Epilogue

The next morning…

Leah stretched,her entire body humming with satisfaction. And not just the sexual kind, although Harlan had made sure she had plenty of that the night before.

No, it was the blissful kind of realization when one realized all the dreams she'd ever had were about to come true. But more than that, she had finally found a place to call home. As someone who had traveled extensively, Leah had always wanted to have permanent roots, and she smiled, knowing that Harlan offered her that and so much more.

The surprise on her face had been evident when the coach had pulled into a broad courtyard the evening before. A large, stone fountain sat in the midst of a lovely manicured lawn. Although she couldn't see much beyond the neatly trimmed hedgerows, she could tell that the exterior of this place was magnificent.

She had time to gaze upward at a towering manor with gray stone, before she had been ushered into the front door, where a well-dressed butler greeted Harlan. "Welcome home, Mr. Mathis. It's good to see you again."

Leah had looked at Harlan with her mouth slightly agape. "This is yours? I thought we were just stopping here for the night."

In reply, he'd waved a hand dramatically to showcase the rich carpets and lushly maintained furnishings around them. Leah had no trouble smelling the beeswax oils from the dark wood of the grand staircase. "Welcome to Dove Haven. My estate." He paused and moved to wrap his arms around her. "Correction. Our estate, just as soon as I can put a ring on your finger. I'm heading for a special license. I have no doubt I will be granted one with ease."

To say that Leah's head was spinning was an understatement. When Harlan had escorted her upstairs to his chamber, she turned to him curiously. "I don't mean to pry, but since it will soon affect me as well, how did you manage to secure a place like this?"

In reply, he'd laughed and dragged her back into his arms. "You don't think that I worked for the Home Office out of the charitable goodness of my heart, do you?"

She rolled her eyes. "Well, no, but still—"

He'd taken her chin between his thumb and forefinger. "I have invested my money well. And my father was not a pauper when he died. I am not given to do anything in excess—gambling, drink, or women..." He'd lifted a brow at that. "Except, perhaps, for one lady in particular." He'd set a light kiss on the tip of her nose. "She is welcome to anything that I have."

Leah could feel the stirrings of desire starting to take over. She leaned into him, her breasts crushed by his hard chest. "I can certainly think of one thing you have that I am more than interested in."

He'd lifted a brow. "Is that so? Then let's not waste any more time granting your fondest wish."

After that, no more words were spoken, unless they were uttered in the heat of passion.

Now, as Leah welcomed the new day, she was eager to explore her new home. And she couldn't be more pleased to be sharing it with Harlan, the man of her dreams whom she hadn't known to exist but was thankful that he did.

As if thinking about him caused him to appear, he walked in the door carrying a silver tray. She could tell that he was trying to be quiet, but when he glanced at the bed and saw that she was awake, he gave a regretful sigh. "I was hoping to wake you with a kiss," he muttered as he sat down the offering.

She reached out a hand to him. "I am more than willing to accept that kiss either way."

He walked over to her and granted her an embrace that left her yearning for more. "Will it always be like this?" she sighed.

"I will make sure of it," he returned firmly. "You're not escaping from me, so there's no point in trying."

She laughed, but at the same time she heard a challenge in that statement. "Do you forget how adept I am at picking a lock? You can't keep me secured in a tower."

"Not a tower." He shook his head. He slid his hand along the counterpane. "I was thinking of something a bit… softer."

"You extend a difficult bargain, but I suppose I must accept."

"Good." He kissed her, and again, it was entirely too short. "Eat your breakfast and get dressed. I have a surprise for you."

Her interest instantly piqued. "Do you? I can hardly wait."

He left the room, and a short time later, a girl was sent claiming to be Nicole and that she would be her ladies' maid.

Leah lifted a brow but said nothing in return. It would take some adjustment to allow someone else to help her dress when she had been more than capable, but she decided, by the time Nicole was finished with her hair, that perhaps a bit of pampering was not amiss after all.

"Has the master shown you to your rooms yet?" Nicole asked.

She had to fight the urge to blush, but she could feel her cheeks heating nevertheless. "No. We got in late last evening and he was kind enough to let me sleep in."

"Of course." Thankfully, that was all Nicole said as she led Leah through a set of double doors, past a large sitting room and beyond to another set of doors. When she threw them open, she stood aside for Leah to inspect her surroundings. It was just as magnificent as the rest of the house had been so far.

"Impressive," Leah noted.

