Epilogue
It was the night of their annual ball. Not just any ball, but a ball given for family and friends.
And her husband would not let her out of bed.
“Con, darling, I must get dressed,” Rowena protested, her wrists pinned to the pillow, her handsome husband hovering over her. “Our guests will be arriving soon.”
“We should have made it a masquerade ball,” he mused.
“What? Why?”
His wolfish smile caused desire to stir within her. “Because then we could have pretended to be downstairs and instead remained here and spent the night making love.”
“Con!” she said, trying to look sternly at him and failing miserably. “You enjoy the ball we give each summer.” Rowena gave him her own flirtatious smile. “And I promise you once it ends, I am yours.”
A low growl sounded in his throat. “You are always mine, Wife.”
He lowered his lips to hers, the hungry kiss drawing her in. His lips left hers, gliding down her body, his tongue a hot brand passing between her breasts. Along her belly. And finally stopping at her core. The familiar heat swept through her as he lapped at her.
A knock on the door sounded. “My lady,” her maid anxiously said. “We must dress you for the ball.”
Her fingers tightened in her husband’s hair as his tongue brought her closer to her climax.
“Just a few . . . more . . . minutes,” she managed to shout before she whimpered.
“We will be waiting, my lord,” Benchley boomed.
Con raised his head. “My valet sounds displeased.”
Rowena gave him a haughty look. “I will be, too, unless you finish what you started, my lord.”
Grinning, he said, “Right away, my lady.”
Less than a minute later, she teetered on the precipice, falling over, the waves of pleasure causing her body to dance to the tune her husband had set.
Now limp, she asked, “How am I supposed to rise from this bed, much less dress myself for our guests?”
He brushed a swift kiss on her lips. “That is what your maid is for. Now, up, love. We truly do not want to keep our guests waiting.”
Con leapt from the bed and reached for her. He swept her into his arms and started to head toward her bedchamber, where she dressed.
“My dressing gown,” she called.
He dipped, grabbing it from the floor, and continued on his way. Once in her room, he set Rowena on her feet and held the dressing gown open so she could slip into it.
“I will return in fifteen minutes for you,” he told her.
“That is not long enough,” she pouted.
He arched one brow. “You never take longer than that, and you know it. Besides, I want to go and see the boys before the ball begins.”
She opened her door, finding her maid standing outside, looking slightly put out.
“Come inside. His lordship will be back in a few minutes, and I better be ready when he appears.”
“I do not like to rush getting you ready, my lady.” Then the maid’s face softened. “Then again, I am happy to be part of a household where the master and mistress are so much in love.”
Rowena also liked being a part of such a household.
They would be wed five years this coming autumn, and every day she felt cherished. Con was an inventive, creative lover. He was also a wonderful father and excellent companion. They never tired of one another or ran out of things to talk over together.
The highlight of their marriage had been the births of their two boys.
They had continued with the family tradition of naming their children after ancient emperors.
Theodosius, known as Theo, would turn three at the end of August. He was a curious boy, sweet-natured, and very solicitous toward his younger brother.
Leontius, whom they called Leo, was now eight months old and already crawling.
He had six teeth and gnawed on everything he could get his chubby hands upon.
Both boys had her golden-brown hair, and Theo had his father’s amethyst eyes.
Leo had been born with blue eyes, but Rowena had learned from the many births in their family that babes were often born with blue eyes, which altered in color as they matured.
Already, she could see Leo’s eyes beginning to change color and wondered if he would also share the amethyst eyes of his father and older brother.
After quickly washing and dabbing on some of her signature rosewater, she was dressed in her gown for tonight’s ball.
It was amber in color, and she knew Con would like it because he was always talking about the amber which ringed her brown eyes.
He told her they would keep having children until he got at least three girls off her, and he hoped one of them would have her unique eyes.
She did long for a daughter and hoped the next time they were blessed with a babe that it might be a girl.
She did her own hair, quickly twisting it into her usual chignon. The style was timeless and one she preferred because it involved so little fuss. While Rowena had allowed her lady’s maid to experiment with different hairstyles, she always came back to her chignon.
