Epilogue
Eight years later…
Theodosia sat at the large desk in the study of their country estate, the morning sun casting a golden glow through the tall windows.
Beside her, perched on a cushioned chair with her small feet dangling above the carpet, sat her seven-year-old daughter, Tessa.
The child leaned forward with eager concentration, her brows knit as she examined the neatly folded account sheet in front of her.
Theodosia pointed to a particular line. “Can you tell me what the amount is due on that account?”
Tessa’s eyes lit up as she located the figure. “Four pounds,” she announced proudly.
“Four pounds,” Theodosia echoed with a nod of approval, dipping her quill into the inkwell. “Very good. Now, we shall enter that into the ledger together.”
She carefully wrote the amount in her tidy script, the scratching of the quill filling the momentary hush. When she had finished, Tessa clapped her hands lightly.
“This is so much fun, Mother!” she declared, her face full of delight.
Theodosia smiled at her daughter’s enthusiasm. “Isn’t it, though? I daresay you shall be running this estate yourself one day.”
A soft chuckle from the doorway caused them both to glance up. Richard stood leaning against the doorframe, his arms folded loosely across his chest.
“I had a feeling I’d find you both in here,” he said.
Theodosia grinned. “Tessa has been helping me with the household accounts. She shows considerable promise.”
“I have no doubt of it,” he replied as he stepped into the room. “She is, after all, your daughter. But as it happens, she is also quite late for her riding lesson.”
Tessa gasped and slid off the chair. “Goodbye, Mother!” she called over her shoulder as she dashed out of the room, her dark-haired curls bouncing behind her like a ribbon unfurling.
Theodosia laughed, her hand resting over her increasing belly. “I just adore that girl.”
Richard strolled over to her and raised a brow. “And what of our sons, Timothy and Michael? Are they so easily forgotten?”
“Never. I love them all with every part of my heart.” Her hand caressed the gentle swell of her belly. “Just as I love this little one already.”
He extended his hand towards her. “May I assist you, my lady?”
With an amused smile, she placed her hand in his and allowed him to help her to her feet, though the motion was more graceful in theory than in execution. “Thank you, my love. This little one is making every movement an adventure.”
Just then, the butler appeared in the doorway, holding a polished silver tray. “A letter has arrived for you, my lady.”
“Thank you, Adkins,” she said, reaching for the envelope. Her eyes brightened as she saw the familiar handwriting. “It’s from Penelope.”
“And what does your dear friend have to say?”
She broke the seal and read quickly, her smile softening before it faded slightly. “Penelope and her family will be arriving in a fortnight for a long overdue visit.”
“That is excellent news.”
“Yes, though she also writes that Lucinda has gone missing again. Apparently, matters between her and Mr. Pritchett are… strained.”
Richard groaned. “I still can’t believe she married that man after her brief time in prison.”
“It was a practical arrangement,” Theodosia replied with a sigh. “Lucinda had no desire to manage the estate on her own. And Mr. Pritchett was—well, convenient.”
“If by convenient you mean dull and disagreeable, then yes,” Richard muttered. “Last time she disappeared, didn’t she go to Bath for the Season?”
“For three months,” Theodosia confirmed. “And not a single letter during the entire stay.”
He shook his head. “I doubt Mr. Pritchett minded. He likely appreciated the peace and quiet.”
She gave him a look of mock reproach. “That may be true, but it is still rather sad. If you were to vanish for months on end, I should be thoroughly cross with you.”
Richard stepped closer and wrapped his arms gently around her waist, careful of her rounded belly. “And why would I ever wish to leave you, even for a moment?”
“Perhaps you might seek refuge from my swollen ankles and irritable moods?”
He leaned down and kissed her lightly. “Your ankles are a delight to rub. And you forget, I find you beautiful. Always and forever.”
A grin tugged at her lips. “You say that now. But wait until the final month when I resemble a waddling hippopotamus.”
“A most elegant hippopotamus,” he murmured with a twinkle in his eyes.
