Smiling, Miss Carshaw dropped her head back to his shoulder, her other arm going around him and, at that moment, Benjamin felt his joy complete.
Epilogue
“Ihave heard everything that took place.” Miss Lawrence glanced at Julia as they walked together through the park. “You cannot imagine my surprise to hear of all that you have done. I am in awe of your courage.”
Julia shook her head.
“It was of no great consequence. I believe that anyone would have done the same, had they the opportunity or requirement! You will understand it when I say to you that to see the person one loves most in the world so injured is not a bearable situation.”
Miss Lawrence nodded solemnly.
“I quite agree.”
“Lord Wiltsham has told me I must not do anything more.” Looking down at the path for a moment, Julia’s lips twisted. “He states that I have done all I can, and he is quite right to state so. But nonetheless, I am praying daily that my brother will do what is right. We have no intention of keeping the necklace, regardless of what he chooses to do. It will be returned whether he gives Lord Wiltsham back his fortune or not although, of course, my brother does not know that.” A long breath escaped her. “I will not be as my brother is.”
Her heart twisted again, all the more painfully.
Julia was all too aware of the great risk she had taken in stealing the diamond necklace. It was of extraordinary value, and an heirloom that had been passed from generation to generation. It had been the one thing that Julia had chosen to leave behind when she had first thought about escaping her brother’s house. To her mind, it was of too great a consequence to take for herself.
However, in this situation, taking it was an action meant to force her brother’s hand. When the thought had come to her, she had not hesitated, but had acted on instinct, rushing to her brother’s study in search of it. Even as she had picked it up, Julia had known that she would return it. She had understood that at the moment when she had laid hands on it. Her brother was a thief, but she was not about to make herself a thief as well. It would be used as a bargaining chip, nothing more. And if her brother did not respond as she hoped, then it would be given back to him, and she and Lord Wiltsham would find another way through their difficulties. It certainly had forced her brother to think, however, but whether it would be enough to force him to do as they had asked, they were yet to find out.
“How long has it been?”
“A sennight.”
Each day had drifted past with agonizing slowness.
“And you have remained in the house with him?”
“I have.” Julia shrugged. “I have nothing to fear from him. He knows that now - he is fully aware that there is nothing he can say which will tear me from Lord Wiltsham’s side. There is nothing that he can do which would force me to obey him.”
“I am sure, also, that he did not take well to you saying that to him.”
A wry smile crossed her lips.
“Indeed, he did not. But for once there is nothing for him to say. All we need now is to wait to see whether or not he will respond.”
“Even that must be something of a trial.” Miss Lawrence smiled softly. “You are doing very well.”
“I have Lord Wiltsham to thank for my composure. He is everything that I need and more.”
The sudden sound of running footsteps - which was a most extraordinary thing to hear in the midst of Hyde Park – had both she and Miss Lawrence turning around swiftly to see where the sound was coming from.
Her name was then shouted in the most extraordinary fashion and before she could react in any way, strong arms flung around her waist, and she was being swung around.
Wiltsham.
Her hands went around Lord Wiltsham’s neck as she clung to him, laughing as he looked down into her face and then put her down gently.
“You are causing quite an uproar, Lord Wiltsham,” she laughed as he steadied her. “Whatever is the meaning of all of this?”
“I have it!” Heedless of those around him, Lord Wiltsham cupped her face with both hands, his eyes sparkling with obvious joy. “I have it, Julia. I received word from my solicitors today.”
It took her a moment to realize what he meant, but when it finally came to her, she could not quite take it in. Her eyes rounded as her hands clung to his jacket as he nodded, still beaming at her.
“You mean to say that –”
“Yes, I have regained my fortune. Your brother has chosen to return it all to me – which means that we must give him the necklace, of course - but we have succeeded.Youhave succeeded. Your plan has worked, Julia. You have defeated your brother and we no longer need to worry about our future.”
