Epilogue
THE FOLLOWING DAY
“Idon’t think we should all gather in the foyer while we wait for them,” Thalia said. “It’ll be off-putting. They’re only children.”
She glanced around, a little tense. Had she said the right thing? Laura and Celestia wanted to wait outside. They were so excited to greet the children. Could it be that she was in the wrong?
“She’s right,” Christian said sternly, shooting Hooves an apologetic look. “Take the servants back downstairs. They aren’t going to be able to gather on the front steps to greet the children.”
Hooves pressed his lips together, but that was the only sign of his disappointment.
“Very well,” he sighed. “May I take the children downstairs one day to greet the rest of the staff? The servants are very keen to meet them.”
“Naturally,” Christian promised. “But for now, this is their first day. Let’s take it slow, eh?”
The butler bowed and retreated.
They were all sitting in the drawing room, which afforded the best view of the driveway. Laura had claimed the window seat, half pretending to read a book. Celestia sat by the fire, not even bothering to conceal her excitement.
“I shall meet my grandson at last,” she whispered, biting her lower lip. “And the other children, of course. Think of it, Laura! Children, in the house! Christian, dear, should I go up and check their rooms once more?”
“Everything looks perfect,” Christian promised.
Thalia shot him a quick smile. “I can assure you all that this place will look like a palace compared to the orphanage. Most of the rooms in there are in need of repair, but perhaps with our patronage, things will change.”
She didn’t mention that Jonathan had asked her about the orphanage when he visited that morning. The purpose of his visit was ostensibly to bring Orange, who had at once made himself at home.
However, he had asked several questions about volunteering at the orphanage. She’d told him to speak to Sister Abigail, and he said that he would. Only time would tell what would come of that.
Carriage wheels rattled on the gravel outside, and all of them sat up straight, eyes wide.
“Is that them?” Laura whispered. “Are they here?”
“Let Christian and me go first,” Thalia said, rising to her feet.
Christian held out a hand, and she took it, flashing him a quick smile.
What a lucky woman I am.
They walked out into the foyer and glimpsed the carriage through the open doors. Sister Abigail climbed out before turning to lift Sophia down, then Nicholas, then Alex. They stood in a huddle, eyes wide, glancing up at the house.
Thalia stepped forward first, offering them a smile. “There you are! It’s good to see you, children. Come on in, come on in.”
“I’ll bring their bags,” Sister Abigail offered.
“Would you wait for a little while, just so they could settle in?” Thalia asked. “There’s tea and refreshments, and we’d be glad to have you.”
Sister Abigail nodded, offering a wry smile. “Of course. I won’t deny that I’ll miss these little urchins.” She said the last part affectionately, ruffling Nicholas’s hair. He giggled uncertainly, ducking his head.
The children were ushered inside, still glancing around uncertainly.
Christian stepped forward, smiling down at Alex. “Welcome home, son.”
Alex smiled uncertainly up at him. “Should… should I call you Father?”
“You may call me whatever you like. The truth is that I am simply glad to have you here. Glad to have all of you here,” Christian added, smiling at the others. “If you don’t want to call me Father or Papa or anything like that, then you can call me Christian. Not Sir or Your Grace, but Christian.”
The children nodded earnestly.
Thalia glanced over and found Sister Abigail nodding approvingly.
“Now,” Christian continued, smiling down at the children, “would you like to meet your grandmother and aunt?”
They nodded again, eager. He herded them into the drawing room, where Celestia and Laura waited.
Thalia hung back, watching.
“Aren’t you going to join them?” Sister Abigail asked softly.
“I’ll let them get acquainted first,” Thalia responded with a smile. “After all, I know the children pretty well. I’ll let the others meet them first. You know, I can’t quite believe that this is happening. I’m so… so lucky.”
Sister Abigail smiled back. “You deserve it, Your Grace.”
“Come on, now. Your Grace? Really? How long have we known each other? Call me Thalia.”
Sister Abigail’s smile widened. She glanced back at the drawing room, where Nicholas now sat beside Celestia, playing with Orange. Laura had brought Sophia to the window seat, where they pored over books.
That left Alex and Christian, who stood side by side in front of the fire. Alex was talking excitedly about something or other, and his father smiled affectionately down at him.
They all look so happy, Thalia thought, tears pricking her eyes. They were happy tears, thankfully.
At that moment, wheels crunched on the gravel outside, and Thalia glanced over to see a familiar carriage approaching.
“It seems that my stepmother and brother are paying us a visit,” she remarked, chuckling. “The more the merrier.”
Sure enough, Jonathan’s carriage rolled to a halt in front of the door. Augusta stumbled out first, beaming. Jonathan followed, arms full of boxes and wrapped presents.
“I’m sorry to drop by unannounced,” Augusta fretted. “But I hoped to meet the children. Can we?”
“Of course.” Thalia chuckled.
She kissed her stepmother as she stepped inside, then Augusta hurried off to the drawing room, leaving Jonathan to gingerly maneuver the presents into the arms of various footmen. When he was done, he turned to Thalia with a wince.
“I thought we ought to give the children a chance to settle in,” he confessed. “But you know Augusta. She won’t be told.”
“I do know,” Thalia said, chuckling again.
She eyed her brother thoughtfully. Already, a change had taken place. His face seemed brighter, lighter. He didn’t stoop as he walked, and he had stopped scowling.
Would the change be permanent? She hoped so. But in the meantime, she wanted to enjoy this new phase in their relationship.
Perhaps we can get back to the way we were after all.
Jonathan’s gaze fell on Sister Abigail, who was watching him with the same strange, inscrutable look she directed at everybody.
“Good day to you,” he greeted, somewhat awkwardly. “I hope to join you in the orphanage soon. Not… not as a nun, obviously. I plan to volunteer my time. I think my life is in need of some charity, so I shall start there. Perhaps I can be useful.”
“Perhaps you can,” Sister Abigail responded calmly. “We shall see.”
With that, she turned, sailing off into the drawing room. Jonathan blinked, winced at Thalia, then followed her.
A moment later, Christian poked his head out of the door. “You aren’t joining us?” he asked curiously.
“I will, soon,” Thalia promised. “I just… I need a moment to clear my head. Everything has happened so quickly. My mind is spinning.”
He stepped into the foyer, wrapping his arms around her, and kissed her long and slow and deep. His arms felt good around her waist, warm and comforting, and she let herself relax into his hold.
So, this is what it means to be really married, she thought hazily. I am lucky.
They pulled apart, mostly to catch their breath, and Christian smiled, resting his forehead against hers.
“Our life is changing quickly,” he noted. “Within a week, we have gotten married and received three children all at once. It’s certainly a great change. But whatever changes come our way, do you think that we can manage them?”
“I am sure.” She nodded, closing her eyes. “When you are beside me, I feel as though I can do anything.”
“I know the feeling.” He chuckled. “For a wallflower, you are remarkably inspiring, do you know that? I love you, my little Duchess.”
“And I love you, my rakish Duke.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Now, before we go back into the drawing room to face our children and relatives, perhaps you could kiss me one more time?”
He obliged her.
The End?