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Daniel’s fingers had tightened on her hand as she spoke to her father, and his voice was shaky when he spoke.
“Verity… was that… was that a ‘yes’?”
She turned to him with her heart filled with happiness.
“It was, if you still want me. I’d like a Christmas wedding, if you please, so that we will be out of mourning. And then, I’d like a Christmas season with all of our families around us. Last Christmas was full of sadness – let this coming one be full of joy.”
Daniel bent then, in full view of everyone, and kissed her on the lips.
“A Christmas wedding, followed by a season of joy sounds absolutely perfect to me, my love.”
At that moment, the baby gave a gurgle of tiny laughter, and everyone in the room smiled.
Epilogue
December
Summerfield Park was resplendent. Despite the cold of winter, the house was warm – warm from the roaring fires in every grate, and warm from the abundance of love within its walls. On this day it was decorated, not just with Christmas greenery, but with winter roses as well – roses which had been nurtured by the gardeners all year, to ensure that blooms were available for the wedding of the Duke and Mrs Millwood.
And the most beautiful flower, at least in Daniel’s eyes, was the jewel who was Verity Millwood. The ancient chapel in Bellwood village was likewise decorated. In that church, for the last three weeks, the banns had been read. Now, mere minutes separated him from his new role as husband. Daniel could scarcely believe that the months had sped by, and that this woman was soon to be his forever. Summerfield Park would finally have the Duchess his father had so desired.
Daniel watched as Verity walked into the church on her father’s arm. She was more beautiful than ever in a simple and elegant gown of a rich burgundy colour, and when her eyes met his, everything else faded away. It was a magical moment.
Lady Wexley, seated beside Lord Wexley, shed unabashed tears throughout the ceremony, whilst young Henry perched on her lap, his bright eyes studying everything around him. Maggie Carter sat regally, free flowing tears sliding over her wide smile. Miles Jeffries softly patted her shoulder as he sat beside his Sarah. Behind them, John Hanson and all of his family sat, looking delighted with the moment.
A suitably chastised and sober Duncan stood by his brother with a slight smile. Daniel wondered if, given the right woman, Duncan too might settle down. Or perhaps he would take the option that Daniel had given him, and follow young Jasper Millwood to the Americas.
Daniel spoke the required vows, as did Verity, and soon, they stepped out into the pale winter sunshine as man and wife. Their close friends and family surrounded them, as did the villagers who had come, all agog at the beauty of it, to see their Duke wed. A few others were there – people of thetonwho were well known to Daniel. He rather hoped that they would spread adequately glowing reports to all and sundry, to head off any scope for gossip from the start.
Jameson, as well as Lady Wexley’s head cook, had come to help with the preparation of the wedding breakfast, and had rushed back to Summerfield Park the moment that the ceremony concluded. Once Daniel and Verity had spent some time with the crowd of well-wishers, they settled into their carriage for the short journey to Summerfield Park. Lady Wexley brought Henry to them, and the five-month-old child snuggled against his mother’s side on the seat, and promptly went to sleep.
Daniel slipped an arm around Verity as the carriage set off, then, with his other hand, gently turned her face to his, and kissed her. It was a kiss full of passion, full of everything he had held back, for so much of the long year behind them. She sighed, and relaxed against him, returning the kiss with matching passion. When they finally drew apart, he smiled at her.
“That, my darling, was wonderful. You don’t suppose that we could sneak away from our own wedding breakfast and…”
Verity laughed, causing Henry to wriggle.
“I don’t think so, no matter how tempting it seems. My father, and Lord and Lady Wexley, would never forgive us if we did!”
It was Daniel’s turn to laugh.
“I suppose that you’re right. I will simply have to be patient. After all, it’s been many months, surely I can survive another few hours…”
“Of course you can… and I promise to make the waiting worthwhile…”
*****
The wedding breakfast had gone off well, and Verity had, for the first time since she’d originally accepted Edward’s proposal, close to eighteen long months ago, been truly and unconditionally happy, surrounded by family and friends. Now, a few days later, Christmas was upon them, and she could not help but compare it to the previous miserable Christmas at Lady Chittendom’s – nothing could have been more different.
Summerfield Park was beautiful, all decorated for the season, and the parlour was full of people she loved. It was Christmas Eve, and as she stepped into the room with Daniel at her side, Henry cooed at her from his grandmother’s lap. His nanny sat close by, ready to take him when Lady Wexley tired.
They went around the room, distributing gifts to all present, and Verity marvelled at how wonderful she felt. Tomorrow, they would rest, and indulge themselves with a big Christmas meal, and the day after, they would go around to the village, and to all of the tenants, with gifts and food for every person. She was so glad that she could share her happiness that way.
Once the gifts were distributed and they had settled near the fire, she took Daniel’s hand, and leant close to whisper to him.
“Thank you – this is perfect, and exactly what I had hoped for. You have made my dreams come true.”
Daniel gently kissed her cheek.
