Epilogue
One week later . . .
As Colin sat at the desk in his study and read the letter from his father, Anne held her tongue and observed every nuanced tic of his jaw and crease of his brow.
Unable to remain silent any longer, she moved behind him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
Although her position provided an opportunity to glance at the lines of the missive, and although she was perhaps a tiny bit curious, she did so more to provide comfort to her husband than to sneak a peek at the contents of the letter. “Is he terribly angry?”
Colin peered over his shoulder, and the love in his green eyes pierced through her. He’d become exceptionally skilled at giving her goo-goo eyes. “Furious.” A smile tipped his lips as he tossed the letter onto the desk.
“You find his anger . . . amusing?” My, how her husband had changed!
“He’s more upset by the bland diet and the order for no more gooseberries Harry insisted upon than the fact the Crown has thrown out our petition for the writ. He seems to completely dismiss the evidence that changing his eating habits has greatly reduced his stomach pains.”
“But wouldn’t that mean the writ would be unnecessary even if you had pursued it?”
Colin rose and took her in his arms. “Most likely, but it doesn’t matter to him. He only views it as me not bowing to his will.”
“You don’t seem upset by that.”
“I won’t deny that part of me feels like I’ve disappointed him, but I’m learning to accept my failures. Thanks to you.”
After wrapping her arms around his neck, she drew him to her. “There is one thing you succeed at every time. Kiss me.”
He kissed her as if challenging himself to see how much he could befuddle her mind, clearly enjoying his success.
“Ahem.” A male voice rudely interrupted Colin’s demonstration.
Rather than breaking apart awkwardly, Colin ended their embrace by providing one final peck on her nose. “Yes, Alan?”
Still in Colin’s arms, Anne smiled at the former footman who now served as their butler in training.
“A letter has arrived, sir.” Alan’s gaze remained fixed on the silver salver before him. “It’s from Mr. Sedley.”
Anne’s stomach tightened. The results of the election.
Colin slipped his arm from her waist and plucked the letter from the tray. He blew out an audible breath and exchanged glances with both her and Alan.
The day after the election, Colin had been down only a handful of votes, the tally so close, Sedley demanded a recount, cautioning Colin to wait to concede.
Both she and Colin had several sleepless nights and anxious days awaiting the results. Sedley promised to write as soon as he had confirmation.
Colin broke the seal and read.
Anne didn’t need to ask about the contents. As Colin slumped into his chair, his dejected expression answered the unspoken question.
Colin’s opponent, a local merchant named Jefferson, had won the election. “Thank you, Alan. That will be all.”
Before he left, Alan’s gaze locked on Anne’s, his sad smile joining hers in commiseration.
Once again, Anne squeezed her husband’s shoulder and hoped she gave him the strength he needed to defy his demons.
“It was even closer than first reported,” Colin said, reading further. “I lost by three votes.”
Anne had to ask, more than willing to take the burden upon her own shoulders. “It’s my fault, isn’t it? Those questions people asked when we met with them regarding what The Muckraker said about me.”
He placed his hand over hers and squeezed. “Put those thoughts from your mind. Those were a few troublemakers, most likely supporters of Jefferson. The people loved you, especially the men. If anything, you gained votes for me.”
Two blows in one day. Her poor dear Grump. “If you need to stew in your disappointment, I’ll understand. Just don’t avoid me entirely. I will do my best to listen.”
“Thank you, my love. I plan to throw my support behind Jefferson. Whether he accepts it is another matter.”
He pushed away from his desk and pulled her onto his lap. “Now, where were we when Alan interrupted?”
After several luscious—and heated—kisses, she pushed against his chest. “I have something to tell you, and I can’t think straight when you kiss me like that.”
His chuckle rumbled against her palm. “If it’s more bad news, can’t it wait? I’ve had my fill for one day, and my resolve for a new lease on life can only be stretched so far.”
