Epilogue
Manchester, England
October 1817
AN ENTHUSIASTIC CROWD had gathered to watch Hannah, Countess of Hawkehurst, untie a large ceremonial ribbon stretched across the main entrance of a large, handsome stone building.
After a brief speech about how she and her fellow trustees had met and grown close during their years at school, she announced, “Today it is my honor and pleasure to declare the Faith and Friendship School now officially open!”
The spectators applauded, none louder than Jasper Chase, while Evangeline stood by his side beaming.
Her friend the countess stepped out of the way to let the crowd stream inside for a tour of the school and refreshments. Soon the only ones left outside were the original circle of friends and their husbands. Lady Steadwell had christened them “glass slipper brides” after the heroine of her stepdaughter’s favorite fairy tale.
Rebecca, Lady Benedict, shook her head with an air of amazement and admiration. “Well done, Evangeline! You more than made up for any earlier delays by getting this place running so quickly.”
Hannah, Grace and Leah nodded.
Jasper spoke up in Evangeline’s defense, even though he knew she was more than capable of taking her own part. “The responsibility for any delays rests entirely with me, ladies, and I beg your pardon with all my heart. Though I may not have recognized my feelings for your friend in the beginning, I was wise enough to know that I did not want to lose her.”
The other gentlemen all smiled at Jasper as if they understood perfectly. Though all four were titled noblemen, Jasper thought them fine fellows and looked forward to getting better acquainted.
“Enough, my dear.” Evangeline gave his arm a playful tap then grasped it warmly. “You will make me blush.”
To the others, she added, “I did want to make up for lost time once we had come to an understanding. But I cannot take all the credit. Mr. and Mrs. Brookes and his sister provided invaluable assistance. In fact, once the school is running smoothly, I may turn over the day-to-day operation to Miss Brookes.”
The ladies murmured in agreement. They had met Abigail earlier and clearly believed she would make a fine headmistress.
Glancing toward Jasper, Evangeline continued, “I must not forget to acknowledge the help of a certain gentleman. We could never have accomplished what we did without his energy, enthusiasm and practical advice.”
The Duchess of Northam gave a dignified nod, lightened by a mischievous grin. “It sounds as though you have more than atoned for any delays you may have caused, Mr. Chase. It is clear that you and your bride-to-be make an excellent team.”
When Jasper, Evangeline and Grace all laughed, the duchess protested, “What is so amusing? For once I did not mean to make fun.”
“I will explain later,” Grace murmured to her friend.
“Hadn’t we better get inside?” Hannah suggested. “Before the children devour all the food.”
“An excellent idea, my dear,” said her husband as he offered her his arm.
“Speaking of the children...” The Duke of Northam addressed Jasper as he and his wife followed the Steadwells. “My son Kit was delighted when we received your invitation. He has enjoyed exchanging letters with your children and could hardly wait to meet them in person. I hope someday your family will pay us a visit at Renforth Abbey.”
“Thank you, your grace.” Jasper marveled at the thought of a former bobbin boy rubbing shoulders with a duke. “That is very kind of you.”
“Please call me Hayden,” the duke replied, “or Northam if you prefer. After all, we will soon be as good as family.”
“Very soon indeed.” His wife winked at Evangeline with unladylike glee. “To think we shall all be married—entirely confounding the predictions of our teachers.”
“Now, Leah,” Jasper’s bride-to-be responded. “I do not believe our teachers are the only ones who would be surprised to see you and I married.”
The other ladies nodded and chuckled.
“I am as amazed as anyone.” Evangeline squeezed Jasper’s hand and smiled up at him. “I never expected to wed and have a family... especially such a large one, but I could not be happier that I soon shall.”
Jasper’s heart echoed her words. The past three months had been the happiest and most fulfilling of his life, working side by side with Evangeline, to realize their hopes and dreams, being a full-time father to his children and making them part of his world.
As he had foreseen, once Evangeline overcame her fears and committed herself to loving him and his children, she had plunged in, holding nothing back. The only thing left to crown their joy with a wedding.
“Wasn’t yesterday a wonderful celebration?” mused Hannah as she and her friends helped prepare their intrepid leader for her wedding. “It was the achievement of a dream and a final triumph over our past.”
“So it was.” Grace caught her friend in a warm embrace. “And today will be another.”
Leah draped a gauzy lace veil over Evangeline’s bonnet. “I have not seen such a beautiful bride since I looked in the mirror on my own wedding day!”
Evangeline laughed with the others. “It is thanks to all of you that I look remotely presentable for my nuptials. I was so busy preparing for the school opening that I scarcely thought about getting ready for my wedding.”
“My dress fits you perfectly,” said Rebecca. “It means a great deal to me having you wear it today.”
“The same goes for my veil,” said Hannah.
They had all contributed something to her wedding attire—Grace a pair of dainty kid slippers and Leah a lavish bouquet of roses from the greenhouse of Renforth Abbey.
Once Evangeline was ready, they all kissed her and wished her the joy in marriage that they had found.
“I am certain I shall have it in abundance,” she replied confidently, “if these past months have been a foretaste.”
The friends walked together to the nearby chapel where Jasper and their wedding guests were waiting. In the vestibule, Emma and Rosie greeted the bride.
“You look lovely,” said Emma with a happy sigh.
“So do you, my dearest.” Evangeline caressed her cheek.
“After the wedding, may we call you Mama?” asked Rosie.
Evangeline nodded with a sidelong glance at Emma. “If you wish, but only if you really want to. Now I think we had better head in before Matthew and Alfie get too restless.”
The girls walked ahead of her up the aisle, Rosie strewing fragrant petals of her namesake flower.
At the foot of the altar stood Jasper and his sons, all looking very handsome. The radiant smile on Jasper’s face and the warm glow of love in his eyes made Evangeline feel she was the happiest and most fortunate woman in the world.
Reverend Mr. Brookes opened his prayer book and cleared his throat. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony.”
When he asked, “Who gives this woman to be married to this man?” Evangeline answered in a firm, clear voice, “I do.”
Behind her, she heard whispers and muted chuckles from their guests, but Jasper gave a decisive nod to signal his approval of her unorthodox declaration. She was giving herself in marriage to him just as he was giving himself to her, to share the rest of their lives.
As they repeated their vows, she and Jasper stared deep into each other’s eyes, making private, unspoken promises about respecting, supporting and challenging one another in the years ahead.
The children cheered when Mr. Brookes pronounced them husband and wife.
“To think,” said Verity when the ceremony had concluded, “two matches came out of your house party at Amberwood. And there may be another, for I hear Mr. Webster is courting Mrs. Leveson!”
“I do not wonder that my wife’s matchmaking efforts were such a success.” Jasper seemed to savor those words. “Even if the result did not turn out exactly as she planned!”
THE END