Epilogue

Graceview Manor

Folkestone, Kent

Spring, 1818

S in spotted Lizzie sitting with Bethany and Celia on the picnic blanket, playing with baby Michael and baby Elizabeth, all three women deep in conversation. Patting his waistcoat pocket, he made sure the small gift was still there before stepping behind his wife and giving her a light kiss on her cheek. "Hello, ladies—how is the planning going?"

"Hello, darling," a beaming Lizzie replied, her extraordinary green eyes glittering like emeralds. "Very well—the Celia's fundraiser for the expansion of the orphanage is certain to be a great success."

"I am pleased to hear it. Anything I can do to contribute, let me know."

"You've already done so much mobilizing your former battalion to assist with all the work," Celia said, bouncing her gurgling infant on her lap.

"I suspect we'll get the work done in record time," Bethany added, picking up the rattle her infant son had dropped.

Sin, Romney, Wright, Armstrong, and the workers they'd hired had already laid the foundation and erected the brick fa?ade for the addition—a much-needed expansion, given the number of orphans they had rescued from Blackwood.

"Might I steal my wife away for a few minutes, ladies?" Sin asked.

"Oh, Edward, I don't think I can get up without making a cake of myself," Lizzie said, chuckling. "You'll need to help. Sitting on the ground might not have been the best idea in my condition. I feel as big as a house."

"Nonsense! You grow more beautiful each day," Sin said, gently pulling her to her feet. He couldn't wait to meet his son or daughter. He wanted a big family, with many children. They were off to a good start, having adopted Simon and Bobby, and now expecting their own baby.

How strange life could be. How unexpected the changes. Until he met and fell in love with Lizzie, he'd avoided marriage, let alone becoming a father. But Lizzie had changed all that. His only regret was that circumstances had separated them after their meeting in America. But Sin had vowed not to let any more time slip away from them, which was why he had asked Lizzie to marry him the same night they rescued her from Blackwood's clutches. Or rather, Simon and Bobby rescued her.

"Oomph! That feels immensely better!" Lizzie said, shaking the wrinkles from her skirt.

"I thought some refreshing lemonade and small sandwiches might be a welcome respite," Sin said, escorting her to a table he'd arranged to be placed under the shade of a leafy oak.

"Oh, how lovely. I was just craving those delicious cucumber sandwiches. Oh, and lemon biscuits too," Lizzie said as he helped her into one of two comfortable armchairs. "Then again, I've been craving almost everything lately."

"Anything you desire, my love, I will see that you have it." He dropped a gentle kiss on her lips and sat across from her.

"You've already given me everything I could ever want," she said softly.

"You're everything I want. You and our children," he said, reaching for her hand.

"Thank you, my darling." She blushed prettily. "Isn't it wonderful that Romney and Bethany have a house party to celebrate little Elizabeth's first birthday? I can hardly believe a year has passed since we were here last. And this time we have so much to celebrate and be thankful for."

"I agree," Sin said. "But I do have some news to share with you. Blackwood's execution is scheduled a week from now in London."

"He's an evil man who did such horrible things," Lizzie said with a shiver.

"His conviction for treason is what's bringing him to the gallows, not the abuse of all those children. But he will be punished just the same. Luckily, we gathered the information we needed, and the munitions he stole were returned."

"Thank you for stepping back from your position with Wellington," she said, squeezing his hand. "I confess, the constant worry would have done me in."

"And I confess that I much prefer this new consultive role. Besides, there's plenty to keep me busy at our country estate and the townhouse in Mayfair. And I plan to devote as much time and resources as I can on working to pass laws that will protect children from men like Blackwood."

"It's definitely something we need," Lizzie said, pouring them each a glass of lemonade.

"I also have something else I wanted to tell you," he said, popping a sandwich into his mouth.

"Oh dear—I hope it's not more news about Blackwood."

"No, my love. This is infinitely better," he said around a mouthful of cucumber sandwich.

"Well, then I am all ears." She grinned.

"Actually, it's a surprise."

"What kind of surprise?" Lizzie asked, arching a delicate brow. "It's not a special occasion I've forgotten, is it?"

"I promise it's not. We'll call it a ‘just because' gift. Just because I love you," Sin said before leaning across the table and capturing her lips in a kiss. She tasted sweet and tart from the lemonade she'd sipped. His lips hovered over hers, and a groan escaped him as he beheld the sensual gleam in her eyes.

"If that's my gift, I can't wait for more," she said in a husky voice.

"There will be more, tonight in our suite," he said, waggling his eyebrows.

Lizzie giggled as she placed a cucumber sandwich on her plate.

"Now…for your present." He withdrew a small black velvet box from the interior pocket of his jacket and opened it. Inside was a gleaming opal surrounded by diamonds. The moment the jeweler showed him the finished ring, he could hardly contain his excitement, deciding to present it to Lizzie at the house party.

Lizzie's mouth formed an O . She started to speak and then stopped, brushing away tears from her cheeks. "It's so beautiful. I love it."

"It was my late mother's. I hope you don't mind, but I had it refitted for you and added the diamonds. The ring was burning a hole in my pocket, and I could wait no longer. As your birthday is October, as was hers, I thought it would be the perfect motherhood gift."

"But my birthday is months away…"

"Nonsense. Remember, this is a ‘just because' gift," he said, placing the ring on her finger.

She started to speak but had to swipe away tears before she could say a word. "It's so beautiful. I love it," she said, holding it up. "It's exquisite. Thank you, my darling." She smiled and crooked her finger.

He grinned and leaned in to accept her kiss.

"I wish I had thought about something for you…to celebrate your pending fatherhood," she said.

"My gift will come later." He planned on both of them retiring early from the day's festivities.

The sound of a dog barking and boys giggling drew their attention. Aunt Millie was supervising Simon and Bobby as they taught Josie and her three cats to roll over.

"I cannot believe my aunt is allowing the cats outside, let alone to play on the lawn with a dog."

"Those cats think they are her children. But I detect the boys have made significant inroads," Lizzie said. "The children plan to perform a little show for us with the animals and show the tricks they have taught them. Millie has been such a dear helping with the boys."

"I suspect the boys have been helping Aunt Millie just as much. I've never seen her look so happy," Sin said. "But I am relieved the governess will be starting in two weeks."

"I confess, it was becoming a challenge for me between giving the boys their lessons and preparing for the baby. I can barely see over my belly. Until there is a magic carpet that can ferry me up the stairs to the nursery, we shall have to rely on the governess."

"Every day with you is like a magic carpet ride," Sin said. "Shall we take a stroll about the grounds?"

"I would love to."

He helped her up, and she slipped her arm through his. They strolled down the garden path, enjoying the sun glinting off the pond.

Sin looked up at the sound of men's laughter. Wright, Armstrong, Romney, and Robinson were playing a game of croquet. Although Robinson still had a pronounced limp, he had recently stopped using his cane.

"I'm glad Michael seems to be enjoying himself. I've been so worried about him," Lizzie whispered.

"I wouldn't worry too much about your brother. The man just inherited an earldom. He'll have plenty to keep his mind occupied."

"I hope we can find a nice young lady for him. And Wright."

"I doubt Wright will be ready to marry anytime soon," Sin said, laughing. "He's not as lucky as I am."

"And you are so very lucky, then?" She smiled up into his eyes.

His breath caught as he gazed at his wife's golden beauty. "I may have been at death's door the day I met you, but it turned out to be the luckiest day of my life," he said, bending down to claim Lizzie's lips once more.

*

Not the end.