Epilogue

F ive years later …

It was their turn to host the Christmastide house party, and Rosella knew their guests would arrive soon. Most were now settled and had begun their families. Noelle and Asher had welcomed their first child not long after Lucian and Rosella had exchanged their vows. Unlike Noelle and Asher, who had eloped, Rosella and Lucian had celebrated their union with a grand wedding at her father’s estate. The ceremony had taken place in early spring, by which time Noelle had already been well along in her pregnancy.

That Christmastide had been filled with joyous announcements. At dinner, there had been not one but two revelations. Rosella and Lucian had shared their plans to marry, and Noelle had announced that an addition to the family was expected in six months. True to her word, three months after Rosella’s wedding, her nephew, Cassian Prescott, the Earl of Rossington—and future Duke of Clare—was born. Of course, that was a future far off in the distance.

“Darling,” Lucian said, entering the sitting room with their daughter cradled in his arms. Holly’s dark curls framed her cherubic face, her bright blue eyes brimming with mischief. Holly, along with her twin, had arrived eight months after their wedding. Though others might have assumed she’d been born early, no one questioned it. After all, she and Lucian had enjoyed a vigorous love life, something she would never change. “Your daughter,” Lucian continued, “is exactly like you—a hellion determined to send me to an early grave.”

“What has she done now?” Rosella asked with a sigh. At only four years old, Holly had a knack for finding trouble, even when she wasn’t looking for it.

“She convinced her brother to help her make Christmastide decorations,” Lucian replied with a wry smile. “It did not go well.”

“And where is her twin mischief-maker?” Rosella inquired.

“The nanny has Jasper,” Lucian explained. “He required a bath.”

“Oh dear,” Rosella murmured. “That does not bode well.” Rosella frowned. “Holly seems clean. What exactly did they do?” She was almost afraid to ask… Narrowing her gaze on her daughter, she said, “Holly, what exactly did you and Jasper do?”

“Jasper had a little too much fun with the holly. We are fortunate he did not think they might be a tasty treat,” Lucian shuddered as he explained it to her. “But he has a rash on his skin and the maid thought it best to bathe him to remove any residual holly berry from causing it to extend farther than it already had.”

Rosella sighed and glanced up at her daughter. “You encouraged him to play with the berries didn’t you?” She held her daughter’s gaze willing her to tell the truth.

Holly gazed at Rosella with wide, innocent eyes. “We were having fun, Mama,” she said earnestly. “Shouldn’t we have fun?”

Rosella resisted the urge to groan. Save her from the innocence—and audacity—of her children. Was this how her own parents had felt when she’d gotten into trouble? Perhaps this was fate’s way of delivering her well-deserved karma. “Holly,” she said sternly, lifting the girl from Lucian’s arms, “the holly berries are not toys. You should never play with something without permission. As a punishment, you and your brother are to remain in the nursery for the rest of the day and you will not help us create decorations later. Do you understand me?”

Holly’s pout was instant, her lower lip trembling. “But I don’t want to stay in the nursery,” she protested.

“I know, poppet,” Rosella said, softening her tone. “But actions have consequences. You’ll remain in the nursery and not cause any more difficulties for nanny. Perhaps next time, you’ll think twice before leading your brother into mischief.”

A maid entered the room, and Rosella handed Holly to her. “Take her to the nanny,” she instructed. “She’s to stay in the nursery, and she will need a bath as well.”

After the maid and Holly had gone, Rosella turned back to Lucian, who looked both exasperated and amused. “It will only get worse once Asher and Noelle arrive,” he said. “Caspian, added to the mix, is a disaster waiting to happen.”

Rosella’s lips twitched with humor. “They are far more united than we ever were as children. We didn’t collude to drive our parents to distraction.”

“No,” Lucian agreed, shaking his head. “We chose sides and fought like rivals. You and Noelle against me and Asher. But these three—they’re inseparable, with Holly leading her two adoring minions into all manner of chaos. I dread the day she’s launched into society. She will be a far greater hellion than you ever were. We might need to hire a strict chaperone to keep an eye on her.”

Rosella laughed. “Even the strictest chaperone wouldn’t contain her,” she said, her tone filled with affection. “But that is a dilemma for another day.”

He closed his eyes and took a deep fortifying breath. Lucian opened his eyes before he stepped closer, cupping her cheek with one hand. “Indeed,” he murmured. “For now, I am grateful for my family and the love of my life. Everything else is just details—challenges we will face together, one at a time.”

Rosella leaned into his touch, her heart full. “I love you,” she said softly.

“And I love you, my darling,” he replied, his voice rich with emotion. He leaned down, brushing his lips against hers in a tender kiss.

Their life was far better than she had ever dreamed possible. Christmastide held a special place in her heart, marking the season when she had first been brave enough to confess her love. Thanks to a sprig of mistletoe and her mother’s gentle machinations, she had found her happiness with Lucian.

Each year, they honored the tradition her parents had started, though they would now take greater care to avoid mishaps with the holly berries. Even with the chaos their children brought, Rosella had no complaints. All in all—she had nothing to complain about. She had love. There was nothing more important than that.