Epilogue

Waterside, Kent—Ten years later . . .

M alcolm made his way to the steward's office, hustle and bustle around him as their servants prepared for the family to leave for their annual summer visit to Shadowcrest. Ever since a family house party had been held when Pippa and Seth returned from their honeymoon with little Adam, it had been a tradition for the Strongs and their spouses and children to gather at Shadowcrest at the end of each August and the beginning of September, lasting two weeks. As the children grew older and needed to leave to go away to school, the party had been moved back to the final two weeks in August.

This year, they would be celebrating the return of Pippa and Seth again, whose latest adventure had taken them on a cruise throughout the Mediterranean during the summer months. They were to stop at small seaport villages in France, Italy, Corsica, and finally Spain before returning to England.

As usual, Byron and Mirella would be returning from their time in the Lake District, while August and Georgie would be joining them from their summer pilgrimage to Dalmara. James and Sophie would abandon town for a while, as would Dinah and the captain. Even after all these years, Malcolm still referred to his father-in-law not as Mr. Andrews or Drake, but as the captain, as the entire family did. The captain had become a grandfather to their three children, ages nine, six, and two.

It would only be Allegra, Lyric, and their families who had spent the entire Season in town. While the rest of the family came annually for the start of the Season and stayed until the beginning of June or so, the twins enjoyed the social scene in London, and their husbands were happy to indulge their wives in these activities.

Malcolm reached the steward's office and entered without knocking, seeing his beautiful wife scribbling away. Effie had become Waterside's steward a year into their marriage and ran the estate seamlessly, with the help of Mr. Marcus, who assisted her throughout the year in managing the estate and took the reins during the Season and while the Strong house party was being held.

"Last minute instructions for Marcus?" he asked.

Effie finished writing and set down her pencil. Looking up, she gave him one of her radiant smiles, a smile that still stole his breath each time she bestowed it upon him.

Rising, she came toward him. "Is it already time to leave for Shadowcrest?"

He rested his hands on her waist, and her palms flattened against his chest.

"Yes. We should head out in a quarter-hour or so."

"Then I need to go and change," she said, starting to pull away.

Malcolm held fast to her. "Why change? Your family has seen you in breeches before."

Her hands slid up his chest, and her fingers linked behind his nape. "It is Effie, the steward, who wears breeches, Your Grace," she flirted. "The steward is going on holiday so that Effie, the duchess, can make her appearance."

She pulled him toward her, their bodies pressing against one another as she gave him a long, delicious kiss.

Breaking the kiss, he said, "I wish we had time for more, love, but if you are changing clothes, you better do so in a hurry."

"Are you certain you do not wish to help me change?" she asked, battling her lashes at him in exaggeration.

"You know what happens anytime I play lady's maid for you."

Then he kissed her again, long and slow, his desire for his duchess ever strong.

She brushed her thumbs along his temples. "I see a bit more gray here today," she teased. "I find that very attractive, Your Grace."

It was true. He was starting to see gray hairs at his temples, and other men in the family also were spotting gray in their hair. In the past decade, the captain's hair had been so threaded with silver that, over time, the black waves had gone light, giving him an even more distinguished appearance.

Malcom kissed the tip of her nose, saying, "Ten years may have passed, Duchess, but you appeal to me more now than you did when we first met." His hand moved to her belly, his palm flat against the small bulge there. "Will we tell the others while we attend the house party?"

Her hand moved atop his. "Yes. We will announce the new babe and his or her arrival next March."

He released her after a final kiss, and Effie went upstairs to change. She did so rapidly, unlike other women who had to shed gowns several times before they were pleased with one. His steward-duchess was immensely practical. As long as she wore a gown and her hair was swept back into its usual chignon, she never worried about her appearance. The fact that Effie had only grown more beautiful through the years and was entirely unaware of it told the true nature of her character.

Malcolm marveled at the effect his wonderful wife had on him, in ways both small and large. Of the many gifts she had given him over the years, he was happiest with Effie teaching him not to fear anything. He had explored emotional depths with her, sharing about his own lack of maturity and sympathy in his first marriage. Effie had been the one to encourage him to visit where Imogen and Eunice lay, and she accompanied him to the crypt each year on the anniversary of their deaths. Effie had taught him to accept his past, which could not be changed, and embrace his present—and their future.

