XXIV – Completion

Sighing softly, Yvonne rose from the plush wingback chair beside the fireplace, dropping the book she had been reading upon the cushion and placing a hand against the small of her back with a soft groan.

At this miniscule sound, her husband's head snapped up from where it had been bent over a letter he had been writing at the secretariat.

She gave him a small smile. "I am only stiff. My back begins to ache a bit if I sit too long."

The worry lines upon his young face did not relax. "Are you certain?"

"Yes, dearest."

"Perhaps a turn about the gardens would be beneficial?" he asked anxiously, rising to put one hand hesitatingly upon her stomach. "It is still warm out, this evening."

"I think I should like that," she murmured, a bit shyly, as she diverted her eyes to his trembling hand. There were still times that Anthony did not act like most Englishmen she knew. She could only suspect that he had picked up some of Percy Blakeney's private habits, which were endearing and sweet, rather than unemotional and stoic.

"I'll get your wraps," he suggested, smiling in relief.

But he had not gotten to the door of the parlor before the butler entered and bowed politely.

"Sir Percy Blakeney, Baronet, and Lady Marguerite Blakeney, sir," he said in a monotone voice. "Come to call upon you. Shall I admit them, sir?"

Anthony looked shocked that the butler would even consider sending the wealthiest man in England away, and forcefully insisted, "Yes, of course!" He glanced at his wife for support and she smiled at him encouragingly, for she always loved to visit with the Blakeneys. And it would be quite rude to turn such dear friends away, no matter what the hour.

The butler bowed again and, a few moments later, ushered Sir Percy and Marguerite into the parlor.

They were dressed gorgeously, far more so than for a normal social call. Blakeney wore a dark blue satin suit embroidered with gold, and Marguerite was in billowing, decadent gold silk gown with pale blue accents. They matched so well that they must have had their outfits made for the purpose.

Anthony looked utterly stunned, and immediately admonished, "Good God, man, what on earth you are doing here, dressed like that?"

Blakeney laughed his inane, silly laugh - the one that Yvonne knew was only a part of his mask - and said lightly, "What, this? Well I'm afraid that Margot decided at the last moment, as we were rounding the final curve into town, that she didn't wish to make an appearance at the Viscount's elaborate dinner party after all, regardless of how rude it would be to back out at such short notice. I intend to write the man tomorrow and inform him that she had a dreadful headache, and we simply couldn't come on that account. But I'm afraid we're both dressed for a ball for absolutely no reason, now! And just as I was turning the horses about to return to Richmond, she insisted on checking upon Lady Dewhurst, so perhaps it's all right after all, eh?"

Yvonne giggled at his ridiculous jesting and hurried forward to embrace her friend. Marguerite glowed with happiness and touched her stomach with her fingertips.

"I see you look tired, chéri," she scolded playfully. "You are not to exert yourself, you know! I won't have it. You must take care of yourself!"

"I am tired of sitting," Yvonne insisted. "Really, I am. And you should go to the dinner! Everyone will talk if you do not!"

"Bah," Marguerite shrugged one shoulder. "It does not matter as much as it once did, for some reason. And I had much rather visit with you."

Sir Percy stepped forward as well, and gently kissed Yvonne's fingertips. "It has been almost a year, hasn't it?" he said thoughtfully, the mask dropping completely.

Startled at this revelation, Yvonne said, "Yes, sir. It has been almost a year. I had not thought on it, but you are quite right."

"A year," Marguerite sighed softly. "And look at you!" She gestured dramatically. "You are positively radiant!"

Percy grinned mischievously. "A year ago, you were in despair that you should never see your rascal of a husband again. And now, seeing you thus, it might have been better had you not!"

"Percy!" Marguerite turned to glare at him. "I cannot believe you!"

"No more a rascal than you, Blakeney!" Anthony laughed good-naturedly.

Yvonne found that she was giggling, too. "No. You are right, milord," she said to Percy, smiling softly. "I did not expect to live but for a few more days a year ago. And now... I have almost forgotten those two weeks, sir. I have everything to live for, now. I believe I am stronger for it, too."

"I am sorry to remind you of those dreadful days, then. I hope you will forgive your humble servant?"

"There is nothing to forgive! I am astonished at how I have grown since then," she admitted. "Anthony and I were just about to take a turn through the gardens. Will you both join us?"

Marguerite and Percy smiled at each other, before Percy said, "We would greatly enjoy it, little one."

And he offered her his arm, while Anthony politely did the same for Marguerite.

FIN