Epilogue

EPILOGUE

THE FOLLOWING DAY

D rawing his wife closer to his chest, Simon kissed her deeply. “Well, Your Grace, are you ready to return to our home?” His heart felt as if it would burst as he smiled down at her.

“I am; we just need to ensure that our little ward is ready as well.” She placed her hands on his chest and gently pushed him away.

Groaning deeply, Simon rolled his eyes and allowed her to escape.

“Can’t we send her home in a separate carriage, or even better, we could come back for her? I was looking forward to riding alone with you in our carriage. The drive back to London could prove to be a fruitful one, if you know what I mean.” He reached for her hand and kissed a path up her arm, stopping when he reached her neck.

Octavia laughed and shook her head. “I am afraid not, Your Grace. Isolde is our responsibility until we have delivered her to my uncle.” She gave him a cheeky grin before slipping out of his grasp and heading toward the door. “Besides, the anticipation of waiting will make our trips abroad all the sweeter.”

Relenting to the situation at hand, Simon rolled his eyes and followed her down the hall. For all of his complaints, he was happy that everything had turned out as it should have in the end.

Augustus still hadn’t been found, but Simon was certain that they’d be hearing from him any day.

“Good morning, I hope you both slept well.” Isolde met them in the hallway just outside her chamber door. The bags under her eyes indicated a lack of sleep as she forced a smile.

“We did, thank you,” Octavia answered for them both, glancing over her cousin’s shoulder. “I don’t see any trunks; have you had them sent down already?”

Isolde pursed her thin lips into a line and shook her head almost sadly. “I am not ready to return to my father’s house. I know that I will have to face the music sooner or later, but that time isn’t now. I have asked Lady Haxford, and she is more than willing to accommodate me until I am ready.”

Simon watched as Octavia’s shoulders slumped in understanding. Closing the distance between them, Octavia placed her arm around Isolde’s shoulders and pulled her in for a hug.

“We understand; I shall return to London and let Uncle Jack and my godmother know that you are safe. I shall tell them where you are, but that you are not ready to face them just yet.”

Isolde seemed to relax as the tension left her face. “Thank you.”

“And when you do decide that you are ready to return, you are more than welcome to stay with me and Simon for as long as you like. We will provide a safe harbor for you until we can ensure that your homecoming will be one filled with joy.” Octavia shot Simon a pointed look when he practically groaned his disapproval.

He hadn’t even had time to enjoy his reunion with his wife yet, and Octavia was already offering their home to her cousin.

Sensing a pivotal moment in their relationship, Simon relented and faked a smile. “Of course, you will always be welcome to stay with us.”

Octavia mouthed the words ‘thank you’ to him and gave her cousin’s shoulders a final squeeze.

“Well, I guess there is nothing left to do but see the two of you off then. Will you be traveling abroad once you’ve finished your plans in London?” Isolde seemed to cheer up once the worst was out of the way.

Simon looked at his wife with a smile. “Oh, I think that can be arranged. I think it’s high time that we make good on our agreement to travel.”

His wife’s face filled with so much love and adoration that Simon couldn’t help but feel as if he’d made the right decision. “I think Rome should be first on our list. We can see the Colosseum and stay in our family villa.”

“That sounds like the best idea that I’ve ever heard.” They held each other’s gaze forgetting for a moment that Isolde was even there.

Clearing her throat, Octavia’s cousin stepped past them. “I think I’ll go and see how far they are with the carriage.” Her cheeks filled with color as she made her way down the hall.

Drawing Octavia in his arms before she could escape, Simon pushed her hair aside and whispered in her ear. “Do you think we have enough time to try again for an heir? I think our chances are greatly improved the more we try.”

Shaking her head with laughter, Octavia turned back to Simon and kissed his cheek. “You are being quite naughty, Your Grace. We should make our way downstairs before anyone comes looking for us. Besides, we are going to have the carriage to ourselves now that Isolde is no longer coming with us.”

“That’s true.” Simon suddenly lifted his head and let go of her, rushing back into their chambers.

“Simon, where are you going?” she called after him in confusion.

Poking his head around the corner, he met her gaze with one of her cases placed under his arm. “I’m taking the luggage down to the carriage; the sooner we load the cases, the sooner we can enjoy the carriage.”

Laughter rang through the corridor as she tilted her head back and laughed.

“Just who do you think you are laughing at?” Simon rushed forward and slung her over his shoulder.

“I’m laughing at you, Your Grace. Your behavior is most improper!” She continued to giggle as he carried her down the passage.

“I’ll show you improper as soon as the wheels of the carriage start to turn!” He called at the top of his lungs, not caring who heard him.

Too many years had been spent fearing the opinions of others, and Simon Wakefield was about to start living his life.

