Epilogue
Four months later…
Another scream rent the air as Benjamin lifted a hand to down the brandy in his grasp in one scorching gulp. However, it was slowly starting to dull his senses enough that he could throw a decent amount back without too much difficulty.
“Everything is going to be fine,” said his brother-in-law.
Benjamin looked over at Rowan Scott, Laird Garrison, and gave a light snort.
The man was imposing with his stern glare.
“I understand this moment is filled with additional tension, considering your previous… circumstances, but Catherine is a strong woman. Even Beatrice has admitted that Daria was not.”
“No. She wasn’t.” Benjamin leaned his head back in the chair and stared at the ceiling overhead. He wasn’t sure if he was grateful for the Scotsman’s reassurance or if he would rather have been alone.
Nevertheless, he was surprised when he’d received a letter from Beatrice forgiving him for all his past transgressions.
She mentioned that it had taken her some time to deal with Daria’s death and the horrors she still endured from her time in the asylum.
However, she added that with the love from Rowan and their own son, she was finding the peace for which she’d long been searching.
She claimed she would make the journey to visit when their child was old enough to make the trip, but Benjamin wasn’t sure if she would or not.
He completely understood if she never wanted to lay eyes on him again, but the fact that she’d sent her husband in her stead to be with him during Catherine’s birth was enough solace for him. It proved that she truly had forgiven him and that was enough for his conscience to rest.
As if reading the direction of Benjamin’s thoughts, Rowan spoke up. “I pray that your change of heart is genuine. I would hate for my wife to be disappointed with a fraudulent attempt at a reconciliation.”
Benjamin hoped that his expression was as sincere as his words.
“I can promise you that I have. There is no deceit involved in my desire to smooth things over with Beatrice. Her father opened his home and his heart to my mother and me and was treated as poorly as she was. I cannot alter the past, only move forward to the future.”
“Indeed.”
Benjamin wasn’t certain that Rowan was convinced, but he supposed it was something that time would have to prove. Either way, with his focus on Catherine, Benjamin couldn’t concentrate on trying to figure out the older man’s mind just now.
Another cry abruptly floated through the air, but this one was markedly different from the one earlier. Benjamin jumped to his feet and left the study. He rushed up the stairs, ignoring the way his legs didn’t want to obey the command. Apparently, he’d consumed more drink than he’d first thought.
He was heading for his wife’s chamber when the door suddenly opened and his housekeeper, Mrs. Limewood, came out carrying a small blanket wrapped bundle. She looked at him. “Would you like to meet your daughter, Lord Fontaine?”
“‘Daughter’?” He whispered the word with moisture filling his vision, blurring everything.
However, when he stepped forward and his focus caught that of the small, pink face, eyes closed in silent repose, his heart started to pound in his chest. “She’s…
beautiful. Absolutely perfect.” He knew she wasn’t of his blood, but she would be his daughter in every way that mattered.
He already loved her as much as he did her mother.
His head came up immediately. “Catherine?”
The physician exited the room at that moment, his bag in hand and a smile on his face. “Is doing quite well. Considering this is her first child, I have no doubt she will make a full recovery and be giving you more children in due time.”
As he left, Benjamin found his way inside the chamber and to his wife’s bedside.
Sitting in a chair by the bed, he grasped her hand and looked at her pale face, covered in a sheen of perspiration.
He’d been afraid that the bed would be covered in blood, the scent of death hanging in the air, but other than a pot in the corner filled with some soiled rags, Catherine seemed to be doing just as well as the physician had claimed.
“How are you?” he whispered.
Her eyes fluttered open and she looked at him with a broad smile on her face. “Wonderful.” She squeezed his hand. “We have a healthy daughter.”
“That is welcome news,” he returned.
Her face turned solemn. “I am not sure what your thoughts are when it comes to a name, but…”
He frowned slightly. “Go on.”
Her blue eyes looked hopeful. “I was thinking of Daria.”
A pang shot through Benjamin’s chest. “Are you… certain?”
“Yes,” she said softly. “I feel it only fitting to honor her sacrifice because without it, we would not be here today.”
Benjamin slowly nodded his head. “Very well. Daria it is.” He bent down and gave her a light kiss on the lips. “Can we expect your parents soon?”
She gave a shrug. “I can’t say. My mother mentioned something, but it sounds as though my father is rather busy.
” She picked at a loose string on the coverlet before she turned her attention back to him.
“It matters not if they don’t choose to meet their new granddaughter.
She will be showered with all the love that we can give her. ”
“Indeed, she shall.” He kissed her hand and then reluctantly released her. Getting to his feet, he said, “I suppose I will give Laird Garrison the happy news and let you have some needed rest. You have to regain your strength.”
“I do.” She gave a sigh. “Because we will have to work on giving Daria a younger sibling.” Her eyes flashed with weariness, but also a rebellious streak that he would never tire of seeing. “And I intend to have a lot of fun trying.”
Benjamin left the room and found the housekeeper still waiting in the hall for him. Taking his daughter, he made his way back to the study, where the Scotsman was waiting for his return. “This is Daria.”
Rowan’s brow lifted. “‘Daria’?” He inclined his head. “A fine name. Beatrice will be honored with the respect you are showing her friend.”
Benjamin looked into his daughter’s eyes and lightly ran a hand over the dark fluff of hair on her downy head. “As am I.”