“A few days ago, my body was discovered buried deep underground during an excavation. I died when I foolishly entered a remote cave alone. The earth collapsed, and I was instantly crushed. Fortunately, I had my notebook on my person, which contained my name and address, and that identified me to the authorities. So, you will receive notice of my death in the coming weeks. Then my solicitors will turn my fortune over to Sophie, as per my will.”
“Oh, Papa!” Tears streamed down Sophie’s face.
“Don’t fret, my love. I am with your mama now. And as long as you are happy, we can rest in peace.”
“But what does all this have to do with Dimitri?” Agnes said.
“Once I am declared deceased, Sophie will be able to claim her inheritance, and it is substantial. Lord Rodwell is severely in debt. His father was a chronic gambler, and now his son must repay those debts, or it could cost him his estate.”
A blaze ignited in Simon’s chest.Does everyone know about my father’s gambling and my mountain of debt? Even the dead gossip about my business! And, he has the gall to think me an opportunist!
His anger bubbled, and he jumped to his feet. “How dare you? I would never—I didn’t even know about Sophie’s inheritance. I only found out her name tonight.”
“That may be true, but Dimitri wanted to ensure that the man who married Sophie was doing it for love. He wanted to make certain that her husband would go to any length to protect her.And I am pleased to say, Lord Rodwell, that tonight you proved your good character and your true love for my daughter.”
Simon’s anger melted away. So, this had all been a test. Dimitri had never intended to harm Sophie. He let the stake fall from his grasp and turned to Sophie.
“Go to him,” her father said.
She smiled through her tears, and Simon’s chest exploded with happiness as she ran into his arms.
Epilogue
Four Months Later…
St. James’s Churchwas bursting with flowers and elegant guests who’d come to witness the wedding of the century. But it was the invisible ones who mattered most to Sophie. Her aunts and her parents all had a purpose to be by her side today, and as she and Simon recited their vows, her heart was fuller than it had ever been.
The spring sun filtered through the beautiful stained-glass windows as Simon placed the sparkling diamond-encrusted ring on her finger—the very same ring her mama had received on her wedding day.I shall cherish it, Mama.She turned and smiled at the ghostly, but still beautiful, form of the woman who’d brought her into this world. Her mama, forever a young woman aged two-and-twenty, returned the smile.
Sophie shifted her gaze to Simon, who looked dashing in his dark suit. She felt like the luckiest woman alive as he promised to love, cherish, and protect her for the rest of their days.
Finally, the reverend pronounced them man and wife, and Simon lifted her veil and kissed her tenderly on the lips. Her heart almost burst with joy as they made their way, arm in arm, down the aisle and outside into the sunshine, where their carriage waited, ready to transport them to their new life.
Sophie leaned forward and waved to the guests who’d gathered outside the church. Her aunts, her papa, and her mama, frozen in time, blew her ghostly kisses, which she inhaled and stored in her heart. Then she turned from the ghosts to look at her very human husband. They would have a wonderful life together, and she knew for certain, they too would have a love that would last for an eternity. People passed, it was true, but love never, ever died.
The End
