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Caleb sat with Celeste, Devons, and Derry in a carriage outside of Lord Burrows’ home. He reached over and squeezed her hand. “No matter what happens, I’m here for you.”

“As are we,” Devons and Derry said in unison. They’d insisted on joining them for this meeting. Celeste smiled at them, “Thank you.”

She took a deep breath and said, “I’m ready.”

He knocked on the roof of the carriage, and the door opened.

They all stepped down and made their way to the front door.

The butler was waiting for them as they reached the townhouse.

They stepped into the foyer, and Caleb watched Celeste take in her father’s home.

A man who didn’t know she existed until only a few days ago.

The butler said, “Lord and Lady Burrows are waiting in the drawing room.”

Quietly, they walked to the room, and once there, the butler announced them. Lord Burrows turned to Celeste, his facial expression shifting continuously between sadness and amazement.

Celeste bowed. “My lord.”

He stared at her silently. Lady Burrows frowned at her husband and opened her mouth to speak, but before she could, Burrows burst into tears. Celeste rushed to him. “My lord, please, it is fine.”

He grasped her hands. “I thought you and Anna died.”

“I know. Lord Haven told me,” Celeste said quietly.

Burrows took a deep breath and composed himself. “There is so much I need to tell you.”

Lady Burrows said, “We thought perhaps you and Lord Burrows could go for a walk in the gardens and talk privately.”

Concern flared in Caleb, and he glanced at Devons and Derry, who were frowning. Burrows added, “Only if you are comfortable with that.”

Celeste seemed to ponder his request and finally nodded. “I would like that.”

Burrows held his arm out, and Celeste accepted.

He squeezed her hand as if confirming she was real before escorting her outside.

Sadness filled Caleb that Celeste had gone so long without knowing her father because of a cruel woman.

Burrows had sent word a few days ago that his mother was permanently settled in the countryside.

Lady Burrows smiled. “Shall I fetch us some tea or something stronger?”

Caleb smiled. “I think something stronger would be best.”

Derry and Devons nodded in agreement.

She smiled. “Please sit.”

They settled in the sitting area. Eventually, Lady Burrows joined them and provided them each with a glass of brandy. Derry asked, “How are you handling all of this, Lady Burrows?”

She sat. “I’m happy that Thomas’s daughter will be in his life, and angry that his mother lied to him.

He truly believed his mother when she said Anna Hartly and their child had passed away in childbirth.

We plan to tell Eloise and her brother later this week.

Thomas wants Celeste to know her family. We hope she wants the same.”

“This is a good first step,” Caleb said.

They all glanced at the glass doors leading to the terrace. Celeste and Burrows stood talking. Whatever they were saying was serious; Burrows’ face was filled with pain. Lady Burrows bit her lip, her face covered in worry. Yet, she didn’t rush to him. She took a deep breath. “I agree.”

Further discussion halted as Celeste and Burrows entered the room. Both had red eyes. Caleb frowned and stood. “Are you fine?”

She nodded. “It is just difficult. For both Thomas and me.”

Lady Burrows smiled at Celeste’s use of Burrows' given name. It made Caleb happy as well. He wanted Celeste to be embraced by this family. Celeste added, “I think we will leave, but Thomas mentioned a dinner next week.”

“Yes,” Lady Burrows said. She walked to Celeste and grabbed her hands. “I know this is overwhelming, but you are always welcome.”

Celeste’s eyes watered at the lady’s kindness, and she nodded. “Thank you.”

Burrows hugged Celeste, shocking everyone. He said, “Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to get to know you.”

“You are always welcome to visit me at the Den.”

Everyone said their goodbyes, and he, Celeste, Derry, and Devons made their way back out to the carriage. Once settled and the vehicle began to move, Devons asked, “How was it?”

She smiled sadly. “He is more wonderful than I could imagine. He loved my mother. For years, I thought it was something my mother had imagined.”

Caleb held her hand. “That is a good thing.”

She nodded. “It is. I couldn’t tell him all of it.”

“Only share what you want,” Derry stated.

“His memory of her reminds me of who she was before Devil’s Acre. Part of me thinks that should be the version of her he keeps.”

“You get to decide that. No one else,” Caleb assured.

She nodded. A quietness settled in the carriage, and Caleb worried the meeting had been too much, but then she shook her head and smiled. “I have a father, stepmother, and siblings. I suddenly feel lucky.”

“They are the lucky ones,” he said.

“Agree,” Derry and Devons both said.

She laughed. “I was once the girl with no family, now between you three and Lord Burrows, I feel as if I can never say that again.”

***

London – Three Weeks Later – February 1856

Celeste smiled as she sat next to Caleb at their wedding luncheon in the Haven Townhouse. She was now the Marchioness of Haven. Her eyes roamed down the table. Caleb’s family, the Derrys, the Devons, and the Burrows all sat along the long, elegant dining table.

She and her father had decided to reveal that she was his daughter slowly. There wasn’t any rush. Her sister and brother had been delighted to have a new sibling. Lady Eloise said they were to do everything together.

For so long, Celeste had always felt an emptiness or sadness when she pondered her future, but not any longer. She pressed her lips together to prevent herself from bursting into tears, happy ones.

Caleb leaned down and whispered, “I’m glad you broke your rule.”

She laughed. “I’m not sure you gave me much choice.”

“No, I didn’t, especially once I discovered Fitzsimmons was a cat. I can’t believe you convinced me to let him move in here.”

Heathcliff Fitzsimmons, the Second, had moved with her when she moved out of her apartment at the Den. He now roamed and lorded over all those who resided at the Haven Townhouse. “It was very kind.”

“I did it for you.”

She smiled at him. “Thank you for being so good to me, Caleb. I’m lucky to have you as a husband.”

Celeste really meant that. He loved all of her and didn’t expect her to change.

She’d worried momentarily that he would want her to step away from the club, but he’d not asked that of her.

His only request had been that she move permanently out of her apartment at the Den.

Even then, he promised always to have a carriage ready to take her there or bring her home.

He smirked at her. “I know I’m wonderful.”

She rolled her eyes at his cockiness. Caleb kissed her hand. “Celeste, you are the most important thing in the world to me and always will be. Every day, I know it is I who is lucky to have you.”

A flush streaked across her cheeks. He shook his head. “It’s true, and now I can tell you that for the rest of our lives.”

Their mouths brushed against one another, and the table exploded into hoots and hollers. Caleb deepened the kiss, and Celeste laughed. Maybe, they both had it right; they were both lucky.