Con appeared behind her as she checked her appearance in her mirror. Her maid knew to leave since her husband always wanted a few private moments with her before they entertained guests.
“I have something for you,” he said, his voice husky, causing her to wish the ball was over and done and they could remain upstairs in their own world.
Glancing over her shoulder, she asked, “What is it?”
He handed her a small box, and she quickly opened it, finding a pair of amber earrings nestled inside.
“Oh, Con! They are beautiful.”
His hands came to rest on her shoulders, his lips pressing a hot kiss upon her nape. “Not half as beautiful as my countess. Put them on, love.”
Rowena fastened the earrings into place, admiring her image in the mirror. “What do you think?”
“I think they bring out the amber in your eyes,” he said, nuzzling her neck. “And that makes me—”
“Do not say it, else we’ll be back where we were half an hour ago, and our guests will be without their host and hostess.”
He smiled lazily, their gazes meeting in the mirror. “Later tonight, when our guests have gone home, I want you to wear them. Only them.”
She placed a hand over his. “Now, aren’t you the cheeky one?”
Con pulled her to her feet, his arms going about her, his hands slipping to grasp her buttocks. “Oh, I can be cheeky. You just wait and see.”
Giving him a coy smile, she said, “I look forward to your cheekiness, Husband.”
They left her bedchamber and went upstairs to the nursery. A nursemaid sat rocking in a chair.
“Good evening, my lord. My lady. Both boys are down.”
Rowena went to the bed where Theo slept. He looked much younger when asleep.
“He is already growing up so fast,” she said wistfully.
“No matter how old he becomes, he will always be your little boy,” Con assured her. “Even when he has a boy of his own.”
She reached out and smoothed Theo’s hair before kissing his cheek.
Con did the same, and they moved to the crib, where Leo slept peacefully.
Where Theo had been a restless babe, always moving, Leo’s nature was placid.
Once he was put down to sleep, he never seemed to stir.
She cupped Leo’s cheek and bent to kiss his brow.
“Goodnight, little one,” Con said, escorting her from the nursery.
On their way downstairs, he said, “Although I hate putting you through it again, I am ready for us to have another child.”
“I am always ready,” she told him, slipping her arm through his and smiling up at him.
In the drawing room, they spoke briefly with Adams and Mrs. Adams, knowing their servants had everything well in hand.
Dru had loaned them her cook for the evening, as well as a few scullery maids to help out their staff.
Eden had recommended the string quartet which would play for the evening.
As the French doors were opened by servants, Rowena could hear the strains of a waltz being played as the quartet warmed up outdoors.
Their guests began arriving. Instead of the typical receiving line, Con and Rowena met their guests in the drawing room.
It was very informal as people entered, greeting others, including their host and hostess.
Con had always liked the idea of dancing outdoors, and so this ball they held at the beginning of June each Season took place on the terrace, with the dancing there and spilling down to the grounds below, where the musicians sat.
What made tonight special was that it was not a ton event.
Only their family and close friends were invited, making for a relaxed atmosphere.
Besides the family she had gained through Con, they also had stayed in close touch with their friends from Lord and Lady Pebble’s house party from years ago. That circle of friends had become as family to them.
Rowena now watched her brother and her best friend enter the drawing room, and they made their way straight to Con and her. Ollie now had a son and daughter and had settled into married life and his role as a country gentleman with ease.
They embraced, and he asked, “How are my nephews?”
“We went to the nursery to see Theo and Leo before coming downstairs this evening,” Con told them, pride on his face. “They were sleeping soundly and are such good boys.”
Ollie turned to his wife, and she gave him a nod.
“We are to be parents again,” he announced, causing more warm embraces to be exchanged.
Lord and Lady Cramer joined them. Lord Cramer was still a serious fellow, but his wife balanced him nicely with her friendliness and zest for living. The earl did open up with those he knew and trusted, and Rowena was glad the couple was a part of their group.
Lady Cramer asked, “Did I just hear that you are increasing?”
More congratulations were offered, and the two couples left to head outside, leaving Con and Rowena to continue to greet their guests. She visited with Lucy and Dru, who had truly become sisters to her in every way. Then Tia and Lia arrived with their husbands, Tia as effervescent as always.