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"Certainly, my dear. Oh, there are so many things to talk about and do. How about I come visit sometime next week? Now come along, let us not keep your family waiting," Elizabeth said, leading her to the dining hall.
Ann rushed to Caroline when she saw her. She hugged and pulled back to look her over. "Good," she said, nodding her head after she was done with her assessment. "You look very happy and radiant. I am happy all is well and you can finally be truly happy!"
Caroline was touched that her sister was so concerned about her welfare, not that she was surprised, Ann had always been the most caring one. "Thank you, Ann," she hugged her again.
Spotting Colin sitting at the table, Caroline nudged her. “Have you spoken to Colin?”
Her sister’s smile vanished. “No, and I have no plans to do so.” With that Ann led Caroline to their father, effectively ending the conversation as Lord Campbell bundled Caroline into a hug.
Friendly conversations carried on for a while until dinner was brought in and Caroline immediately dug in, suddenly finding herself feeling ravenous. She sat between her husband and her sister. Colin, who did not look as jovial as he usually was, sat directly opposite her and had not said much other than to ask how she was doing and tell her he would spoil his nephew rotten.
She noticed Ann and Colin staring at each other a lot during dinner, but while Colin stared at her with what Caroline believed to be longing, her sister glared at him, shooting daggers his way when she looked up and caught him looking, until he got uncomfortable and looked away.
The servants cleared the plates away and while they sat waiting for desserts, Colin cleared his throat loudly, drawing the attention of everyone at the table.
"Mother, father, I originally planned to say this after dinner, but seeing as everyone is present, I might as well say it now. I believe there is nothing for me here right now, so I have decided to travel the continent," he said addressing everyone, but staring at Ann as he spoke. His words roused several sounds of shock from around the table.
"Travel the continent? Where will you go? How will I reach you? How long will you be gone for?" Elizabeth asked, panicking.
"I do not know yet, mother, but America sounds like a good start. I will send you letters from wherever I go to keep you informed on my whereabouts."
Caroline tuned everyone out as they peppered Colin with questions, and she observed her sister's efforts to maintain a blank expression. She was distraught. Although no one else could see it, she could see the cracks in her sister's stoic expression and her heart broke. She placed her hand beneath the table on her sister's and felt the tremor run through her hands. She felt even worse knowing Ann had only fought Colin to protect her. They would still be together if it hadn't been for that.
She wished she could hug Ann and tell her everything would be alright; but she did not know if it would indeed be alright. And she knew Ann would not want to draw any attention to herself right now, so a hug was out of the question.
Dessert came and she struggled to eat, watching Ann play with her food absentmindedly. Alexander ran his hand down her back to comfort her, but she was hurting for her sister and did not know how to fix it. Dinner was soon over, and the Campbells took their leave with Caroline promising to visit Ann soon. She stood watching the carriage, filled with sadness when Alexander wrapped his arms around her.
"Why do we not take a little stroll in the garden? I do not believe you have been there before." He led her into the garden and a well-lit area, lit by hundreds of candles. She turned to look at him, wondering what was going on.
"Caroline, I do not know if I have ever told you this but agreeing to let Baldwin send that letter was the best mistake I ever made. I cannot imagine any other scenario where we would have met, so despite all that happened, I am glad for the chance I got. I love you more than I have ever loved anyone else, and I am happy I get to spend the rest of my life with you,” Alexander declared. Caroline’s eyes brimmed with tears at his words.
“I love you, too," were the only words she could manage to utter without choking up.
"Good, in that case I would not be remiss to do this. I shudder to think of the repulsive way I proposed to you. So Caroline, my love, will you marry me and make me the happiest man in the world?"
Caroline laughed, “Is it not a little too late to ask me that? I am a pregnant woman now, you know," she said tearfully, then nodding her head vigorously, she said, "Yes, Alexander, I will marry you."
Alexander hooted and lifted her, causing her to laugh. She had never been happier than this very moment.
EXTENDED EPILOGUE
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AFTERWORD
Thank you for reading my novel,“The Lady’s Dirty Letter”. I really hope you enjoyed it! If you did, could you please be so kind to write a review HERE?
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