EPILOGUE
Dunnottar Castle
Kincardineshire, Scotland
One year later …
Daphne retrieved a fresh sheet of parchment and laid it upon the escritoire before her, dipping her quill into a fresh pot of ink. She glanced up before she began, smiling as the warmth of a haven that had been created just for her surrounded her. Light and airy and decorated in shades of lilac, this sitting room was her own, a space Adam had spared no expense to tailor to her specifications. He’d only had one requirement … that the decor be all shades of lilac. He insisted the color made her eyes appear violet, and because she could do no more than smile like an idiot at his assertion, she’d gone along with it. The way he looked at her whenever he entered the room and gazed into her eyes … well, it almost always led to her being bent over a piece of furniture and fucked in a mindless fit, so it had been worth surrendering to his will.
It almost always was.
Sighing happily, she bent her head and began composing her response to the invitation that had arrived just that afternoon. She and Adam had been invited to attend the nuptials of Lady Cassandra Lane and Mr. Robert Stanley, a shocking match if ever there was one. Though, she could remember the two of them being formally introduced sometime during Bertram’s trial. As she had yet to set foot in London since running off after Adam, she’d had no idea that their acquaintance had blossomed into something more.
The invitation had come with a handwritten letter from Robert himself, inquiring after her well-being and congratulating her on her own union, which had taken place one year ago today. Thus, her place at the writing desk.
Pressing her quill to the paper, she began.
Dearest Robert,
Felicitations on your recent engagement. Adam and I will be happy to attend, though he will brood and sulk and pretend he does not wish to come. I know he will be just as glad as I am to see you happily wed. Your letter was heartening, I must say. I cannot express to you my joy at knowing you have found true love. You deserve it, my dear friend, and so does Lady Cassandra. I cannot think of a better man for one such as her, and I wish you both all the happiness in the world.
As to your inquiry, I am doing quite well, thank you. Life in Dunnottar is everything I’ve ever dreamed. Not one day passes in which I am not grateful to you for bringing Adam and me back together. As well, I am well aware that the suggestion of an elopement in Gretna Green was all your idea, something I never got to thank you for properly. It was wildly romantic, as I am certain you can imagine. I have not regretted it a single day of this past year.
Pausing for a moment, she pressed her free hand against her belly, wincing at the feeling of a little appendage pressing against her from the inside. With a groan, she waited for the babe in her womb to shift, giving her relief from the pressure. With a contented sigh, she went back to her letter.
I suppose you will know when you first lay eyes on me, so I suppose I ought to give you my own joyous news in advance. Adam and I are expecting a child. He is quite thrilled with himself, as I am certain you can imagine, even though I am the one doing all the work. You should not worry that I will collapse and go into labor at your wedding. I’ve a while yet until my time is to come, and look forward to shocking everyone with my condition when I arrive.
Thank you for inquiring after my parents, by the way. I do write to them often, both of them, even though I have not quite forgiven Father for his part in Bertram’s crimes. Mother is getting on well, and seems to have finally come to terms with my marriage to Adam. I believe she has a hard time understanding how fiercely I love him. Or rather, she struggled to understand until I sent word of the babe. Now, she is elated to become a grandmama and already planning to visit Dunnottar.
Father will not dare come here, but seems content to know that I am happy and protected. He sends his regards as often as he can, from his flat in London. He does not spend much time out in society, the shame of Bertram’s execution still hanging over his head.
But, I suppose all is well which ends well. Again, I cannot express how happy I am for you, Robert. I look forward to seeing you soon and watching you pledge your heart to your beloved fiancé. Give her my love, and your mother, as well … unless you’ve already shipped her off to the Outer Hebrides. In which case, good riddance.
All my love,
Lady Daphne Callahan, Countess of Hartmoor