Susan Speers (33 page)

We retraced our steps, hand in hand, across Willow’s meadow, back through the Marchgate Wood and home to Hethering.

“Two for dinner, Henry,” Jem announced. “From now on.”

“Very good, Sir.” Henry’s beaming smile began my happy life with my cousin Jeremy.

Jeremy and I lived quietly at Hethering until we could marry. The scandal faded away before we were delighted by the birth of our daughter, Belle. Three years later we welcomed her brother, Dickon.

Chase Gordon’s first symphony, the Léonora, debuted in the United States to critical acclaim. He is a respected classical composer.

Caroline married Dr. Redstone. They raised Arthur in the western state of Arizona. Arthur went to school in America, but spent his summer holidays at Hethering, where he formed a strong attachment to Dickon’s playmate, Diana Pickety.

Daisy married my dear uncle, Rutherford. She thought to lead him a merry dance, but it was he, in fact, who led her. They are a devoted couple.

In the fullness of time, before the next great war began, Arthur returned to Hethering, to court Diana and claim his inheritance. But that, as they say, is another story.