“Better. I’m sorry I left without seeing you, but Dr. Tucker scared me. And Captain Jackson?—”
“Why is he here?”
“Heaven.” She exhaled. “It’s a long story. Take a seat. I’ll start from the beginning.”
Dishevelled and with his shirt wrinkled, Father listened patiently to her escapades from a few years ago, raising an eyebrow at her visiting Samuel regularly for months. He narrowed his gaze when she told him about Murdock and Dr. Tucker being the same person.
“Captain Jackson has been nothing but kind to me,” she said, taking her father’s hand. “I know it’s difficult for you, but please, it would be wonderful for me if you could avoid arguing with him, especially today. I need you by my side.”
He squeezed her hand. “Is it true? You aren’t dying?”
She shouldn’t be surprised he was interested only in that part of her whole speech.
Tears stung her eyes. “No. Captain Jackson said with time and the right food, I will fully recover.”
Father hugged her again, shivering. “I confess I understood very little of everything else you told me. But that’s the most wonderful news I’ve ever heard and the only thing I care about.”
She rested her head on his shoulder as they cried and laughed together.
He caressed the top of her head, as he’d done when she was a child. “There’s no hurry to get married then, since you aren’t dying. You can have a one-year-long engagement, an engagement party, and we can plan a proper reception.”
She dropped her smile. “But Father…I really want to?—”
He laughed. “Only a jest. I know you well. You wouldn’t have agreed to marry Mr. Lyon if you didn’t like him. I’m happy for you.”
“What about the captain?”
Father returned serious. “I was angry with him when Adele died, but after the pain diminished, I realised he wasn’t at fault, but I was too proud to search for him. And he’s helping you. I don’t want to argue with him or bring enmity to this moment that is so important to you. You’re happy and healthy. I don’t care about anything else.” He rubbed his beard. “No, there’s something I care about. Rest assured, Dr. Tucker, Murdock, or whatever his real name is, will face justice. I’ve never liked him, and I should have followed my instinct.”
“What about Mother?”
Father’s facial lines tensed further. “I made the mistake of indulging her hysterics, because she was grieving. Not anymore. Because of her delusions and my being weak, you nearly died. She must face the consequences of her actions, too. Sometimes loving someone means not letting them do everything they want.” He kissed her forehead and rose. “Now get ready. Your groom is waiting for you.”
Between the combinedefforts of Dobkins and Mrs. Foster, Vivienne was ready in about three hours. Almost ready.
After her hurried departure from home the other night, Samuel had sent his footman, William, to retrieve her belongings, but somehow, the gown she’d planned to wear that day had been left behind, and all her accessories matching a few of her gowns had been mixed up. William had claimed the gowns and accessories looked all the same, even though a maid should have helped him.
She opted for a pale green dress with long sleeves hiding her thin arms and bony shoulders although the colour didn’t complement her pale complexion.
Dobkins kept blinking as she fixed Vivienne’s chignon.
“Don’t cry. I’ll cry, too.”
“They’re happy tears.” Dobkins wiped her face. “I’ve always dreamt to see you happily married with a man you loved, and you couldn’t have found a better man.”
“True.”
Dobkins’s smile dropped. Her new tears didn’t seem happy at all. “I can’t believe I was so stupid to let that thug almost kill you. Captain Jackson saved your life. I don’t want to think what would have happened to you without him.”
Vivienne hugged her. “It’s done. We can’t change the past, but we can work together for a better future. And I have my share of fault, too.” She stepped back from Dobkins and smiled at the woman who had been a second mother to her. “I’m glad you decided to come with me.”
“Where else would I want to be?”
She poked Dobkins teasingly in the ribs. “Unless you’re here only for the captain.”
Dobkins laughed and blushed. “As you said, the past is done. Let’s think about the future. He certainly isn’t the same man he was before, and I can’t deny I’m proud of him. As I’m proud of you.”
They hugged again, letting more happy tears fall.
