Epilogue
Marina
Norfolk, England
One Year Later
Marina threw back the drapes from a window in the bedchamber of their country home, allowing daylight to enter the room.
She and Evan returned from their extended honeymoon in Italy a month ago, and she admitted to herself that she had missed their home.
There was nothing like being back in England, with all the people who loved them.
In the distance, she saw the trees that hid their secret place where she and Evan met.
She smiled at the memory of their first picnic there.
He recreated the outing for them when they returned from their honeymoon, and the offerings had been even more delicious.
“Was that necessary?” Evan threw the covers over his head. “There are much better ways to wake me up if that is your goal.”
She rubbed her stomach, which appeared to grow larger every day. When they learned she was increasing, Evan tried in vain to play the role of the overprotective husband. She rolled her eyes enough that he toned it down, but in truth she adored how much he cared for her. “The babe is hungry.”
He sat up at that, letting the covers fall to his waist, exposing his naked torso. Since they had been married, they had never slept apart and never with clothes on. She sighed as she gazed over at her husband. She would never tire of the sight of him.
“Come here, love,” he called to her.
She walked around to his side of the bed. Her stomach poked out from the dressing robe she had slipped around herself.
He pulled her to sit on the bed beside him, gently pressing his lips to hers. “Good morning, love.” Then her husband placed both of his hands on her stomach and kissed the center. “Good morning, little love.”
The babe responded by kicking against his hand, and Marina fell in love with him all over again, watching the joy spread across his face. “I think it’s a girl,” she said. “You have an effect on women.”
“I have an effect on one woman,” he corrected her. “And you know I don’t care if it’s a boy or a girl. I will be a nervous wreck until I know you are both all right.” He kissed her stomach again.
“You’re impossible,” she said, standing again.
“You love me,” he teased, patting her on the bottom.
“More than anything.”
He pulled her to him and kissed her. “Let’s get you two fed.” A wicked smile spread across his handsome face. “Later I shall have dessert.”
She rolled her eyes at him, but they both knew it was for show.
Once they dressed for the day, Evan escorted her to the breakfast room.
Both of their mothers were already seated, chatting amongst themselves.
Their precious babe would arrive in a week or two, and both mothers insisted on taking up residence.
They’d arrived last night and seemed to have settled in already, making themselves at home.
The pair had become the best of friends and were ready to be the most devoted grandmamas.
Evan seated Marina at the table beside him and then made a plate for her from the sideboard. They never honored traditional table seating rules, opting to always be next to each other.
He set her plate before her, and she laughed at how much food he’d put on it.
“You think I eat this much?” she scoffed.
“I know you do,” he said. “And, remember, that you are eating for two.”
“This is enough for three or four.”
He shrugged and forked a bite of eggs from his own plate. She rolled her eyes and took a bite of her toast.
“So, Mamas—” That was what they called them since it was much easier and they were usually together “—any news from town?”
They would miss the season with the new babe, so they wouldn’t make an appearance in town until next season at the earliest. Assuming Marina didn’t find herself with child again, which was a real possibility given the intensity with which she desired her husband.
Diana had her first babe, a boy named Oliver, a few months ago. She and Graham would bring Oliver for an extended stay after Marina gave birth. Since none of them would attend the season with the rest of their friends, they would enjoy each other’s company in the country.
“Nothing we haven’t already told you,” Marina’s mother said. “It’s not that far into the season and no good gossip or interesting betrothals yet.”
As expected, last year Marina and Evan were the talk of the ton for several weeks, but soon enough, another scandal broke out and they were long forgotten.
By the time they visited town again, no one would care to speak about it anymore.
Not that she gave a fig what society thought.
She dared anyone to say something to them.
“How are you feeling, dearest? You look very well.” Her mother commented, then smiled at Evan. “I’m pleased your husband is taking such good care of you.”
“I feel fine,” Marina replied. “The babe kicks a lot. Evan wants me to rest more than I do, but we agree to disagree.” She smirked at him.
“We didn’t agree to disagree,” he corrected. “She agreed she would do what she wished, and I agreed to follow her around and ensure she’s all right.” He winked at her. That wink still had the power to melt her every single time, and she was pretty sure he was well aware of that fact.
“Son, please tell me you have dropped this silly notion of being in the room when Marina delivers,” his mother pleaded.
“It isn’t a notion. I will be in the room,” he said matter-of-factly. Marina wasn’t sure why his mother was so scandalized about it. She much preferred for her husband to be there. He’d just pace and shave hours off his life from worrying if he wasn’t in the room.
“Leave the man alone. I think it’s romantic.” Her mother offered an encouraging nod to Evan, which made Marina grin. Evan could do no wrong in her mother’s eyes.
Evan’s mother harrumphed but let it go.
Once they had finished their breakfast, Marina picked up her correspondence from the tray in the foyer and waddled into the drawing room.
She hated to admit that she had developed a bit of a waddle, and she didn’t have as much energy as before.
Evan would get his wish and she’d slow down, if only from sheer exhaustion.
She looked over her shoulder and Evan was right behind her, which amused her.
He held her elbow and helped her sit in her place on the settee. He propped her feet up with a footstool before taking his seat in a chair next to her. He opened the paper that had been tucked under his arm and read to himself while she looked through her correspondence.
She opened the letter from Arthur first. Once she finished reading, she set it aside. “Arthur is enjoying the start of his second year of university.”
“I know.” He looked around the side of his paper to smirk at her. “You know he writes to me as well. You recall I am helping with the management of your family’s estates while he’s away at school.”
Marina rolled her eyes but smiled. Arthur and Evan had become like brothers. She knew her brother would be an outstanding earl when he took up his responsibilities, and that was in part because of Evan’s guidance and their close relationship.
She beamed with pride at her husband. He would be an attentive, caring father.
If there were a man who had the power to make her swoon, it would be him.
She watched him read his paper and rubbed her stomach for a few moments, thinking about what their babe would look like.
She hoped for a little Evan, but would be happy as long as the babe were healthy.
And she always had Evan by her side.
The End