Shewasa new woman now. A better woman. A stronger woman. And the past no longer mattered. Already it was fading into a shadow.
The future beckoned, as bright as lightning on a dreary day. She couldn’t wait to reach out her hand and touch it.
Epilogue
Delia gazed at Minnie, standing beside her at the church door. Her former maid and friend looked so pretty today in her new pale pink gown, her golden hair alight from the sun. Minnie gave a lopsided grin.
“Who would ever have thought we would end uphere?”she laughed, gazing around incredulously. “Here we are on your wedding day in Bradford. And I am yourbridesmaid!”
Delia laughed, reaching out to hug her. “None of it would have been possible withoutyou, dear Minnie.” She hesitated, biting her lip. “You were so brave. I can never express how grateful I am that you were so courageous to swap places with me that day.”
Minnie’s eyes softened. “I would do it a hundred times over for you, my lady.”
Delia shook her head fiercely. “No, Minnie. I am notmy ladyfor much longer. And even if I was, you shouldn’t call me that. You are my dearest friend. I am Delia to you, now and always.”
They embraced fiercely. Delia kissed the top of Minnie’s head. She was so glad that everything had worked out well for Minnie. So well, in fact, that her former maid’s prospects in life had improved dramatically after she had fled Surrey, slowly making her way to Bradford.
Miss Minnie Reeves was the proud owner of a small haberdashery store now, tucked away in a side street in Bradford. Ambrose had lent her the money to start it, although he had told Delia privately that he didn’t mind if Minnie never paid him back. But Minnie, always proud, had insisted she would. She didn’t take charity, she had said, her head held high.
Her grandmother had retired, closing her own shop to help Minnie with her business. On any given day, when Delia visited the shop, she would find Grannie, as the old woman had insisted she call her, sitting behind the counter, knitting furiously. And Minnie, dressed smartly, either perusing her account books or helping a customer find exactly the right button or ribbon. The sight never failed to bring a tear to her eye.
She heard a slight cough behind her. She turned around to see Papa gazing at her pointedly. “Time is ticking, Delia,” he said. “We do not want to keep your husband to be waiting much longer, do we?”
“No, Papa,” she said in a soft voice, her heart flipping with love for him. She was still amazed that he was here today, about to give her away, as she had always dreamt he would on her wedding day.
Her father had been astounded when Ambrose approached him, telling him that he was marrying his daughter and offering to pay him the equivalent of the amount the Marquess of Delacombe had agreed would be sufficient when he had struck a marriage agreement with Lord Stanton.
At first, he had accused Ambrose of kidnapping his daughter and all manner of other wild things. But when Delia had visited him, insisting that she had left Twickenham Hall of her own free will and that she was in love with Ambrose Hartfield, he slowly came to accept the truth.
He had agreed to Ambrose’s terms, saying they were generous and that he could see how much Delia loved the man. He apologised profusely for forcing her hand with Lord Stanton and breaking his promise to her. He had told her he was desperate and couldn’t see any other way. Most importantly, he had told her he loved her and wanted her to be happy with the man she loved. And he would do anything to repair the damage.
She had forgiven him, utterly and completely, in that moment. And the best thing of all was that he actuallylikedAmbrose now. They had slowly gotten to know each other, and her father realised what a fine man he was. Even for a common man.
And now, here he was, about to walk her down the aisle. His eyes misted with tears as he beheld her.
“You look so much like your own mother on our wedding day,” he whispered. “How I wish she was here to see you, my dearest daughter.”
“She is here in spirit,” said Delia, her own eyes misting with tears. “I can feel her presence, dear Papa.”
He kissed her on the cheek, then held out his arm. She took it. Minnie took a deep breath, adjusting Delia’s veil. And then they stepped forward into the church.
It was a small congregation. Ambrose’s family and friends sat on one side of the church, bursting with pride. She smiled at his mother as they glided by, who was dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief. She was such a sweet woman. She liked his entire family very much. They had been a trifle awed when they had met her, but they had gotten used to her. She felt very welcome in their home and their lives.
She turned to the other side of the church. As promised, Sister Mary Majella was sitting proudly in the very front pew. The nun grew misty-eyed as she gazed at Delia. Sitting next to the nun was Mr Giles, looking freshly scrubbed, in his best clothes. He was the new foreman at Hartfield Woollen Mill now and hadn’t touched a drop of liquor since that fateful coach journey. Her heart melted a bit to see him, imagining the man’s lost wife and daughter smiling proudly down upon him.
And then, there was Mr Hawkins and Miss Tilney, both in their Sunday best clothes. They looked delighted, as well, as she glided past them, beaming at her.
What an eventful carriage ride it was, she mused as she beheld her fellow passengers. For I not only found the love of my life but unexpected lifelong friends, as well.
And then, she turned her eyes to the front of the church, to the man who was waiting patiently for her at the altar.
Their eyes met and locked. In that moment, it was as if they were entirely alone in this church.
Delia felt a frisson of love and longing. He looked ruggedly handsome today, his black hair swept back, in his brand-new wedding clothes. And yet, he was still that man that had stepped into the coach that day, filling her with a desire she had never felt before. He was her dream lover, the man she had been waiting for her entire life, the only man she would ever want or need.
How lucky she had been when she had taken Minnie’s place on that coach.
She reached the altar, taking his hands. He leaned forward, whispering into her ear. “I am stunned,” he whispered. “I have never seen such a vision of beauty as you today,Miss Parker.”