Epilogue
The following December
Christmas, England
“I want a ride to the play!” called a lad bundled in so much winter clothing his face was barely visible.
With a practiced hand, Benjamin guided his sleigh to the side of the road. “Climb aboard. I believe there is an inch or two of room left.”
His wife unsuccessfully stifled a giggle as the village children behind them jostled each other like a box of puppies to make room for the new arrival.
Although The Winter’s Tale would not begin for another hour, this was their fifth trip through the town. Benjamin was starting to suspect that the children fled the amphitheater as soon as they arrived in order to sneak a sleigh ride again and again. Not that he minded.
Although his calendar was now split evenly between two worlds, his heart belonged wholly with the woman at his side.
Some high-in-the-instep aristocrats looked down their snobbish noses at a duke making a love match, but Benjamin had no regrets whatsoever. Indeed, their united efforts toward making a difference in others’ lives had made them something of a favorite in many circles.
Noelle had quickly become the perfect wife and partner. Over the past year, they shared intimate discussions about politics over matching cups of mint tea, and then spent blissful hours in the London whirl enjoying concerts and soirées and fireworks in the gardens. Her innate grace and sweetness had won plenty of new friends.
Life together in Cressmouth was just as delightful. He and Noelle had decided to build a private cottage rather than reside in the castle, and Benjamin could not be happier with that decision. He had come to love the sound of blustery winter wind outside while he and his wife heated up the evenings inside. He loved Noelle.
He lifted the brim of her bonnet to plant a quick kiss on one of her rosy cheeks.
“No kissing!” cried a chorus of young voices in the back from the sleigh.
A pelting of snowballs to the back of Benjamin’s greatcoat immediately followed.
He scooped up whatever snow he could and tossed it back over his shoulder as he had done every other time he had temporarily “forgotten” the children’s no kissing rule.
They screamed with delight as the loosely packed snow rained down on them in flutters of snowflakes.
“Here we are,” Benjamin called out as he pulled the sleigh before the amphitheater. “Out you go. Find the best seats in the house!”
The children tumbled out of the sleigh and streamed toward the stage, but Benjamin had no doubt half a dozen would find their way back onto his path in the next quarter hour. Benjamin loved it. Moments like these were how holiday traditions were born.
“Happy Christmas to all!” Noelle laughingly called toward the children’s retreating backs.
Benjamin nuzzled the curve of her neck. “And to us… a sizzling night.”
His favorite tradition of all.
THE END
What will happen when Penelope the no-nonsense perfumer sets her scientific sights on rakish scoundrel, “Saint Nick”?
Find out in Kiss of a Duke, the next romance in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series!
Get Yours: !