Page 81 of Murder in Matrimony

“Not that you could have filled them, mind you.” Tabitha raised her eyebrows in return and then lowered them with a flicker of a smile. “For so long, my single object has been the preservation of the Amesbury name and fortune—perhaps because of the family’smisfortunes. I can see now that family is so much more than that.”

“Truly?” Amelia could not keep the pleasure out of her voice.

“Truly.” After a moment’s regard, she continued more evenly. “You and your family have shown me it and more, which I will share with you on another day.”

“Another day when we are still the closest of friends,” Amelia pressed, wanting a promise from a woman who had become so much more than an aunt.

“No dear, not just friends.Family.”

EPILOGUE

The next morning, Simon and Amelia were married and enjoyed the wedding breakfast that had been planned for Captain and Margaret Ann Fitz. There was little difference in the taste, but it was perhaps all the sweeter because of the surprise. In a peach-colored gown with few adornments (there hadn’t been time, and she’d never cared for frills), Amelia sat next to her handsome groom, who was also dressed sensibly. Only the fragrant orange blossoms in her hair belied their morning marriage, which took place without fanfare at All Saints on Margaret Street. Indeed, one bride and groom had been supplanted with another, and the ceremony went on as planned.

Except for the small bouquet of white lilies at the altar. No one could explain who brought it or how it reached the church. But Amelia thought she knew. A sense of peace pervaded the sacred space, falling upon her and Simon like a benediction as they exchanged vows. She had solved the murders of Mr. Cross and Miss Rothschild. No one could bring those two most important people back. Indeed, she would live with Mr. Cross’s absence forever. But what she had done for Wapping—for his most beloved poor—made his life, in factherlife, more meaningful. It taught her she could make a difference; she only needed courage.

“If I could make a toast to the bride and groom,” announced Uncle Henry.

Everyone found their glasses.

“Wait!” came a loud voice from the stairwell. “Uncle Henry, please wait!”

A murmur snaked through the crowd, growing louder as the voice approached the drawing room. Then Madge and the captain appeared, and the room fell silent.

“Captain and Mrs. Fitz, my lady,” announced Jones, out of breath.

Amelia and Simon stood.

“Oh, Amelia!” Madge ran toward her with open arms. “I’m so glad I didn’t miss your wedding day. Please forgive me.”

And as families sometimes do, without resentment or reason, Amelia did, returning her embrace. “Of course I do.”

Captain Fitz and Simon shook hands.

“Well then,” said Uncle Henry in a jovial tone. “We have two happy couples to celebrate today, and I’d like to thank His Grace for supplying an inordinate amount of champagne which now seems entirely appropriate.”

Simon’s father, the duke, dipped his head, smiling.

Uncle Henry raised his glass. “To the Scott family, who has gained two sons worthy of their fair daughters. And to the Bainbridge and Fitz families, who have gained daughters who are as dear to me as my own.”

Amelia raised a glass, her eye meeting her sister’s. Many changes had occurred in their lifetimes and still more were to come. Technology and industry had changed everything, especially social classes. The popularity of her agony column was a testament to it. Correspondents were looking for new ways to navigate a world where people of trade and commerce not only contributed to the country’s wealth but had a share of it. That was new and, in Amelia’s opinion, about high time.

Amelia had been a countess by marriage only, but Simon made her feel like royalty every day. People could say what they pleased, but times had changed, and she had changed also. More importantly, perhaps, so had Simon. As they clinked glasses, he no longer looked at her as the widow of his best friend. He looked at her with respect and devotion and pride.

When he drew close and declared his love, her breath hitched, for it was as courageous an act as it had ever been. The world might have changed, but love never would. It was the constant that would keep them and the world together forever.