Page 151 of The Governess Who Stole My Heart

“If I’d known you were going to be a duchess, we might have given you a more elegantname.”

“Mother, there is nothing wrong with just Susan. That is who I am, whether I am a duchess or not. I shall always be justmyself.”

“And what a wonderful self that is,” Aunt Clarissa said with deepsatisfaction.

When the preparation was finally done, Susan was helped into her dress and it was fastenedup.

Mamma gasped at the sight. Then Aunt Clarissa took out the Belvedere necklace and placed it around her neck. The necklace hung about her slim neck and across her chest like an emblem of her excellence. Everyone was silent, awed by the person they saw reflected in the standingmirror.

Mamma came up behind Susan and put her hands on hershoulders.

“Oh, my darling child…” She was then too overcome to say anything more, and she stepped back and gazed inwonder.

Elizabeth took hold of Susan’shand.

“Are you sad,” sheasked.

“No, dear, I’m veryhappy.”

“Then why are youcrying?”

“Because tears are the very essence of both sorrow and joy, and to tell you the truth, I am embraced byboth.”

Katherine stepped up and took Susan’s arm, and pattedit.

“Dear friend, it is now yourmoment.”

“Thank you, my dear,” Susansaid.

Then Katherine said, “Now, don’t we have a wedding to attend? I’m certain there must be a groom out theresomewhere.”

TheEnd