A Spinster to Heal the Duke

Epilogue

EPILOGUE

" Y ou look beautiful, Miss," Peggy said to Anne.

"Thank you," Anne replied, not trying in the least to contain her joy.

The two women stood together admiring Anne's reflection. She wore a soft, rose-colored dress with lace overlay and pointed hems. Her hair was styled high with a surrounding braid and curls that bounced just the right amount. Her face was framed by softly falling tendrils and accentuated by light makeup.

"Thank you for always filling in whatever role I needed you in, Peggy. You know you are a dear friend to me," she said, turning to face the maid.

"I know, you are, too," Peggy replied, crying a little. "Now, let's get you downstairs, yes?"

"Yes," agreed Anne eagerly.

They were in the dressing room of the church on Reedley Manor grounds. Anne and Noah had selected it because it was set on a hill that overlooked Reedley Manor, the place where they had fallen in love with one another. As they exited the room, they were greeted by Charles and Jeremy.

"We were just coming to collect you," Jeremy said.

As Anne came fully into view, they both stopped and admired her.

"You look amazing," said Charles.

"You look so much like your mother," observed Jeremy, tearing up some. "I am sorry that your parents are not with us today, but I know they would say you look lovely. I know they would like Noah very much and welcome him into our family with open arms."

"Thank you, Grandfather," Anne said, doing her best not to cry. "Now, straighten up. This is a happy occasion."

"Yes, joyous," agreed the Baron.

"Momentous," agreed Charles.

"Perfect," added Peggy.

As they continued down the stairs, the men took positions on either side of Anne and Peggy and followed behind them. At the foot of the stairs, two large double doors separated them and the wedding that had been planned inside.

Jeremy and Charles opened the doors, and a church filled with the people of Reedley and Noah's closest friends from London, who all stood and faced the door as music began to play. Just inside the door, Noah looked upon Anne lovingly.

With a few steps, Anne was given from her brother and grandfather to the man who was about to become her husband. Then, she and Noah walked slowly to the altar. Jeremy and Charles followed until they reached their seats in the front.

Diana was not present however her presence was not missed.

Once they stood before the vicar, Anne and Noah faced one another, and the vicar recited a few passages from the Book of Common Prayer.

"Finally, I will bless the ring, and we will have a recitation of vows," he said as the ceremony neared its end.

He held the ring high and mouthed a blessing with his eyes closed then he placed the ring in Noah's hand. The vicar led the vows as Noah and Anne echoed the words to one another.

"With this ring, I thee wed," he said, looking from bride to groom.

"With this ring, I thee wed," Noah and Anne repeated as Noah slipped the ring on Anne's finger.

As they continued, they held hands.

"With my body, I thee worship," he continued.

"With my body, I thee worship," Noah and Anne repeated once more.

"And with all my worldly goods, I thee endow."

"And with all my worldly goods, I thee endow," repeated Anne and Noah once more.

Finally, they echoed the vicar in saying, "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."

"I have one more thing for you," Noah said before they left the altar.

"What is it?" asked Anne, surprised there was still more.

Noah revealed the acrostic bracelet he had purchased before the banquet.

"I was going to give you this the night of the banquet, but I think it is even more fitting you receive it now. The stones spell a message," he explained.

Anne admired it and said, "It is lovely, but what does it mean?"

"Amethyst, lapis lazuli, watermelon tourmaline, aquamarine, agate, yttrium fluorite, spinel, yuksporite, opal, unakite, ruby, and sapphire," he explained.

Anne tracked the letters as he named the stones.

"Always yours," she said.

"Always," Noah agreed.

Then, he walked her down back down the aisle as their guests stood and clapped around them. Once they passed through the double doors as husband and wife, they kissed and rushed to their carriage, eager to start their new life in matrimony.

The End?