Page 83 of Wedded to the Sinful Duke

Rebecca had not spoken yet, but she rounded the conversation with her own comment. “It seems a fitting end for a woman so cruel. What she did was unforgivable, and perhaps the storm’s fury was her final reckoning.”

Her husband nodded in agreement, his face reflecting a mixture of relief and resignation. “It is a harsh end, but justice has a way of finding its own path. The suffering she inflicted on others cannot be forgotten, but it seems that fate has dealt with her in its own way.”

Ciara, her gaze distant, seemed to be wrestling with her emotions. She glanced at Jonathan, finding comfort in his presence. “It’s difficult to reconcile such a fate with the lessons we’re taught about justice and mercy. But perhaps it’s a reminder of the consequences of cruelty.”

Jonathan smiled at her. “What matters is that we’re together and safe now. We can’t change the past, but we can focus on the future.”

However, that was not the end of Archie’s questions. “And what of your parents, Ciara?” His wife gave him a frowning look, but Archie only shrugged. “What? They are to blame for this as much as Mother Superior is.”

“Archie!” Rebecca shook his head at him. “I swear, sometimes you are just like a child.”

Ciara smiled. “It’s perfectly all right, Rebecca. It is a perfectly natural question. But I think Uncle Brendan can provide a better response to it than I can, seeing that he went to see them with Jonathan. I just… couldn’t.”

All eyes were on Uncle Brendan, who took a sip of his lemonade and then recounted what had happened.

“Jonathan and I visited their home to inform them of what happened to Ciara and to Mother Superior. We also told them that we would be in search of justice as we seek to resolve the situation. They were, understandably, quite distressed. After some… heated exchanges, and a few well-placed blows fromJonathan, Lord Hartfield and his wife pleaded to be granted permission to leave the country and never come back. We eventually agreed. Better yet, I left it to Jonathan to decide upon. I do believe that they have already left, and it will be as if they were never here in the first place.”

A murmur of approval and sympathy ran through the group. Rebecca glanced at Ciara, who sighed deeply, her gaze distant and reflective. So many things had taken place. Her hopes had been dashed so many times against the rocky shores of reality, but she was wiser now. She knew who her real family was, and she was fine with that.

“I’m glad to hear that,” Rebecca said softly, her eyes meeting Ciara’s with sympathy flickering in them. “You deserve peace, and they should not be part of your life any longer.”

Jonathan, sensing the weight of the moment, wrapped his arm around Ciara and pulled her close. His touch was both reassuring and protective.

“Yes,” he affirmed, his voice firm yet gentle. “You don’t need to see them ever again. We’re here now, and that’s what matters.”

As if to emphasize his support, Jonathan leaned in and placed a tender kiss on Ciara’s forehead. Ciara closed her eyes for a moment, drawing strength from his presence.

Allowing them a moment of tenderness, Rebecca turned to Jonathan and Ciara with a curious smile once more.

“What are your plans now that everything has settled? What will you two do next?”

Jonathan’s face lit up with a smile, a glimmer of excitement in his eyes. “I am very glad you asked that, Becky.”

Reaching into his pocket, he produced a neatly folded document and extended it towards Ciara. “I have something for you,” he said softly, his tone filled with anticipation.

“What is this?” she asked, her fingers trembling.

“Read it,” he said joyfully.

Ciara took the document, her brow furrowing in confusion as she unfolded it. As she read, her eyes widened in astonishment. She couldn’t believe it. She thought it was all some beautiful dream, and she would wake up at any moment.

“What is it, dear?” Rebecca asked what was obviously on everyone’s mind.

Ciara looked up at her, her cheeks flushing with joy, her heart skipping a beat with delight.

“It is a contract,” she said, her voice on the verge of breaking. “It confirms the purchase of a piece of land…”

She looked over at Uncle Brendan, and she was absolutely certain that he knew what she was about to say. She could see it in his eyes.

“The land where my grandmother grew up…” She tried to hold back her tears, but that was more difficult than she thought.

Her heart raced as she looked up at Jonathan, her emotions welling up. “Am I dreaming?” she asked, incredulous.

“No, my dear. It is not a dream. It is your reality. Together, we’ll build a home there,” he said gently. “A place where you can feel connected to your grandmother and to your roots. And whenever you desire, we can visit that place of wonder and stay there for as long as you’d like.”

The significance of the gesture overwhelmed Ciara. This man had already done so much for her. He had proven his love for her in so many ways, yet he always managed to outdo himself. Tears of joy filled her eyes as she set the document aside and threw her arms around Jonathan.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. “This means everything to me.”

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