Nicole didn't say anything as she walked over to a massive, walnut wardrobe and opened it to withdraw a cream-colored gown with elegant beadwork. When she laid it on the four-poster bed, Leah walked over and laid her hand gently on the silk. "It's exquisite." She shook her head. "But surely this is a mistake. I have never seen this dress before. It can't be mine."

Nicole only smiled. "I think it was a gift from your husband-to-be." She held it up enticingly. "Would you care to try it on?"

"It's a bit much for a house exploration, isn't it?" Leah said with a light laugh.

"You can always change." She shook the material and the elegant rustling made up Leah's mind for her.

She obediently held out her arms.

Once Nicole had fitted her into the gown, Leah walked over to the full length, cheval mirror in the corner and inspected her reflection. She stared, because she hardly recognized the beautiful woman looking back at her.

"You look very elegant, miss. A perfect bride."

Leah blinked, as the maid's statement penetrated her brain. "What are you—?"

The girl had already walked over to the door and opened it to reveal four handsome men that she knew all too well—Matthew, Hugh, Lucas, and Benjamin. At this point they were more like family.

"Harlan is one lucky man," Hugh grumbled as he walked over and took Leah's hand, giving it a light kiss on the back.

"What are you talking about?" she said, but something told her she already knew what was going on here.

Lucas stepped forward, his eyes shining brightly behind his spectacles. "You should know that Harlan is one to make an impression. I swear this was the last secret we were honored to keep."

Leah turned to Benjamin, who shrugged his shoulders helplessly. "I'm just here for the food."

It was such an absurd remark that Leah had to burst out laughing.

Hugh extended his arm to her. "Are you ready to get married?"

She lifted her chin and accepted the offering. "Lead the way."

She took Lucas's arm and flanked by Benjamin and Matthew, the five of them headed downstairs to the main parlor in the front of the house. When they walked across the threshold, Leah gasped at the lavishly decorated room. Roses filled the air with their glorious scent, but it was the people in attendance that moved her heart more than the grand romantic gesture. These wonderful men had brought their wives and children to celebrate this special day.

Leah's eyes filled with tears as she looked around at all the warm, friendly faces. It was the best gift that she might have ever received.

Until she glanced up.

Standing proud and dashing, in perfect black and white finery, was Harlan. His brown hair was slicked back from his forehead, and there was a glimmer of satisfaction in his hazel eyes as she stopped before him and her escorts took their seats. The vicar stood with a Bible in his hand and waited for them to hold hands.

As they did, Leah leaned over to whisper to Harlan, "I can't believe you planned all of this without my knowledge."

He shrugged. "It wasn't difficult to prepare once I'd properly worn you out last night."

Leah could feel her face bloom with color, but it was more from awareness than embarrassment. "You are insufferable."

His focus cleared and she could feel her heart skip a beat when he said, "That may be, but I will spend the rest of my life loving you."

"That is good," she said with adoration for him filling up her heart. "Because I offer the same vow to you."

He answered with a scandalous wink. "Then how about we go through the rest of them so we can get to the wedding night?"

Leah lifted a brow, but she had to smile. "I think that sounds a capital idea."

Author's Note

A few things tomention from a historical aspect. We all know that most of the highwaymen in England were rampant in the 17th and 18th centuries. However, as Gravesend became highly populated, taverns, pleasure gardens, and various other amusements began to take place, I thought it would be the perfect setting to see the revival of highwaymen, even if they were fabricated for the purpose of the story.

There is an actual Windmill Hill in Hailsham that I modeled my windmill after in Gravesend. There were several old mills in southern England during this time and I found them to be quite fascinating, as well as the perfect place to host a party—and a bit of conspiracy!

We always think of Queen Victoria as one of the most popular monarchs, but there were times when she was not always liked. During her time on the throne, seven attempts were made on her life. A scandal early on in her reign regarding Lady Flora Hastings, one of her mother's ladies-in-waiting was particularly detrimental. She was dismissed, believed to be pregnant. In truth, she was suffering from a tumor that ended up taking her life. Rumor has it that the queen never quite got over the error in judgment, and it did not earn her much regard.

The plot to overthrow the queen early on was entirely fabricated by my imagination, but I imagine there were some who wondered if a young girl of 18 was fit to rule. As it was, she was unable to gain Hanover, of which her father was king. They had a Salic law in place which forbid women from succeeding, so the title of King of Hanover went to Victoria's uncle. With the rest of his brothers gone and losing the Crown of England to his niece, it only makes sense that some might have been on his side to gain him both titles.

Nevertheless, until Elizabeth II, Victoria was the longest reigning monarch, and the fifth woman to rule in all of the extensive British history until that time.