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“Do you ever think about the future? I don’t mean next week, but the years to come?” Eloise asked as they walked together through the trees.
Jackson thought for a moment and nodded.
“I hadn’t allowed myself to do so, not until Lord Crawford’s grip on you was gone. But I’ve thought a lot about it ever since.”
A shiver of delight ran through Eloise, and she smiled at him, hoping his thoughts were the same as hers. It had felt strange to think so readily of the future when the past had so long encroached on her. In previous times, Eloise had divided time into three parts – her sister’s presence, her sister’s absence, and her sister’s longed-for return. All else had seemed as folly, and she had tried only to think of those things, rather than her own future happiness – a happiness that would never be realized so long as Alice was missing.
“And what do you think? Apart from us getting married, I mean?” Eloise voiced out as her heart started beating fast.
Jackson pondered for a moment.
“Well, I see children,” he said, and Eloise let out a sigh of relief.
It was children she had dreamed of, too – their children. She pictured them surrounded by happy children and growing old together in the contented joy of their union.
“I do, too. I see them playing on the lawns at Wiscombe Manor, and the two of us watching them together. I see their first steps, hear their first words, and watch them grow. I want them to be happy and never to know sadness.” She turned to him and put her arms around him.
“It’s not always possible to avoid sadness, but if they know they’re loved, surely that’s what matters,” he said, and Eloise nodded.
“You’re right.” she stepped back and gazed into his eyes.
“And it’s easy to show love when you know you’re loved,” he added.
He was right, and Eloise could not have felt happier than to imagine the two of them and their children. The day of their wedding was close at hand, and they had a beautiful place to live, surrounded by those they loved and who loved them in return. It had all been worth it: the sorrow, the hardship, the worry. All of that was gone, replaced by the simple fact of two hearts entwined, and all the joy that lay ahead.
EPILOGUE
“It fits perfectly, Eloise,” Alice gushed, stepping back to examine the wedding dress, which Eloise had just finished getting into.
Eloise admired herself in the mirror. She was in her sister’s bedroom, and it was the day of the wedding. She and Alice had spent the morning getting ready and there was much excitement at the prospect of the day to come.
“I knew Miss Palin wouldn’t let us down. It’s beautiful.” Eloise beamed.
Gone were the garish lace trims of Madame Jonquil, replaced by an elegant dress worthy of any bride. It fitted perfectly, and Eloise twirled in front of the mirror, imagining the moment Jackson would see her. He had been staying with James at the village inn, and Eloise had not seen him since the day before. He would be waiting for her at the church, and the hour to depart had almost arrived.
“I still can’t believe it’s your wedding day today, Eloise. James and I were married in the same church, and I remember thinking about you that morning. I missed you. Sisters should be together on their wedding days, and I’m so glad we are now,” Alice said, putting her arms around Eloise and kissing her.
Eloise thought back to her previous vows. She had promised not to marry until her sister had been found. But the ruse with Jackson had led to the most unexpected of outcomes, and she had been unable to resist her feelings. How glad she was to have finally found both her sister and the love she deserved.
“I never wanted to get married. Not until you were found, at least,” Eloise admitted, and Alice smiled at her.
“I’m so sorry, Eloise. I never knew you felt that way. I shouldn’t have stayed away so long. I was foolish,” she said, but Eloise shook her head.
“No, you weren’t. It was circumstances that kept us apart. We had such different lives. But we never forgot one another. Anyway, it doesn’t matter now, does it? It’s the day of my wedding. I’ve got my sister here, and I’m marrying the man I love. I don’t need anything more than that,” she affirmed, as a knock came at the bedroom door.
“Are my darling daughters ready?” their father called out.
Eloise and Alice glanced at one another and smiled.
Eloise shouted that they were ready, and their father opened the bedroom door, accompanied by Annabelle and Samuel, both of whom were dressed in the new clothes Eloise and Alice had made for them – a pretty blue dress and a matching waistcoat.
Annabelle held a posy in her hand, and she offered it to Eloise, who took it and leaned down to kiss her.
“She picked them herself from the garden, the last of the summer flowers as autumn brings its bite,” the Viscount said.
“Have you come to escort us, Father?” Eloise asked, and her father nodded.
“If you’ll permit me, yes.” He offered them both an arm.
