Epilogue

Six Months Later

“Uncle Pip...Aunt Ally?” The young voice echoed through the elegant rooms of Wensley Manor, as Grace dropped her coat on one table, flung her bonnet at the surprised housekeeper, and rushed down the foyer to the snug parlor where she knew she’d find her uncle and his wife.

“Grace, my dearest girl, what brings you to Wensley?” laughed Ally, rising to give her visitor a big hug.

“Well, to see you two of course...and to share the latest from our foreign correspondent,” she waved a letter in her hand and grinned from ear to ear.

“Oh—marvellous. Another letter from Penelope? How are she and Vivian getting on in Italy?”

“Wait ‘til you hear what she says...” and Grace flopped down on the sofa next to Allegra to share her news.

Coming quietly into the room, Pip paused for a moment, looking at the two heads bent closely together. The ash brown glints from his wife’s head offset the silvery sparkles from his niece’s, and his heart turned over with a silent lurch as he once again appreciated his good fortune. The night he thought he’d lost everything still haunted him now and again, but they’d moved on from it, and managed to avoid most of the mutterings and odd bits of gossip.

The fact that Falworth Hall had accidentally burned to the ground on one summer night had proved fodder for the curious, but the discovery of two bodies in the rubble, burned to a crisp, stilled the wagging tongues. Obviously people who had no business being there, thieves perhaps, who knew no better than to try and light a fire in a house that dilapidated.

As to the Rajah? His disappearance was barely even mentioned. After all, these foreigners were known for their unpredictable ways.

He noticed Ally’s hand occasionally stray in a caressing movement to her abdomen where their child lay curled in safety. The last couple of months, since her pregnancy had been confirmed, had been one of joyous disbelief for Allegra, who had convinced herself that she was too old to bear children.

Hah. Pip’s lips curled in pure masculine satisfaction, as he recalled the night she’d conceived. He knew, exactly, when the moment occurred—his whole being had rocked against her womb and he’d felt her inner muscles climaxing and taking his seed deeper than ever before with each spasm. He’d had no idea that creating life would be such a soul-wrenching experience for both of them. Of course, in fairness, there had been plenty of incredible experiences before and after that moment, especially after.

But knowing there was another life with them in bed at night lent an extra dimension to their lovemaking and Pip’s favorite sleeping position was with his wife’s bottom snuggled close, and his hand protectively resting on his child-to-be. Hearing Allegra chuckle that rich deep gurgle of hers warmed him to his toes, and he offered a silent prayer of thanks for all he now enjoyed.

“Here’s Pip now, Grace—we’ll let him read the letter in a minute...but go ahead and tell us the latest.” smiled Allegra, putting the letter on a small table.

Pip dropped a quick kiss on Grace’s head and stroked his wife’s cheek with a smile. “Is there anything special happening, or can we just stay here while the rest of the world busily trots along?” he asked, raising one eyebrow.

“Well, you’ll never guess...” giggled Grace.

Pip sighed, knowing that sound meant gossip was about to be forthcoming.

“It’s Gloriana...” said Grace, pausing for dramatic effect.

“Yes?”

“She’s going to be married—to the Earl of Montrose.”

“Ah, um, do we know him?” Allegra wrinkled her brow.

“Oh, Aunt Ally, you remember my telling you? He’s the mammoth man—the enormous Earl, he’s got lots of nicknames because of his size, and he made it quite clear that the only reason he came to London was to find a wife. Of course, he’s filthy rich, but unfortunately, they say he’s not really a gentleman, that he came into the title by a rather roundabout way...” Grace’s tones were hushed as if she was speaking of some dreadful transgression.

“Seeing as we’ve met some folks who are gentlemen, but certainly haven’t deserved to be called such, I think we ought to reserve judgment until we actually meet this man, don’t you, my love?” asked Ally in her practical way.

“I suppose...” said Grace, still shaking her head over the whole thing. “Of course, everyone is saying that Gloriana finally has what she wanted—a rich husband. But the irony is that she’s not going to live at Wandle with him, he’s taking her to his drafty old castle somewhere up north...she’ll absolutely hate it.”A small smile flickered over Grace’s face. “It’s really too perfect.”

Allegra bit her lip. “That’s uncharitable, Grace, inappropriate, and thank you for saying it because I certainly couldn’t.”

Both women burst out laughing, as Pip shook his head at them.

“Come on, ladies,” he said, holding out an arm to each of them. “There’s tea in the small dining room. Let’s go and feed ourselves and the next Lord Allenbridge” his eyes dropped possessively to his wife’s softly curved belly, “and you can be as mean as you want over scones and cream.”

“Mmm. Sounds lovely, Uncle Pip. I am both glad and sorry for Gloriana, I suppose...do you think she’ll ever know this kind of happiness? You know, the kind that makes you and Aunt Ally kind of...glow...at each other?”

Pip and Ally glowed at each other.

“I don’t know, Grace—that’s up to her, I would think. But I do know that you will have it someday; Penelope is on her way to having it, and if anyone wants it badly enough it’s there for the taking,” answered Ally, taking the question seriously.

“I’m not worried, there’s plenty of time before I need to think about settling down. I have things I want to do first,” said the young woman determinedly.

Allegra paused a second to thank the fates for sparing Angus—his and Grace’s tentative romance had blossomed into a very productive friendship, but if they’d wed, Grace would have ridden roughshod over poor Angus and made his life a living hell.

Pip slipped his arm around the still-slim waist of his lovely wife and treated her to one of his more wicked smiles. Her heartbeat picked up, her nipples pebbled, and she felt a rush of heat swamp her body. His eyes noted the signs of his wife’s response, and he tightened his grip around her.

“You do realise we retire early here, don’t you, Grace? Allegra tires easily, so we like to get an early night...” his fingers twitched on Allegra’s body.

“Of course, Uncle Pip. I’ll only be here for tonight anyway—tomorrow I’m pledged to visit some French emigrés with Jenny Palmerston—she says they’re quite interesting, and her mother is taking us both to a ball to meet them. It should be fun and a good chance to practice my French—it’s getting quite rusty.”

“Just the one night?” asked Ally, trying to ignore the sensual heat being radiated by her husband. Drat the man, did he think she was ready to drop her clothes for him whenever he wanted? Well, actually yes, she was, but that wasn’t the point.

“Sorry, yes.” said Grace opening the door to the small dining room. “But don’t worry, when Penelope comes home next month, we’ll all be here, and we’ll stay right through the Christmas holiday. Won’t that be fun?”

Pip, imagining having to chase his wife around to get her attention for more than two moments, groaned his agreement.

There was no doubt in his mind that there was nothing better than a loving family—unless it was being alone with a loving wife. A woman he’d never have even met if he hadn’t been struck with an excellent notion.

The End