Epilogue

T he estate bustled with the lively discussions of both friends and family. Amelia looked on with a smile as Lady Charlotte and her brother worked to entertain Lord Emerton. However, the Duchess had already been told by her dear friend that the man seemed far too much like a rake for the Lady’s liking.

All Amelia could do was laugh to herself, especially when she noticed the way Charlotte continued to stare down the man when he’d turned his attention to her brother. If she didn’t know better—which, in this instance, she very well might—Amelia would have thought there was a spark of interest behind her critical gaze.

Ethel and Magnus were quickly sparing once more when Frederick stepped away, and Selina was carrying on a lively conversation with Sophia, officially Hugh’s betrothed now that Richard had given his blessing.

“And what are you smirking at, dearest? Has there been another near-duel between the Lady and my oldest friend?”

Richard was at Amelia’s side in an instant, his arm snaking around her waist and warming her down to the marrow.

“Hmm, of sorts.” She turned to him, chuckling slightly. “I recognize that face she’s making from the mirror. I think the Lady protests her dislike of Lord Emerton a bit too ardently.”

The Duke’s brows rose, and he stared down at her with an amused expression draped over his handsome features. “Truly? I will admit that it is a surprise. She did not seem to take him all that much at all at that first dinner.”

“She was a bit distracted at the time, knowing that her friend was a bit unhappy.”

Richard made a face.

“Well, I was. And you yourself were not altogether pleased, considering you decided to practically throw the Viscount out of the home.”

He narrowed his eyes, then ducked his chin back as the guilt for his past actions visibly caused a wave of embarrassment.

“That was…I apologize. Again .” He took Amelia’s cheek in his hand, smoothing his thumb over it. “Though, you will be happy to hear that the man is recovering after Isaac’s attack. It is a slow progression but an upward one.”

Amelia’s stomach clenched, and she nodded. “Oh, that is good to hear. But let us not mention the Earl tonight. I wish to indulge in a rare evening of no worries and pure optimism. We’re going to visit your brother’s home after all, and I want a joyful send-off.”

“Of course, dearest.” Richard smiled, kissing her gently. “I am of a mind for that as well.”

As Amelia hung in the ecstasy of that moment, footsteps sounded behind her at the door to the drawing room. When she turned, Jane and the other housemaids entered with a polite head bow and smiled across the room at all those gathered.

“Dinner is served, ladies and gentlemen. If you would, please make your way to the dining room, and we will begin with the first course.”

“Oh, I thought I might perish if I had to wait a moment longer,” Selina exaggerated.

Amelia and Charlotte just laughed, but Ethel was sure to point out the unlikely chance of that happening.

“A human can sustain themselves without food for approximately a week, Your Grace. So I am afraid we would all have only been forced to listen to your complaints should the chef have required more time.”

Barking out a laugh, Amelia walked with Richard toward the door, holding out her hand toward Selina.

“Come now, Selina. There will be food a plenty. The chef has decided to prepare a grand meal for our last in the house before we travel to the country to visit Hugh’s estate.”

Shaking off Ethel’s perfectly executed cut, Selina smiled at Amelia as the group left together for the dining room.

“I am so glad that you have both decided to finally take your honeymoon away from the city for a time. It has been long overdue.”

Amelia grinned, looking back at Richard as she pressed forward with Selina—arm in arm—as they strode down the hall. “It would have been a very different situation if I had enjoyed the Duke’s company all those years ago. Tolerating him is a very novel concept for me.”

Smirking, the Duchess stole a glance over her shoulder. Richard just smirked back at her, his eyes holding that dark promise of a lengthy “conversation” when the evening concluded and permitted them to return to their chambers for the night.

Selina laughed along with Amelia, and they soon joined the rest of the large party at the dinner table. The spread before them, even for this first course, was plentiful and undoubtedly mouth-watering. There were various soups for them all to try—both hot and cold. Magnus and Richard helped to serve those around them at their ends of the table.

It felt homey and wonderful to be enjoying such a meal together. Amelia’s heart was lighter than it had been before this fantastic change of events between her and Richard.

