“I would like nothing more than to take you to my country home if you’re in agreement,” he said. “I’m not one for the city, and while it now holds much better memories for me, I would like to show you what has felt much more like home for me over the years.”
“That sounds wonderful,” she said, clasping her hands together. “Although I shouldn’t mind returning to London from time to time.”
“Absolutely,” he said, without any anguish or tenseness filling his features. “This townhouse my parents forced upon me has rather grown on me, I must say.”
“Like your bride?” she asked, quirking an eyebrow at him, causing him to laugh, a full, hearty chuckle unlike any she had ever heard from him. She hoped there would be much more in their future.
“My bride is another story altogether,” he said, pulling her close once more. “I would say she has done more than grow on me. Rather, she has become part of me, a part that I could never bear to lose.”
“Whatever may come, Daniel, our love is forever,” she said, bringing her forehead to his.
“Forever,” he repeated. “I promise.”
Epilogue
One year later
The happy music of laughter, voices, and babies cooing echoed around the drawing room of the country home, bouncing off the walls that at one point had seemed so empty and bleak. Not any longer.
Marie Harrington, Duchess of Ware, sat back in the corner of the chaise lounge as she looked around the room, her heart full. She didn’t think she could ever have asked for more in her life or for the lives of her children. Oh, she knew the scene in front of her wouldn’t be welcomed in the homes of many women of her station, and many in society would be scandalized by the way her family displayed their emotions. But that was not what Marie cared about. No, Marie’s life goals were somewhat different than that of many like her. She simply wanted her children to be happy. Did that mean that she had given some of them a little push to find the one they were destined to be with? Perhaps. But, most of all, she and her husband simply hadn’t stood in the way when they found the one they loved, whether or not their partners would have been the most acceptable for the son or daughter of a duke.
“You are making me nervous, Mother,” Daniel, said as he walked toward her, a glass of port in hand. “I know that look.”
“I don’t know what you are talking about,” she said, holding her nose in the air to let her son know that she didn’t appreciate his remark, though inwardly she laughed at how transparent she had apparently become. Her children had grown too old, too wise. It made her sad for a moment as she longed for the carefree days of their youth, but in the same breath, she saw how much love they now had in their lives, and it brought a smile to her face.
“I am simply happy for you, Daniel,” she said, holding out a hand to him and motioning to the seat beside her. He sat down with a smile and a warm look in his blue eyes, so like her own and that of the rest of her children. “I worried about you, you know. More than the rest.”
He gave a low chuckle. “There were times in my life I wasn’t sure I would ever feel joy again,” he said with a shake of his head. “When you and Father threatened me into marriage, my God, did I resent you for it. But it seems you knew best after all.”
She gave a very un-Duchesslike snort. “Of course I know best,” she said. “If there is anything you should know, Daniel, it is that.”
“And what will you do with yourself now that you no longer have marriages to arrange?” he asked, raising an eyebrow at her.
“Why, enjoy my grandchildren,” she said, and then smiled when she saw Daniel’s reaction to the words. He looked across the room at Christina, who was speaking with Benjamin’s wife Sophie. As if sensing her husband’s stare, Christina looked at him, and they shared a small, secret smile that excited Marie in equal measure. Another grandchild, she thought, her heart swelling within her chest as she looked around the room.
There was a nursery in their lavish country home, of course, but she enjoyed having the children about, as did her husband. Thomas and Eleanor’s girls, with their tanned skin and sun-kissed hair, were rather unruly, but they displayed their love with such openness it was hard to stay angry at them, even when they found continuous trouble. Even Eleanor had grown on Marie. She had been worried when Thomas married a woman who had lived most of her life away from England, but Eleanor loved their family and always ensured they spent ample time with them, and for that, Marie loved her.
Thomas came over to stand next to them, clinking a glass with his brother. They were all together to celebrate their parents’ anniversary, though Marie thought it was rather foolish, as her husband barely remembered his own birthday let alone the day they were married or how many years it had been. Though, privately, she and Lionel had enjoyed reminiscing — not that they would share their own love story with their children. How they would be scandalized by their parents! Nevertheless, she was pleased to have any occasion for them all to gather.
