Epilogue

S even months later

Victoria wiped away her tears. The first official wagonload of Tolley Foods had just headed down the long, tree-lined drive bound for London. The new shop in Oxford Street, offering discerning customers all manner of estate-grown spices, preserves, and specialty cured meats, was due to open at the end of the month.

Her sister-in-law, Serafina Kembal, had been generous with her suggestions for the cured meats, promising she would be their best customer if they continued to stock Italian-inspired pork salami. The Duke of Strathmore was going to supply wild boar from his Scottish estate, and Robert intended on mastering the art of curing wild boar meats over the next few months.

"Is the driver and his companion well-armed?" asked Victoria, nodding in the direction of the heavily laden wagon.

Robert slipped an arm about his wife's waist. He didn't yet know that in a matter of months he wouldn't be able to do that, but Victoria was keeping their piece of happy news to herself. Waiting until the time was right.

"They are carrying plenty of weapons. Though apparently there hasn't been any spice robberies in the past six months. Nor any highwaymen. The blackguard who used to hold up the coaches appears to have gone to ground, but one can't take any chances," he replied. The grin on his face was delightful.

Thank god, that is all over.

The deal with the East India Company seemed to be holding. The remaining spices had been returned to them, and there had been no repeat of the incident with the agent. George had even been able to return to London and had taken over management of the new Tolley Foods enterprise. From all reports, his wife was delighted with the news of his change in career. George's first task had been to visit the Boar's Head Inn at Bishop's Stortford and retrieve the passenger manifest for the mail coach which had been robbed a few months earlier. Payments and an apology had been sent to all the victims of the masked highwayman, along with the solemn promise that Mrs. Brown had been safely returned to her husband.

As for Robert, Victoria sensed it would take him a long while to fully come to terms with having lost his personal war against the East India, but she kept those thoughts to herself. If and when he wanted to talk about what had happened, she would be here for him.

And he was here for her. Robert's warm kiss on her cheek had Victoria stirring from her daydream. "Well?"

"Sorry, I wasn't listening."

"I was asking if you had finished writing that piece on the need for restaurants to change the oil in their pots on a more regular basis."

Victoria rested her head against Robert's chest and gently sighed. "Yes, I have, it's ready to go into the book. I think it's important that people understand how tainted oil impacts the taste of the food."

She had been writing a piece about the careful treatment of condiments and oils which would go into their new travel guide for London food. Her scrapbook of Robert's newspaper reviews along with her own notes, had formed the basis of their soon to be published first book.

In the time since they had come to terms with the East India Company, Robert had put all his energy into planning and developing the crops which now formed the basis of the spices and herbs at Tolley Manor. He'd also been working on a new Saffron Gin, which he planned to sell once he had it perfected. The estate workers were enjoying their role of taste testers.

Meanwhile Victoria had spent her time writing the book and working with George on the plans for the new shop. She'd also undertaken a deep study in plant husbandry. The Duchess of Saffron Walden could now hold her own with anyone who wished to discuss the effects of an early spring on the yield of a strawberry crop.

She was yet to find anyone who actually wanted to have that conversation, but when she did, she would be ready.

"Are you planning on heading back to the fields this afternoon, Your Grace," she asked, doing her best to stifle a knowing grin. Her gorgeous husband had a habit of liaising with his estate workers in the morning, then demanding that he and Victoria conduct ‘other estate business' in the afternoons.

He slipped his hand over hers and gave a gentle squeeze. "Perhaps not. I think it is important that you and I conduct a meeting in private after we have taken lunch. There is but one matter on the agenda." It was the same agenda every day, with variations just to keep things interesting.

Victoria grinned up at her husband. There were so many new beginnings happening in their lives—a family and a future to look forward to. While Robert was doing his utmost to become a good man, there were times when his duchess had to take him firmly in hand and show him the error of his ways.

"Actually I would like to add something to the agenda. You ate the last of my omelet at breakfast this morning, and I think you might need to show me how sorry you are for taking something that belongs to someone else," she replied.

His bedroom eyes met with hers, and a sly knowing smile formed on his lips. "And who would you like to offer up this apology? His Grace, the very polite Duke of Saffron Walden? Or perhaps a masked highwayman with a penchant for kidnapping duchesses?"

Victoria briefly shook her head. She loved this game. Her core was already clenching with unsated desire. As Robert leaned in close and whispered in her ear, Victoria's blood turned to fire.

"Ah, then that only leaves one name on the list. The wicked Duke of Spice. But I hear he has never repented for any of the things he has done. Are you sure you wish to be alone and naked with such a villain?"

Almost breathless with need, Victoria bit down on her bottom lip. "I'll be the judge of how much of a villain the Duke of Spice is, though it might take me some time to form a proper opinion."

Robert chuckled deep. "Excellent, because I hear he has all the time in the world this afternoon to show you just how pleasurable his villainous touch can be. And if you're not fully convinced by the end of today's encounter, I would suggest you keep coming back to his establishment every night to sample his extensive menu."

As he bent to kiss her, Victoria knew she would always come back for more.