Chapter 181: Epilogue

Lawrence stood at the back of the crowded assembly room, watching the most beautiful woman in the world descend the steps to the main dance floor. There was no sorrow in her eyes, no hint of the pain she'd endured. The man who had hunted her in London, Al-Zahrani, was at the bottom of the ocean after a sea battle with Ashton Lennox's merchant fleet. Zehra was safe. Now and forever.

"Miss Darzi!" Her name was announced by the master of ceremonies, and the crowd erupted in applause.

"Can you believe it? Denbruck's granddaughter?" a lady in front of him murmured to a friend. "She's a princess, you know."

"Indeed. Persian royalty, they say," her companion replied. "True exotic beauty. No debutante this season will stand a chance against her. Thanks heavens my daughter is already married."

"I heard she was sold into slavery but was rescued by a gentleman here in England!" the first woman whispered scandalously. Lawrence tensed, expecting to hear them condemn her.