Epilogue
Devlin glanced down at the Queen’s Royal seal gracing the back of the vellum envelope, which Jenkins had just delivered to him in a fanfare of pomp, carrying it, along with a brown package, on a grandiose silver tray and handling the tray with such delicacy and reverence, Devlin thought it had to be the Magna Carta.
Instead, it was a letter and a package from her Majesty.
Devlin flicked his finger under the golden yellow wax seal and unfurled the letter. He began to read;
Huntington,
We are most pleased with the progress of the Atlantic Telegraph cable and do look forward to its completion. However, we are even more pleased to see you comfortably settled in Holy matrimony over this past year (we must be candid and admit we did have our doubts). Additionally, we wish to congratulate you on the imminent birth of your child. Please pass on our well wishes to your wife, Lady Huntington, during this trying time; being pregnant is an occupational hazard of being a wife. Eventually, she will get used to the business of childbearing, though it does not get any easier, contrary to what some may try to convince her. In any event, please find enclosed an instructional guide. When we first saw it, immediately we thought of you. We daresay you need all the help you can get, and we shall enjoy discussing its principles with you when you and Lady Huntington next visit Windsor Castle later in the year. Oh, and you are very welcome. I take great pride in knowing that it was my gentle guidance that led to such a happy union, particularly when you previously thought love was a wasted emotion.
Yours, Victoria R
Devlin couldn’t help the corners of his mouth from twitching upwards. He could all but hear the “I told you so” in the Queen’s words. But she was right. Not about the gentle guidance, for she’d all but strong-armed him into marrying, but she had been the instigating factor and the push he’d needed. And for that, he’d be forever grateful, because no matter how interfering the Queen could be, her ultimatum had led him to Sophie.
Reaching across, Devlin plucked the brown parcel Jenkins had left on his desk. His curiosity was piqued as to what type of guide the Queen thought he had need of. He ripped open the brown paper packaging and blinked. Then a great roar of laughter erupted from his lips. The Queen clearly had a sense of humor.
Devlin glanced out his study window to where his wife and Nicholas sat basking in a spot of sun on a bench in the grounds of Huntington Court. Nicholas was reading a book aloud to Sophie, as had become their daily habit, and he was wearing the colored glasses that that bounder Alec McGuiness had invented. And though Devlin still disliked the man greatly, he had instantly seen the merits and possibilities in the invention when Nicholas actually began to improve in his reading of letters and was able to string them together into sentences properly for the first time.
So, of course, he had done what any sensible businessman would do. He had invested a great deal of money with the doctor.
Happily, the investment was paying off in dividends as the special-colored glasses were being shipped across the globe, helping those with a similar affliction of seeing jumbled letters. His respect for Alec McGuinness had grown somewhat since his business association with him, but Devlin was still highly suspicious of the feelings the man had for his wife.
But who could blame him? Sophie was the most wonderful woman. Who had, of course, suggested that Devlin donate a percentage of the profits from the glasses to the various charities she supported. Which he gladly did, as it kept her happy. And, after all, he had come to quickly understand that his whole marriage business was all about keeping one’s wife happy.
Though if he was honest with himself, seeing that gorgeous smile of hers light up her face filled him with a joy he had never known existed, until she had entered his life.
She chose that moment to look up toward him. A grin spread over her face as she waved at him.
He smiled back and, a minute later, was striding from the terrace doors onto the landing outside. Devlin came to a halt at the top of the steps and contentedly watched his wife and Nicholas read for a bit. Never had he known such contentment. His family. And he was going to love and protect them fiercely for the rest of his life.
Sophie said something to Nicholas before placing a kiss on his head and standing. Devlin chuckled to himself as she began to waddle over to him. His wife was not as quick on her feet these days.
The other day he’d made the mistake of likening her to an elephant. The comment had not gone down very well, at least not with Sophie. Nicholas had laughed uproariously at it.
He walked down the stairs to meet her. “How are my darling wife and daughter doing this afternoon?” Sophie was glowing with good health, her cheeks rosy from the spot of fresh air and sun. He’d never thought she’d looked more beautiful, her belly full with his child.