Before she could reply, Lady Wilton appeared at the threshold, looking pleasantly flustered. “I’ve just come from the nursery. Your boys are requesting your presence most urgently. Apparently, there’s been a disagreement over a toy elephant and who shall be its rightful keeper.”
Richard let out a chuckle and stepped back. “Then we must intervene at once. Come, my dear. We’ll settle the great elephant dispute before your well-earned nap.”
Theodosia arched a brow. “And how, pray tell, did you know I needed a nap?”
Richard offered his hand again, his smile mischievous. “Because you always need a nap. Or two. Or three.”
“I make no apologies,” she said with a shrug as they walked out together, her hand tucked safely in his. “Growing your children is exhausting work.”
As they made their way down the corridor, Theodosia’s arm rested lightly in the crook of Richard’s, their pace unhurried as they strolled side by side.
“I must say,” Richard remarked, “I’m rather relieved that Tessa didn’t inherit my woeful grasp of numbers. I can only hope our sons are equally fortunate.”
“It hardly matters to me whether they have a talent for arithmetic or not. All I wish is that we raise them to be kind, honorable gentlemen.” She turned to glance up at him. “Men like their father.”
He looked down at her. “You’re very generous with your praise, my love.”
“It’s not praise if it’s true.”
They walked a few more steps before Richard came to a halt, drawing her to a gentle stop beside him.
He turned to face her fully, his gaze warm and steady.
“You know,” he said, his voice lower, more thoughtful, “abducting you all those years ago may have been the only truly brilliant decision I’ve ever made. ”
A smile tugged at her lips. “And here I thought it was the beginning of your descent into madness.”
He chuckled. “I’m not sure what my life would be without you. I don’t care to imagine it.”
“I feel the same,” she murmured, her hand slipping into his.
He studied her for a long moment. “What did I ever do to deserve you?”
“Well,” she teased, lifting her chin playfully, “I’ve always had a soft spot for brooding lords with strong jaws and far too much pride.”
Laughing, Richard slid his arms around her waist, drawing her closer. “You don’t just love me—you see me. You’ve always seen past the title, the responsibilities, the facade. With you, I’ve never had to pretend. You make me feel safe, Dosia. You make me feel like I matter.”
Her heart gave a soft lurch at the raw honesty in his tone. “Then I am glad you finally came to your senses and offered for me.”
“I would propose to you a hundred times over,” he said, brushing his lips across hers. “Today, tomorrow, and every day after that.”
A laugh escaped her lips. “I daresay one marriage is sufficient, don’t you think?”
But Richard only shook his head, his eyes fixed on hers. “Loving you has been the most beautiful adventure of my life. You’ve taught me that love isn’t something to fear or avoid—it’s something to build a life on. You are my home. You always have been. And I will love you—fiercely and forever.”
Her breath caught at the reverence in his voice. “I daresay it is you who is being generous with your praise this morning.”
“And why shouldn’t I be?” he asked. “You’ve brought more joy into my life than I ever imagined possible. I’ll never stop being grateful for you.”
Rising on her toes, she kissed him softly before murmuring, “Would you care to join me for my nap?”
“As tempting as that sounds, I have a stack of correspondence taller than Tessa waiting in the study. I can’t very well sleep away the afternoon.”
A slow, mischievous smile curved her lips. “Who said anything about sleeping?”
His brows shot upward. “Ah. I see.”
“I mean, truly,” she added with feigned innocence, “it isn’t as though I can become more pregnant.”
A slow grin broke across Richard’s face, his mood suddenly bright. “Well, in that case, let us go visit the boys with all due haste.”
With a determined stride, he began to lead her down the corridor, and Theodosia’s laughter rang out. “I do love you, Richard.”
“And I, you,” he replied without looking back.
Her heart was full. No matter what trials lay ahead—no matter the storms that might one day shake their world—she knew this much to be true: their love was a constant, an anchor. It had been forged in adversity, strengthened by time, and made resilient by trust.
And with that thought, she followed after the man who had become her whole world.
The End