Epilogue

A few weeks later…

W ith each day that passed, peace settled over Merewood Keep. Augustin marveled that he had grown to love his wife more with each passing day.

His life and that of his daughter were richer, their love deeper and fuller all because of the courage, forgiveness, and love of the woman who held his heart. He watched Eyreka from the open doorway to his daughter’s bedchamber and was awed at how quickly his world seemed to right itself. He no longer held tightly to the past, or blamed himself for his first wife’s death, nor for not knowing his daughter was being treated shabbily when he was not at court.

The Lady of Merewood had helped him believe again. Had taught him that her love was unconditional. No matter if they had differing opinions, disagreed, or shared harsh words between them, she taught him a simple, heartfelt apology oftentimes was all that was needed. He had gained much more than a home to raise his daughter when the king gifted him the holding of Merewood Keep—he’d gained a wife and strong sons. Sons who followed their mother’s example and laid aside their hatred of all things Norman, accepting him as their overlord and stepfather. He’d been infinitely blessed. Fierce love for his new family twined with the love he had for his daughter. He was stronger because of it.

He must have made a sound from where he stood in the doorway. Angelique turned toward him and smiled. “I’m ready for you to kiss me goodnight, Papa!”

Augustin walked toward her bed. Smiling, he bent down and pressed a kiss to her forehead and the tip of her nose. Angelique’s eyes were already closing when he whispered, “Sleep well, ma petite ange .” Her breathing slowed as she fell into a deep sleep.

“Come.” He tugged on his wife’s hand, urging her to follow him out of the bedchamber. But her mere touch was not enough. He pulled Eyreka into his arms, and still the feel of her curves fitted against the hard planes of his warrior’s body was not enough. He needed to feel her warmth and the beat of her heart—skin to skin. He dipped his head and pressed a kiss to her lips, trailing more along the line of her jaw to just beneath her ear. “Are you ready for me to kiss you goodnight, my love?”

She tilted her head back and met his stormy-gray gaze. “I’m not sleepy.”

God, how he needed to make love to her! He groaned, scooped her into his arms, and strode to their bedchamber. Shoving the door open with his shoulder, he stepped inside with his precious burden and kicked the door closed behind him.

“Give me time, and you will be.”

His lips met hers in a soul-searing kiss that promised of forever.