Louisa sighed contentedly. Their entire life lay before them, and it promised to be full of adventure. There was even talk of one day visiting America. But for now, like every other day since they had spoken their marriage vows, Louisa enjoyed being held by the man she loved.
For it was love that had brought them together. The same love that showed how precious life could be.
The very love that drew them together now in a kiss that said nothing—not even a disagreement about the use of a particular building—could tear apart a young woman and her knight.
Epilogue
Courtly Manor, 1825
Lady Louisa Kirkwood wiped at her eyes. “And that, my friends, is how I fell in love with the Knight of Destiny.”
“Did you ever learn who saved the theater?” Diana asked.
Louisa shook her head. “Mr. Barker never revealed his benefactor. I stopped by to see him on my way here. I hadn’t realized he passed away. But the theater is still running. When I spoke to the current director, I was surprised to learn that Mr. Barker hasn’t owned the building for twenty years. In all this time, I believed someone had simply given him the money. Now I learn that someone purchased the building and allowed him to continue running the theater. And what’s more, in lieu of rent, the owner is paid a percentage of the profits! Now, who would make such an agreement?”
Mrs. Rutley’s cough had everyone turning in concern.
“Are you all right?” Louisa asked. “Can I get you some water? Or a warm washcloth?”
Waving a hand, Mrs. Rutley said, “No. I’ll be fine. But you can hand me that box.”
On the nearby nightstand sat a small chest-shaped box, and Louisa handed it to her headmistress. Mrs. Rutley opened it and retrieved an object and placed it in Louisa’s hand.
A ring. But not any ring. The very one Mr. Barker once wore. The symbol of who owned the theater.
Louisa gasped. “You? You purchased the theater?”
Mrs. Rutley smiled. “Of course, with the help of Lord Walcott. And there is more.”
Louisa reached into the box and removed what she recognized as one of the tickets she and Aaron had sold. “Why did you keep this?” she asked.
“Mr. Barker came to me with a concern,” Mrs. Rutley replied. “Not only for the theater but for a pair of young people he was certain should be together. Do you remember when he asked you and Sir Aaron to work together to sell those?”
Louisa nodded. “Of course. It was what brought us together.”
The headmistress smiled. “The idea was mine. I knew early on that the knight was the right man for you. I just needed a way to force the two of you to work together, so you would also see what Mr. Barker and I could see. I had already decided to purchase that building. It was far too important to our community, as you learned when you sold every single ticket given you.”
“So, if you hadn’t made the suggestion…” Emma said.
“They would likely not be married today,” Mrs. Rutley finished.
A clap of thunder made them all start. During Louisa’s telling of her story, a storm had risen. Rain pelted against the windowpanes, and the wind sounded ominous as it blew through the nearby trees.
“And now our stories have been told,” Julia said with a pleased sigh. “I can only hope that my daughters will also be able to experience what we all have.”
Everyone nodded their agreement, and Louisa sighed. “Although she’ll not come to tell her story, I do know a little of how Ruth—”
A sudden shriek filled the air. Had it been the howling of wind? Or perhaps a fox caught in the storm and unable to find shelter. Whatever it was, it had brought with it the distinct sound of footsteps. The others huddled closer to the bed, all eyes on the door. The stomping came to a stop outside the room, and a sense of foreboding filled the air.
The door opened, and a black-hooded man stepped into the room. The cloak moved, revealing black leather boots and brown breeches.
Louisa frowned. Why would Mrs. Shepherd allow a courier into a dying woman’s bedroom?
Even as she thought this, however, the figure slowly pulled back the hood to reveal a single lock of red hair.
Emma stifled a cry as she fell against Julia.
Diana whispered, “It’s impossible!” just as Jenny said, “But you’re dead!”