Epilogue
Drawing room
Ravenswood
Fourteen months later
“We had a lovely walk, darling,” Ashlyn said, standing up on tiptoes to kiss her husband on the cheek.
“Hmm…I missed you,” he growled, wrapping his arms around her and claiming her lips in a heated, sensual kiss. They had been married just over one year, and Gabriel’s kisses still made her tingle from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. She knew it would always be thus.
“I was only gone for an hour,” she said, giggling when they finally, reluctantly pulled apart.
“That’s quite a miracle, considering the trouble those two rascals often get into on your morning walks,” he replied, chuckling.
“Biscuit was very well behaved on our walk. And Caro is an angel,” Ashlyn said in defense of her niece by marriage, but who felt more like the daughter of her heart.
She knew Gabriel felt the same way. They loved her like their own daughter, though Gabriel and Elsa, the Dowager Countess Ravensthorpe, often regaled Caro with story after story of her mother Olivia from childhood and her father Max, who had gone to school with Gabriel.
Ashlyn’s husband, dear man that he was, had even asked her if she was all right with stories that involved Olivia and Juliet.
She had blinked back tears at his heartfelt question and told him that she would listen raptly to all the stories—and would even write them down in a special journal she’d begun for Caro so that she would have many memories recorded for when she grew up and married and had children of her own.
Ashlyn was so proud of Caro’s accomplishments.
The girl had been working so hard with her nanny, Mrs. Bumbles, on her early reading, writing, and elocution.
Her stammer had all but disappeared. They were looking for a governess to join Mrs. Bumbles in the household.
“Where are the dynamic duo, by the by?” Gabriel asked.
“They are in the kitchen with Mrs. Bumbles and Mrs. Fritz, and Mrs. Flinters and Higgins, enjoying freshly baked cookies and warm milk with honey. Or rather, I should say Mrs. Higgins.”
Ashlyn had gotten so used to calling the kind housekeeper Mrs. Flinters that she still sometimes forgot, even though the widow had recently married the butler in a quiet ceremony in the Ravenswood family chapel.
It had been a lovely wedding, and Ashlyn was also hoping she could put in a good word for the robust stable master who had developed a tendre for Alice.
Given how happy Ashlyn was, married to Gabriel, she wanted everyone to experience the same happiness.
She’d even begun hinting to Elizabeth that, now that enough time had passed, perhaps she might be ready to meet a fine gentleman who was worthy of her.
Her cousin had skirted the issue, but Ashlyn was ever hopeful.
Gabriel drew Ashlyn to the settee in front of the cheery fire.
“Well, it was a big day for the post, darling. We just got a letter from your mother and one from my mother,” she said, handing her husband one of the sealed missives.
“I love days like this when we can sit by the fire for a while and talk.” She nestled next to him, as they each opened their letters—a comforting ritual they had settled into since marrying.
“I agree, my love,” Gabriel said, shaking open his letter. “It looks like the trip has been very good for her,” he said a few moments later, as he perused the contents. “She’s enjoying American Society and getting to know your aunt and uncle, and your parents.”
“I’m so happy to hear that,” Ashlyn said.
“It’s amazing, really. Especially after all the years of her complaining about the Americans,” Gabriel said, looking up from the missive. “I’m glad she spread her wings and took the trip. I had no doubt she’d enjoy it.”
“I’m sure the countess is the belle of the ball,” Ashlyn said with a smile.
“Boston Society is much like London’s. Elizabeth says they fill their days with charitable work, church, tea parties, shopping, and balls—much to Uncle’s chagrin.
” She laughed. “It appears they’re all becoming good friends. ”
“Mother writes that your parents visited your aunt and uncle, and the five of them began discussing Mother’s interest in mental health hospitals for women.
Your father suggested a visit to a small hospital that one of his friends opened a few years ago.
It’s apparently an excellent facility. Mother was so impressed by it, she is staying several more weeks, planning to volunteer and learn more.
Afterward, she plans to build a hospital exactly like it, here in England. ”
“That’s wonderful news,” Ashlyn said, then continued reading the letter her mother wrote.
“Mama echoes everything you just said. And I’m thrilled to say that she and my father are planning to visit England.
They’ll be traveling back with your mother.
Mama has confirmed that Aunt Beatrice and Uncle William will be coming as well.
That should be an interesting voyage. Apparently, my uncle wants to visit several potential properties for the new hospital.
Has your cousin decided to join the consortium of investors? ” she asked.
“He has,” Gabriel said, blowing out a deep breath.
“I received a brief missive from him while you were on your walk. I confess, it was awkward between us at first, given how estranged we’d been with Aunt Mary’s husband.
But I’m happy that Marcus is in our lives…
Especially for Mother’s sake,” he said softly.
Ashlyn leaned her head on Gabriel’s shoulder as they talked about the future and how he’d finally let go of his hatred for his uncle.
Gabriel had stopped calling him Uncle years ago, blaming Hedison for the early demise of his mother’s beloved youngest sister, Mary.
When Gabriel’s cousin, the new Viscount Hedison, sent word to them about six months ago, asking to meet with Gabriel, they’d been surprised.
They had heard that the older viscount had died from syphilis.
Upon inheriting the title and properties of his father, Marcus had begun sorting out the tangled mess his father had wrought over the years due to his gambling, drinking, and wenching.
He found letters his father had written to the hospital where he’d sent his wife, and Marcus then began looking into every record he could find about his mother.
