Epilogue
Edmund held up his glass in a toast to his new friends. The fact that he could be comfortable sitting here with these three men would have been a completely foreign thought not too long ago. It was astonishing how drastically his life had changed. All because of Carolyn.
The only regret he had was not having Thomas present. His cousin had been his only friend for so long, and Edmund felt the lack of his presence. However, he was content in knowing Thomas was happy. For all his help, Edmund had set him up with enough funds to carve out a home and happiness in London.
“I’d like to make a toast to you three.” Edmund fought against the thickening in his throat. “I haven’t been awarded with many occasions to see the lot of you together, and I’ll not let another chance be lost. Had you all not risked your lives for me all those years ago, I wouldn’t be here today. I wish there was some way for me to repay you, but I want to offer my heartfelt thank you.”
“You’re welcome, but as I’ve told you before, there’s no need for mentioning repayment. We were happy to help,” Gordon said.
“I agree with Gordon,” Marcus chimed in. “Besides, we did no differently than you would have done in our position.”
“Yes, but you have suffered injuries—”
“As have you,” Ian pointed out.
As the conversation returned to mundane matters, Edmund let out a breath. The men may wish to downplay their part in saving him, but it felt good to be able to thank them.
“Are you happy now?” Ian slid into the chair beside him. “I told you there was no need to offer thanks. We are pleased to have been able to help you.”
“I know, but I feel so responsible for—”
“Stop right there. The only person responsible for our injuries is your uncle, and he is paying for his crimes. Now, I’m much more interested in hearing how you are handling that little baby of yours.”
A smile twisted Edmund’s lips. Diana was everything he could have hoped for. Her sweet face was a nice mix of his mother’s and Carolyn. Nothing like his father. Two months old and she had already won his heart.
“She’s something special. I’ll have you know, she won’t want for anything.”
Ian returned the smile. “I’ll bet. And, how is Carolyn holding up?”
Seeing an opportunity, Edmund grinned. “I think the duchess has been suffering as of late.”
Ian’s back stiffened as his face grew serious. “What is wrong? What can I do?”
“I think my wife needs a little alone time with her husband." Edmund couldn’t contain his lecherous grin.
~ ~ ~
Carolyn touched her finger to her daughter’s palm and smiled when the small bundle grasped her fingers. Diana had managed to steal her heart completely from the second Carolyn had laid eyes on her. It was the strangest thing.
“And, here I thought you didn’t like babies.” Annalise chuckled.
“I discovered you were right. It’s an entirely different matter when the child is part you and part of the one you love.” Carolyn looked down at her two nephews playing on the carpet. “Just like those two.”
Claire handed her toddling son, Daniel, a toy. “Yes. We are beginning to have quite a growing family. I’m looking forward to welcoming Isabella’s little one into it, too.”
With a proud smile, Isabella rubbed her growing stomach. “You and me both. Marcus will not let me do anything fun with this small one kicking around inside me. Why must men act like the most natural of things is so dangerous?”
Claire laughed. “I know. I was ready to move into the dowager house until after Daniel was born, simply to get away from Ian’s constant worry over my every move.”
As the conversation moved to the troubles with overprotective men, Carolyn’s eyes fell back on her daughter. The girl was already proving to be stubborn just like her father, and Carolyn hoped Diana would also receive Edmund’s strength and his capacity to love. Where the other women lamented over their husband’s protection, the feeling had always made Carolyn feel cherished.
Looking around the room, happiness shone from the faces of all three of her guests. Carolyn shook her head. Regardless of the complaints, these women loved it as much a she did.
“Excuse me, Your Grace,” the dowager duchess said from the doorway. “I believe it is my turn to put our sweet little Diana to bed.”
Although reluctant to lose even one second with her baby, Carolyn gave Diana to Edmund’s mother. The woman squeezed her arm in an understanding gesture before disappearing out of the room. These past months brought healing to both the woman and her relationship with Edmund. The difference in her was astounding.
After a few more minutes of pleasant conversation, the gentlemen showed up in the doorway to join their wives. Instantly, Carolyn’s eyes sought out Edmund, but he wasn’t present. She frowned. What had happened to him?
