was no mistaking the hint of amusement in his tone.

Her mother and Alfred stepped forward. “Go on,” her mother urged. “We’ll follow in the coach.”

Niles extended his arm to Elsbeth with a flourish. She took it, and he led her outside to the awaiting carriage. “I’ve been counting down the moments till our wedding.”

“Is that today?” she teased. “I hadn’t realized.”

Niles chuckled as he helped her onto the bench. “I was also thinking we could leave for our wedding tour right after the luncheon.”

“Efficient and romantic,” Elsbeth retorted. “I think I made an excellent choice.”

Coming around the carriage, Niles stepped up to face her. “I have something for you,” he said, reaching into his jacket pocket and pulling out a small, elegant box tied neatly with a red bow.

“You didn’t need to get me anything,” she said, though her hands eagerly reached for the box.

“It’s just a small trinket.”

Her fingers worked quickly to undo the bow, and she lifted the lid to reveal a stunning oval-shaped watch with a delicately engraved silver dial. “It is beautiful,” she said as she lifted the watch from the box.

Niles leaned closer, pointing to the intricate design on the watch’s face. “This piece was inspired by the one designed for Queen Caroline Murat of Naples,” he explained. “It is meant to be worn around the wrist. The wristlet is made of gold thread and hair.”

“I love it,” she said. “But this is more than just a mere trinket.”

“May I?” he asked, holding out his hand.

She offered him the watch, her heart swelling as she murmured, “Thank you.”

Niles fastened the watch gently around her wrist, his fingers brushing against her skin.

Once it was secure, he didn’t move back.

Instead, he stayed close, his face just inches from hers.

“Rumor has it that a highwaywoman terrorizes this stretch of road,” he said, a playful glint in his eyes.

“Apparently, she has a particular fondness for pocket watches.”

“At least I managed to steal something,” she retorted. “Your attempt at being a highwayman was clumsy at best.”

He smirked, his gaze never leaving hers. “I did save you, though, didn’t I?”

“You did, my hero,” she responded. “I’ll never forget the day we met. I was completely unaware that you would mean so much to me.”

“It felt like magic, the way you came into my life and made everything brighter. ”

Her smile widened as she reached up to cup his face. “I’m so glad I robbed your coach.”

“And I’m so glad you did,” he whispered before pressing his lips to hers.

The kiss was slow and deep and Elsbeth surrendered to his touch. How she loved this man. She had found the one person that made her think that forever didn’t sound like enough time.

A loud groan shattered the moment. “You two didn’t make it very far!” Charles’s exasperated voice broke through the haze. “You’re supposed to be on your way to the chapel to get married.”

Reluctantly, Niles broke the kiss and leaned back with a sheepish grin. “Elsbeth distracted me,” he joked.

Charles folded his arms, clearly unimpressed. “Well, can you try to manage a distraction-free journey? At least until after the ceremony?”

Elsbeth raised her wrist, flashing the watch. “Look at what Niles gave me!”

Charles inspected the intricate design with a nod of approval. “It’s lovely, but it’s still not an excuse for being late to your own wedding.”

Niles chuckled as he grabbed the reins. “Shall we get married?”

“Why not?” she replied with a bright smile on her face. “I have nothing else to do at the moment.”

“You are a minx,” he quipped, flicking his wrist to urge the horses forward.

Elsbeth laughed, nestling close to him. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, holding her tightly as they traveled down the road. She fit perfectly against him, as though he was born to hold her.

The End