Epilogue

Epilogue

Eight months later

The first eight months married to his new viscountess were so full of activity and changes that Joseph's head was still spinning from it all. And their extended stay at the Winstone townhouse in London was one of the highlights.

He and Lydia shared the home for a few weeks with Oliver, who had already taken up residence in London months before. Thankfully, Oliver was much improved and in high spirits, despite having struggled through the process of divorcing Sophia.

But that was all finalized now. Oliver was a single man again and had also been sober for the last six months, which was the greatest achievement of all.

"He's a completely different man than the one I met at Winstone House. I'm so proud of your brother for working hard to change his life!" Lydia had commented to Joseph in private.

"Indeed. It's miraculous and a wonderful gift to have the version of my brother I loved the most back again. Let's hope he can stay strong and find true happiness."

The main reason for their visit to London was also pretty miraculous, because it was the first time a woman had been allowed to speak to the House of Parliament about tenant farmers' rights.

Joseph was immensely proud of her that day when she'd bravely stood in front of all those frowning lords and pleaded her case.

"I don't know how much good it did, but it's a start." Lydia's confidence had weakened after her speech, but Joseph didn't allow her to question herself for long.

"You are making a tremendous difference just by speaking out, my love. And I get to walk proudly next to the bravest nymph with the biggest heart there ever was."

Back in Cheltenham, Lydia worked side by side with the countess on learning more about running Winstone House "better than a farmer ever could." Those were the words the countess loved to use to tease her newest daughter-in-law, but Lady Winstone had grown very proud of Lydia for her passionate defense of farmers' rights.

That passion paid off in promoting change for both the Briarwood and Winstone estates. Lord Briarwood granted Joseph and Emma Musgrove's request for more land, even loaning them the money they needed for better equipment.

And it turned out that the farms on the countess's estate did have magnificent gardens, as Lydia had suggested to Lady Winstone months before at tea. Lady Winstone was so inspired by that discovery that she started working through her staff to organize weekly farm stands where the Winstone tenant farmers could offer vegetables, fruits, and beautiful floral bouquets to the community for extra profit.

The countess herself soon became every farm stand's best customer.

As the days wore on, William and Sophia dared to bring their love into the public eye more and more. With their family's support, the couple began to attend events together, including another ball hosted by Lydia and Countess Winstone in honor of William asking Sophia to marry him again. After so many years of being denied the hand of the only woman he'd ever loved, it was a joyous occasion indeed.

Their wedding was held in the Winstone ballroom, followed by much dancing as another rainstorm pelted down. Luckily, the new bridge held steady. Everyone felt that was a sign of a steadfast marriage ahead for the newlyweds, too.

Henry and Maria brought their baby girl, Sarah, to the wedding. She was the happiest baby Lydia had ever known, and it made the day all the more special that little Sarah cooed and giggled throughout.

Lord Triton and Miss Underwood pulled back from public events after Joseph threatened to expose their affair and underhanded behavior if they ever bothered him and Lydia again.

The last he had heard, Wilhelmina spent her confinement in the country with her parents, who'd insisted that she separate from Triton and raise her baby at home. And the rumors that circled through the ton claimed that Triton agreed to send monthly support checks in exchange for never having to acknowledge the child as his own.

"Some men are truly horrid beasts, my lord. Thank you for not being one of them," Lydia said to her husband one evening between tantalizing kisses that took Joseph's breath away.

Their sensuous experimentations had continued with increasing boldness and creativity. The two often made love with lusty abandon in the gardens, the springs, the Winstone art gallery, and even on the balcony off the library where Joseph was much more careful about preventing another fall into the still-recovering boxwoods below.

On one such night alone together on the balcony, with her legs again wrapped around Joseph's waist, Lydia issued a new warning that made his mouth drop open.

"Be careful, my lord. Don't shake loose the tiny new Winstone we made." She beamed at her husband as his eyes grew watery with joy.

"Lydia, are you certain?" Joseph eased her down to the white marble floor of the balcony below and placed his hands on Lydia's cheeks.

"Confirmed by the doctor this morning! You will soon be a father, Viscount Winstone. How do you feel about that?"

Joseph wiped his eyes with the back of his hands, then kissed Lydia softly on her sweet lips. "I'm overjoyed, my love. And I am so glad for that day you caught me half-naked in a spring, little nymph. Because it has led me to the greatest happiness with you." He smoothed his hand over Lydia's belly and whispered, "How do you feel?"

The viscountess placed her hand over his and sighed with deep contentment. "I feel rapturously happy and content.. And very accomplished, too."

Joseph smiled and pulled Lydia in for another long embrace. "Because of your work championing the farmers?"

Lydia slid her hands down her husband's chest and rested them on the impressive bulge at his groin.

"Because I seem to have become quite good at learning how things work. Would you agree, my lord?"

Joseph threw his head back and laughed. "Without a doubt, little nymph!"

Lydia grinned and licked her lips, then tugged his tunic up over his head. "Good! Because I'm nowhere near done studying you yet."

THE END