“Oh, Heavens,” they said, rushing over to the couple.
Cecily blushed, shaking her head at her family.
“You spies,” she said, embarrassed.
Val kissed her wet cheek.
“It is fine,” he said. “I am glad that your family knows just how much I love you.”
Cecily could hear Agnes throw her arms around Val just as the countess embraced her.
“We sure do,” she said, sniffling. “And we love you both.”
The countess leaned over and kissed her son-in-law’s cheek.
“We certainly do,” she said.
As they all embraced, Cecily felt overwhelmed with joy. At last, she felt that all was set right in her life and that she would never cry tears of sadness again. She kissed her husband once more, nestling into his chest. The pain of the past fortnight faded away. All that remained was love and hope.
Epilogue
The day after Val took his wife home, he waited impatiently outside the door of her bedchambers as Greta helped her dress. He had spoken to Greta in advance, so she knew what the plan was. His heart pounded with excitement, and he counted the seconds as he paced. When the door finally opened, he froze, tiptoeing up to the right angle.
Greta led Cecily into the hall as usual. The instant Greta saw him, she paused, a sly smile creeping onto her face. Val took his opportunity. He stepped forward, taking one of Cecily’s hands and putting the bouquet of red roses into it.
“Good morning, my love,” he said, grinning as he spoke the pet name.
Cecily started, instantly dissolving into giggles.
“Good morning, Husband,” she said, blushing. “These roses smell lovely. What is the occasion?”
Val shivered with delight as she said the word.I am the husband of the most beautiful woman in all of London,he thought with giddy glee.And today, I shall make sure she knows it.
“You will just have to trust me and come with me,” he said.
Cecily smiled up at him and nodded.
“I trust you with my life, my love,” she said.
Val shivered again, taking his wife by the arm.
“Then, come,” he said. “I have something for you.”
In truth, he had many things for his wife. He still felt terrible for having put Cecily through a fortnight of hell when he sent her home. But more than that, he had a great deal of love he wanted to express to his wife. And that day was only the beginning.
He led Cecily, who was dressed in a pale-yellow dress that set off the gold flakes in her eyes, down the stairs and down the back hallways to the servant’s entrance to the gardens. He wanted to run to lead her to where they were going, but he contained his excitement. He just hoped that everything would be ready when they got to their destination.
“My, it is a lovely day,” she said.
Val nodded. He knew that his wife could not see him. But now, he also knew that she could sense his movement.
“The loveliest,” he said. “There is only one thing more beautiful in all the world.”
Cecily looked at him, momentarily confused.
“What’s that?” she asked.
Val had to stop and stroke her cheek. Her innocent humility warmed his soul, and he fell even more in love with her right then.
