Page 66 of Healing the Duke's Desires
A knock on the door brought her back to the present moment, reminding her that it would be soon time for her to come out and reveal herself to their guests, and to Alexander.
“Yes?” she called out to the unknown visitor, thinking it was perhaps Sarah, come to exchange a few final words before the big event.
The door opened slightly, revealing the beaming face of her mother, whose eyes widened with tenderness as her gaze befell her daughter.
“Emily, my love. You look… absolutely radiant,” the woman gushed, pressing her hand to her chest, as if her heart would jump right out of it.
“Mother,” Emily replied with a smile, watching the reflection of her mother in the looking glass, beckoning her to enter. “Come in.”
Her mother did so, unable to find the right words to express the feelings that seemed to have washed over her. She simply kept gazing at her daughter incredulously, probably wondering how quickly time flew by, transforming Emily from a sweet little girl who held her mother’s hand for comfort and protection, to a grown up woman who would now take her husband’s hand for that very same reason.
Only now did Emily notice that in her mother’s other hand lay a velvet box of mysterious contents.
“What is that, Mother?” she asked, curious as a little child.
“This?” her mother echoed, placing the box on the vanity in front of Emily, then opening it as if it held the most precious of all treasures in the world. “This is a pearl necklace that belonged to your grandmother, a symbol of our family’s love and unity.”
Emily’s didn’t say anything at first. All she could do was gaze in awe at the necklace. Each pearl, luminous and elegant, seemed to hold the whispers of generations past. The pearls were perfectly round, a creamy ivory hue with a soft, glowing sheen.
“May I?” her mother asked, breaking the silence that reigned inside the chamber.
Emily nodded, her eyes brimming with tears. She watched as her mother tenderly took out the necklace, cradling it between her fingers, then walked around Emily and rested it on her daughter’s neck. The moment the necklace touched Emily’s collarbone, it seemed to come alive, reflecting the soft light all around them. The elegance of the pearls added a sense of refinement and grace to her bridal attire, perfectly complementing the delicate lace and silk of her wedding gown.
This pearl necklace held a story—a legacy of love, family, and enduring connections. It was more than just an accessory; it was a symbol of the past, present, and future, an embodiment of the timeless beauty of love that had been passed down through generations. Emily would wear it with pride and reverence.
“I don’t know what to say, Mother,” she whispered softly, pressing the tips of her fingers against the polished pearls. “It is beautiful…”
“So are you, my darling.” Her mother’s voice was on the verge of breaking. In fact, both women were fighting an onslaught of tears, trying to keep some semblance of control over their emotions. “May this necklace remind you of the generations that came before you, of their love and strength, and may it bring you all the happiness in the world as you embark on this new chapter in your life.”
Her mother stepped back to admire her daughter, and they shared a smile, an unspoken connection that transcended generations. Then another knock interrupted them. They both lifted their gazes and aimed them at the door.
“Yes?” Emily called out again, hoping it was Sarah. She was eager to show herself off before she ventured out in front of everyone.
But the moment the door opened, Emily realized it was someone she did not expect to see knocking on her door.
“Father?” She smiled. “Aren’t you with Alexander and Henry?”
“They don’t need me there,” he said, looking a little awkward, and that made him all the more endearing. “I suppose you don’t need me here either, but… there is something I wanted to tell you, Emily. Now, while you are still my daughter.”
Emily stood up and walked over to him, taking him by the hand. “I will always be your daughter, Father. Always.”
Lady Ashfordshire recognized that she was the odd one out. “I shall give you two a moment of privacy,” she said, approaching her husband and giving him a peck on the cheek.
Both Emily and her father waited for the door to close, then their gazes locked once again. In the days that preceded the wedding, they had never really sat down to discuss everything that had happened. It had merely been swept under the carpet, and everyone had continued along the path that had been newly created.
She had been fine with that, although she’d missed that closeness with her father. Now, he was standing in front of her, and it seemed he was struggling to find the right words to express what he had to say.
He took a deep breath, the words obviously heavy on his heart, as he prepared to express his feelings—something he had never done before.
“Emily…” he began, his voice warm, yet tinged with a hint of melancholy, a fear that things might never go back to the way they were. But being here, with her, assured her that he was trying his best.
“I want you to know how incredibly proud I am of the woman I see before me now. I know it may not have always seemed that way, but you and Sarah have always been the center of my world, and my love for you knows no bounds.”
She listened intently, a hand gripping around her heart, tugging at it, but at the same time, providing immense relief. He, on the other hand, paused, his eyes searching for understanding and forgiveness, which she was more than happy to give.
“I realize that my actions in the past might have confused you. They might have hurt you, as well. If I ever made you feel like I didn’t believe in you, I am truly sorry. It was never my intention,” he continued.
Tears welled up in Emily’s eyes as she listened to her father’s heartfelt words. Expressing emotions didn’t come easily to him, making this moment even more poignant. Just when she thought his speech was over, more words flowed from his heart.
