Epilogue

T hree years later

Seth knelt before the flowerbed and pulled weeds while Frances stood over him, bossing as she had done the first day they had met.

“We have gardeners,” he reminded her.

“Your son needs to understand the importance of getting his hands dirty.”

Seth glanced at their two-year-old son who was playing in the mud from a spilled bucket of water. “I believe he has no difficulty with the concept.” His clothing was ruined and it was unlikely that the laundress would be able to remove the stains. Not that he or Frances cared. Rupert, named for Frances’ father, was forever tumbling about when they were outside and it was better to keep him in stained and torn clothing than to ruin a perfectly good set of clothing every single day.

Frances turned and lifted her hand to shade her eyes. “The addition should be complete soon.”

Seth dusted off his hands and stood, then took her in his arms. “I hope that is the case because I do not want workmen around when our daughter arrives.” He smoothed a hand over her large belly.

“You do not know that it is a girl,” Frances chastised.

“It most certainly is,” he insisted. “I already told you that you carry this child differently than you did Rupert.”

“It doesn’t feel any different.” She braced a hand at the small of her back.

“Trust me, you do, because I have every curve of you memorized. Nothing goes unnoticed.”

“Which is why I am in this state.” She laughed.

“I do believe that you seduced me because you wanted a second child.”

“Are you certain?” She cocked her head and studied him. “Sometimes it is difficult to tell who is seducing whom.”

“As it should be.” He leaned forward and kissed her.

“I wish you did not need to be away tonight.”

“As do I,” he said. “I really wish that you would come to Forester Park with Rupert so I know that you are not alone.”

“The cottage has servants, so I will not be alone.”

It had been a remarkable three years, which began with what was to be an elopement but turned out to be a quest that ended with a Special License because Blythe had insisted that they all travel to Laswell, Tessa and His Grace with them. Bethany remained behind because someone had to oversee Athena’s Salon.

However, Seth waited to tell his family of their betrothal because he had grown worried about why he had been summoned home. It turned out that his father had slipped down the stairs leading to the caves, injuring his back. He recovered but decided that it was time for him to no longer work in the caves.

Seth was relieved that his father had not been injured more seriously and once he was assured that the rest of his health was good, advised his family that he and Frances were to wed as soon as the vicar could be fetched since he had also brought along a Special License.

That afternoon, and after the vows, he and Frances had snuck away from Forester Park and made their way to the cottage. It was exactly as they had left it and even though Seth would regret the day he walked away from Frances for the rest of his life, he was thankful that she had forgiven him and allowed him to love her. It was there that they consummated their marriage and returned often just to be alone and remember.

They had thought to eventually return to London, but Seth was needed more in the caves or to assist with the loading of wagons or unloading of the boats so they decided to remain in Laswell. The decision wasn’t at all difficult, especially when they approached the owners of the estate that had been Frances’ former home and asked to purchase the wooded land and cottage. After Frances had explained that it had at one time been her parents’ home and it was where she and Seth had fallen in love, the owners settled on a price.

They then returned to London where Jonathan purchased The Emerald Garter, and both Frances and Seth packed their belongings to move back to Laswell. The only other property Seth owned was his home in Mayfair. That is where Blythe decided to live and it was their home when she and Seth wished to return to Town, which was not very often.

Once settled into their new home, builders were hired to increase the size, which turned out to be nearly double what it had been, which gave them plenty of room for their growing family and servants.

“You need not worry about me,” Frances insisted. “Go see to your illegal smuggling, just do not get caught, and I will await your return.”

“If you were at Forester Hall, it would be easier to get word to me if our daughter decides to arrive tonight,” he argued.

“Our child will wait until you are home. I promise.”

Frances then went up on her toes to kiss him but stilled and gasped.

“What is it?” he asked anxiously.

Frances smiled weakly and stepped away from Seth then looked down at the water on the ground. “Perhaps we should have one of the servants go into Laswell for the doctor.”

“You said only your lower back pained you,” he said. “Were you having any other pains?” Seth demanded.

Frances put a hand against her belly and winced. “Not until this very moment.”

“I will see you inside, then have a servant go for a doctor, and another to Forester Park to alert my family that I will not be present when the boats arrive,” he said as he placed an arm around her waist in order to offer support. “Come along, Rupert.”

The little boy looked up then scrambled to his feet, his legs covered in mud.

Once inside, Seth nearly barked instructions as a maid took Frances off to their chamber and another promised to see Rupert bathed, and then he waited.

Eight hours later, just as the boats were expected to arrive with illegal cargo, Seth paced in the corridor outside of his wife’s chamber. With each scream he grew more anxious, afraid for both wife and child, and then he heard the babe cry and nearly dropped to his knees with relief. Moments later, the door was opened by a maid and he was ushered into the room where Frances rested against pillows, the babe in her arms.

Seth leaned forward and placed a kiss on her forehead, his heart swelling with more love than he thought it was possible to hold.

“Was I right or was I wrong?” he asked.

“You were right.” She grinned. “Now to decide what we will call her.”

Seth glanced down into the blue eyes right before they drifted shut and was in awe that they had created this creature who had grown in his wife’s body. It had been the same sensation when Frances had delivered their son. Truly a miracle.

“I can think of no name for such a perfect child.”

“I can,” Frances whispered. “Amelia.”