Page 39 of Celestes Forever Marquess
She nodded. A quietness settled in the carriage, and Caleb worried the meeting had been too much, but then she shook her head and smiled. “I have a father, stepmother, and siblings. I suddenly feel lucky.”
“They are the lucky ones,” he said.
“Agree,” Derry and Devons both said.
She laughed. “I was once the girl with no family, now between you three and Lord Burrows, I feel as if I can never say that again.”
***
London – Three Weeks Later – February 1856
Celeste smiled as she sat next to Caleb at their wedding luncheon in the Haven Townhouse. She was now the Marchioness of Haven. Her eyes roamed down the table. Caleb’s family, the Derrys, the Devons, and the Burrows all sat along the long, elegant dining table.
She and her father had decided to reveal that she was his daughter slowly. There wasn’t any rush. Her sister and brother had been delighted to have a new sibling. Lady Eloise said they were to do everything together.
For so long, Celeste had always felt an emptiness or sadness when she pondered her future, but not any longer. She pressed her lips together to prevent herself from bursting into tears, happy ones.
Caleb leaned down and whispered, “I’m glad you broke your rule.”
She laughed. “I’m not sure you gave me much choice.”
“No, I didn’t, especially once I discovered Fitzsimmons was a cat. I can’t believe you convinced me to let him move in here.”
Heathcliff Fitzsimmons, the Second, had moved with her when she moved out of her apartment at the Den. He now roamed and lorded over all those who resided at the Haven Townhouse. “It was very kind.”
“I did it for you.”
She smiled at him. “Thank you for being so good to me, Caleb. I’m lucky to have you as a husband.”
Celeste really meant that. He loved all of her and didn’t expect her to change. She’d worried momentarily that he would want her to step away from the club, but he’d not asked that of her. His only request had been that she move permanently out of her apartment at the Den. Even then, he promised always to have a carriage ready to take her there or bring her home.
He smirked at her. “I know I’m wonderful.”
She rolled her eyes at his cockiness. Caleb kissed her hand. “Celeste, you are the most important thing in the world to me and always will be. Every day, I know it is I who is lucky to have you.”
A flush streaked across her cheeks. He shook his head. “It’s true, and now I can tell you that for the rest of our lives.”
Their mouths brushed against one another, and the table exploded into hoots and hollers. Caleb deepened the kiss, and Celeste laughed. Maybe, they both had it right; they were both lucky.
Epilogue
London – 1877
Celeste stood in the Den; her mind flashing back to all the events that had been held there. This was the last time she would walk through the doors as an owner. Three young women had made her, Derry, and Devons an offer that they couldn’t pass up.
They’d just hosted this year’s Ball of Sin. It had been quite the celebration as everyone knew they were selling the place. Celeste didn’t attend every Den event anymore, but she and Caleb had enjoyed this year’s night of decadent revelry.
She wondered if the balls would continue or if the new owners would go a different direction. Celeste smiled, still amused that only ladies would now run the Den. A few years ago, England passed an act that enabled women to own property and businesses independently. When she became a partner decades ago, a trust had to be established to protect her share of the club. The world was certainly evolving.
She ran her hand along one of the card tables, sadness piercing her heart. Celeste would miss the place. Still, it was time to let it go. So far, none of her, Devons, or Derry’s children had expressed an interest in the club. It was fine; their dreams were different.
The club needed fresh leadership—so much was changing in London. The classes and sexes were mingling more thanever. Even the Den, for years now, had admitted both men and women. Celeste was excited to see how the club would evolve.
It would be equally strange and exciting to walk back in here as only an attendee. Not that she imagined herself frequenting the club often. She and Caleb wanted to spend more time in the country. Celeste glanced at their sons and suspected they would be here all the time, now that she wasn’t the owner. Caleb walked up behind her and pulled her to him. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
She nodded. “Our sons have no interest in it, and Derry and Devons wouldn’t give it up if they thought there was any chance they could pass it down.”
He kissed her neck. “Aren’t your business partners supposed to meet us here to say goodbye to the place?”
