Page 116 of Lord of Fortune
Epilogue
Because it wasrainy and cool, Penn and Amelia took two days to travel from Pontneddfechan to Hollyhaven. Also because they took their time enjoying their newfound joy.
As they rode into the stable yard, they’d barely dismounted before his parents came dashing from the house. Following at a more sedate pace behind them were his sister, Cate, and her new husband, Elijah.
Penn put his hand at the base of Amelia’s back as they greeted his mother and father, and he introduced Cate and Elijah.
“Well, did you find it?” Cate stared at him in eager anticipation.
“I take it Mother and Father told you what we were doing.” He’d dispatched a note to them from Wells informing them they were going to the Valley of Neath to find the heart.
She pursed her lips at him. “You’re keeping up the suspense on purpose, and it’s beastly of you.”
Amelia reached into the pocket of her habit and opened her palm to display the Heart of Llanllwch.
Cate sucked in an audible breath as she moved closer. “Can I?”
“Of course.” Amelia placed it in Cate’s hand.
“It’s beautiful,” Cate said. She lifted her gaze to Penn and grinned. “Well done.”
Penn inclined his head toward Amelia. “Tell that to my fiancée. She found it.”
“Fiancée?” This came from Penn’s mother, who also came forward to look at the heart. She snapped her gaze to Penn. “What about—”
Penn interrupted her. “That is a very long story that we will tell you in due time. Suffice it to say that Amelia is free to be my lawful wife.”
Mother’s eyes widened briefly, then she gave a slight nod. “I see.” She looked to Amelia. “Should I be sorry for your loss?”
“Not at all. I’m sorry for what happened, but I am eager for the future.” She moved closer to Penn, and he squeezed her waist.
“Let’s not stand around here all day,” Father said, glancing up at the sky. “It’s going to rain again soon.”
Cate handed the heart to their mother, who was anxious to see it more closely. Looping her arm through Amelia’s and pulling her from Penn’s side, Cate guided her toward the house. “Are you sure you want to marry my brother? He’s rather arrogant.”
“Yes, I’d noticed that, but I daresay he grew on me, and I learned to look past it.”
“Well, you’ll need to keep him in line.” She threw a dazzling smile at her often stoic new husband. “Isn’t that right, Elijah?”
“I am entirely at your service, as you well know.” He arched a brow at her, and Penn detected a note of mischief in the man’s gaze. Perhaps he wasn’t as buttoned up as Penn had thought. Or perhaps he was merely shirking the role of military officer as he adjusted to his new position as earl. Or, and this was the most likely, Cate was provoking him to madness.
Penn walked over to him. “It turns out I may need your advice.” He glanced over at his father. “Has Egg returned?”
Father shook his head with a grim expression. “I’m afraid not.”
Nearly a week ago, this would have sent Penn into a dark mood of despair, but instead of pretending to be optimistic about things, he actually was. He still didn’t particularly want to be an earl—he didn’t know the first thing about it—but with Amelia at his side, he was ready and willing to face anything. Plus, he had a brother-in-law who’d unexpectedly inherited an earldom and seemed to be coping just fine, as well as a half brother who’d been raised to be an earl who could certainly show him the way. Once Gideon finished whatever quest he’d decided he needed to pursue.
“What sort of advice do you need?” Elijah asked, falling into step beside Penn and his father as they trailed the women to the house.
“How to be an earl. Turns out I’m the firstborn son of the Earl of Stratton. I’m hoping I don’t have to actually fulfill that title, but it all depends on finding a vicar who has proof of my birth.”
They paused outside the house, and Elijah looked from Penn to his father and back again. “This sounds complicated. Does Cate know about this?”
“Not yet.”
Elijah’s gaze lit with mirth. “I know something she doesn’t? Oh, this will be fun.”
They went inside to Father’s study, where they ate and drank while Penn and Amelia related the tale of how they’d found the heart.
