Three days later

Claude stood atop the cliff at Hastings, having just said his vows and marrying Evelina. She looked beautiful wearing the purple velvet gown that was now clean and fit for a princess. A circlet of freshly picked flowers crowned her head. They left the priest and crowd of people at the foot of the cliff because Claude wanted to bring Evelina up to the ruins of Castle Hastings. It was such a big part of his past.

Claude had chosen to be married in Hastings because it was once his father’s demesne and where Claude’s life changed forever.

The count had stayed in England for the wedding, and Lord Onfroi hadn’t been seen again since he was sent away. Everyone was there to celebrate, including the Barons of the Cinque Ports and their families, and even Rose and Toft and their new baby, Daniela.

“I can’t believe we’re married,” said Evelina, glancing down at the ring on her finger. Claude had given her a ring that was his late grandmother’s, on his father’s side. His grandfather insisted Claude take it for good luck.

“I can’t believe it either,” he said, looking up to the ruins where half of the castle still clung to the cliff hanging over the silted-up harbor far below.

“Claude, why are we here?” asked Evelina, looking over at the ruins. “This doesn’t seem like the best place for a wedding.”

“I think it is a perfect place,” he told her, wrapping his arms around her, pulling her back against his chest. “This was once my father’s castle. It was his pride and joy. There was a bad storm one night, and he lost almost everything – except his family and those he loved.”

“Go on,” she said, urging him to continue.

“See that broken tower,” he told her, pointing up to the castle.

“I do.”

“That is where I almost died.”

“Oh, Claude, that is horrible.”

“Nay, not really. My father saved my life that day. Then, my mother and I saved his life in return. It was also where my grandfather took his own life.”

“I still don’t understand why you would want to come here to get married.”

“It wasn’t the act, but the love I felt that day that made me want to return. I learned a lot at the young age of five and ten years. I learned to forgive, and I learned that love is stronger than any blade. It is all that really matters.”

“That is beautiful, Claude. I think I understand now.”

“There is more,” said Claude. “I realized that wanting to return here was only clinging to the past. And since I am looking forward to the future, I want to leave the bad memories behind and only bring with me the good feelings from now on.”

“That is wonderful, Claude. I am happy for you. Now, you need to show you are leaving your past behind by throwing something into the sea.”

“Like what?” he asked.

“Not me,” she said, causing both of them to laugh. “Take this,” she said, removing her crown of flowers and handing it to him. “By throwing it into the sea, you will be releasing everything from the past that has been holding you back. The flowers symbolize life. As they float in the water, they will either wash out to sea or back to shore, but it doesn’t matter. They symbolize new life, new growth and new love.”

“I love you,” said Claude, taking the crown, stepping forward and tossing it over the edge of the cliff and into the sea. “There,” he said, taking her hand. “Now we can celebrate with our loved ones and start our new life without anything holding us back.”

They ran happily down the hill and didn’t stop until they met with the others.

“Claude,” said his father, John, coming up to him with a look of concern on his face. “What were you throwing into the sea?”

“Don’t worry, Father, I was just getting rid of some things I didn’t need any longer.”

“Aye, and nature did that for your father, getting rid of that big ol’ castle that he used to brag about all the time,” said Lord Nicholas Vaughn with a chuckle.

“Easy, Nicholas,” John warned him. “If you keep that up I am going to have to remind everyone that you still are living in a manor house while I have a new castle just about built in Winchelsea.”

“Don’t worry, Nicholas, I’ll lend you one of my castles if you need it,” said Lord Conlin -.

“Conlin, our second castle is in Scotland,” said Isobel. “Nicholas and Muriel and their children are happy in New Romney.”

“That’s right,” said Nicholas’ wife, Muriel, who used to be a spinster. “Evelina, my brother and I made this for your first baby.” She handed her a beautiful woven blanket.

“I love it,” said Evelina, taking it from her and running her fingers over the soft wool.

“Muriel and her brother, Isaac, once had their own shop and are skilled at spinning and weaving,” Claude told her.

“I was the merchant’s daughter,” said Muriel, holding the hand of her three-year-old son, Glen. The rest of her four children ran around chasing Isobel’s three boys as well as Claude’s sister, Charlotte.

“Lord Nicholas married you, yet you weren’t a noble?” she asked in astonishment.

“He did,” said Muriel. “Sometimes love is stronger that status.”

“I wanted to marry you even when I thought you were only a handmaid,” Claude reminded Evelina.

“And I would have married you if you were naught but a commoner,” Evelina told him in return.

Evelina’s father cleared his throat. “So, Montague, where will you be living with my daughter? In England or France?”

“Yes, Claude,” said John. “If you are ready to leave France behind, I have plenty of room for you and Evelina and any children you might have in my new castle. I would love to spend more time with you, Son.”

“Where will we live, Claude?” asked Evelina, looking up in question.

Claude felt torn. Now that Evelina was his wife, her family resided in France. He was lord of Stonebury Castle in France, yet he wanted to spend more time getting to know his father in England. Plus, his mother and younger sister resided in England as well. A body of water separated his family.

He looked up to the ruins of Castle Hastings, breathing in a deep breath of fresh, sea air. Even from the ashes, one can rise again, he realized. There was no need to choose between his past and future because he could have it all living in the present.

“We will live in both places,” he told Evelina.

“How can we do that?” she wondered.

“We will spend most of our time in France, but several months out of the year we will live in Winchelsea with my parents and sister.”

“Oh, I would like that,” said Claude’s mother, always wanting to be close to him.

“That’s a wise choice, Son,” said John. “I am looking forward to it.”

Claude’s squire, Felix, ran over and interrupted the conversation. “Lady Rose is still feeling weak and can’t leave the wagon. She wants to congratulate both of you. So does Lord Toft.”

“Aye, I’d like to see the baby again,” said Evelina, holding on to the blanket and taking Claude’s hand as they strolled over to the wagon to talk to Rose and Toft.

“I am very happy for you,” said Rose, sitting in the wagon, holding her baby to her chest. The baby started to cry. Toft took it from her, making silly faces and noises, trying to make it stop fussing.

“How are you feeling?” asked Evelina.

“I am still weak, but I will be fine thanks to both of you. So will Daniela. I can’t thank you enough for being my friends.”

“We’ll always be your friends.” Claude reached up and hugged Rose and kissed her on the cheek.

“Claude, you are married now and shouldn’t be kissing other women,” Rose told him.

“It’s all right,” said Evelina. “Claude and I know that our love is real and nothing can come between us.”

“That’s right,” said Claude, gathering Evelina into his arms and kissing her passionately. “I hope to start raising a family soon because I can’t wait to be a father.” He dipped Evelina and bent over and kissed her again. She laughed as they both ended up falling on the ground.

“Save that for the bedchamber, Son,” John called out. “After all, you need to learn what you can and cannot do in public.”

“Nay, Father, you are wrong,” Claude called back with a huge smile on his face. He looked deeply into Evelina’s eyes when he said the next words. “With our love, there are no bounds, and nothing at all is Forbidden.”