Epilogue

FOUR MONTHS LATER

N ancy felt her heart drop as she had woken up that morning.

It had nothing to do with the fact that Richard had left their bed quite early that morning, desiring a quick horse ride suddenly. No, it had more to do with the suspicions she had harbored for a few weeks which she had just confirmed.

She was relieved that Richard was not home as she knew she would've struggled to tell him.

As she ate her breakfast, her mind raced with endless questions, the most important of which was how she would break the news to her husband, eventually.

Mrs. Silverstone noticed her odd mood and immediately began to fuss over her.

"Are you all right, Your Grace? Is the food not to your liking? I can ask the cook to make something else?—"

"Oh, no, that won't be necessary. I am just… a little lost in thought. Do not worry," Nancy quickly answered.

"If there is anything you need, please let me know." The older woman curtsied.

She had begun to walk away from the table when Nancy spoke up hesitantly.

"Actually…"

Half an hour after her breakfast, the housekeeper led her through the castle, pointing out unused rooms. "Some of the ones on this side of the castle will need some repairs, depending on what you intend to use them for."

Nancy nodded absentmindedly, noting that the unoccupied rooms were either random bedrooms or studies that were still kept clean. Still, she wondered about the one room she had yet to see.

"Mrs. Silverstone?"

"Yes, Your Grace?"

"What… What about the nursery?"

The housekeeper stopped in her tracks. "The nursery," she echoed.

Nancy swallowed. "Yes. I can't help but notice that there isn't one, and it is odd, given that Richard and his brother were raised in this castle?—"

"My goodness, Your Grace. You are with child."

Panic welled within Nancy, and although it confused her, she did give in to it, telling the woman, "Not so loud!"

Mrs. Silverstone let out an odd noise that sounded like a squeak before she clapped a hand over her mouth. "My apologies, Your Grace. I just—I got carried away. It won't happen again."

Nancy felt sorry for being harsh and shook her head quickly. "No, I… I'm sorry. I didn't mean—I've only just realized it myself this morning. I haven't seen my courses in two months, and it's… I haven't told Richard yet. I know that he loves me, but I fear that he might think we are not ready. I do not feel ready, and I am worried about harboring any sort of hope because what if he feels otherwise?"

"Oh, Your Grace," Mrs. Silverstone cooed gently, wrapping her arms around Nancy as fears filled her eyes. "He won't feel otherwise. His Grace thinks the world of you. I'm sure that he will be excited about the news. You both will make excellent parents, I am sure about it. Do not fret."

Nancy sniffed, accepting the handkerchief the woman offered, saying as she dabbed her tears, "I don't know how I am going to tell him. Isn't that silly?"

"No, Your Grace. I do not believe that it is. You do not need to tell him today. Whenever you are ready, you can share the wonderful news with him," Mrs. Silverstone advised.

"Thank you," Nancy mumbled with a watery smile.

"The pleasure is always mine, Your Grace," the housekeeper said soothingly.

"Now, onto the matter of the nursery. There was one, but after His Grace had outgrown it and moved into a room of his own, his father had turned it into a storage room for his hunting equipment. I do not advise that you use that room. We can pick another, one just as grand, and I will appoint a few maids to clear it out and clean it, discreetly. Until you are ready to let His Grace know."

Nancy nodded gratefully. "That would be lovely; thank you so much."

Mrs. Silverstone smiled at her gently and led her back in the direction they had come, stating that it would be best if Nancy had a glass of water before they continued their mission.

In the end, Nancy picked a room two doors down from her and her husband's chambers which she felt had the right amount of sunlight, and Mrs. Silverstone let her know that they would begin cleaning it as soon as possible.

"When you are ready to buy furniture, simply let me know," the housekeeper had added with a comforting smile before she left to handle other duties.

Nancy greatly appreciated her presence and comfort, and she spent the rest of the morning basking in the confidence the woman had given her.

However, it all melted away when Richard returned.

The moment he set foot in the same room as her, he ran towards her and lifted her up into his arms.

"Hello you," he told her and kissed her deeply.

Once he had rendered her breathless and light-headed he spoke again.

"I missed you dearly. We should never part again."

"You're the one who left me at home alone," she pouted.

"And for that, I am sorry, my dear wife. I shall resolve never to make the same mistake again. I spent the entire time thinking of you. Perhaps you might accompany me next time?"

"Perhaps," she echoed with a small smile, losing the nerve to tell him with every passing moment.

He kissed her head and took her hand as he began to guide them to his study.

"Did you have a good morning, my love?" he asked softly.

Nancy thought of her discovery and the panic that followed as well as the hopes she held deeply in her heart.

The safest thing she thought to say was, "It certainly was an interesting morning."