“Your son and I,” Sophie began as she placed a protective hand over her enlarged belly, “are doing very well, thank you.”
He couldn’t stop what he was sure had to be a ridiculously soppy grin from stretching his cheeks. He loved to argue with her over whether their child would be a boy or girl, certain with the amount of kicks of annoyance the babe employed, it had to be a girl.
“I received some interesting mail today,” Devlin mentioned.
“Oh, so did I,” Sophie said. “Abelard wrote to me.”
The very mention of that man’s name still annoyed him, though nowhere near as much as it had before Devlin had married Sophie. “What does he want?”
Sophie chuckled lightly. “Goodness, you are not still jealous of the man?”
“I don’t like the fact that he was slightly infatuated with you,” he grumbled. “Not that I can blame him. Who wouldn’t be?”
“Oh, Devlin, you say the most wonderful things.” She reached up and kissed his cheek, complete sincerity shining in her eyes. “But you’ll be happy to know that the Earl was congratulating us on the impending birth of our child and informing me that he was leaving for Europe next week. He’s quite given up finding his late wife’s journal and has decided to focus on other endeavors.”
“Spying for Her Majesty’s Government, no doubt.” Not that Devlin could complain greatly. It meant the man was out of the country.
“I imagine so,” Sophie replied. “Though of course he says nothing of the kind.” Her eyes were suddenly drawn to the book in his hand. “What have you got there?”
“Well, you were not the only one to receive mail today. Our Majesty sent me a letter and a gift.” He saw the interest flash across her gaze.
“She did?”
“Yes. The Queen’s idea of how to keep me on the right path as a husband.” He held out the guidebook.
Sophie peered questioningly at him as she took the book, then glanced down at the cover. Her head snapped back up. “Queen Victoria sent you a book entitled The Etiquette of Courtship and Matrimony?”
“She did,” he confirmed.
Just as he had, Sophie began to laugh heartily. “Oh, that is simply marvelous of her! I shall certainly have to thank her when we visit again.”
“Thank her? I’m the one who is going to have to actually read the ruddy thing, as she wishes to discuss it with me when we visit.” Devlin grimaced. He couldn’t think of anything less appealing.
“Oh, don’t worry, my darling,” Sophie assured him. “I fully intend to read it, too. How else will I be able to point out when you don’t comply with the rules of marriage etiquette?”
“You’re a sassy woman!” He laughed and scooped her up in his arms, placing a kiss on her startled mouth.
“Devlin! Put me down. I am too heavy to carry.”
“Nonsense,” he declared. “You are as light as a butterfly, my love.”
She swatted his shoulder. “I seem to remember you likening me to an elephant just yesterday.”
He ignored her comment and carried her over to where Nicholas was giggling as he watched them. Devlin sat down on the bench beside Nicholas, with Sophie cradled on his lap.
“Have I told you how much I love you today?” Devlin said aloud.
Nicholas rolled his eyes and groaned. “Are you two going to get all soppy with each other again?”
They looked at each other and grinned.
Sophie wound her arms around Devlin’s neck. “I, for one, can never get enough of you being soppy.”
“Good. For I intend to say that every day for the rest of my life.” Devlin looked into her amazing green eyes. “I love you, my darling. I always have, and I always will.”
“Oh, Devlin,” she said, her breath a soft whisper. “I love you, too, more than I ever thought possible.”
“I think I’ll leave you two alone,” Nicholas grumbled with a smile as he stood and wandered toward the stairs.
“You know, I was lost without you,” he murmured in her ear. For before Sophie had entered his life, no place had ever felt like home. It really was true what they said, home is where the heart is, and in this case, she had completely stolen his heart.
Sophie smiled up at him. “As was I, my wonderful Devil Duke.”
Their lips met in a leisurely kiss, love and absolute contentment in their very touch.
Yes, this was bliss. He grinned. Thank goodness his woman had had the courage to make a deal with the Devil, and instead of her soul, she had happily given him her heart. A treasure worth more to him than all the gold in the world. A treasure he would protect until his very last breath.
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