At last freed from the clutches of their enemy, Sir Percy and Marguerite made their way towards the DayDream. The league had gathered there already, undoubtedly wanting to leave as fast as they could, for not one of them was safe until the yacht was safely over the channel.
On the other hands, as the crew made its final preparations, the loving couple walked arm in arm to a farther dock where they simply held each other as their gaze turned toward the stars. Neither one could have been happier, for it was already established that their suffering love had indeed been healed over the course of this entire adventure.
After some moments of silence, however, Marguerite spoke, her soft voice no higher than a whisper.
"Percy, could you ever forgive?"
The man in question looked down at the young woman he had enveloped in his embrace, his expression twisting his handsome features into a look of bewilderment. "What on earth would there be for me to forgive, sweetheart?"
"All that has occurred between us in the last few months."
At that, Percy laughed holding onto his beloved even tighter. "Sink me, Marguerite but if that is what you meant, then the shoe should be on the other foot. Of all people that need forgiveness, it is I the most, for it was my own faults that made our lives as hellish as they had become. I should have listened to you before anyone else when it came to the St Cyrs, but I did not; if any apology will be given, let it be mine."
"But what about later? With Armand?" Marguerite persisted. "If I had only known the truth, I would have never agreed to Chauvelin's bargain, and things would have been so much easier."
"Things shall never be easier with this dual life of mine, Marguerite. Whether you knew the truth or not, getting Armand out still would have been a challenge as all the missions are. But do not blame yourself, my fair one, for if I had the bond the both you and your brother have, I probably would have made the same choice, no matter what the results."
A mischievous smile forming over her lips, Marguerite slowly turned around to face the man she adored. "Well now that this is all over, I still owe the Pimpernel my thanks."
"Oh is that so?"
"Most definitely, but since he is a married man, I could never offer him a kiss."
With a sarcastic pout, Percy asked, "Odd's fish, but in the case of such a deserving woman, he could make an exception."
"You mean to say that he would disregard what his wife would think?"
"Perhaps he would."
"You are certain of that?"
"Of course, she is a forgiving woman."
Marguerite's smile grew broader as she edged him unknowingly to the side of the dock. "I guess that you are right, Sir Percy…however would she really let him go without some sort of punishment?"
And without hesitation, the clever woman made her move, and the penalty she promised took action as Percy fell into the waiting waters below. With a laugh of victory, Marguerite allowed the moments to linger on for the minute that he would rise and she could have her complete satisfaction of seeing him defeated. But as time passed, no sight of him could be distinguished.
"Percy I know that you are down there, and I refuse to come after you!" she shouted parentally with her hands at her hips in frustration. "Percy, come on now! They are waiting for us!" Finally growing worried that maybe something had happened to him, she leaned down on the dock's edge. "Percy this is not funny anymore!"
"Well then maybe this will help!" she heard her husband's voice say, and to confirm that he was alive, Percy jumped to grab his wife's wrist, succeeding in pulling her into the water to join him.
Coming up for a breath of air, and hearing Percy's mocking laugh, Marguerite glared at him with rage, but gradually her expression gave way to a smile and she took her revenge.
The water fight must have gone on what seemed an eternity before Percy finally managed to take his wife in his arms and kiss her fully and tenderly. It was indeed quite a sight to see these two people, soaked to the bone and still in the water, locked in a kiss that only they could have shared. Only when they pulled away did their hearts speak their words.
Being only an inch apart, Percy held his wife ever so closely as if she would leave if he released her. "You do know that I love you, Marguerite don't you?"
Holding his face in her hands, the lady in question smiled. "I would have to be a fool not to, mon amour."
"Oh and before I forget!" Percy suddenly said reaching below the water and into his pocket. "I believe that I owed you a new one of these; the birth of a new start certainly deserves something to show for it."
Taking her hand, he slipped on a ring that he had unknowingly bought previous to this day, and once it was on, Percy pressed Marguerite's hand to his lips, for there were no words left to be said.
After they left the water and their lips had met one final time that night, Marguerite once again took on her playful expression. "Bet that I can outrun you to the DayDream."
With a laugh, Percy wholeheartedly agreed. "You have a bet then, milady."
And that is where this tale has ended. There are indeed so many more to be read, but they shall simply have to wait for another day, when we all once again take a look at the dual life of the famous Englishman, the Scarlet Pimpernel.