The earl looked at her lovingly. “I couldn’t find a soul mate in Botany Bay or in London. But sometimes life gives us a second chance, and when I saw I’d found one, I acted before Fate could intervene. Now, little as I enjoy the ton, I want the world to know! We’ll have a more formal wedding here and then another reception at Egremont soon after. They will be the sort of gala affairs I always avoided in the past. Just exactly what I want now to show the world my great good luck. You must attend,” he told Daisy and Leland. “For now, you may congratulate me.”
“Oh Geoff,” Daisy said, as she embraced a tearful Helena. “I’ll do more than that. I applaud you!”
“Well done,” Leland said, shaking the earl’s hand. “We are both pleased.” He exchanged a sparkling look with Daisy. “And vastly relieved. Now, shall we celebrate?”
“Gladly,” the earl said. “And by the way, you two look happier than I’ve ever seen either of you before. I congratulate you, too, and hope you don’t mind that the gossip about me may overshadow whatever anyone says about your marriage.”
“We are stunned and overset to think that we have been so thoroughly, deliciously upstaged,” Leland said. “Thank you.”
“No, thank you,” the earl said.
“You’re welcome,” Daisy said. “Now, let’s celebrate!”
They all laughed, and then they celebrated, and kept on doing both through all the many long and merry years that were to come.
Edith Layton