How the Scot Was Won by Caroline Linden
Epilogue
It was a simple matter, telling her family. Her mother took one look at her face and smiled.
“Have you some news for us, Agnes dear?”
Blushing, smiling so wide her cheeks hurt, Agnes nodded.
“Oh! Mr. Duncan!” screamed Winnie, bounding over to throw her arms around Agnes. “I knew it, I knew it!”
“At last,” cried Bella. “Oh, Agnes!”
Laughing, she embraced her sisters. “Yes, Mr. Duncan.”
“Where shall you be married? In St. Giles? Mama, we must have new gowns!”
“Now if only Drew marries Ilsa.” Bella sighed in joy. “See, Mama, everything is coming out right.”
Mama wagged a finger at her, but Bella proved correct. A few days later Drew and Ilsa reappeared in Edinburgh, weary and travel-stained. There was bad news—Ilsa’s father had disappeared, feared never to be found—but also good news: they had married in Glasgow. The St. James household rang once more with joyful cries. And when Drew visited the sheriff and the procurator-fiscal, looking once more like the heir to a dukedom, it ended with both apologizing to Ilsa for the distress they had caused her.
Agnes and Felix were married a fortnight later with their families in attendance. Mama surprised Agnes on the morning of the wedding with a new gown of pale pink satin, embroidered all over with small white flowers. “I put this bolt aside weeks ago. I knew it was for you the moment I saw it in the warehouse,” Mama confided.
“It’s beautiful!” She hesitated, holding the beautiful gown against her. “Mama—about the shop…”
“Yes, I know.” Her mother smiled ruefully. “You want the shop, now that Andrew is taking us to England.” She sighed. “And of course you shall have it. Papa would want that. He knew you hoped to run it, someday.”
“He did?”
Mama laughed. “Well, he never thought Andrew would stand there talking about fine silks! And you’ve earned it, my dear. Papa would be very proud of you—as am I. But will your Mr. Duncan understand?”
Agnes blushed. She had already discussed everything with her future husband. “Felix understands.”
Drew walked her to the altar. No matter how she tried to pay attention, Agnes barely heard a word of the service. And then it was over, with a gold ring on her finger, her sisters chattering happily, Mama wiping away a tear, and Ilsa beaming at her. Lord Duncan kissed her forehead and pronounced himself thoroughly pleased. And Felix…
He gazed at her with love in his eyes, until a sly smile curved his mouth and he gave her a wicked wink that made her blush from head to toe.
“Oh no! But this means you won’t come to London with us!” cried Winnie
Agnes stole a glance at Felix. He raised his brows expectantly. “No,” she told her sister. “I’ve found my happy ever after in Scotland.”
And this time, the wicked wink was hers.
