Epilogue

Two years later, at the Wilmington country estate, Cheshire

His attention on the ledger spread open on his oak desk, Jack entered numbers matching those on an invoice he held in his other hand. Although he hadn't excelled at simple arithmetic as a student at Eton, he had discovered he was far better at keeping the books for his earldom than he had expected.

He was also coming to the realization that he was interested in farming, at least to the point of learning about planting, crop rotation, farm implements, and irrigation techniques. Since he owned several books on the topic, he had read them all. As for actually doing the farming, he thought it best to leave that to his tenants. Since he was sure he couldn't keep a house plant alive, he doubted he could manage a field of wheat.

Having met all his tenant farmers in person, he had also discovered he rather liked knowing a bit about their lives. Accompanied by his countess, he met their wives and children as they delivered baskets of food and gifts for Christmas. He was invited to their weddings and was sure to be present for their baby's christenings.

The wedding trip he and Persephone had taken to the Wilmington country estate was still ongoing. If it had been up to him, it might never end, but he was prepared to do his duty as an earl and attend Parliament. Squire his countess about the capital to attend the usual Society entertainments.

When the new Earl of Castlewait finished university and took his seat in Parliament, Jack and Persephone would move out of the Castlewait townhouse and into another one Persephone had found only one street away.

Shortly after he had finally taken his bride, Jack had met with his earldom's man of business, J. Arthur Peabody. Expecting the worst, he had learned that all was well. There was income from his farmland, expenses were reasonable, and maintenance had been done on buildings when it was required.

"There is one way you might increase your income," the man of business had remarked upon their last meeting.

"Oh?" Jack had responded.

"There is an inventor, one Elias Turnbridge, who has come up with a rather unique application for a steam engine," Mr. Peabody said. "For a small investment of one-hundred pounds, you could see your money doubled in only a year's time."

Persephone, who had been sitting next to him during the meeting, hid her mouth with a gloved hand but said nothing as Jack merely stared at Mr. Peabody.

"Sir?" his man of business had prompted.

Jack cleared his throat. "I am not interested," he stated.

Apparently surprised by the response, Mr. Peabody had merely shrugged and moved on to other business.

It was after that meeting that Jack decided to see to the business of the earldom himself.

The sound of babbling had him glancing up from the invoice to discover his countess standing on the threshold of his study. Dressed in an aquamarine day gown of muslin, she looked as gorgeous as the day they had married. A moment later, and he was thinking of how she had looked that morning, her sleep tousled hair hiding one eye as she kissed him awake.

He always enjoyed what happened a few minutes later, when he slowly made love to her, or when she climbed atop him and rode him to a quick and satisfying release. Mornings as a married man were far better than his days as a bachelor.

"Well, good morning, my sweet. Is it already time for tea?" he asked.

She grinned and seemed to stutter-step into the study. "Probably, but there's something far more important for you to see."

"Oh?" He stood from the desk and realized almost immediately what she meant.

His son and heir, John Junior, dressed in a long gown, was standing rather unsteadily in front of his mother. Chubby fingers were wrapped around Persephone's forefingers as the babe took a tentative step forward. A grin split his face at the sight of his father, and more babbling ensued as he took another unsteady step.

"Is that my son?" Jack asked in surprise.

"Well, I should hope so," Persephone replied with a scoff. "He's most certainly mine."

"Well, every time I see him, he's taller," Jack said in his own defense. "And now he has teeth." He returned to his seat so his outstretched arms were more level with the year-old boy. "But he's not bald anymore."

Persephone tittered. "You see him every day," she scolded as the babe let go of his hold on her fingers and lurched forward. Three steps later, and he was in his father's arms, babbling incoherently. Tears of joy pricked the corners of her eyes. "Oh, my darlings," she whispered.

Jack lifted the boy into the air and stood. John giggled and spread his arms wide as his father swooped him through the air. "What shall I teach you first, young man?" Jack asked as he settled back into his chair. "Your mother tells me you're already a consummate flirt."

Enjoying the show her husband was putting on for her, Persephone crossed her arms and leaned against the door frame. "You might warn him about fast girls," she suggested. "Remind him to be wary lest he be abducted and forced into a marriage."

Jack glanced at her in alarm. "You make it sound as if that's what happened to me," he countered.

Her eyes darting sideways, Persephone decided it best she not to remind him that in a somewhat roundabout manner, that's exactly what had happened to him.