Stuart, Elizabeth (63 page)

Elen
stared at her husband, knowing she'd never really realized how much she loved
him until this moment, realizing all at once she was free, blessedly free to give
him all of her loyalty and all of her heart. "Do you remember asking me if
I could forgive you Enion's death?" she whispered.

"Yes."

"Well,
ask me again, Richard."

His
eyes held hers, his gaze never wavering. "Can you forgive me, Elen, for
Enion, for Dylan... for all the grief I've brought you?"

Her
arms went around him, a smile lighting her tear-streaked face like sunshine
after a storm. "The grief came first, but joy followed after. I could
forgive you anything on this earth or beyond, Richard. As you said... sometimes
endings are beginnings."