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T hey were married on a sunny, late summer day. The ceremony took place on the stage of the theatre, where they were framed by the beautiful blue sea, surrounded by garlands of flowers, and supported by a full house of friends, family, and well-wishers.

Whiskers walked the bride down the long stairs, leaving Cart plenty of time to admire her stunning, dark beauty and thank the heavens for his good fortune.

Afterward, the wedding breakfast took place outside the cottage, on the clifftop.

Most of the villagers turned out, as well as all of his bride’s young students.

They had a surprise guest in Linwood, who made a dashing arrival, of course, as well as an announcement that his play, The Maiden’s Journey , would premiere in London, in the spring.

Cart drew Merritt aside as everyone gathered to congratulate the playwright, and Julia too, as they all knew she had served as his inspiration.

“Linwood brought other news,” he murmured to his bride. “The date for Allard’s hanging has been set for next week.”

“You won’t go?” she asked, taking his hand.

“No. It’s not my victory.”

“It is partially yours. You worked hard on that case, even if someone else presented it.”

Cart shrugged. “Evans is there. I suspect he will come out here for a rest after it is all over.”

“We will be glad to welcome him, of course.” Merritt watched him carefully. “But you should know, we all recognize your part in finding justice for those young people.”

He kissed her hand. “Come. I want to give you a wedding present.”

She stepped closer, and he was happy to pull her in. “I don’t need a wedding present. All I need is you.”

“Nevertheless.” He took her inside the cottage to the former morning room, now converted to a small office, but paused with his hand on the latch.

“I know Lady Wilmer is going to stay here for a few months while you search for the right director for the school, but I also know you will always be the loving, giving, driving force behind it.”

Grinning, he opened the door. She walked past him, and he saw the moment when she spotted it.

Laughing, she turned to him. “What have you done?”

He smiled in pride at the sign he’d hung himself.

The Duchess of Belmont’s School for BrilliantBeginnings

“I know it cannot be official, but it is the true name of the place, and the truth of what you are doing here. You are teaching from your heart, teaching these girls to know their own. It is likely the greatest gift they have been given in their young lives, and they will go on to spread the confidence and kindness and joy they learn here.”

She turned to him with lips trembling, tears shining in her dark eyes.

“It’s what you’ve given me,” he said softly. “I was lost, adrift, and lonely. Then you swept in and saw me, all at sea. You made me laugh. You dazzled me with your beauty—body and soul. And now I am ready, and so very happy, to start our own brilliant beginning.”

She threw herself in his arms.

He caught her, kissed her—and so it began.

The End