Frederick was seated across from Charlotte who sat to Amelia’s right, with Selina seated across from the Duchess. It made for an interesting arrangement that Amelia only wished she’d done on purpose. Charlotte couldn’t stop squinting at the Earl, and Amelia had to hide her grin behind several sips of wine and spoonfuls of soup.

“Is everyone quite satisfied with their helping of soup?”

Amelia received a chorus of yeses and then gestured to her serving staff that they were all ready for the next course. The table was quickly reset by them in a flurry of movement that created a dance of sorts. Her friends smiled at the presentation, and Amelia swelled with a certain pride for the dinner experience she’d helped to put on with her wonderful staff.

The second course was presented then, which showcased an assortment of mutton, beef, and poultry, which she had gone with the Mrs. to procure from the market just yesterday.

Vegetables and savory dishes dressed the only remaining open spaces on the table, and Richard took up the carving knife to slice off bits of the meats for himself and then to the guests. The staff carried the full plates to everyone, who gleefully dug right in. Conversations easily flowed, and the food was incredible.

“This is delicious, Amelia. Your chef has outdone himself. And you picked such fine cuts,” Frederick complimented.

“Oh,” Charlotte added, “quite so. I should say that it is the finest meal I have ever eaten. Even including that singular dinner we enjoyed with the Earl.”

Amelia eyed her friend, silently saying, “Charlotte, manners,” with the raise of her brows.

“It truly has outshined even that. You must tell me where you have gone to get such fine stock. I will tell my staff as soon as I return home.”

Frederick took the snide comment in stride, and Amelia was gracious for it. Nodding her head, she gestured toward the back door where the servants had come and gone from. It led to the kitchen.

“I shall tell Chef Aubert that his skills are appreciated. Truly, he is a wonder in the kitchen, and he brings so many marvelous things with him from France.”

“Ahh, so that is how he has obtained such refined skills. A Frenchman. I will have to look for my own.”

The table laughed, but Amelia could see Charlotte taking her aim for another cut against Frederick.

“Can you so easily put your current chef out of work?” She kept her tone level, but Amelia had hardly ever seen her so set on taking someone down. It was a strange sight, to be sure, and again, one that Amelia had a hunch about.

“Oh, do not fret, Lady Charlotte. I adore my current cook, but she is getting on in years, and she has asked that I might find her a suitable replacement. I do not know how she would feel about a Frenchman, but she has more than earned herself a life of rest now.”

It was so effortless the way that Frederick came back at her, and Amelia watched the two stare each other down. There was certainly something going on there, and she would keep an eye on it to see how the tension developed between them.

Dinner progressed on, the next course being delivered with several sweet and savory dishes. There was an array of cheeses, pickles, jellies, and even a number of salads, which the group ate heartily. There was hardly a scrap left after the rather large group for a close-knit dinner was finished with it.

The tablecloth was changed for dessert, and those assembled took a moment to stretch their legs while the table was changed over, and a veritable cornucopia of delicacies was spread out over the fresh cloth, from tarts and cakes to more soft cheeses with nuts and fruit. There were even custards, more fruits, including a pineapple that Amelia had rented for the evening, and a block of carved flavored ice in the shape of a swan.

“Exquisite, Amelia!” Selina exclaimed. “And my favorite animal, too.”

“It’s lovely,” Ethel added, “though, perhaps next time you could request a bear! I would love to see one growling over the desserts.”

Amelia chuckled lightly, nodding down the table at Ethel, who sat near Hugh and his wife, Sophia. “Of course, you would. You are quite the one for a bit of dramatic flair. I shall see if that is in the capability of the ice carver.”

Ethal blushed only slightly, her eyes swiveling to Magnus, whose stare was narrowed on her, and then down to the table. “Thank you, Your Grace. You are too kind.”

Amelia waved that off. “I am happy to give all my guests—my friends—something to enjoy at the dinner table. You needn’t worry over it, Ethel. Also, you were meant to tell me of the recent tome you acquired from the university on loan.”