Shouting it was time to leave, Malcolm saw Miss Feathers appear, holding the hands of his son and older daughter. She was followed by the nursery governess, who held his younger daughter in her arms. When Effie gave birth to their first child, she had told him they simply must convince Miss Feathers to return to Kent once their son outgrew his nursery governess. She said she could not raise her children without the steadying hand of her former governess. Miss Feathers had joined their household when their son turned three and Effie was increasing with their second child. He liked Miss Feathers, who had become family to him, as the many Strongs and their spouses had over the years. Where once Malcolm was alone, save for Ada, now he was richly blessed with a large, loving, extended family.

His sister and Lord Ashmore had two children of their own, both boys, and Ada was still hoping for a girl at some point. She and her viscount had wed at Season's end, as Effie had predicted. Ada thrived in her role as Viscountess Ashmore and ran her household with ease.

His mother had moved to the dower house, saying that the new Duchess of Waterbury should be the one the servants looked to for direction. Though Effie split her time as steward and mother, somehow she also managed his household with aplomb.

Soon, they were in the carriages which would deliver them to Shadowcrest. It usually was between two and two-and-a-half hours to make the journey from Waterside to Shadowcrest, depending upon the state of the roads. No rain had fallen for the past two days, and the roads were in decent condition, allowing them to make good time to their destination.

They were shown to the usual room, the children taken to the nursery, united with all their cousins. That was what Malcolm found remarkable about attending the Season each spring. These Strongs, unlike the majority of the ton , insisted upon bringing their children to town with them so they might see them each day. Families called upon one another daily, allowing the cousins ample opportunities to know one another and make lifelong friends.

Malcolm escorted Effie to tea on the terrace, which proved to be a lively occasion, and then the ladies went out to stroll through the gardens, led by Sophie, while the men stayed where they were and caught up on their lives since they had parted from one another in early June.

He and Effie then spent time playing and reading with their three children, tucking them into bed before heading downstairs to dinner.

After dinner ended, they retired to the drawing room for one of their many traditions, singing bawdy sea shanties as they gathered around the pianoforte. Georgie and Mirella took turns playing for them, with James and the captain leading them in song.

A warm glow filled Malcolm, his arm around Effie as they sang. They had shared their news of the newest Ware's appearance and received heartfelt congratulations from the entire family. He looked out over this group, people who had become both friends and family to him, all the couples love matches, as were he and Effie.

James, the rough and tumble sea captain, who had defied the conventions of Polite Society, turning the ton on its ear when he had wed Sophie, a widow who ran her own business.

Seth, another sea captain with an adventurous spirit, who had found his soulmate in Pippa, who matched him for craving adventures across the globe.

August, the once-handsome army officer, who had returned to London bearing his wounds of war, capturing the heart of Georgie, the most beautiful girl of her come-out class.

Then there were Sterling and Silas, two notorious rakes who had bedded half the women in London. They were now satisfied husbands, tamed by Allegra and Lyric.

Byron, who had shared with Malcolm some of his story and how he had despaired of ever catching Mirella's notice, the most spirited of the Strong women.

And finally, the captain and Mrs. Andrews, a couple who had found love later in life, yet their passion sizzled as much as any other couple present.

Malcolm turned, taking his wife's hand and lacing their fingers together.

"Thank you for saying yes to me all those years ago," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "Your family welcomed me and claimed me as one of their own. These women are like sisters to me, and these men are the brothers I never had. I am grateful each day to be so blessed, having you, our children, and this group in my life."

His duchess smiled at him. "Thank you for not giving up on me. For chasing after me and letting me know how much love you held in your heart for me. For allowing me a glimpse of what our future could be together."

Effie paused, tears misting her eyes. "Our life together has been even better than I could have dreamed, Malcolm. Every morning, I am thankful to awaken in your arms, ready to see what the new day will bring."

"It brings love, Effie. Other things, too—but there will always be love."

With that, Malcolm kissed his wife, and then they joined back in the song.