* * *

As it turned out, other forces became involved in Nancy's situation, increasing the difficulty she faced in regard to telling her husband.

Because just as she had summoned enough courage or motivation to impulsively blurt out the news she wished to share, something would interrupt their conversation.

The first few times, it had been a little exasperating how she had called for his attention only to have it stolen by Ernest, who merely wanted to remind the Duke that he had a business meeting later that afternoon.

Then she had felt betrayed when she had held onto Richard's hand and said, "Richard, there is something I wish to—" only to be interrupted by Dash's happy yaps.

"Dash! You're very excited today," Richard had noted, bending forward to pick the dog up.

Nancy had stared at her puppy, swarmed by a feeling that told her she had been wronged somehow.

By the time Richard had faced her again to ask what she had been saying, she had swallowed her words once more and found no courage to try again.

She felt silly, playing this game of push and pull, despite how much she yearned to tell him.

"I don't understand why I cannot just… tell him," she complained to the housekeeper.

"You are merely nervous, Your Grace. This is important, and in your mind, you want it to come up in a perfectly seamless manner. And there's nothing wrong with that, but all this stress cannot be good for the little one you are carrying," Mrs. Silverstone pointed out.

Nancy put a hand on her stomach, noting that nothing had quite changed about it yet, but she still felt different, somehow.

"You are right. I will tell him soon. Somehow. And I'll try not to worry about it anymore."

"Good." The older woman nodded. "Now, what color would you like to have the nursery painted? Or would you rather have wallpapers put up instead?"

Discomfort settled in Nancy's chest, and she found herself shaking her head. "Not yet. I… I do not want to prepare this room alone. I'd like to do it with my husband. Is that all right?"

"Of course, it is, Your Grace. You have a lot of time to ready the nursery. All you need to do is inform me when you would like preparations to commence, and I will handle the rest," Mrs. Silverstone assured her gently.

And so, Nancy continued to dance around the issue, pondering over and over how she should tell her husband. She couldn't understand the obsession with a perfect revelation, but it felt important to her, and she did not want to ignore it.

Eventually, Richard noticed she had grown a lot less talkative and began to fuss over her.

"Did I do something wrong, my love? If I have, I am sorry. Will you tell me what I've done, so I do not make the same mistake again?"

Nancy stared at her husband for a moment, a little taken aback by how remarkable the man before her was, suddenly struck by how silly she had been all this time.

"No, Richard, you have not done anything wrong. I have just been thinking a lot. About you, actually."

He blinked, surprised. "Me? Are you sure I have not done anything wrong?"

"No, my love." Nancy laughed. "You have been perfect. I was just thinking of how much I love you. And how excited I am to live by your side forever."

"Why does this sound as though you had a momentary doubt about your decision to be with me?" Richard frowned.

"I did not, Richard. I promise. I just… felt reassured. Of your love. I never doubted it, but it is always nice to be reminded of it," she assured him.

"Oh. I shall remind you every day, then."

With her mind made up, she cupped his cheeks and pulled him closer for a kiss. "I have no doubt you will."

* * *

The very next morning, when she had woken up, she donned a dressing gown and went to sit in the sunroom for a while, admiring the view of the estate from the windows.

Richard had gone straight to her as soon as he woke up, pouting as he approached her.

"Why did you leave our bed so early?" he complained.

She smiled up at him. "I wanted to take a walk. Would you accompany me? There is something I need to tell you."

"Of course." He nodded, holding a hand out and helping her rise to her feet. "Would you like me to fetch you a cloak? It is quite cold this morning."

"No." She shook her head. "It's all right. We're not going outside."

He was clearly confused, but still, he followed her all the way to the room two doors down from theirs. She opened the door and led him inside, noticing the puzzled expression on his face immediately.

"Has this room always been empty?" he asked.

"No. I had the staff clear it out… because there is no nursery. And we will need one, soon."

It was a testament to how precious he was when his frown deepened.

"We will?" he asked.

At that moment, all her concerns felt even more ridiculous, and she couldn't help but laugh.

"Yes, Richard. I am with child."

For a moment, he did not move or speak. Then he stepped closer to her and pulled her gently into his arms for a hug.

"Are… Are you sure?" he asked, looking deep into her eyes.

Tears welled up in her eyes, and she nodded.

"I don't… Oh my. We're going to be parents. Parents . Is it all right that I feel equally excited and terrified?"

"I think a little bit of fear is normal. I was terrified, too, when I found out. I do not know if we're ready. I do not know if we'll ever be. But I am very happy that I'll get to raise this child with you. I think… No, I grow certain with each moment that we will make it work, somehow."

Richard pressed a kiss to her temple. "We will. I promise you that we will. Thank you for trusting me."

Nancy held him tighter, her heart swelling in her chest. "Thank you for loving me."

The End?