Miss Hastings' Excellent London Adventure (Brazen Brides Book 4)(78)
"I'm not telling you until we get there."
"Why the secrecy?"
"It's not really secret. It's just that I was afraid you wouldn't want to come. You'd find it too somber after all we've been through."
Their carriage came to a stop. She peered from the coach window and realized they'd arrived at their destination.
The coachman let down the step and opened the door. Adam looked around. "You've brought me to a bloody cemetery?"
She nodded playfully as he assisted her from the coach. "It's where Uncle Simon is buried."
He bowed his head and adopted a solemn countenance.
"You mustn't be mournful," she said. "I'm very sorry for his death and very sorry that I never met him, but I owe so much to him."
It was then that the coachman handed her the flowers she had pre-selected to place on her uncle's grave. She and Adam walked along the old cemetery until they found the granite marker. She grew solemn as she read her uncle's name and the dates of his birth and death. Leaning over the grave, she placed the wreath against the headstone.
"I know it's silly," she said, "but I wanted to tell Uncle Simon that I've decided to use the money he left to me to establish an orphanage in London. I was a fortunate orphan to have had Aunt Harriett and Uncle Simon. Most others, especially here in London, aren't as lucky. Because of Uncle Simon, orphans for decades to come will have a home and opportunities to succeed in life."
Adam nodded his agreement.
"And, Uncle Simon," she said, looking at his headstone, "I want you to know that because of your death, I've had the great good fortune to unite myself with the most wonderful man in the world. It would never have happened had you not died." She recalled the rainy night of her arrival in London, the night she met her husband. What could have been disastrous for her turned into an unrivaled advantage.
Adam moved directly behind her and pulled her against him, encircling her in his arms. "Permit me to address your uncle."
Happiness flashing in her eyes, she nodded.
"I will cherish your niece until the stars cease to shine, until the end of time."
She turned around to face him, tears glistening in her eyes. "I think Uncle Simon would approve."
He drew her into his arms for a tender kiss.
The End