EPILOGUE
“It is the most beautiful gown I have ever seen,” Melody said in a choked voice.
Selina smoothed nervous hands down the silky skirts and smiled at her friend. “You don’t think it should be brighter to attract my mate?”
“Oh no, no.” Melody shook her head. “I think I mentioned it before, but it is the male that is usually colorful in order to attract a mate. The females tend to be rather more bland. Not that you are bland! Goodness, no.”
Selina let out a quiet chuckle as she observed her reflection in the mirror. Aurelia and Charity had done a wonderful job with the modiste, better than anything she could have asked for. The gown seemed to glitter with her movements, embellished with spangles and beading that made its weight more than worth it.
“It is perfect,” Lizzy agreed. “Even more perfect because you are actually wearing it, and this wedding is actually going to happen.”
There was a firm note in her voice, a warning that Selina was notto change her mind at the last minute.
“Don’t worry, Lizzy. I am not running away today or any other day,” she told her friend.
“Good.” Lizzy exhaled. “I am just glad that I could talk some sense into my brother before he lost the one marvelous thing he has ever had.”
Selina raised an eyebrow. “I still haven’t forgiven you for that.”
“Whyever not?” Lizzy protested. “If I had not gone to him, then you might be in London right now, hidden away in your townhouse, lamenting the marriage—and the sister-in-law—that you could have had. I was right to defy you, and I shan’t apologize for it.”
In all the time that Selina had known Lizzy—which was not so long, really—apologieshadseemed to be something of a difficulty for the younger St. Maur sibling. Lizzy could skirt around an apology, apologizing without actually saying sorry, but a direct apology seemed to have a way of sticking in her throat.
“You must forgive her, Selina,” Melody urged. “If Philip were mybrother, I would have defied your wishes too.”
“What traitorous friends I have,” Selina said with an amused smile as she glanced from one to the other. “Very well. Lizzy, I forgive you for meddling.”
Lizzy clapped her hands together. “Oh, I knew you would not stay angry with me! Truly, I would not be able to bear it if you were actually angry with me… but I know you are secretly glad that I did what I did.”
She rushed forward and threw her arms around Selina before any protest could be made, the two friends embracing before Selina stretched out an arm to beckon Melody into the moment.
Melody didn’t hesitate, the three women forming a tangle of arms and laughter and giddiness.
A knock at the door separated them, before Aurelia and Charity poked their heads into the room.
“Oh!” Charity cried, her hand flying to her mouth. “Oh, my goodness! My goodness me!”
Rather bashful, Selina stood awkwardly with her arms at her sides, uncertain of how to position herself to show off the dress.
She need not have worried. Her mother was already weeping, coming forward with her arms outstretched to take hold of her hands.
“I imagined it in my head,” Charity whispered through shaky sobs, “but it was nothing compared to this. You are… the most beautiful bride, my darling girl. Just the most beautiful bride I have ever seen.”
“It is all thanks to you and Aurelia,” Selina said, feeling a prickle of tears in her own eyes.
Charity shook her head. “No… no, it is all you. It is your… joy, my darling. Your joy is what makes it so beautiful.” She paused, a crease appearing between her eyebrows. “Youarehappy, aren’t you? This is what you want?”
“I am, and this is what I want with all my heart,” Selina assured her, smiling. “I love him, Mama.”
“Oh…” Charity choked on a convulsive sob and squeezed her hands tighter. “Oh, my sweet girl. You cannot know how happyIam to hear that. My daughter is in love. My daughter is marrying the man she loves.”
Lizzy cleared her throat. “He loves her too, in case you had any doubt.”
Selina had told her friends about Philip’s confession, though she had omitted what had happened after. A secret that was just forherself. Besides, Lizzy would not have wanted to know about all of that.
“Oh, Selina.” Charity gazed at her in wonder, perhaps seeing herself all those years ago on her own wedding day.
Selina paused. “Did you ever love Father?”
