Epilogue

T he warm September sun bore down as Emily stepped into the grand front foyer of their new estate, Saltdean Manor. A youthful giddiness had taken root in her chest, and she bit her lower lip as her eyes explored the unfamiliar surroundings. "I love it all."

"And you haven't even seen the best of it yet," Alex whispered, taking her by the hand. "Come this way."

He pulled her up the circular staircase, passing multiple doorways and corridors that remained untouched. Until finally they arrived in a spacious library, where Alex tugged aside the curtains covering the tall windows to reveal the expansive view.

Emily gasped, pressing her fingers up to the glass. "Incredible." Beach and blue water for miles in almost every direction.

"Now these are not the cliffs in Brighton where we walked before," Alex explained from behind, wrapping his arms around her waist, "for we are just a little farther east. And to the north of us the perfect amount of open land for Morgana. "

She turned in his arms, glancing up at him over her shoulder. "And you're sure this is what you want?"

He nodded. "Selling Markham Estate may have been your idea, but I have not been able to stop thinking about it since then. And this place is the perfect solution."

Emily grinned, snuggling back against him and placing her hand on the side of his face. She felt the same. Even though the gossip in London had eventually been replaced with the newest scandal from Lady Whetstone, Emily knew things could never be the same. Their pasts would always be there, lingering in the background. Society had not dared disrespect the duke and duchess, but Emily and her husband were not bound by the same rules. It was better that they get away for good.

They watched the hypnotizing waves crash along the beach below, and Emily realized what it would mean. To live away from London for good.

"We could always have the duke and duchess come visit, can't we?" Emily asked, her voice smaller than she'd anticipated.

"Of course, as soon as Isabel finishes her confinement. Then they can bring Theodore and the new child that comes along."

Emily turned again in his arms. "And what of your mother and sisters?"

"Do not fret," Alex said, giving her a light squeeze. "Here, we will have plenty of space for all of them to come whenever they like. And between the two of us, we have more than enough money to live comfortably for the rest of our days wherever we go."

Yet her concerns continued. "But what about my friends? I will not be able to do my part in finding them wealthy husbands out here by the sea. And I cannot just abandon them in their current positions. I know your friend Mr. Seymoure means well taking on Daphne without references, and Mrs. Pembroke has been nothing but decent to Georgiana, but the old woman may die soon, and they deserve more—"

Alex placed a finger over his wife's mouth. "We will not abandon them, I promise. Though we can only take on one thing at a time. Gracious, your mind races faster than I can keep up sometimes," he said with a chuckle.

"You are right." Emily nodded, taking a deep breath to calm her thoughts. "What about the staff from Markham Estate?"

"They can be here just as soon as I sign all the necessary transaction paperwork. And I'll have them bring Morgana as well."

It really would be perfect here, and her heart felt near to bursting to have the opportunity… but she couldn't help teasing her husband. "And you're certain this is not just your last attempt to hide your scandalous wife away from society?"

Alex wiggled his finger in her side, making her squirm.

"Damn it, woman. This is my last attempt to protect you from the rest of the world." He pulled her back and placed his hands on her shoulders. "We won't have to worry about what everyone thinks about us here. I know you say it doesn't matter, that it will pass with time, but I see how it weighs on you. And you shouldn't have to bear the burden of how terrible society can be."

Emily sighed. How well her husband knew her.

"They only say such things because they do not know you, the real you. But I love you as you are, no matter what anyone says, and I do not wish for you to change. I may call you an infuriating woman at times, but I love how bold and stubborn you are. And I want you to always be straightforward with me. Tell me when I'm stepping out of line or being an ass, and I'll tell you when you're being unreasonable and intolerable. "

She laughed. "I suppose there really could be no one else for either of us." She thought on poor Mr. Evans, and she knew for certain that she could never have been this happy with him. He was a good man, and she wished him the best, but Emily belonged with Alex Westcott instead. He was her home, the place she truly belonged.

"Then we are in agreement? This will be our home?" Alex asked.

Emily nodded. "Yes. The rest of our lives will begin at Saltdean Manor. It will keep you healthy and well and both of us safe from the gossip in London. We'll raise our family here and be all the better for it. We'll collect seashells from the beach with the children, and have them on display in the house, along with the bottles on the wall."

Alex laughed. "I believe bottles of wine and rum are not meant for children."

She swatted at him playfully. "I only meant the ships in bottles. You will have to teach me, and then we can teach our children." Emily reached up, wrapping her arms around the back of his neck. "Together we can teach them that even when some difficult things might appear impossible at first, with a little patience and effort, the outcome can still be glorious and beautiful."

A rare mistiness caught her husband's eyes as he pulled her close against his chest. Alex nodded firmly as his gaze dropped to her mouth, and he said, "Yes, we'll do just that."