Eight Hunting Lyons (The Lyon’s Den Connected World)

Second Epilogue

C harles Francis Fortescue, heir to Goshawk Priory, entered the world almost one year after Edward and Harriet were married. The boy had a shock of black hair and a lusty yell and, though small, appeared to be in fine fettle. Not three minutes after his arrival, his even smaller sister, Sophia Elizabeth Fortescue, made her appearance. She, too, appeared to be perfectly healthy and had a strong set of lungs, but in contrast to her brother, her head was crowned with a fine golden fuzz.

“Look what we made, Harriet.” Edward leaned over the children’s cribs, fearing his heart might burst with sheer pride. “A little devil and a little angel.”

She didn’t answer. Edward glanced at the bed to see she’d fallen asleep, understandably exhausted. He felt a sudden and overwhelming rush of love for his wife that pushed tears to his eyes. The birthing had terrified him, for he well knew the risks and feared losing her more than anything in the world. But she had come through with no complications. She was brave and passionate, his Harriet, and not a day went by that Edward didn’t count his blessings. But in the midst of celebration, he couldn’t help but think of a previous occasion at Goshawk.

He wandered down the hallway and opened a door, his gaze coming to rest on a small table that sat in a shadowed corner. For a few moments, he stood and reflected on the child who had been born far too early to have any chance of survival.

Though the memories would always be with him, Edward was no more haunted by the ghosts of his past. He no longer wandered the woods at night. In fact, he did not recognize the man he had once been.

The sound of a baby’s cry drew his attention.

Edward gave the empty table one last glance and then closed the door.