Page 71 of A Marriage for the Marquess

Duncan’s lips curled into a knowing smile. “They may have found their calling. Ewan and Juliet were quite the Punch and Judy,” he mused, his tone playful. He paused as a thoughtful look crossed his face. “Unless they weren’t acting, which, I suspect, is the more likely true.”

Mrs. Murthy wagged a finger at him, her eyes twinkling despite her feigned sternness. “You stop your teasing this minute, Duncan MacAlister.”

Duncan chuckled, undeterred. “Mr. Thimbleby played his part well. When he asked Ewan to reprise his role as Punch, I thought he would decline, but he changed his mind. Who knew a simple puppet show could hold such a mirror to life?”

“I knew they would be perfect together,” Lady Fairmont remarked, her voice soft with sentiment.

“Not just as Punch and Judy,” Lady Aurington said, “but as Lord and Lady Glenraven. It seems the trials they’ve faced have only strengthened their bond.”

Lady Fairmont leaned in, her curiosity piqued. “About the Ace of Hearts.”

“What would you like to know, Lady Fairmont?” Ewan’s father asked.

“Ewan and Juliet told us all about the game, but they never mentioned how the game ended.”

Ewan’s father took a deep breath, his gaze steady. “The ace of hearts wasn’t just a game. It was a reflection of Sebastian’s strategy to play with our hearts and trust. It symbolized his deceitful hold over us, and now, it stands as a reminder of the love and loyalty that ultimately triumphed.”

The room settled into a comfortable silence, each person reflecting on the journey that had led to this moment. Duncan looked out the window, where the setting sun cast a golden hue over the estate. “They’ve come a long way,” he said, more to himself than to the others. He turned back, his eyes meeting those of the gathered family and friends.

“In the Punch and Judy show,” Duncan said softly, “Love and laughter wins in the end. Ewan and Juliet have shown that no matter the trials they face, their love will always prevail.”

He smiled, a sense of peace and contentment settling over the room. “And now, their story, like a beautifully told play, concludes not with an end but with a new beginning.”

The End

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