Epilogue

" A t last!" Alex heard his wife exclaim excitedly, causing him to detour into the open door of her former bedroom. Clarity was holding a piece of folded newsprint.

"Isn't writing paper easier to use?" he asked.

"Your aunt was correct. It was a waste. But look, I've done it. Finally!"

Alex stared at the creation resting on her palm and felt a surge of love for her.

"It's a lovely bird, darling. Well done!"

"It's a flower," she informed him.

"Well done!" he repeated less enthusiastically, relieved to see her begin to smile until both her sweet dimples showed.

"You may not be adept at folding paper, but your new sitting room looks as stylish as any of those fashionable parlors in the magazines you're always perusing."

She was preparing to start refreshing and restyling each room in their house, and thus, Clarity was collecting fabrics swatches, paint colors, and wallpaper samples.

He swept her into an embrace, and she let the flower fall to the floor.

"Although you may end up with Aunt Elizabeth's sitting room after all," he told her, "considering the many times Major Grover has visited lately."

"Are they appropriately chaperoned?" Clarity asked, offering him a wry grin.

"Most assuredly. Mr. Berard sits directly between the major and my aunt to make sure Aunt Elizabeth behaves herself."

Clarity burst out laughing, and Alex enjoyed the feel of her warm, soft body bouncing against his own.

"I would have vowed my aunt remarrying was as likely as astronomers discovering a new planet. And then, behold, Neptune appears in their telescope."

She laughed again, a sound he adored hearing as often as possible. It had become his daily mission to make her laugh, and in giving her happiness, his own grew tenfold every day.

"In truth," he confessed, "the major asked my permission in a roundabout way and will be proposing when he stops by on Saturday. I doubt they will have a long engagement."

Clarity tilted her head and studied him. "I think you will truly miss her when she moves out. After all, she has been a constant in your life."

A constant what , she didn't say, but Alex could guess what his wife was thinking. He would be grateful always to his aunt for doing the best she could. Her intentions had always been for him to be happy.

"And I think you will be relieved to be the only lady in the house."

By Clarity's small smile, Alex knew he was correct. While the two females had gotten along much better since his wife had spoken her mind, instilled her wishes upon the staff, and thrown a wildly successful party, two willful women under one roof was one too many.

"When Aunt Elizabeth marries the major and moves out," Clarity said, "I could, in fact, use another room. I intend to start offering instruction."

"In what?" he asked.

"Paper folding, of course."

Dear God! Alex felt his stomach churn. She would become a laughingstock!

Regardless, to keep her happy, he would support her in the endeavor. Mayhap he could pay each student to declare her a superior teacher.

Trying admirably to keep a straight face, he said, "That's an interesting idea."

"Alex!" She slapped his shoulder. "I was speaking in jest. Would you really go along with such a terrible notion?" She shook her head and gestured to the latest pile of folded paper failures. "I'm going to demonstrate flower arranging to other women who've asked me for advice."

"Thank goodness," he muttered, closing his eyes a moment. He felt her hand upon his cheek and opened them again.

"I've been told I have a good eye and a skilled hand for it," she said.

"You have a skilled hand," he agreed, recalling how she'd used it upon him the night before.

Clearly, she read his thoughts. "Incorrigible man," she said, lacing her fingers behind his neck and pulling him down for a kiss. "How I love you just as you are!"

When he claimed her lips, she melted against him, and he would swear he detected an extra fullness to her breasts.

Taking her lovely face between his palms, he pulled her away from him and looked down into her eyes that sparkled like blue diamonds.

"Clarity, darling, is there something you wish to tell me?"

She sighed. "I may not be apt at making paper birds, but I am extremely good at making your babies."

Joy, pure and sweet, drenched him like warm rain, and his laughter burst forth.

"I take it you are happy and not thinking it's too soon for another," Clarity surmised. Then she bit her lower lip, looking as enchanting as ever. "People will think we tup every night."

"We do tup every night. We're going to tup right now to celebrate."

"What harm can come from it?" she asked, eliciting laughter from him as only she could.

Sweeping his lovely wife off her feet, Alex carried her into their bedchamber next door.

He had learned that happiness could be fleeting and shouldn't be taken for granted. When it came to making love to his wife, he wouldn't put it off even for an instant.