Chapter Thirty

 

Standing on the dock as people hurried about and the cries of seagulls filled the air, Juliet’s heart grew sadder. The moment to leave had finally come. They had traveled for several days, her mother accompanying them. Forbes acted as their driver, as he did on those occasions when the journey was to be kept secret.

Juliet sighed and Daniel pulled her closer. He wore the cap she had received from Agnes upon his head, and never had a man been so handsome!

“It’s time to board,” he said as he smiled down at her. “I’ll give you some time to say your goodbyes.” He turned to her mother. “Thank you, my lady, for all you’ve done for us. I promise to take very good care of your daughter. Nothing bad will ever happen to her again as long as I live and breathe.”

Her mother returned his smile. “I have no doubt you will keep that promise,” she said. “Godspeed, Daniel. And thank you.”

Juliet wiped tears from her eyes as her mother pulled Daniel in for an embrace.

“You make a wonderful son-in-law,” she whispered.

Daniel dipped his head, likely to hide the glint of unshed tears, before he walked toward the gangplank.

Juliet looked at the tall figure of the butler. “Oh, Forbes, I will miss you. All these years you have served us and protected Mother, and for that I can never thank you enough.”

“It has been an honor, Mrs. Haskins,” he replied. “And I will continue to do so.” When she wrapped her arms around him, he whispered in her ear, “Goodbye, Miss Juliet. May you find all you want and need in your new life ahead.”

Juliet kissed his cheek. “I already have,” she replied. Then she turned to her mother. The woman had tears glistening on her cheeks, a rare sight indeed.

“My sweet Juliet,” her mother said. “The girl who healed the hole in my heart. I will miss you.”

“As will I,” Juliet replied. “I love you, Mother.”

“And I love you. Now, go to your husband.”

Juliet nodded. She wished she could tell her mother how terrified she was to take this next step in her life. That she hated the thought of being so far away from her mother, that she would miss having her mother there to give her advice, and how difficult it was knowing she may never see the woman again. Yet, it seemed her mother understood, for her next words made Juliet smile.

“That bright fire that burns inside you will be your guard. Daniel shares the same flames as you, and it is the love you share to which you can turn when you need it.”

Juliet wiped at her eyes. “Thank you, Mother,” she said. When Daniel walked up to her, she turned to him and said, “I am ready.”

Her husband offered her his arm, and together they walked down the pier and up the gangplank. Halfway, she stopped and looked at her mother, who stood as stoic as ever beside Forbes.

Then, with a nod, she and Daniel resumed their walk onto the ship.

And to their future.

 

***

 

Juliet stood at the aft of the ship. The sky was a dark pink mixed with an array of blues, one of the most beautiful sunsets she had ever seen in her life. The ship had set sail that afternoon and she and Daniel would soon retire to their cabin.

“Pardon me,” a voice said, and Juliet turned to see Daniel join her. “I wanted to ask a lady of the ton a question.”

Juliet giggled. “You may ask,” she replied. “What guidance might I be able to give you?”

“Would my cap impress a lady as beautiful as yourself?” he asked with a grin.

Juliet reached up and grabbed his cap from his head. “It is a lovely cap made of the finest fabric. However, I believe your handsomeness does not come from what you wear.” She replaced the hat as if to punctuate her words.

He wrapped an arm around her. “Our future’s out there waiting for us,” he said, waving his hand to encompass the entire east. “And I’ve never been more excited. But whether we are in France or Spain or Scotland, it doesn’t matter to me. As long as the woman I love is with me, then that is where my future lies.”

She smiled at him and snuggled in close. “You are right. It is not where one goes but rather with whom a person goes that matters.”

They kissed, and what a wonderful kiss it was! The tale of the lady of the ton and her handsome stable boy was a strange one. A couple separated at first by class and then again by jealousy came together again, creating a force so great that either would do anything to save the other. And now they had been given a chance to begin anew.

And as her mother had said, the fire they shared raged between them, growing brighter as their hearts filled with love for one another.

A love that would last a lifetime. Or even longer.