by Vikki Vaught
Jonathan pulled her close. “Darling, I’ll never leave you. You…are my heart. It only beats for you. Thank you for allowing me to share your life. Before I met you, I was aimlessly making my way through life, but now I have purpose. I have been completely turned around by your love.” Snuggling together, they slowly let sleep take them away. Neither one of them had to worry about any nightmares that night.
The next morning when Kathryn woke up, she looked over at Jonathan, and her heart swelled to bursting. All her fears were gone. They had come so far! Jonathan was the most patient and understanding man in the world. As she continued to gaze at him, she couldn’t get over the change in him. When she had first met him, he had looked so sad and weary. The lines around his mouth and eyes had been much deeper than they were now. While she wished she hadn’t had to go through the horrific experience with her uncle, she realized that it had made her a much stronger person.
Jonathan opened his eyes and met her gaze. “Good morning. Did I dream last night, or was it real?”
Kathryn gently smiled at him. “It was real, and it was the most amazing experience of my life. I never imagined it could be like that. Thank you for being so patient with me, my love. Last night you said you’d been turned around by love. Well, darling, you’ve given me a life that I never thought would be possible for me. Because of you, I have a husband who loves me and two beautiful children. Hopefully, with time, we’ll have more. Jonathan, I want to have your baby. I can think of no greater joy than holding your child in my arms.”
Jonathan pulled her close. “Well…let’s get to work on that.”
And they did…just that.
Epilogue
Kathryn and Jonathan, along with Elaine and the children, left Helen and Matthew’s house two days after Jonathan’s recovery from his illness. Just to make sure Jonathan didn’t overtax himself, they set a leisurely pace. Despite their slower travel, they were able to make it back to St. John’s Wood in four days. When Kathryn saw the manor house, tears welled up in her eyes. She was so overjoyed to be home.
Once they had the children settled in the nursery, they were able to go to their rooms and spend a quiet evening, just the two of them. Jonathan ordered dinner served in their sitting room, and after eating, they made love until dawn. Now that Kathryn had let go of her fears, she was anxious to try it all, and Jonathan was more than happy to show her. They spent their first week back in bed more than out, and Kathryn gloried in every minute of it.
Jonathan went to Mrs. Manning’s School for Young Ladies and registered Elaine for the winter term. Elaine told them she was ecstatic and couldn’t wait for the term to start. Kathryn was so pleased that Jonathan was allowing Elaine this opportunity. She just knew it was the right thing for her.
They left for Sanderford Park on the fifteenth of December. They had another pleasant trip and were able to make it in four days. When they arrived at the park, Henry and Melody came out to greet them. Melody took one look at Kathryn’s face and said, “All is well. I can see it shining in your eyes. I’m so happy for you, Kathryn. Henry and I have both been praying you would find true happiness and peace in your marriage, and you have, haven’t you?”
Kathryn smiled at both of them. “Beyond my wildest dreams. Thank you, Melody for all your help. I don’t know if I would have been brave enough without you and Helen giving me such good advice. Now, when does the rest of the family arrive?”
Henry announced, “Mother arrived yesterday, and Lady Helton is due tomorrow. The rest of the family will be here on the twenty-second. Helen and Matthew will be the only ones not coming this year. Let’s get you in out of this cold. I do believe that I feel snow in the air.” Henry turned to Jonathan and clapped him on the back. “Follow me, Jonathan. We’ll go to my study and talk while the ladies catch up.”
Melody showed Kathryn to their rooms. Sarah was already there getting everything unpacked and put away. Smiling, Melody said, “Once you’re settled in and had a chance to freshen up, come to my sitting room so we can talk. I want to hear everything. See you in about thirty minutes.”
Jonathan and Henry went to his study, and once the door was closed, Henry asked, “How did you do it? I felt that you would never be able to break through her fears. I’m so relieved I was wrong.”
Smiling over at Henry, Jonathan took his seat. “It all comes down to patience and abiding love. Your sister is the best thing that ever happened to me. Before I met Kathryn, I was going through the motions of life, but not really living. My life has been completely turned around by her love.”
“I’m happy for you, but I’m happier for my sister. Jonathan, she’s glowing. I’m so grateful Kathryn met you,” Henry said. “I’ve worried about her for years, but I know she’s in good hands now.”
Jonathan hesitated, wondering if he should tell Henry about what happened to Kathryn.
