by Rose Pearson
“And I have not always thought that way,” Lord Northfell confessed, pressing Amelia’s hand. “It is the kind nature of your daughter, her consideration of others and her kind and open heart that has shown me my failings.”
Amelia turned to face Lord Northfell, smiling into his eyes. He had her trust, completely and utterly and that was all that was needed.
“Papa, I trust him,” she said, softly, turning her gaze back towards her father. “I have seen him change and I have been forced to readjust what I thought of him. Truly, he is becoming a man of integrity and honor. I want to be by his side as his wife and as Elouise’s mother, if she will have me.”
Lord Northfell placed his other hand atop hers. “Of course she will,” he murmured, making her heart sing with joy. “I believe she loves you already, after only one brief acquaintance.”
The Duke cleared his throat, bringing their attention back to him. He regarded them both carefully, before sighing and shaking his head.
“Lord Northfell, if my daughter claims that you are a changed man, then I have no choice but to believe her.”
“I am, I assure you,” Lord Northfell said, firmly. “Your daughter has been nothing but good to me and I will do all I can to return her kindnesses for the rest of my days. I believe she will be a wonderful mother to Elouise, and, in time, to our own children.”
Amelia smiled at her father, appreciating that he was being so considerate for her sake. “You need not worry, papa,” she said, quietly. “As I have said to you, I trust Lord Northfell. I love him and he returns my love.” She lifted one eyebrow, her eyes twinkling. “Besides, he will have a Duke for a father in law and one cannot misbehave when one has such high connections!”
That, at least, brought a smile to her father’s face. “Very good, Amelia, very good. Well, I can see that I need not quiz you further.” He looked at them both with a lightness in his expression that brought Amelia a great deal of happiness. “And when is the marriage to be?”
“As soon as possible!” Lord Northfell said, with a chuckle. “I intend to keep it a quiet affair, however, for Elouise’s sake.”
“And then we shall return to the country and live very happily there,” Amelia replied, ignoring the pang of loss that came with the knowledge that she would be leaving her sisters behind. “Although you must come and visit very often.”
“Of course we will,” her father said, softly. “I am very glad for you, Amelia. You have always made me very proud and I do hope that Lord Northfell is aware of the blessing he is to receive in calling you his bride.”
“I am,” Lord Northfell replied, turning to look into Amelia’s eyes. “Believe me, your grace, I am more than aware of it.”
Epilogue
The sun was warm and Amelia lay back gently, smiling softly to herself as she closed her eyes. In the distance, she could hear birds singing and the trees above her rustled their leaves gently. She could not help but drift off to sleep, quite relaxed and comfortable.
“Amelia! Where are you?”
Amelia chuckled and pushed herself up, waving at Northfell as he tried to spot her. She had been enjoying the summer sunshine with Elouise, recollecting just how busy and troubled last summer had been.
“Ah, there you are,” he murmured, coming over to her and dropping a gentle kiss on her lips as he bent down beside her. “Looking even more beautiful than yesterday,” he murmured, his lips finding her own once more.
Amelia leaned into him, her fingers twining into his hair – only for a sudden movement to startle her.
“Oh!” she exclaimed, her hands gently running over her swollen belly, looking up at her husband with shining eyes. “Your son or daughter is wide awake this morning!”
He chuckled, placing his hand atop hers. “And I already know you are going to be a wonderful mother,” he replied, his eyes filling with tenderness. “You show so much love to Elouise, even though she is not your flesh and blood.”
“I love her like she was my own daughter,” Amelia replied, honestly, her eyes moving to where Elouise was playing with their small dog, Max. “She is the most wonderful of children.”
“She has blossomed, thanks to you,” Northfell said, pressing another kiss to her cheek. “You have brought out the best in her. She is loved and she knows it. I could not ask for anything more.”
Amelia smiled into his eyes. “And we will face the future together,” she said, softly. “Together, we can accomplish anything.”
The baby kicked once more, making them both laugh with surprise and delight. Northfell kissed her again before getting up and moving towards Elouise, who ran towards him in delight. Amelia smiled as she watched him swing his daughter up into his arms, hearing her squeal of delight. Truly, these days were happy ones.
At times, Amelia thought about the future with a little concern, wondering what they would do when it came to Elouise’s coming out. Given that she was a daughter of a duke, there might be very little talk since she intended to chaperone Elouise herself, but she did not want Elouise to ever consider herself unworthy of being a part of society, nor of finding herself a respectable husband. Elouise was as much a part of their family as the baby was to be, and Amelia was determined that Elouise should always be able to come to her with any concern she had. They had already formed a rather close bond, a bond that delighted Amelia and brought happiness to Northfell. He had often mentioned that Elouise had clearly needed a mother, and Amelia’s heart had swelled with love and happiness each and every time he said those words to her.
The day she had wed Lord Northfell, Elouise had stood with them, as much a part of the family as everyone else. It had seemed the best way to show society who Elouise was, without inciting a great deal of scandal. Even though the wedding had been a quiet one, Amelia knew that news about Elouise had spread throughout London, until it seemed that almost everyone knew Lord Northfell had a daughter born on the wrong side of the blanket.
They had left for their honeymoon and, on their return to England, had gone straight to Northfell’s country estate, where Elouise had been waiting for them with eager expectation. She had, of course, had a wonderful time with Aunt Harmonia and Aunt Jessica and Aunt Jacintha, but her excitement on having, as she called it, ‘a mama all of her own’ had been impossible to contain. Since that day, life had gone on very happily, even though Amelia knew the ton still often talked about them.
However, she decided, that did not matter. Her true friends and acquaintances – those with kind hearts and open minds – would accept Elouise for who she was, viewing her as part of their family and without judgment. It was as she had said to Northfell. No matter what the future held, they would face it together, bound together with love.
Smiling to herself, Amelia watched Northfell and Elouise play together, laughing softly as Max began to join in, barking loudly. She could only hope that her sisters would find just as much happiness as she had, not settling for a marriage of convenience as she had once thought to do. It was a relief to her that Harmonia had not, as yet, said she would agree to marry Luke who had apparently not given up on his quest to marry into the family. It was good to know that Harmonia would be visiting very soon for an extended holiday so that they might have time to talk about such things. Amelia wanted to show Harmonia what a life filled with love and affection was truly like, hoping to prove to her that to marry a man such as Luke would never make her truly happy.
“I have been very lucky indeed,” she murmured to herself, managing to push herself up to her feet. Smiling at Elouise and Northfell, Amelia made her way towards them, ready to join in as best she could with whatever it was they were playing. Her heart was full, her joy complete. Life could not get any better.
THE END
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