“Well, Carolyn, I say you’ve made a fine little girl there,” Gordon praised. “The duke seems to be rather pleased with himself.”
“I can’t imagine why.” Marcus’s eyes met Isabella’s. “He has yet to obtain an heir, which is what my wife is carrying for me presently.”
Isabella scoffed. “Nonsense. I already told you I’ll have a daughter first. Exactly like Carolyn did.”
As the group argued about the benefits of Marcus having a firstborn daughter versus a son, Ian made his way over to her. These past months Edmund had become close friends with her sister’s husband. As Thomas had returned to London, Carolyn was pleased Edmund had found someone else he felt comfortable with.
Although, she had her family around her, at times she couldn’t help but miss Thomas’s presence. He was quick to make her smile and always had a kind word. However, she wouldn’t begrudge him the move to London. From his missives, she was pleased to know the money Edmund had gifted his cousin with enabled him to live free of his mother. In truth, Thomas was happy. Happier than he’d ever been, she’d wager.
“Carolyn.” Ian pulled her from her thoughts.
“Yes?”
“The duke has asked that I deliver a message to you,” Ian said, low enough for only her to hear. “He wants you to join him at the place the two of you first met.”
A smile spread across Carolyn’s face. “When does he desire my presence?”
Ian shrugged. “I suppose right now, but considering he’s not in the ballroom, I think we need to have a little chat.”
Rolling her eyes, Carolyn batted at his chest. “We need no such thing. Now, do you suppose you could manage the guests while I slip out?”
His mouth fell open in exaggerated shock. “Why, Your Grace, I can’t believe you would even suggest such a scandalous thing.”
“After these months with Diana, I’ve realized finding a moment to be alone with one’s husband is near impossible, so I will take any opportunity that arises.”
He nodded. “That being the case, go. I’ll deal with this rowdy lot.”
She thanked him then hurried to her mare to find the horse already saddled and waiting for her. Within minutes, she experienced the freedom of feeling the wind whipping across her face. It was a rare joy nowadays. She hadn’t visited the gardens in far too long, and she could only imagine the state of disrepair it remained in. The thought dimmed a bit of her happiness.
Anticipation followed her as she tied her mare off, as she’d done so many times before. Pushing through the ivy, she sucked in her breath to see the plants and flowers happily growing. Well-tended with not even one weed in sight.
Seeing the familiar male form sitting on the bench, his foot beside him with his arm resting over his knee, she was transported back to over a year ago. Just like it had then, his presence brought no feelings of danger. This time, however, love for the shadowed man overtook her body.
“You know what the penalty is for trespassing.”
His words sent a tremor through her. “Nothing. After all, I’ve heard the duke is a kind man.”
He stood and moved toward her. “Did you know you saved me that day? My life had been a mess, and I hadn’t even known it.”
She smiled, then ran her hands up his chest. “I would say the same about mine. Did you do all this by yourself?”
“I learned from a master. Besides, I couldn’t very well give you a gift that was in such a horrid state.”
“Gift?” She pulled back and looked into his eyes.
“My grandfather had this secret garden built for my grandmother. It had been intended for her to have a place for herself where she could have privacy and the ability to express her true passion.”
Glancing around at the beloved garden, happiness filled her breast. “I can see the love he put into it. That you put into this place.”
“Every second was for you. This place belongs to you now.”
Tears filled her eyes. “Thank you, Edmund. This is the most thoughtful gift I’ve ever received. I promise to take great care of these grounds.”
He grinned. “I know you will. And, you will have my help, if you desire it.”
Tapping a finger on her chin, she pretended to think about that. “Wait, if this belongs to me now, that means you are the trespasser here.”
“True, and I’ll have you know I’m terrible at following rules.”
She nodded, fully aware of how he viewed rules. “Well, there are consequences for violations here, and I’m afraid I will have to enforce them.”
His eyes sparkled. “I’m completely at your mercy.”
“That’s exactly how I like you.”
Not wasting another word, she pulled on the lapels of his jacket until he came down for a kiss. He held her close as he devoured her mouth with a desire that matched hers.
Touched by the fire of his passion, she clung to her husband, knowing that her life couldn’t possibly be more perfect than it was in that moment.