Faversham, England

August, 1827

Adeline took in the majestic view of Faversham Abbey, seeing it for the first time through the eyes of her family and friends as their carriage rambled down the long drive. After much research and discussion with Jasper, she now knew the place had once been a monastery with its tall, picturesque towers protruding at precisely measured intervals. Every doorway was graced by columns and concentric aches. The narrow windows made the structure appear much like a medieval castle, readied to defend its occupants against invasion.

Likely similar to the way Jasper must be feeling with the entire Melton family descending on him, with Georgie and Felton, and Josie, in tow. Arabella and Ainsley would be the last to arrive on the morrow when Alistair and Theo set off at first light to collect them from Miss Emmeline’s School.

And the following day…she and Jasper would be forever wed in a late-morning ceremony, followed by a feast for all. Every villager, servant, and plant worker had been delivered an invitation, personally written by Adeline, their soon-to-be countess.

While it had been a shock to Jasper, Adeline hadn’t been surprised in the slightest that each and every invitation was met with a confirmation.

Every door would be thrown wide to welcome all and sundry to the Abbey.

Adeline’s heart warmed at the thought of all of Faversham coming together to bless Jasper’s marriage.

“Are you ready to see your betrothed once more?” Josie asked.

Adeline stared at the woman across from her, taking in her subtle beauty: the way her dark hair highlighted her pale skin, and her reserved interest that most took for a weakness, though Adeline knew firsthand was one of her greatest strengths. Soon, very soon, she prayed Josie would find the happiness that she, Georgie, and Theo had been blessed with. Until that day came, she could always depend on her friends.

“It has been nearly a month since Jasper came to London last, and I’ve missed him tremendously.” Adeline paused, smiling to herself. “Distance does make the heart grow fonder, I can assure you.”

“Well, let us hope all of us housed in one building does not diminish your fondness,” Georgie laughed as she stared out her window toward the Abbey. “Lord Ailesbury is out front and prepared to greet his betrothed.”

“He is what?” Adeline leaned out her window, joyous to see that Jasper, indeed, stood in the drive, awaiting her arrival.

“And I must say, this carriage ride has me missing my dear Felton ever so much.”

“He resides in the carriage behind us, Georgie,” Josie retorted.

“And we stopped for a meal with them in Rochester only a few hours ago,” Theo added.

“Be that as it may, Felton finds it hard to be separated from his love,” Georgie said with another laugh.

Adeline settled back in the plush squabs of the carriage interior as they traveled ever closer to her heart. Yes, distance was difficult, far harder than Adeline had ever imagined it would be. But she was at the Abbey now, and never would she depart again without Jasper by her side.

At times, it was still nearly impossible to believe that she’d found love and everyone who mattered to her had come together to see her wed. Even now, two carriages followed the one she and her friends traveled in. Her brothers, Abel and Alistair, along with Felton were tucked safely in Felton’s traveling coach. Thanks to Jasper’s generosity, Alfred, Adelaide, Amelia, Adrian, and her maid, Poppy were ensconced in the newly repaired Melton coach.

And they were all making the journey for her.

It had felt close to a century since Adeline had been at the Abbey, but at the same time, only moments.

Her carriage rolled to a stop, and Maxwell pulled the door wide and set down the steps for the women to disembark, but Adeline needed no assistance down, only the strong, muscled arms that appeared in the open doorway.

One moment, Adeline was sitting in the carriage; and the next, she was wrapped securely in Jasper’s arms, where she belonged, as he swung her around and around, placing kisses on her forehead and cheeks before setting her on the ground.

“I am home—“

“You are home—“

They both spoke at the same time, laughing all the while.

Looking up into Jasper’s shining eyes, Adeline knew that it wasn’t so much the Abbey that brought her the overwhelming sense of home, but the man standing before her.

And Jasper’s words from several months before were never truer than in the moment of their reunion, knowing they would never need be parted again. There would be dark, tumultuous storms and shining, happy days to come in their future, but they would face them together, as one.

“I love you—“

“I love you—“

This time, their laughter was joined by that of her dearest friends as Adeline threw herself into Jasper’s arms once more. For the last time, because she never planned to leave them after this moment.