All That I Want (The Hesitant Husbands #2)

Epilogue

Three years later

Lainey moved around the office with purpose. She checked to make sure everything was in order, and that the accounts were all settled, and there were enough supplies to at least guarantee no one was left in the lurch.

“You are going to wear the floorboards out, m’lady,” Betsy observed wryly.

Lainey stopped her frantic bustling. “I’m sorry, I’m just nervous, I suppose. This place means a lot to me.”

“And I’m going to take good care of it. You have done an incredible job here, but it’s time to let someone else take the reins while you focus on your family.”

Lainey sighed. “You are right, of course. I just didn’t think it would be this hard to go.”

“Well, for heaven’s sake, you aren’t going away forever. You’ll be back once the babe is born, it just may be in a different capacity. You can teach whenever you want, and I would be disappointed if I didn’t see you in here several times a week checking up on everyone. But you’ll have a little one to contend with now, and if I know you, you aren’t going to be a mother who lets the babe’s nurse raise her child.”

“Certainly not.” Lainey rubbed her slightly rounded belly. It would be some months yet, but soon Lainey would fulfill her dream of having children.

Not that she wasn’t already a mother. Through the help center, she’d met so many women with children who also needed help, and she’d fallen in love with each and every one of them. But there was one special child, one whose mother had succumbed to illness, that had captured Lainey’s and Gavin’s heart, and they had adopted her. Alice was six, and about to become a big sister. She couldn’t be more excited.

“How is Mr. Mayfield?”

“He’s doing his best, but he’s still apprehensive. He is trying not to let his fears overwhelm him.”

Betsy nodded sagely. In the years since the help center had been opened, Betsy and Lainey had become good friends, and they held no secrets from one another. Betsy had flourished at the center, and had proven to have a knack for business, so Lainey had brought her on as a partner and teacher. She had proved indispensable when dealing with some of the language barriers and attitudes from the women on the street. Now that Lainey was about to have her first child, she was leaving Betsy in charge. She had full confidence that the center would flourish under her direction. Still, it was hard for her to leave the center for any amount of time. She and Elizabeth had built this place from the ground up, dealing with the prejudices of men who didn't think women should be in business, or the society folks who thought Lainey and Elizabeth should not be dirtying their hands with work. Lainey didn't give a fig what they thought. This work was as important to her now as it was then, and she had helped countless women find a way off the street and into a safe occupation or a decent marriage. She was proud of all that she had accomplished, and acknowledged that there was so much more to do.

At the time, Lainey’s reasons may have sounded impulsive, but she was never so glad that she had followed her heart. After the house party three years ago, the men had made good on their promises of financial support and had donated generously to the cause. It was because of them that Lainey had had a good start, and she was grateful to each one.

She often saw the viscount as social gatherings, and was pleased when he announced his engagement the year after her party. His wife was a lovely woman who was clearly head over heels in love with him, and it appeared he returned the sentiment. Lainey was thrilled to see him so happy after all he’d gone through, and though she knew they would have done well together, Kingston would have been robbed of the second chance at true love, for Lainey’s heart would never belong to anyone but her husband.

The handsome devil himself walked in the door, and Lainey’s heart automatically sped up. Would she ever stop thrilling at the mere presence of him? She certainly hoped not.

“Hello, my love,” he said, kissing her soundly. “I hope you are not overdoing it today.”

“I”m fine, Gavin, no need to fret.”

He slipped his arm about her waist. “I will always fret over the comfort of my wife,” he declared. “Also, I have a surprise for you!”

“Do you?” She smiled excitedly, wondering what it could possibly be. Suddenly, a hand bearing a bouquet of flowers was thrust around the door frame, and a moment later, its owner appeared. Lainey gasped.

“Charles!”

Charles Devereaux walked into the office, looking as devastatingly handsome as always. He and Gavin had put aside their differences long ago, and as it turned out, found they had quite a lot in common. Once Devereaux was no longer seen as a threat, Gavin had found he quite liked the fellow, and they had become good friends over the years. Charles swept into the room, bestowing the flowers upon Lainey. She pulled him into a warm embrace.

“You devil! What are you doing here?”

“You didn’t think I was going to miss your send off, did you?”

Lainey buried her nose in the flowers. “These are beautiful, thank you. Tell me, how are things at Thistleview?”

“We are doing well, thank you. I’m in town on business and Gavin told me of your temporary retirement, so I thought I would celebrate your newest accomplishment,” he said, pointing to her stomach. “I’m very happy for you both.”

“Thank you, we are excited…and nervous.”

