Page 101 of The Ambiguous Enigma of the Hunted Lady
“I should have no doubt.” She smiled brightly, caressing his cheek ever so lightly. It was swollen to the size of an apple.
“Fetch us a coach, would you?” Kenneth mumbled.
“I would.” she leaned down and gave him a peck on his forehead. Already she could see people gathering in the docks again, no doubt curious about the recent spurt of commotion.
“I love you.” Kenneth whispered.
“And I you.” She smiled back, and began to hail down some of the new onlookers.
Epilogue
Two Months Later
After several weeks of resting and recovering, of caring and loving for one another, of ignoring the letters from reporters, the time finally came to plan Leah and Kenneth's wedding.
Neither Kenneth nor Leah fancied a spectacle of a wedding, but the Duchess was a force to be reckoned with. After their return to the manor, the newspapers, the stories, and Riphook's trial, Kenneth's mother had changed her tune.
It was as if she had suddenly accepted her family for what it was, and not what she was trying to force it to become. Once she had come to terms with Leah as a daughter-in-law and the crookedness of her late brother-in-law, the old Duchess apologized to Kenneth and Leah.
If they would behave properly, and raise their children properly, then Juliet would be a mother and grandmother to the house with joy in her heart.
A major factor in the peace treaty between mother and son was the wedding, and so, despite the young couple's desires for a small ceremony, the wedding became a major affair.
It seemed all of London had been gathered there on the sprawling gardens of Kenneth's estate that shining day. What's more, the newspapers encamped around the property for some time, hoping to catch bits and pieces more concerning the mysterious Duchess-to-be, her adventurous fiancé, and the late Lord Wilson.
All came around in spectacular ceremony as Digby, primed and primped by the tailors by Piccadilly, walked Leah down the aisle.
Kenneth beamed brightly atop the dais, and all the Lords of London and beyond seemed stunned to see the ruffian of parliament in his finest military attire, standing tall and proud for all the world to see.
The Marquess of Winchester stood beside him, remade by the hardships his mind had briefly endured. No longer was he the laugh of the town and the herald of parties. He appeared quite serious, yet, his face on this day still let out a shine of radiant jubilance.
Kenneth caught himself flinching a tad when Leah slid the ring over his still-healing knuckles. She smiled and softly rubbed across the knuckle with her thumb.
The priest was delivering his piece, yet the both of them were so caught in each other's trance, the both of them done up to their fullest extent, that when it came time for the vows the priest grew quiet, and they continued to stare at one another.
This gave everyone a bit of a laugh when Kenneth shook himself awake and chuckled, although the priest seemed irritated by the disruption of ceremony.
So, they were wed, and the bells of St. Paul’s Cathedral rang out in their encompassing chorus, raining down sweet symphonies upon all of their heads.
Through the great doors they went as flower petals flew, and then both of them were so embarrassed by the attention when they realized just how many people were thronging around them.
Red faced, they ducked their heads, and Leah grabbed hold of Kenneth's hand. Instead of making their way to the waiting carriage that would take them to the Marquess's social rooms for the reception, they barged through the crowd toward the corner.
They were both laughing at the puzzled faces around them as they made clear of the crowd. Kenneth knew not where to turn, but Leah led him by the hand down the street and then around another corner.
There she scampered around the edge of the Carlton House stables, and they arrived on the stretching green of St. James’s Park.
“Have we lost them?” Kenneth laughed and smiled, taking Leah up in her arms much to her sudden surprise.
“I should say so.” She giggled.
“What shall we do with the day, wife? Now that we are away from all of them?” Kenneth carried her a few steps through the park and then set her down, laughing. “I must catch my breath.”
“Whatever we please, husband.” Leah winked back to him. She looked stunning in the elegant wedding gown as the breeze lightly batted by.
“It is fun to say, is it not?” Kenneth looked at her, grinning ear to ear.
“It is.” she agreed, slowing her laugh to a chuckle. “Although I do not know why.”
