Page 98 of The Duke’s Wager

Perhaps, one day, he thought, he could meet her in heaven. For now, all that mattered was that she was safe. She was alright.

He could hear Lucy’s wail before the darkness enveloped him.

EPILOGUE

She was not going to cry. It was the one promise she had made to herself – and thus far, she had been rather successful. No matter how difficult it was, no matter how tempting it was to weep, she would not.

Today, she would be strong.

Lucy sighed deeply as she glanced into the mirror. She was tired of being strong, tired of being resilient. Truth be told, there were days that she wanted to allow herself the liberty of being weak, of crying like a mere babe for all that her life had been. Perhaps one day, she would allow herself to weep.

But not today. She would not cry today.

“Lucy?”

She looked up when Maria entered, and the woman smiled cautiously.

“You look lovely.”

“Thank you, Maria.”

After all that had happened, Maria remained her one constant.

“Are you ready?”

Lucy glanced at her reflection once more, then nodded with a terse smile.

“As ready as I will ever be.”

Flowers adorned the carriage, and Lucy silently allowed Maria to help her in. It was only fitting that she and Nicolas would be with her today.

Though they spoke softly, Lucy was barely aware of a word they said. She was far too preoccupied with her own thoughts.

So much had happened. It was hard to believe all that had transpired in the last days, weeks, months. No, it was difficult to accept all that had transpired in her life. She was still getting used to the idea that her mother had not taken her own life.

Henrietta wanted to live. She had wanted to leave and take Lucy with her. Henry had taken that opportunity from them – from both of them.

Her father was a murderer.

But she would not think of him. Not today. Today she was going to be strong like her mother had taught her to be.

She could feel Maria’s hand searching for hers as the carriage came to a halt in front of the church. She gripped the other woman’s hand tightly.

It was time.

She could not believe that this was happening, that this was where her life had led her.

“Lucy…”

This time it was Nicolas who spoke, his voice gentle.

“It is time, dear girl.”

She took his hand, allowing him to help her out of the carriage.

Her entire body trembled with the gravity of the moment. The church doors loomed in front of him – large, intimidating. She took a deep breath and nodded once, watching with wide eyes as they swung open.

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