A Virgin for the Rakish Marquess (In War and Love #3)

Extended Epilogue

Six Years Later

Diana was deep in the velvet, soft armchair, her feet tucked beneath her, one hand resting under her chin as she bit her lip in concentration, lost in the pages of the new book in the overflowing library. The room was bathed in golden sunlight, the rare warmth of the morning slipping through the windows, casting a honeyed glow over the mahogany shelves and the well-worn rug beneath her feet.

The words were so profound that she had to pause, lifting her gaze to the open garden beyond the window. Outside, the world was quiet, the gentle breeze went through the leaves of the trees making them sway like soft dancers, kissing the petals of the flowers. The truth of the words and the reality of her happiness made everything clearer.

This was her haven. Her peace. How funny was it that in the end of it all she got her wish. Calm and quiet, untroubled and flowing easily. She smiled softly to herself and returned to her book, letting the words pull her back into their world. Then- BANG!

The door flung open with a dramatic force, and a small, unstoppable force of nature barreled into the room.

“Mama!”

Diana barely had time to react before little feet skittered on the thick carpet and chubby little arms wrapped around her neck, the weight of her son climbing into the armchair without hesitation, without question, as if this was where he belonged. The boy was not wrong.

Diana dropped her book, laughter bubbling from her lips as she gathered the little boy in her arms. His bright blue eyes, that trademark family trait, gleamed with excitement as he nestled against her, sighing in contentment, as if her scent alone was enough to soothe him.

“Solomon, my boy” she breathed against his hair, pressing a kiss to his soft curls, inhaling the scent of soap and sunshine and childhood mischief. “What’s all this about?”

“I missed you.” The boy sighed dramatically, as if the weight of the world rested on his small shoulders.

Her heart melted instantly.

“Well, my love,” she whispered, squeezing him tight, “I’m right here.”

Right behind him, James entered the room, his waistcoat unbuttoned, his sleeves rolled up, looking as if he had just engaged in battle and lost spectacularly. He was slightly out of breath, a lopsided smile on his lips. He took one look at them, his wife, his son, wrapped in each other’s warmth, and his expression softened in that way that always made Diana’s heart flutter.

“Sorry, my love,” James said, raking a hand through his slightly disheveled hair. “I tried to keep him away so you could read, but it appears my efforts were in vain.”

Diana smirked, pressing a kiss to the top of her son’s brown curls.

“Why do I get the feeling you weren’t trying all that hard?” she mused, lifting a brow at James in playful challenge.

“You caught me, my flower,” James chuckled, stepping closer. “I missed you, too,” he murmured, leaning down to press a slow, lingering kiss to her lips.

She sighed into it, just slightly, before a small, scandalized giggle interrupted them.

“Papa, no kissing Mama!” their son protested, squishing his face between them.

Diana and James both laughed, their foreheads resting against each other’s for a moment. James pulled back, scooping them both up, sinking into the comfy armchair with them as one tangled heap of love and warmth.

“I suppose we’ll have to sneak away for a little kissing, then,” he murmured, voice low and teasing.

“Planning another great escape, my love?” Diana scolded.

“Your siblings are coming so they might as well make themselves useful.”

“James!”

“Auntie Selina is coming?”

Of course, little Solomon would fall in love with the menace that Selina was. Every time she, Richard, and their brood visited, Diana doubted that their estate would see another generation of Crawfords still standing.

As if summoned by sheer thought, a voice pierced through the halls downstairs.

“Where’s my favorite nephew?” Selina declared dramatically.

Little Solomon practically leapt from James’s lap and run downstairs. Diana and James shook their heads and followed him downstairs. By the time they got downstairs the hall was empty but all they had to do was follow the noise to the big drawing room to find real chaos.

Little Solomon had run into Selina’s waiting arms, giggling as she spun him around like a conquering hero. Richard was shaking his head, long-suffering and amused as his own children ran around, their laughter echoing through the house.

“I can’t believe you made your carriage outrun us!” Stephen’s voice echoed.

He and Elizabeth entered, their own daughter in tow, already conspiring mischief with Selina’s brood. And finally, Herbert, ever the bachelor, ever the observer, strolled in last, eyeing the chaos before him with a smirk of both amusement and mild horror.

“So this is what peace looks like,” he mused, folding his arms.

“Absolute peace, Herbert.” James clapped him on the shoulder, grinning.

Diana, watched as their families collided, as children shrieked with laughter, as conversations overlapped in that beautiful, familiar way.

“Lemon drops for everyone!” Euphemia walked in and every little head turned her way.

“Granny!” They almost run her over with their hugs.

When Solomon entered, the chaos was complete, little Solomon running into his arms and making him put him on his shoulders.

It wasn’t quiet, it wasn’t peaceful, it wasn’t easy, and it wasn’t smooth. It was loud, hectic, and perfect and Diana wouldn’t change one small thing for all the threads and books in the world. James wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his head on her shoulder. Diana shuddered. How could it be that after countless nights – and mornings, and afternoons, and evenings – she shared with this man, she still couldn’t control the way her body reacted to him?

“Shall we run away now?” James leaned down, whispering in her ear.

Diana laughed, shaking her head, happiness blooming in her chest like never before.

“No, my love,” she murmured, tilting her face up toward his. “This is exactly where I want to be.”

“Are you sure?” He kissed her neck.

“Stop this or our son will attack you again.”

James sighed dramatically, but the way his arms tightened around her said he wouldn’t change a thing either.

“I will have what I am owed. Tonight,” he said in a menacing promise.

“Owed?” Diana dared him.

“I stand corrected, my lady,” he teased. “I will take what you will graciously give.”

Diana turned and cradled his face.

“I will always give you everything, my lord.”

They looked at each other deeply, intensely. She loved him so much, every day a little bit more.

“It seems that little Solomon will have a sibling soon,” Herbert laughed.

“Herbert!” everyone shouted.

Diana laughed and fell into James’s arms. Exactly where she belonged. As Diana relaxed, the chaos of the room still swirling around them, she let her mind drift for a moment. The sound of Solomon’s laughter, the bright voices of their family, the warmth of James’s breath against her neck, it all felt so full, so complete. How lucky she was to know true happiness.

The End