Octavia took a deep breath as the carriage pulled up outside her childhood home. The building seemed smaller somehow, yet she was more than certain that nothing physical had changed. Lady Haxford had been kind enough to loan them a carriage and horses while Simon’s stallion rested enough to be sent back to the estate.

“Are you ready?” Simon asked her with a gentle smile of encouragement.

“Readier than I will ever be.” She leaned in closer and kissed his cheek.

Stepping from the carriage, Octavia stepped right into the waiting arms of her godmother.

“And where is my note? I’ve been waiting for news since yesterday, young lady! I was about to send a search party after you!” Matilda drew her into her arms and hugged her tight enough to cut off her breathing.

“Help,” Octavia whispered to her uncle, indicating for him to intervene when she spotted him over her godmother’s shoulder.

Coming forward, the Earl placed his hand on Matilda’s shoulder and gently prized her off of Octavia. “Come now, Matilda, let the girl breathe.”

Doing as he said, Matilda reluctantly let go of Octavia and took a step back. “Well, I see you are all in one piece. Have you news of your cousin?” She glanced from Octavia to Simon as if she could see that something had changed.

The Duke stepped forward and offered them both a greeting as he came to his wife’s side.

“We did find Isolde,” Octavia informed them before glancing at Simon. They had used the long carriage ride to devise a plan between themselves that would benefit Isolde.

“And where is she?” The Earl stepped forward and demanded angrily despite the relief that flooded his face. “Why did you not bring her back with you?”

It was Matilda who placed her hand on his arm and held him back. “Jack, let them speak.”

Taking a deep breath, Octavia began to explain. “She is alive, well, and safe, but she will only return when she is ready to face you. Let this be a lesson to you, Uncle Jack, that despite our positions in society, Isolde and I both have feelings that demand to be heard.”

Looking down in shame, her uncle seemed to be considering her words.

“Jack, isn’t there something that you wanted to say to your niece?” Matilda gently nudged him in the side and spoke through the corner of her mouth.

Sighing heavily, Uncle Jack looked up. “Octavia, as difficult as it is for me to say, I think that an apology is long overdue. I never should have pressured either your cousin or yourself into marrying. The arrangement had been made long before either of you were even of marriageable age. Out of all the terrible things that I have said and done, there is however one that haunts me the most…” His voice trailed off as emotions took hold.

Matilda moved a bit closer and placed her hand on his arm for support, nodding her approval.

The Earl seemed to be in a great deal of discomfort as he looked Octavia in the eyes. “I should never have said that your father wouldn’t have been proud of you. It brings me a great deal of shame to think that I made you doubt your position and even your worth in this family. Never for a moment have I ever regretted bringing you into my home. It may not seem like it at times, but you are a daughter to me, and your parents would have been utterly proud of the young woman you have become.”

Tears welled in her eyes as Octavia swallowed the lump in her throat. “Thank you, Uncle Jack. It means the world to hear you say that. I have never been ungrateful for the way you stepped into my life.”

She looked up at Simon with a loving smile and looped her arm through his. “Besides, it isn’t entirely necessary to apologize for everything that happened.”

Matilda caught on first and gasped in delight, raising her hands to her cheeks. “You made up; this is such wonderful news. You see, Jack, I told you things would work themselves out in the end.”

Lifting his head with pride, the Earl cracked a rare smile that would have shocked passers-by if anyone had seen it.

It did Octavia’s heart good to know that her uncle was finally proud of her marriage.

“Since you are already in London, will the two of you be joining us for dinner?” Uncle Jack looked from Octavia to Cassin.

Exchanging a knowing look that made her Godmother swoon with delight, Octavia and Simon turned back to her uncle.

“I think I would like to take my wife home as soon as possible if you don’t mind. I think a few days of rest at our country estate will be in order before we set off on our honeymoon. If I understood correctly, there is something of a charming villa in Rome that is just waiting to be put to good use. There is also a ball for the servants that needs to be planned. I don’t think any of them would forgive us if it didn’t take place.” Simon gazed down at her with such love that Octavia wished they were alone.

“That sounds like a fine plan to me.” Matilda caught Octavia’s gaze, sending her a message that only the woman could understand.

I am so happy for you.

Octavia started crying from joy at the same time as her godmother.

“What has happened?” The Earl glanced between them with a confused look before looking to Simon for help.

Lifting his shoulders in a shrug, Simon shook his head.

The awkward exchange caused a fit of giggles between the woman that had them gasping for breath.

Uncle Jack’s frown deepened as Simon smirked in discomfort.

“Men!” Matilda laughed with a heavy sigh and ushered the group into the house for a final cup of tea before Simon and Octavia set off on what was to be the first of many adventures together.