“Henry, please don’t let her know I’ve told you this, but I feel that you deserve to know. Your uncle raped Kathryn when she was twelve years old, and it happened repeatedly until you stopped him when she was sixteen. If the bastard weren’t already dead, I’d be hunting him down like a dog.”
Henry looked tormented. “Oh God, no! Why didn’t she come to me and tell me? How could that depraved rogue do that to an innocent child? I should have realized there was something more to her fear of that old bastard. Melody and I talked to Kathryn numerous times, but she never said a thing. I wish I’d killed that bastard when I had the chance.”
Jonathan looked at Henry. “Kathryn was ashamed to tell you. The only reason she told me was that she didn’t think it would be fair to marry me without me knowing the full extent of her fears. Remember the morning before our wedding when Helen and Matthew brought her out to my estate? That’s when she told me.”
“Thank you for being so patient with her. Your love has finally healed her from all the horrible things that bastard did to her. I’m proud…to call you Brother.” Henry walked around his desk and pulled Jonathan to his chest. “My sister is truly blessed to have you in her life.”
Jonathan was overcome with emotion. He couldn’t believe how different his life was now. He returned Henry’s hug and said, “Thank you, Henry, but I’m the one that’s truly blessed. I’m the luckiest man in the world to have her in my life. And the feeling is mutual. I’m honored…to call you Brother.” Then lightening the mood, he asked, “How long have you owned Doncaster Stables? Matthew told me that you have an Arabian stallion. I would relish the opportunity to breed some of my mares with him.”
“I have one of his colts here. Why don’t we go out and take a look at him? Follow me my friend!”
When Kathryn entered the rooms Melody had given her, she looked around and smiled. It felt so strange to be here again. Melody had put her and Jonathan in the rooms she and Henry had used before he became the duke. Kathryn glanced around and spied the French doors that led out to the balcony.
Lost in memories, she could remember as a young girl sitting out there with Melody, admiring all the gorgeous roses that first spring so many years ago. Melody was so dear to her, and she thanked God every day for bringing her into all of their lives. Henry and Melody had a wonderful relationship, and so did Helen and Matthew. Now, Kathryn could say the same about her relationship with Jonathan.
Enough reminiscing, it’s time to go talk to Melody.
When Kathryn knocked on the door, she heard Melody’s sweet voice say, “Come in.” Kathryn entered the room, and Melody greeted her with a smile. “Please, come take a seat and tell me everything. Obviously, you’ve overcome your fears. Your face is just glowing. Kathryn. I’m so happy for you.”
As Kathryn sat down, she said, “Jonathan and I are wondrously happy. He’s the most incredible man. I’m so blessed to be married to him. When he became so ill, I was petrified that I would lose him. I knew that if he made it through, I would show him how much he meant to me. Melody, you were so right about making love. It’s truly an amazing experience, and now I c
an’t imagine why I allowed my fears to keep me locked away for so long. Helen told me I was giving power to my uncle, and she was right. Once I realized that, I was able to let go of my fears… Well, enough about this, how are you feeling? You’re glowing, so your pregnancy must be going well.”
“Oh yes,” Melody said. “I’m just a chubby little ball of happiness. I can’t believe I’ll soon give birth to my fifth child. It seems like yesterday, when I first came here and met all of you. I do wish Helen and Matthew could have come, but I understand her not wanting to travel now that she’s expecting again. Oh goodness, look at the time. We’ll be late for tea, and you know how upset that makes your mother. She’s been pleasant so far, so I want to keep her that way!”
Kathryn and Jonathan enjoyed spending time with all the family, and they even had a lovely white Christmas. The biggest surprise of all was when her mother hugged Melody on Christmas day before everyone, and told her she was a wonderful wife for her son and that she made an excellent duchess. Henry and Melody were so pleased. The duchess spent time every day with her grandchildren. Kathryn just wished Helen could have been here to see the change in their mother.
The children enjoyed playing with all their cousins, and when it came time to leave they cried, but Jonathan and Kathryn assured them they would see their cousins again in the spring. They left Sanderford Park on the seventh of January to travel to Kent so Kathryn could do Susan’s family portrait. She enjoyed spending time with Susan and her children. Since the family was able to sit for her every day, she was able to complete their portrait in ten days, and then they headed home.
