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“We heard everything.” He tightened his arms around her. “I should not have left you alone with her.” A Barrister and a Constable had been in the bedchamber with Albert, listening to their conversation. The plan was to trap her all along. They had everything they needed to bring Prudence to justice. They immediately restrained her.
Prudence looked as though she could not believe the end of her tyranny had come. She struggled to wrench free of the Constable's firm grasp but was unable to. Her frantic gaze fell on Tommen, who was now standing in the room near Edwina and Albert.
"You conniving bastard!" she screamed.
"At least you are being honest for once in your life, Mother," Tommen said, his pain and disbelief evident.
"I regret the day I ever met your filthy father!" She continued to scream, looking as though she would have lunged at him were she not restrained.
"We are taking you into custody for twice attempting to murder a Duchess of the Crown, Dowager Viscountess Mercer," the Barrister said.
"What proof do you have? You have no proof!" She was behaving like a deranged woman now.
"We have enough witnesses in this room," the Constable said, "and another one willing to testify." He gestured to the door where John was standing. Prudence's eyes grew wide. There was too much against her now.
John approached Edwina. She felt Albert tense beside her. "I wish to ask for your forgiveness. I might see the gallows for aiding Dowager Mercer, and this is the only chance I have to ask you. It was never my wish to hurt you. I did love you before I met someone else."
"Is that someone by any chance Roxanne?" Edwina asked. She wanted to be certain.
"Yes," he replied solemnly. She gathered he still loved Roxanne. No wonder she had felt that sadness about him when she had spied him with her at the wedding breakfast in the conservatory. Knowing the whole truth brought her peace. There was nothing she wanted to say to him. It was all over.
Epilogue
When they were finally alone, she turned to Albert, exhausted. He brushed gentle fingers against her cheek. She did not know she was crying. "There shall be no more tears, My Love," he vowed. "So long as I breathe."
"These are happy tears, Albert," she said. She truly was happy despite what had happened. Her fortune had been great, and she must appreciate them. "Thank you. For coming into my life, for allowing me to love you.”
Her confession brought an astonished expression to his features. "Edwina, you do? You love me?"
"Of course, I do. I tried not to, honestly, but I could not help myself."
"I thought it was John." His eyes were still searching her face.
"I know what he said to you, but not everything is true."
"I do not care anymore. I only want to live a happy life with you.” He rested his forehead against hers.
John had made Edwina feel things that had piqued her curiosity, and she had been naive enough to tell him how she felt. He had told her what to do to please and satisfy herself, but she had never shared more than kisses with him. Her knowledge and boldness had all come from the books she had discovered from Danny after.
John thought he could use those stupid confessions she'd made to him and the instructions he had given her against her now. She had been afraid of telling Albert because she did not want to lose him.
"I know it is in the past, Albert, but I still want you to know that no man has ever truly touched me but you, and no one has ever truly had my heart but you.” She gazed into his misted eyes.
"Who is crying now?" she teased him, kissing his lips softly.
"I am not crying. My cheeks are dry,” he argued, chuckling.
"I will still love you even if you cry."
He laughed now. “I am simply too lovable, aren't I?"
"Indeed, you are." She laughed. "Do not ever change."
* * *
A sennight later, Edwina was feeling stronger. The Mansion bustled with activity that morning as the last of their guests, Camilla, Kitty, Steven, Elaine, and Konstantin prepared to leave.
"Irefuseto have it! First, Edwina marries in the middle of the night. I had to insist on some form of celebration before we finally settled on a wedding dinner. Imagine, a wedding dinner in these modern times that are all about breakfasts and luncheons. Now you tell me you want a simple wedding, Kitty Mathews?" Camilla was ranting when Edwina walked into the front hall. "I will not have it!"
