An Icy Christmas Engagement (Christmas Matches of Worth #1)

Epilogue

Two Months Later

She never thought she would be standing at the pulpit of a chapel with a real smile on her face. Well, certainly not since her daydreams as a child. Caroline still couldn’t believe that this was happening.

Her cheeks were beginning to hurt by this point. She supposed she should be listening to what the priest was saying but why bother? She’d heard it all before, after all. Last time, she’d longed for the wedding to stretch for as long as it possibly could because she loathed to start her life as the Viscountess of Winterbourne. Now, she quietly willed the priest to speak faster because she wanted nothing more than to become the Countess of Colenhurst.

Or preferably, Cedric’s wife.

The chapel was full. Nothing could be heard but the priest’s voice as he blessed the union. Yet, Caroline was focused on one thing.

She barrelled through her vows, laughing when Cedric did the same thing. He clearly wanted this to be over as quickly as possible as well. For them to become husband and wife.

And then, it finally happened.

“You may kiss the bride.”

He wasted no time. With his arm scooping her closer, Cedric’s lips captured hers with a vivacity she matched with ease. Caroline was vaguely aware of the applause that sounded throughout the chapel, but her focus was on one thing. One person.

Cedric pulled away slightly to whisper, “You’ve just made me the happiest man on Earth.”

She grinned foolishly. “Would it be very unoriginal of me to say the same thing?”

He chuckled. “As an accomplished writer, I’m sure you can come up with something better. ”

Caroline lifted her eyes to the ceiling in thought. “I shall think of something. For now, why don’t we settle with ‘I love you’?”

“That sounds perfect to me.”

They straightened at last and Caroline was suddenly aware that everyone was still watching them. Cedric held on to her hand as he faced them. The ceremony was over now, so a few were beginning to stand.

Louisa reached their side first. “You two put on quite the show just now,” she teased. “I think the ton would have much to say about it for weeks to come.”

“You know, for someone who does not care what others say about her, you are particularly concerned with what the ton is whispering about,” Caroline said lightly. Cedric slid his arm around her waist, seemingly content to stay there.

Louisa shrugged, grinning. “What can I say? I am no better than the rest of them it seems. But honestly, congratulations. You two make a lovely couple. And Cedric?”

“Oh, it’s Cedric now?” Cedric responded in surprise.

“It was only a matter of time,” Louisa drawled. “Take care of her. She is more fragile than she thinks, which is no matter since she has me to fight her battles for her.”

Cedric laughed. Caroline and Louisa exchanged looks.

“He thinks I jest,” Louisa commented.

“Yes, it appears he does,” Caroline responded seriously.

Cedric’s smile slowly slipped. “Oh. I thought…”

“It’s all right, Cedric,” Louisa said, patting him on the shoulder. “Let us just hope you never have to find out.”

Caroline folded her lips to keep from laughing. Louisa glanced over her shoulder, noticed something, and turned back to wink at Caroline before she slipped away. A moment later, Elizabeth took her place.

“Is she running from me?” Elizabeth asked, staring after Louisa. She clutched a soggy handkerchief in her hands.

“Yes,” Louisa sang before Caroline could say anything.

Elizabeth was not amused. She shook her head in disappointment. “That girl. Can’t she see that I know what is best for her? Mr. Johns is just dying to meet her and she does not want to give him the time of day.”

“Who is Mr. Johns?” Caroline couldn’t help but ask.

“One of the gentlemen I had hoped to pair you with if it did not work out with Lord Sotheby. But that is old news. You two, I cannot believe this has happened.”

Caroline accepted her mother’s embrace with surprise. She could barely dislodge herself from Cedric in the process, since he seemed determined to keep her by his side. “Mother, were you crying?”

“Can you blame me? It was such a beautiful ceremony and…well, I think I should apologise.”

“Mother, you don’t have to—”

“I do,” Elizabeth said sternly. “And I should say it to you both. I should not have been so disapproving. I want what is best for you, Caroline. I always have. And it is clear that Lord Colenhurst is exactly that.”

Tears pricked Caroline’s eyes. She reached out to squeeze Elizabeth’s hand. “Thank you,” she breathed.

Elizabeth dabbed her eyes. “Goodness, a lady should never cry this much in public. It is unbecoming! Though I suppose it is expected of a mother to do so at her daughter’s wedding. Now, where is Louisa? I shall not have Mr. Johns waiting any longer.”

Caroline smiled as Elizabeth went off in search of Louisa. Cedric bent at her ear.

“If we linger here any longer, someone else will come by offering their congratulations.”

“Is that so bad?” she whispered back to him with a smile.

“We have the wedding breakfast for that. For now, I want to enjoy the first few moments as your husband.”

She turned to face him, interlacing their fingers. “What do you suggest?”

The devilish glint that appeared in his beautiful eyes set her ablaze, but before he could say anything else, Harrison was upon them.

“Break it up, you two,” he said jubilantly. “You may be married but you are still in public. ”

“For God’s sake, Harrison,” Cedric sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Don’t say such things in front of my wife.”

“Why not? She is not as delicate as you may think, Cedric. Is that not right, Caroline?”

“I’m afraid Cedric will never see that,” Caroline sighed, matching Harrison’s cheeky grin.

That only widened his smile. “Congratulations, you two. You make a wonderful couple. I can only hope to be as happy and in love when I decide to marry.”

“And when will that be?” Cedric asked with a raise of his brow.

“Not for now, certainly,” Harrison responded with ease. “And now that I no longer have to worry about someone trying to harm our business, I can finally enjoy my bachelorhood once more.”

“Something tells me not much will change then,” Caroline said and Harrison laughed.

“Smart of you, Caroline. Now, I’m off. I shall leave you two to get up to your naughty deeds in peace.”

Caroline giggled but Cedric did not seem amused by it. Once Harrison was gone, Cedric said, “I do not think we can escape them. They will simply keep coming.”

“How odd,” Caroline drawled. “One would think that we were not at our own wedding.”

“It will be hours until we are alone again,” he sighed. “I do not think I can bear it.”

Caroline couldn’t fight her smile even if she tried. She still couldn’t believe that one could possibly be this happy. “I think I have thought of something absolutely romantic and original to say. Something befitting my title as a writer.”

Cedric leaned closer, anticipating.

She held his gaze for a moment, letting the tension build. Then she murmured, “I will spend the rest of my life ensuring your happiness, just as you have secured mine.”

For a moment, he said nothing, simply searching her eyes. Then he blinked. “Forgive me. I think my heart stopped for a moment.”

Caroline feigned surprise. “I could offer you mine? ”

“Keep it. I shall have to cherish it and protect it since you have given me no choice. I love you with all my heart, Caroline.”

“As I love you, Cedric.”

He leaned in for a kiss, one that lasted seconds even though it felt like a lifetime. They were interrupted by someone else but the hand trailing around Caroline’s back told her all she needed to know.

This was a love that would stand the test of time, as long as they had each other.

The End