Epilogue #2
Others began entering the drawing room, including Lord and Lady Rowland.
The former Miss Lawson had wed the new earl six months after his father’s passing, and they were an active part of the Mossleigh neighborhood.
Occasionally, Rowena felt a bit wistful in having left Dorset, but she would not trade her life with Con in Somerset for anything.
Ariadne and Julian arrived in the company of Val and Eden.
They were followed by Baron and Baroness Howell.
In addition to Mary, Sarah had given birth to two boys.
Lady Cramer had also birthed two sons, while Lord and Lady Rowland had two girls.
The Dorset couples often teased about doing a little matchmaking between their children so that they might remain near Mossleigh.
Tray and his wife appeared, and soon Verina and Justina arrived with their husbands, making the ball complete.
Con asked if Rowena wished to go outside to begin the dancing, and she readily agreed.
While she would never become a polished dancer, she enjoyed dancing with her handsome husband whenever the opportunity arose.
Con whistled loudly, gaining everyone’s attention, and it made her think of Lady Pebble’s bell tinkling so many years ago.
Lord Pebble was not in good health, and they had remained at Pebblestone for this Season.
Rowena hoped on their return to Marleyfield, they might go a bit out of their way in order to call upon the couple.
“Thank you again for coming to what has become our annual ball,” Con said to their guests. “Balls usually have far too many people present and have never been to my liking. This one, however, is intimate, held so that our family and friends may mingle together and enjoy one another’s company.”
He laced his fingers through hers and brought their joined hands up to his lips for a tender kiss.
“The past few years of my life have been the best—because of this woman by my side. Rowena, I know no woman could have matched me as well as you have. You have given me two wonderful sons, and I look forward to each day we spend together, knowing we live it in love. My wife is the light of my life and has made me a far better man than I ever thought I could be.”
Her husband gazed out across the terrace. “All of you feel the same about your spouses, as well. We are a most fortunate group of people within Polite Society.” He glanced to the musicians. “Now, let the dancing commence with a waltz,” Con commanded, and the musicians took up their instruments.
As the music began, her husband swept Rowena into his arms. She liked this new dance.
The waltz was intimate, allowing a couple to be in close proximity with one another and gaze into each other’s eyes, as well as converse, if they wished.
It was almost like making love in public, which caused her to chuckle.
“What are you thinking of, love?” Con asked, his voice husky.
She smiled up at him. “Only about how happy I am with you. With our boys. And our life together.”
“I will forever be in Tia’s debt for asking me if I would do a favor for her—and ask her new friend, Miss Stanhope, to dance.”
“And I shall be forever grateful that Lord Clay chose to remain in town and gamble his time and money away, allowing you to take his place at the Pebblestone house party.”
They finished their waltz, but when the music ended, Con did not release her.
Instead, her husband bent, giving her a lingering kiss.
To have done so at a ton ball would have caused a bit of a scandal.
Instead, in the privacy of their home, surrounded by their loved ones, no one thought a thing of it.
Con broke the kiss, and Rowena told him, “Each day, I grow to love you more and more. Thank you for loving me, Con. Thank you for changing my life and making me your wife.”
He gazed down at her, and she saw the love for her shining in his eyes. “The best is yet to come, love. I promise you that.”
The night passed quickly, with her dancing with many of their guests and being able to chat with everyone. Supper was early, held at ten that evening, and the dancing ended at midnight. All the parents longed to return to their homes, their children, and their beds.
After bidding the last guests goodnight, they went upstairs to the nursery for a final glimpse of Theo and Leo. Rowena glowed with pride, hoping the boys would get the best parts of Con and her.
Con led her to their bedchamber, and as he often did, he asked, “Would you play for me?”
She picked up the violin which stood in the corner of the room. Over the years, she had perfected her playing, and now the bow felt as natural in her grasp as her hands did when they tinkled the ivory keys of a pianoforte.
He sat in a chair, watching her play, his eyes smoldering with desire, heightening her own. When she finished the piece, he rose, taking the violin and bow from her and setting them aside.
“We have made two beautiful boys. Let us see if we can make another beautiful child tonight.”
And they did.