She perked up immediately, delving into the topic of her latest read. Amelia felt a gentle squeeze on her hand from Richard, who sat at the head of the table on her left. It was a kind acknowledgment of how she worked to help Ethel feel less uneasy about her unique appreciations and enjoyments.

The remainder of the dinner proceeded comfortably, and they all adjourned to the drawing room afterward to enjoy a bit of conversation before the guest needed to leave. Amelia and Richard had an early morning of travel ahead of them, along with Hugh and Sophia, and she was excited to meet more of the people in her brother-in-law’s life.

As the evening closed, Richard walked with Amelia up the stairs to their shared chamber. The floorboards creaked softly, a reassuring sound that Amelia was so very familiar with. It was still a surprise to be hearing them dip beneath the weight of two sets of feet, and Amelia was feeling incredibly grateful.

When they reached the door, Richard opened it wide before scooping Amelia into his arms. She smiled happily up at him, giggling.

“What are you doing?”

“I am carrying my bride over the threshold. I was not of the mind to do it before, so as this is the night before our honeymoon, I shall do it now.”

She snuggled into his chest as he carried her to the bed and set her down.

“You are improving, darling. Soon, you will be as romantically inclined as any young beau.”

“It is entirely thanks to your remarkable motivation. To see that smile on your face,” Richard took her cheek in his palm, “there is little that I would not do.”

Amelia swooned—genuinely swooned—and in quick fashion, they were both pleasantly dressed down to their underthings, Richard pulling on his banyan to keep warm in the room while the fire got going.

“Tomorrow, we ride for Hugh’s estate. Are you looking forward to spending time in the country again?” Amelia asked. It had been a long while since Richard had returned to Blackford, and while this would be different, it was still quite similar to his familiar country home.

Her husband relaxed on the bed, holding out his arm for her to lie against him. “I am. It is a slower pace in the country, and I think you, too, will find it enjoyable.”

“A slower pace,” Amelia chuckled, “yes, that does sound quite pleasant. I have taken my turns feeling nearly ill and then entirely ravenous.”

Richard looked down at her. “Oh? Is something the matter?”

Amelia grinned, no longer able to keep the secret. “No. Not at all, though, I should imagine that I trip to the modiste will be required soon. I shall require looser fitting gowns.”

There was a hesitation, and then Richard cocked his head, studying her. As his eyes flicked between Amelia’s face and her midsection, he took her hands, gripping them tightly.

“Amelia, dearest, are you telling me that…”

His words died off, and Richard raised his brows up to his hairline.

“Look under your pillow.”

She had taken to placing a small item there earlier, thinking that tonight might be the perfect occasion to inform Richard of the good news. He did, following her order with a confused smirk, and when his hand came back out from underneath the billowy softness, her husband held a small silver rattle.

“Amelia!” He grinned from ear to ear, pulling her in to kiss her. “Truly?!”

She nodded, her own smile filling her face as the tears stung in her eyes. “We shall be a family properly in a few months’ time. It is true, Richard.”

He kissed her again, and when Richard pulled back only slightly, whispering against her lips, Amelia was so overjoyed it was a miracle she could contain it all.

“The future looks indeed quite fair, dearest. I will be at your side through the entire endeavor.”

“Don’t fret, darling. I’m quite sure it will all work out splendidly.”

She patted his cheek, reaching up to kiss him again. Richard returned the move in kind, sweeping his tongue through the seam of her lips and pulling her against him more firmly.

Laughing, Amelia leaned back enough to say, “What are you doing?”

“Carrying my future child is no reason to avoid preparation for making another.”

Amelia giggled again, giving up any hope of going straight to bed. In truth, this was an excellent way to end the evening, and she would pride herself in making Richard see to her needs several times for all the discomfort she’d already endured. Curse early pregnancy .

Gesturing at her hips, Amelia smirked. “Very well. Get to work then, darling.”

Richard grinned, then worked his kisses down her neck with the promise to take them lower still.

Excellent indeed.

The End?