The Honorable Governess (False Rumors #4)

Epilogue

S ara stared across the lawn of the park at her husband, who carried Mairi on his shoulders. She could watch the two of them endlessly. The special bond they shared was a delight to admire. Ian was an amazing father who indulged his daughter every chance he got. He was also an amazing husband too. Sara found no fault with him in the slightest.

After she recovered from her injuries, they had left London behind for their home in Edinburgh. Ian promised they would spend the summer traveling to his other estates throughout Scotland. The thought of his vast estates would’ve frightened her before, but with Ian by her side, she was eager to visit them.

Before she left, she’d visited the Hardys, and they had corresponded with each other weekly since her return to Scotland. Ian had invited them for a visit in the fall, and they had agreed. Her parents had never wanted her, but she’d found a family that welcomed her with open arms. She embraced the relationship with happiness.

As for her parents, Sara never gave them any consideration. They had never factored into her life before. The terror they’d inflicted on her and her friends was all the more reason to forget they had even existed. To consider the damage they’d caused only gave them power in death. Sara had resolved herself to deny them any influence in her life.

Only joyous thoughts kept her grounded.

“It is so adorable how she still blushes when she stares at him,” Flora teased.

Sara’s lips lifted in a secretive smile. If her friends only knew why she blushed when she stared at her husband, they would blush too. “Mmm,” she murmured.

“I, for one, find their love charming to watch,” Grace mused.

“A love affair to admire,” Vivian agreed.

Sara turned to Vivian. “One I must thank you for.”

Vivian frowned. “How so?”

“If not for your urgings for us to start anew in Scotland, I never would have met Ian. Because of you, I found love and a family,” Sara explained.

Vivian smiled. “You are a wonderful mother to Mairi.”

Sara hugged Vivian. “Not only Mairi and Ian but you ladies are the sisters I never had. I cherish your friendship and the sense of family we have become.”

Grace and Flora joined their hug, expressing their agreement. They had crossed many obstacles in the journey of their friendship, but through it all, they had remained steadfast in their love and support. When she lost her grandmother, Sara had never felt more alone. However, on a chance meeting one day in the park, she’d found more than she ever imagined by stepping out of her shell of loneliness and embracing the comforting warmth of friendship. Without these ladies in her life, Sara would find herself lost. The false rumors spread about them had only strengthened their bond.

“I beg your pardon. I need to steal my wife for a spell,” Ian interrupted them.

“Spell, more like the rest of the afternoon.” Flora snickered.

Ian winked at Flora. “Perhaps.”

Grace waved them away. “You can take her now, but during our next visit, we need her to ourselves.”

Ian bowed to them. “I shall accommodate your wishes.”

Sara giggled at Ian’s silliness. A year ago, her husband had been a prim and proper duke. However, with each day, more of his true character showed. Ian’s reserved behavior had resulted from his grieving for his first wife and the terror he tried to protect Sara from. Now, with their life free of worries, her husband lived life to the fullest with a happiness she loved to enjoy.

Ian tucked Sara to his side as he led her to the carriage. She glanced over her shoulder at Mairi playing with her friends. “Are we not forgetting someone?”

Ian followed Sara’s gaze, then looked forward again. “No. I have everyone I need for my afternoon plans.”

Sara frowned at him. “Our daughter?”

Ian lifted Sara into the carriage and settled next to her before pulling her onto his lap. “I do not believe we can tell this early. Or can we?”

Sara’s eyes widened. “You ... How ...”

Ian chuckled. “My love, I thought we agreed on no more secrets.”

Sara swatted his hands as he tried to tug off her coat. “You ruined my surprise.”

Ian kissed along her neck as his hand skated up her skirts to caress her legs. “Surprise? Mmm. I enjoy the sound of that much better.”

Sara’s eyes lowered as she arched her neck to give him better access. “Mairi?”

“Mairi is spending the afternoon with her friends. Grace promised to care for her while we spend the day together celebrating our surprise.”

Sara wrapped her arms around Ian’s neck and drew him toward her for a kiss. “Have I told you today how I am the luckiest duchess ever?”

Ian sighed into Sara’s kiss. “Then I guess that makes me the luckiest duke ever.”

Luck didn’t even begin to describe their grand love.

THE END