When they arrived home from their travels, Kathryn helped Elaine pack. Elaine was very excited about going, and Kathryn was happy for her. She was starting the term a bit late because of their trip to Susan’s, but Mrs. Manning assured them that Elaine could catch up with the other pupils. Once Elaine was settled in school, they were able to relax.
Kathryn enjoyed managing Jonathan’s household. She spent her mornings meeting with Mrs. Rollins and Cookie, and her afternoons she spent with Frankford and Jane. Both of the children were doing much better. While they still missed their parents, they were moving past their grief. Jonathan had given Frankford a pony, and was teaching him to ride and take care of him. Kathryn loved to watch Jonathan with Frankford. He was so patient and loving with him. Kathryn knew that when they had children of their own, he would be a wonderful father.
Her evenings she spent with Jonathan, either listening to him play the pianoforte or reading by the fire in their sitting room. The nights were glorious, filled with passion and tenderness. It still surprised Kathryn that making love was so fulfilling. She had never imagined that it would be such an earth-shattering experience. Jonathan had truly helped her overcome all her fears.
Spring came quickly that year, and soon it was time to leave for London. True to his promise, Jonathan had been in touch with his solicitor, and he had located several properties for her to look at for her studio as well as the safe haven for young girls. Frankford and Jane were coming with them, but Elaine was staying in school.
They had a pleasant trip and arrived in London on the fifteenth of March. The house in Bloomsbury was lovely and so beautifully decorated that she was happy with it just as it was, even though Jonathan had said she was welcome to change whatever she liked. Kathryn was anxious to go look at the properties that Jonathan’s solicitor had located, so they went there the day after they arrived in town.
Kathryn fell in love with a house on Curzon Street. It had a room on the top floor that ran the length of the house, and one wall was filled with floor to ceiling windows that received the morning sun. She turned to Jonathan with tears of joy in her eyes. “Oh Jonathan, this is just perfect. I couldn’t ask for a more beautiful location for my studio. Now I just have to find the clients.”
“Darling, you’ll have so many that you shan’t know how to handle them all. Once we give the party displaying all your work, everyone will want you to do their portrait. When they see some of your landscapes, they’ll want one of those too. I do hope you’ll still make sure you have time for me and the children.”
“Always. As much as I love my art, you and the children are now first in my life.” She rose up on her tiptoes and gently kissed his lips. He pulled her close, and soon they were lost in true love’s embrace.
The day after Kathryn found her studio, Henry sent word that Melody had given birth to a little girl. Kathryn and Jonathan rushed down to Sanderford Park so they could admire the new baby. Henry and Melody were so pleased with their new daughter, and Mary Elizabeth was parading around the house telling everyone that, at last, she had her very own sister. Melody and Henry named the baby Miriam after Melody’s beloved aunt, and of course, Lady Helton was pleased. This child would look just like Melody when she grew up, which thrilled Henry. He told them that he had pictured having a daughter as beautiful as his darling Melody ever since he had married her.
When they returned to London, Jonathan took Kathryn to all the properties that his solicitor had located as possible sites for the Safe Haven for Young Girls. They found a lovely old manor house on the outskirts of London that they thought would work perfectly.
Kathryn met with a great many vicars, telling them about her plans, and within a month, the Safe Haven was up and running. Jonathan had found a woman to run the operation, and the vicars had already sent several young girls to live at the Safe Haven.
One evening in late May, as they were lying in bed after they had finished making love, Kathryn lazily gazed up at Jonathan. “Remember what I told you would give me my greatest joy? Well, it’s finally happened. Darling, we’re going to have a baby!”
Jonathan looked at her with tears in his eyes as he said, “Are you sure? When will the baby be born? Are you feeling all right? Oh, my love, you have made me the happiest of men.”
“Yes, I’m sure. The baby should make its appearance in late November. I’m feeling marvelous. I’ve had just a tiny bit of morning sickness, but just as soon as I eat breakfast, I feel much better.”
“Let me show you how happy you’ve made me.” Jonathan gathered her into his arms and passionately kissed her. Feeling love sweep her away, Kathryn returned his kiss just as passionately. That night he took her to heights beyond what she had ever experienced before. As she felt exploding waves of blissful sensations fling her over the precipice and into oblivion, Jonathan made one final thrust as he cried out, “My darling…my love…now and forever!”
The End
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Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Epilogue