Violet joined them, sitting next to her elder brother, her legs crossed at the ankles, her dark hair in a low, simple chignon as always. She smiled at her mother and Marie reached out a hand to clasp hers. How alike she and her daughter were — not just in looks, but in countenance. It was why they had never gotten along particularly well. Violet had her own mind and a determination to achieve all she had set out for.
“You look very well, Mother,” Violet said, her hands around the small bump that was just beginning to form, their second child.
“And you, darling,” she said. “Greville and Taylor seem to be having quite the time of it over there.”
“They always do,” Violet said with a laugh. “How fortunate they ended up family, for Taylor would have been part of my life regardless.”
“That’s very true,” her sister said, coming to stand next to Thomas. Now that Polly was older, they looked nearer to twins, Marie thought, and she was proud of the life Polly had made for herself. Marie still thought of Polly, her youngest, as a child in some ways, but the girl was now a mother herself, to a daughter who not only looked exactly like her but already at two seemed to have her temperament. Good, thought Marie. She will know exactly what it is like to raise a precocious child.
She swept her gaze to Benjamin. Ah, but how he had matured. To think that at one point he had been one of London’s most well-known rogues, and now here he was, the doting husband of one of the gentlest, kindest women Marie had ever met.
Seeing them together, he came over and joined them, flashing his well-known, charming grin at his mother.
“This is quite the family reunion,” he said. “Is there something of note?”
“Not at all,” Marie said. “Simply that I am so proud of you all.”
She felt tears begin to burn at the back of her eyes, and she tried her best to blink them away, knowing her children hated when she showed such emotion.
“It’s all right, Mother,” said Daniel, placing a hand on hers, and the touch of her eldest son, the one who at one point had been so afraid to show any emotion but anger and vengeance, made the tears start to fall. She looked over at her husband, who sat across the room with his dog at his feet, a drink in his hand, and his usual smile on his lips.
He nodded at her, knowing she would understand just all he was saying with the small gesture. Theirs had been a marriage meant to unite the power of two families. It had taken some time, but it had turned into so much more than that. They had developed a love that was lasting a lifetime and had ensured their children had found that same love in their own lives.
Now her children were gazing at her expectantly, and she felt the need to say something, to put into words all she felt inside.
“Love is a journey,” she said simply. “A quest, if you will, to find one who can make life into more than simply an endless pattern of one day after another, but rather days full of honor, affection, trust, romance, and,” she looked at Daniel, “Redemption. I cannot tell you how happy I am that you
have all found that for yourselves. Your hearts are searching no longer but have found all that you wished for. For that, I am truly grateful.”
As she finished speaking, a peal of laughter came from the corner of the room where the children played, and the tender moment was broken, but it was replaced by something just as wonderful, perhaps even better — the joy that came from a family that truly loved one another. And this love, well, this was what life was all about.
THE END
* * *
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Also by Ellie St. Clair
Standalone
Unmasking a Duke
Christmastide with His Countess
Happily Ever After
The Duke She Wished For
Someday Her Duke Will Come
Once Upon a Duke’s Dream
He’s a Duke, But I Love Him
Loved by the Viscount
Because the Earl Loved Me
Searching Hearts
Duke of Christmas
Quest of Honor
Clue of Affection
Hearts of Trust
Hope of Romance
Promise of Redemption
The Unconventional Ladies
Lady of Mystery
Lady of Fortune
Lady of Providence
Blooming Brides
A Duke for Daisy
About the Author
Ellie has always loved reading, writing, and history. For many years she has written short stories, non-fiction, and has worked on her true love and passion -- romance novels.
In every era there is the chance for romance, and Ellie enjoys exploring many different time periods, cultures, and geographic locations. No matter when or where, love can always prevail. She has a particular soft spot for the bad boys of history, and loves a strong heroine in her stories.
The lake is Ellie’s happy place, and when she’s not writing, she is spending time with her son, her Husky/Border Collie cross, and her own dashing duke. She loves reading — of course — as well as running, biking, and summers at the lake.
She also loves corresponding with readers, so be sure to contact her!
www.prairielilypress.com/ellie-st-clair
[email protected]
Searching Hearts Box Set: Books 1-5 Page 76