Charles flashed her a charming smile. “I’m sure you will do well.” He leaned close. “Though if it’s a boy, promise you’ll name him after me,” he said in her ear. She let out a laugh and swatted him with her flowers.

“Ah, Charles, I am very glad to see you.”

“As am I. You’ve done wonders with the place since I saw it last.”

“My love, perhaps you’d like to show him the improvements you’ve made?”

“Would you care to see, Mr. Devereux?”

“It would please me greatly, Lady Mayfield.”

Charles offered her his arm and led her from the room. Gavin looked at Betsy.

“Is everyone here?” he said in a low voice. She nodded, a sparkle in her eye. They both followed Lainey out of the room and down the hall. Charles swept open the door to the main hall and ushered Lainey in, where she was met with an uproarious “Surprise!”

Lainey stumbled back into her husband’s arms in shock. “What on earth is all this?”

“A party for you, my love.”

She turned to him. “For me? You did this for me?”

“It’s the center’s second birthday, you are taking some time off to have our first child…we thought that was a perfect time for a celebration.”

Lainey put a hand to her throat, unable to speak. So many of the women she had helped were here, beaming at her. Elizabeth stood in the middle of the crowd, pride and love radiating from her face. Lainey stepped forward to enfold her in a hug.

“This never would have happened without you,” she said into her hair. “I love you so much and I am so glad you are my sister.”

“And I would never have been here if it weren’t for you and Aidan,” Elizabeth replied, laying a hand on Lainey’s cheek. “I am proud to be both your business partner and your sister-in-law.”

Lainey sighed. “We have built something pretty special here, haven’t we?”

“We sure have. And I can’t wait to see what our future brings!”

“Right now, that’s another baby in the family!” The reason Elizabeth wasn’t running the center in Lainey’s absence was that she had just had her own child a few months ago and was also taking some time off from work. It was an exciting time for both of them.

“Are you going to keep the lady of the hour all to yourself?”

Lainey looked up into Viscount Kingston’s gentle face. “My lord! How lovely to see you!”

“And you as well. You are radiant,” he replied, bowing over her hand. “The place is looking wonderful. Look at all the two of you have accomplished. You should be very proud.”

Lainey blushed and thanked him before getting swallowed into the crowd of well-wishers. Over the next hour, she hugged and laughed and chatted non-stop with the women who had come here to learn and better their lives, and they regaled her with stories and provided updates on how things were going. They were an inspiration to the women who were new here, and gave them hope that they, too, could be successful.

She was beginning to flag when Gavin brought her a glass of lemonade. “Oh, bless you! I haven’t stopped talking!”

He chuckled. “I’ve noticed. Are you ready to go home and rest? It’s been a long day and you are looking a little wan.”

“I am tired,” she admitted. “A cup of tea and a nap sound like just the thing.”

“Then let’s go home.” He put his arm around her and kissed her temple. “You are amazing, you know that? Just look around. All these lives you have changed. You have indeed made your mark on this world, my dear, and it is all the better for it.”

Lainey blinked back tears. “This place is my heart. Thank you for believing in me and supporting my dream.”

“Always, my love. I will always believe in you.” He slipped behind her and wrapped her in his arms, resting his chin on her shoulder. “I love you, Lainey. My heart is here,” he said, placing his hands on her belly. “And here.” He kissed her cheek. “Now let’s go home so I can hold you while you nap. I can’t lie and say I won’t be happy to have you home more for the next few months…but I’m glad you are continuing to teach your class. This place needs you as much as you need it.”

“Ah, you know me so well.” Lainey turned in his arms. “I’m very glad you are my husband. Although, thank goodness I had not one, but two back-ups,” she teased, nodding her head at Charles and the viscount.

Gavin gave a shout of laughter. “Minx. I should birch your bum for that.”

“Mm,” Lainey purred, turning to wrap her arms around his neck. “Don’t make promises unless you intend to keep them,” she said against his lips.

His eyes flared with interest and he took her offered mouth in a quick, hard kiss. “It is most definitely time to go home.”

“I couldn’t agree more.” She smiled up at him, contentment flowing through her veins. She’d come so close to giving up what she truly wanted, to settling for something less than love. And while some women could view marriage as a practical situation, Lainey knew it was so much more. She’d never been able to imagine her life without Gavin, and she was grateful she hadn’t had to face that reality.

She swept her gaze over the room, observing the excited chatter, the laughter that flowed between women who lived on the street and women who were wealthy and titled, and suddenly, that gap didn’t seem quite so large. She fervently hoped that one day, the differences would disappear completely. Now that would be a dream come true.