Epilogue

The sun hadn't peeked over the horizon, but the sky wasn't as dark as it had been a few minutes before, so Lena knew it wouldn't be long before Jack was awake. She blamed his early waking time each morning to his years in the army, but she didn't mind. It was their habit to start their day making love. She loved that about married life.

She and Jack had been married almost five months now, with every day revealing itself to be more special than the day before. And the coming days were going to be even more so.

Lena smiled, and Jack shifted beneath her. After they made love last night, she had fallen asleep with her cheek on Jack's chest. At first, she listened to his heart rush from the exertion of making love to her. Then his heart gradually slowed, and finally he fell asleep. After that, the steady beating of his heart lulled her to sleep.

She smiled again thinking of how happy she was, how blessed.

"Are you gathering wool again, sweetheart?"

"Did I wake you?"

"Yes, but I don't mind. It's almost time to get up."

"No, it isn't," she replied.

"Oh, do you have something else in mind?"

"Yes, I'd like to talk to you."

"Well, that's not exactly what I had in mind," he complained.

"I know what you had in mind, and maybe we can get around to that later."

"Promise?"

"Maybe," she teased.

"Very well. What would you like to talk about?"

"I had an idea I want to discuss with you. I've had it for quite a while already but forgot about it until just lately."

Jack turned to his side. He rested his head on his palm and looked down on her. There was a frown on his face, which meant he was taking her seriously. "What idea is that?"

"What do you think about opening a second club?"

"A second club! Are you serious?"

"Yes. But this club will be called Jackson's Ladies' Club."

"A ladies' club?"

"Yes. A ladies' club."

"And what would these ladies do at their club?"

"Why, the exact same thing that gentlemen do at their club: sit together in little clusters and discuss the events of the day. Play whist. Or even chess. The club will provide refreshments, either tea or lemonade, or even a glass of wine. And there will be cakes or something more filling. Some of the women might come to read the newspaper or do their correspondence without being interrupted. And, of course, some ladies might come to go to the gaming room and play cards. Several of them might even enjoy gambling."

"Gambling?"

"Yes, Jack. It might shock you to know that some ladies enjoy games of chance equally as much as men. In my experience, it takes a good deal of skill to make a decent wager."

"And not much at all to make a bad one."

"But we'd school the ladies, darling. We'd teach them the strategies and encourage caution. It might help some be more understanding of their husband's interest, don't you think?"

Jack shifted onto his back and thrust his hands behind his head.

He was considering her idea. That was a good sign.

"Who would run this club?"

"Well, we would have to hire someone. I would help out when I could, but I won't be available to run the club full time."

"And why won't you?"

"Well, that happens to be the second thing I wanted to discuss with you."

"Another idea? You have another idea?"

"Actually, no. The idea was yours."

"Mine?"

"Yes. What did you think would happen when you woke up early every morning feeling, well, shall we say, frisky?"

"Well, I thought—" Jack stopped talking and sat up. "I thought… Are you… Are you sure?"

Lena laughed. "Yes, I'm sure."

"Oh my," he said, leaning close to her and kissing her. "How long have you known?"

"About eight weeks. We should welcome your son or daughter sometime before Christmas."

"Christmas," Jack said with a sigh. "I'm going to be a father for Christmas. I can't believe it."

"I take it you are happy about the news?" Lena said, looking at the glow on his face.

"Oh, Lena. I couldn't be happier. I never thought I'd be a father. There were times during the war when I doubted I'd survive long enough to make it back to Britain, let alone anything past that. Then I met Lord Murdock, and he offered me the money to start Jackson's. Then I met you and fell in love. That's when I let myself dream of a home and a family." Jack gathered her into his arms and held her close. "You asked if I was happy. That's hardly the word for it. I'm ecstatic, darling. Completely ecstatic."

"So, in your elation, might you also think about starting a ladies' club, even if I won't be able to devote all my time to running it?"

"Of course I will. I will think about anything you suggest. You haven't led me wrong since I met you. I doubt you will start now."

"Oh, I love you, Jack. More than I can ever say."

"I shall never tire of hearing it, my love." He kissed her soundly. "Never."