Two months later…

Octavia sighed contentedly as she repositioned her body against Simon’s. The silk robe he had purchased for her as a belated wedding gift opened slightly to reveal her shapely legs.

The warm afternoon air that wafted through the open villa shutters caressed their semi-clothed bodies.

Simon was practically falling asleep again when Octavia ran her fingers over his chest.

“Did your meeting with your brother go well this morning?” She flattened her palm against his chest and enjoyed the heat that radiated through her fingers.

Dozing off, Simon quickly came to his senses and cleared his throat. “It went well; I’m sorry you didn’t feel well enough to come with me. He apologized for not getting in contact earlier. He plans to travel the continent now that I’m happily married.”

Laughing softly, Octavia kissed his chest. “I’m glad things worked out for everyone in the end. It wouldn’t have been right to force them to get married.”

“Hmmm,” Simon grunted a response, running his fingers through her hair. “Did the doctor say what he thinks is ailing you? I don’t think we should have eaten at that strange little inn yesterday. I know you said it was charming, but I wasn’t entirely sure what kind of meat we were eating.”

“He said I will survive.” She bit on her lip and placed her chin on his chest, so she could get a better look at him.

“You had better; if you don’t feel well again in a few days, I think we had better go back home. I don’t trust doctors abroad. London boasts some of the finest doctors in the world, in my opinion.” The corners of his mouth tugged into a smile as he shut his eyes.

Feeling the pit of her stomach churning, Octavia sat up and placed her hand against her abdomen. “Can we not talk about doctors and traveling right now? Just the thought of it makes me want to…”

Simon shot up in bed, his eyes filled with concern as her face paled. “Are you ill? Must I send for the doctor?”

It was almost too late when Octavia shot out of bed and ran to the window.

“Octavia? What must I do? Oh God, things can’t go wrong right now. Not after everything we’ve been through.” He shot out of bed and began to pace back and forth in front of the bed, running his fingers through his hair.

Coming up straight, Octavia felt the nausea subsiding as she walked to the simple jug of water that had been placed in their chambers. The cool water she splashed against her face helped bring some of the color back to her cheeks.

“You know, this is all my fault. I wasted so much time in our marriage, and God is punishing me. Rightly so. I’ll fetch the doctor at once before I find a chapel. I will spend the rest of the week on my knees asking for forgiveness. I should never have swept you away like this.” His voice became increasingly frantic when Octavia decided to end his misery.

She wiped her face with a clean towel and made her way toward him.

“Calm yourself, my love. There is nothing wrong with me that will not be cured in another seven months.” She placed her hands on his chest and stopped him from pacing back and forth.

“I knew I should have… What did you say?” He paused mid-sentence and looked at her.

Octavia sighed heavily and shook her head with a smile. “God is not punishing you, my love. On the contrary, I think we are being blessed.” She gave him a moment to process the news.

Realization dawned in his eyes as he lifted his hands and placed them both behind his head.

“You don’t mean to tell me?” His eyes filled with grateful tears.

Nodding with tears in her eyes, Octavia felt the relief flooding her body. “I am ill because I am carrying your child. I wanted to tell you when I was a little further along, but your penchant for self-deprecation made it impossible.”

Lifting her in his arms, Simon swung her around the room in a circle. “I can’t believe that I’m going to be a father. This is the happiest day of my life.” His laughter echoed through the villa and filled Octavia’s heart with joy.

“You aren’t going to be very pleased with me if you don’t stop spinning me around like this.” Octavia felt her stomach churning again before he placed her back on her feet.

“Oh, of course.” He took her hand and led her over to the bed, making her sit on the edge. “You must get lots of rest and make sure you don’t overdo it.”

His words made her roll her eyes. “I am pregnant, Simon, not an invalid. I still wish to walk among the vineyards on this estate and enjoy the rest of our honeymoon.

Relaxing a little, Simon lifted his hand and stroked her cheek with the back of his knuckles. “You know I love you. I would never forgive myself if anything happened to you. I am the luckiest man alive for having you as my wife. You came into my life and showed me what it truly meant to live my life to the fullest. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for you.”

Reaching for his hand, Octavia took it in hers and kissed his fingers. “Nothing will happen to me, Simon. You’re stuck with me for the rest of your life. I knew I loved you from the very start; I was just stubborn to admit it to myself.”

Leaning in, Simon kissed her cheek before pulling her against his chest as they both lay down on the bed.

The warm summer breeze kissed their bodies as Simon placed his hand over her abdomen. “I did want to ask if you had been enjoying the cuisine here in Rome, but I didn’t want to offend you.”

Allowing her head to fall back on the pillows, Octavia laughed from the pit of her stomach.

The End?