Luckily, the young earl had discovered a secret cache of jewelry that had belonged to his late mother and had wanted to know if Gabriel’s mother would like anything from the significant collection.
Aunt Mary had wisely handed over the jewels for safekeeping to a trusted solicitor, along with a letter and a will.
There had also been a letter to Gabriel’s mother.
It seemed Mary had had a feeling her life would be cut short.
She’d done this before her husband committed her to the asylum.
The countess had wept upon seeing the young man, who was all of eighteen years, and whom she said was the very image of her beloved sister.
The only jewelry that the countess had wanted was a gold crucifix she had given her sister when they were younger.
She’d wept again after she read the letter Mary had written for her.
And thus, a tentative, yet growing bond had emerged between the new Viscount Hedison and the Earl of Ravensthorpe. Gabriel had taken the young man under his wing and was teaching him all there was to know about proper estate management and taking his seat at the House of Lords.
“Have I told you how happy and proud I am to be your wife?” Ashlyn said softly to him.
“Oh, about a million times. But I never tire of hearing it,” Gabriel said with a grin before he captured her lips in another soul-stirring kiss.
“You know, darling,” he said a few moments later, “had Elizabeth not been so impulsive, we might never have met. And my life would have surely been miserable. Elizabeth’s almost-disastrous fling with that Italian artist is what brought us together. ”
“Yes, and despite my initial guilt at lying to you and your family, I am just as thankful as you are,” she said, tucking her head on his shoulder. “Oh!” Ashlyn pulled away with a gasp.
“What is it?” Gabriel asked, alarm in his eyes. “Is it the baby?”
Ashlyn giggled as she leaned over and kissed her husband on the lips again.
“I’m so sorry, my dear. I forgot to say that Elizabeth has also decided to return to England and will be traveling with my parents and your mother.
Evidently, she has gotten the travel bug, and after the birth of our child, she’ll begin a tour of the Continent. ”
“Well, I’m pleased to hear it. But do me a favor, darling—no more gasping unless you are actually in labor.”
“I promise,” she said with a smile.
“Speaking of travel,” Gabriel said, “I also received word that Lady Ashbourne, Lady Paula, and Lord Pervis have boarded a ship bound for Australia.”
“What? The penal colonies? Really?”
“Yes, really,” he said, tapping the tip of her nose.
“I can’t believe you managed it.” Ashlyn was a little in awe of her husband. She’d known he was working behind the scenes but could not believe he’d pulled it off so quickly.
“We have to thank your uncle and Mrs. Dove-Lyon for spearheading this,” he said.
Gabriel had worked closely with Ashlyn’s uncle to pay off the Ashbourne family’s debts in exchange for acquiring the family estate and most of everything else they owned that hadn’t already pawned.
Mrs. Dove-Lyon used her connections, to discreetly share her displeasure with Lady Ashbourne and her children’s unscrupulous antics, but also to help identify even the smallest debts the family had accumulated.
The key stipulation of their agreement with the Ashbournes was that they must immediately relocate to Australia and remain there for good.
Thanks to Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s efforts, it would be impossible for them to return to Society.
Uncle William had also given them a lump sum that they could live modestly on for the rest of their lives, if Pervis stayed away from gambling. He had been adamant that he wanted “those people” either in prison or in Australia—as far away from the family as possible. Ashlyn couldn’t agree more.
“Oh, and Mama says Elizabeth has a new maid named Janie Stone, whom she describes as a no-nonsense older woman who is utterly devoted to Elizabeth. Well, that is a relief,” Ashlyn said.
“I suppose that means no more artists are in Elizabeth’s future?” Gabriel said, tugging her onto his lap and nuzzling her neck.
“Do you recall my telling you about the paintings we had made for our parents?” she asked a little breathlessly.
“I do,” he growled as his lips continued their exploration. “Did they ever receive them?”
Ashlyn breathed out a sigh as his hands began to add to the exploration.
“Mama told me in her letter that they got their portrait and that Aunt Beatrice and Uncle William finally got theirs as well. Apparently, the hotel staff had placed the paintings in storage when they were delivered, and it took some time to find them.”
“I would have loved to have seen them. Maybe it’s time we had an artist come and paint us.”
“Why don’t we wait?” she said, running her hand over the bump in her belly. “The baby will be here in just a few more months.”
“Speaking of things I can’t wait for,” he said, placing his hand over hers.
“I have a question to ask, not knowing how you might feel about this. But I’d like to name the baby Olivia if it’s a girl or Oliver if it’s a boy.”
Gabriel lifted her hand to his lips and placed a soft kiss on her palm. A delightful shiver went through her. She would never tire of his kisses, not in ten lifetimes.
“My darling, people may get the wrong idea if they come in and catch me in tears like this,” he said, his voice raspy. “I would love that, if you are sure…”
“I’m very sure, my love,” she said, laying her hand on his cheek. “You know how much Caro and your mother mean to me.”
“You’re so beautiful, Ashlyn. Inside and out. You’ll be a wonderful mother to our child.”
“Thank you,” she said, feeling her cheeks heat with a blush. “I love you,” she whispered.
“Tell me again,” he said.
She closed her eyes and smiled. “I love you, my handsome husband.”
“I’ll never tire of hearing you say those words,” he said in a low voice, thick with emotion.
“I’ll never tire of saying it,” she said. “Now, please give me another one of those toe-curling kisses you’re so good at.”
“With pleasure, he said.