She grinned at him. “Oh, I’m certain you’ll like this news.”
If Colin had had to face a day like the present one before Anne stormed into his life, he wasn’t certain his belief in himself would have remained intact.
But Anne eased all his failures and made them bearable.
“Very well. I’m ready. What is this news of yours?”
Although she had insisted he would be pleased, a solemn expression replaced her grin. His muscles tensed in warning. “Anne? You’re worrying me.”
“It is good news, I promise. I’m just a little frightened about it. I mean, I’ve never done this before. And what if it doesn’t turn out as you hoped? Will you be angry with me and—”
“Anne. Your news?”
“Well, you’re so worried about failing, and in this case you succeeded.”
He tamped down his impatience and reminded himself this was Anne, who babbled when nervous. “Please tell me what I accomplished before I wither away from old age. Remember, I’m not as young as you.”
“We have been making love quite a bit. And . . .”
He rose so quickly, he almost dumped her from his lap onto the floor. “You’re pregnant!”
She had the audacity to pout. “You didn’t let me tell you!”
He laughed, lifted her up, and spun her around. “Are you certain? We should send for the doctor.”
She shook her head. “Not that horrid man. I want Ashton or one of the other doctors from Hope Clinic.”
With so much love filling his heart, he worried he might explode.
He pulled her close, cradling her head against his chest, and vowed to do whatever he could, whatever she wanted, to keep her safe, healthy, and with him for as long as he lived.
“Whatever you wish. A trip to London it is. You will need new gowns for your expanding girth. We’ll go to the finest modiste and shop to your heart’s content. How does that sound?”
With a smile that said she’d forgiven him for guessing her surprise, she kissed him. “May the girls come, too?”
“But of course. New dresses for them as well. Hell, I’ll outfit the entire ton if that makes you happy.”
“Let’s not go that far. There are some people I don’t like. Lydia Whyte for example. I still think she’s responsible for The Muckraker or at least has some hand in it.”
“No gowns for Lydia Whyte then. But you said you were frightened. Is it about the birth?” He kept to himself that he, too, worried. Could her small frame withstand the ordeal?
“I understand it will hurt.”
He laughed and received a swat on his arm. “I apologize, my love, but considering you will be pushing a baby from such a small—”
She placed three fingers against his lips, stopping him from finishing his sentence.
Gently removing her fingers, he kissed them. “I was going to say body. What did you think I was going to say?”
Pink bloomed on her cheeks. “You do have a way of saying naughty things when we’re alone.”
“Which you seem to enjoy. But back to your concerns. I understand when in the throes of childbirth, the woman doesn’t think much about the pain.”
She gawked at him as if he were mad. “Where did you get such ridiculous notions? Have you given birth to many children, my lord?”
“Fair point.”
“And from what Alice said, the pain is forgotten after the child is born, not during.”
“If it will help, I will remain by your side, and you may squeeze my hand and transfer the pain to me.”
“Don’t make promises you don’t intend to keep. Andrew hid during most of Alice’s ordeal.” She grew pensive. “But Colin, what if it’s a girl?”
He cupped his hand to her cheek. “Then I hope she will be just like you.”
“You won’t be disappointed?”
He felt his eyebrows lift. “You and my girls are my treasures. And this child”—he placed a hand against her abdomen, marveling at the possible life growing inside her—“will be loved and treasured regardless of its sex.”
With a heavy sigh, she collapsed against him and burrowed her face in his chest. “Thank you, Colin.”
“You’re very welcome, my love. Besides. If it’s a girl, that just means we will try again. And if I’m not mistaken, you enjoy the process very much.”
She swatted him again, that time a little harder, but then gazed at him with those clear-blue eyes. “I love you, you grump.”
“And I love you.” Which he proved by kissing her soundly.
His Elfin Menace, his Nymph of Nuisance, had not only bewitched him, she had twisted and turned his world upside down.
And he couldn’t be happier.