Epilogue

Shadowcrest—1 September 1811

M irella woke first, savoring her husband’s warm front against her back. Even in sleep, he held her close, his arm possessively around her waist.

Her expanding waist.

Already, she could note the changes in her body. Her waist thickening. Her breasts growing tender and becoming slightly larger. She was craving any kind of bread with jam spread across it, the more, the better. For the first two months, she had awakened feeling nauseous. Thank goodness she had never vomited. They had found if she kept a piece of fruit by the bed and nibbled on it when she awoke—even before leaving the bed—the nausea subsided. That was gone now, as was the fatigue of those early weeks.

She estimated she was three months along now. They had yet to say anything to anyone, keeping the sweet secret to themselves, relishing it for a bit. Today, though, was Byron’s birthday. Mirella had told him with the house party ending in two days, now was the time to announce the coming child and celebrate his birthday.

It had surprised her when he told her that he had never truly celebrated his birthday. She supposed it was because he had been ignored by his parents, who had favored their firstborn son.

She could wait no longer and began stroking his muscular forearm. Soon, he was nibbling her neck, his hand stroking her belly, going lower. He slid a finger into her, and she arched against him, moaning as the deep strokes brought her to orgasm. She started to muffle her cries of ecstasy, knowing she had Pippa and Seth on one side of their bedchamber and Georgie and August on the other. Across the hall were Lyric and Silas, while next to them were Allegra and Sterling. Then again, all her sisters and cousins were in love with their spouses, so Mirella didn’t bother to keep quiet. Let them all know she was in love with the most perfect man in the world.

That is, he was perfect for her.

Byron turned her now onto her back, his hands roaming her body, his kisses hard and demanding. This husband of hers had taught her so much about physical pleasure since their wedding. He could be wildly exciting one moment in bed and then tender the next. All Mirella knew was that she would always love one man for the rest of her life.

He kissed his way down her body, feasting on her full breasts, bringing her to another orgasm. She panted, out of breath.

With a wicked grin, he teased, “Oh, you are so easy to arouse, love. I think I could merely look at your breast, and you would come for me.”

She sighed. “I know it. And I love that.”

Byron kneaded her breasts as he kissed his way further down her body, finding her core and slipping his tongue inside. His hands moved to her hips as his tongue toyed with her. Mirella writhed beneath him.

“I need you in me. Now,” she commanded.

He grinned. “I never knew how tyrannical you were. You order me about in bed as if you were Wellington himself.”

Smiling lazily, she said, “Wellington never did this to you.”

Mirella encircled his swollen cock, stroking it, seeing the satisfied smile appear on his face. Soon, she had him panting and eager for her. He pushed her hand away and thrust into her, burying himself to the hilt.

“Ah,” she whispered. “That feels so good.”

“Then this will feel even better.”

He began their dance of love, moving in and out of her, kissing her, touching her, branding her as his. When he spilled his seed inside her, collapsing atop her, she wrapped her arms about him, holding him to her.

Byron kissed her again, a long, drugging kiss that made her want to make love all over again. She told him so and he laughed, pulling her along with him as he turned so that they lay on their sides, facing one another.

“Happy birthday, Husband,” she said, touching her lips lightly to his. “Just think—we met for the first time this day last year. At Grasmere. I recall your aunt had a cake baked, and we ate it at dinner.”

He brushed his lips against her brow. “And then we went to the drawing room and you played for us.” He looked at her in wonder. “I had never heard music played the way you performed that night, Mirella. I believe that is when I fell in love with you.”

Kissing her again, he broke the kiss, holding her cheek to his chest, stroking her back. “Who knew a year later, we would be wed, and you would be carrying our babe.”

“I do want to tell the others today,” she said. “With my entire family here, it is the right time. That way, I do not have to write a dozen letters and repeat the news over and over.” She paused. “I do hope that Amity will be happy about the babe.”

“Oh, do you think her nose will be out of joint, not being the center of attention?” he teased.

“Perhaps a bit,” she said. “After all, she gets quite a bit of attention being the only child at Bridgefield.”

“For now. I am certain more will follow this one. And think how good she has been around the other babes during this family house party. Why, she and Adam almost seem like best friends. And she has been very good with Alexandra. I haven’t really seen her with the smaller ones, though.”

She laughed. “That is because Allegra and Lyric’s babes are infants, Byron. They were only six weeks old when they arrived at the house party. Amity has not been interested in them because all they do is sleep and eat and fuss a bit.”

“Is that what infants do?” he asked, kissing her again, long and slow.

“They do. And look adorable,” she said saucily.

“Oh, so the babe will take after you?”

“If you think I am adorable, then yes. He—or she—will be incredibly adorable.”

They both laughed, and then Byron rang for her maid and his valet. After they dressed, they went down to breakfast. It was served buffet style since there were so many of them coming and going.

All through the day, she looked for the perfect time to share her news with her family, wanting everyone to be present. Yet there was always someone gone. Even at dinner, both Georgie and Lyric excused themselves for a time, having to go to the nursery to check on their little ones.

Finally, they all gathered in the drawing room. Mirella could tell Mama was tired. She would give birth in a couple of weeks, and everyone had praised her for putting together such a wonderful party to welcome Pippa and Seth home and allow the entire family to come together.

“Play something for us, Mirella,” her mother asked.

Going to the pianoforte, she didn’t think she would play in total silence. There were too many people talking and laughing. When she struck the first few notes, however, conversations ceased. Mirella put heart and soul into the composition, finishing minutes later, the last chord sounding.

Knowing she had everyone’s attention, she said, “This is the only time I think everyone has been quiet, so I will tell you now that Byron and I will be welcoming a new little Balfour come next February.”

Cheers erupted throughout the room. Byron’s brothers-in-law pumped his hand enthusiastically as the women in the family gathered around Mirella, giving her hugs and kisses.

Aunt Matty said, “I knew he was for you from the moment I saw the two of you together at Benbrook.”

Effie said, “I agree. It was obvious you were both smitten with one another.”

She placed her hands on her belly, rubbing it. “It is hard to believe this next generation of Strongs is growing. Well, the babe will be half-Strong, half-Balfour.”

Mama framed Mirella’s face with her hands. “Oh, my darling girl. I am so thrilled for you. You will make for a wonderful mother, and Byron will be an excellent father.”

The captain joined them, saying, “What Byron doesn’t know, he can learn from me. After I learn about babes myself, that is.”

Everyone laughed, and her stepfather encircled her with his strong arms. He kissed the top of her head. “You will be a good mother, Mirella. Just as your own mother is.”

“I will certainly look to Mama for guidance.”

Verity took Mirella’s hand. “I am so happy for you and Byron. It is nice that our family is growing.”

She smiled at Verity, who in a short time had become like another sister to her. Mirella looked out at all her family, happiness radiating from them all.

It was good being a Strong—and finding her soulmate as so many of them already had. She looked across the room and caught her husband’s eye.

“I love you,” Byron mouthed, breaking away from those gathered around him.

He came to her, his arms going around her, his warm mouth touching hers in a sweet, gentle kiss.

Mirella told him, “I have all I could ever wish for in you.”

Smiling down at her, her husband said, “You are the one I was looking for. Waiting for—even when I did not know that was what I did. And in that quest for love, Mirella, I have found you. I am complete, my love. And utterly content.”

Byron kissed her again, the kiss full of their shared love, one which promised her that he would be there for all their tomorrows.