Extended Epilogue
Stansgate Manor
Two Years Later
“Look at you! How beautiful you are!”
Maddie leaned over the crib in the nursery, gazing at the baby within, who was babbling softly as he reached a chubby hand out to her.
Her heart flipped over in her chest. She could watch him forever. Sometimes, she stayed in here for hours, just watching him while he slept, counting each breath that he took.
“You know that your mama loves you so much,” she whispered, reaching out to stroke his round face, as soft as the petal of a rose. “You are so dear to me, little one.”
The baby gurgled happily, basking in her soft, loving voice, like a cat basking in a ray of sunshine. Maddie’s heart swelled again. Edward had just turned six months old, but it seemed like only yesterday he had been a tiny newborn in her arms, red-faced and squawking furiously.
Now, he was always smiling, his cheeks dimpling. He was bright-eyed and curious. Her eyes swept over his beloved face, drinking in every detail. He had his father’s grey eyes and strong personality. If he didn’t like something, he voiced his displeasure loudly.
She reached for the small bear lying in the crib, tucking it next to him. The bear was his favorite thing in the whole world, and he couldn’t sleep without it. It had been his first gift, given to him by his adoring father, who had walked around in a joyous daze on the day of his birth.
Maddie touched the small stone in the necklace hanging around her neck. It was a precious ruby, given to her on the same day by her husband, to show his love for her. She always wore it now.
She started crooning, rocking the crib gently. The lullaby was Edward’s favorite. Soon, his eyelids started fluttering and then closed. Still, she kept singing and rocking, until she was quite certain he had drifted away into slumberland.
“Is he asleep?”
She turned at the voice behind her. Daniel was standing there, watching their son, his face creased with tenderness. He tried as much as he could to be here for their son’s bedtime ritual, but sometimes, the estate demanded his attention.
Maddie nodded. “He has just drifted off. I think he will sleep through the night now.”
“That is good,” Daniel said, taking her in his arms. “For I have plans for tonight, and I would not have taken it kindly if Master Edward decided to ruin them.”
Maddie laughed softly. “And what are those plans, pray tell? I did not know we were expecting any guests.”
Daniel grinned at her. “My plans do not involve guests, wife.” He took her hand in his. “Come with me.”
Mystified, Maddie let him lead her out of the nursery, smiling at the nanny sitting in the corner, sewing, who would take over Edward’s care, for now.
Already, that tiny thrill of excitement and anticipation that Maddie always felt for Daniel was flaring to life within her. They had been married for two years now, and it never went away. In fact, it was stronger than it had ever been. Life with Daniel was always an adventure. Her husband kept her on her toes in more ways than one.
The arrival of their son had constrained their lives a little. They didn’t set out on spontaneous rambling adventures anymore, like they had in their first year of marriage. Once, he had surprised her with tickets on a ship to Spain.
They had spent many happy days and nights exploring small towns and eating in romantic tavernas, making love for hours at night as a soft breeze from the ocean drifted through curtains.
Then, he had whisked her away to Italy. It had been a dream come true to see the Sistine Chapel, which he remembered she had always wanted to see. But the best thing of all, as she had gazed up at that remarkable ceiling, was that he was by her side, holding her hand.
Her partner in life and adventure.
“Where are you taking me?” she asked, laughing, as he led her down the hallway, quickly walking past the grand rooms.
“You will see,” he said in a mysterious voice.
He led her into the grand ballroom, across the cold marble floor. Maddie blinked, remembering the very first ball that she attended here, when she danced with him for the first time. The night that he had been consumed with jealousy over his cousin’s commandeering her dance card, and couldn’t bear it any longer, pushing Christopher aside to whisk her onto the dance floor.
Maddie’s face turned pink. And she remembered what they had done after the ball as well, when he had lured her into his study. Her body still shuddered with ecstatic delight at the memory.
They reached the French doors that opened onto the wide balcony, overlooking the grounds. He let go of her hand, opening them with a theatrical flourish.
Maddie stepped outside. She gasped.
The balcony had been transformed as if a fairy godmother had hovered over it, casting a magic spell. She blinked as she took it all in.
There seemed to be a hundred twinkling lanterns, strung together, illuminating the space. Flowers in urns festooned the space, filling it with the sweetest scent imaginable. On a table near the edge of the balcony, there stood an opened bottle of champagne and two glasses.
Beyond the balcony, the night sky loomed dramatically, arching above them. It was the deepest, darkest blue, filled with a thousand glittering stars that appeared to go on forever. She had never seen a night sky so beautiful.
Now she understood why he had been late getting to the nursery tonight.
“Oh, my,” she breathed, her heart lurching in delight. She turned to him. “What is the occasion? Have I forgotten?”
He laughed, taking her hand again. “Can I not just celebrate my love for you?” he asked gently. He took her in his arms, gazing down at her. “You are the best thing that ever happened to me, Maddie. I want you to know that all the time. There does not need to be a special occasion for it.”
She couldn’t breathe. He had done all this, on an ordinary night, to celebrate his love for her. She knew she had made the best decision of her life to marry him, even if the start of their journey together had been fraught with difficulty.
He led her to the table, pouring the champagne. After they had toasted each other, putting down the glasses, he reached into the pocket of his jacket, taking out a crumpled piece of paper, which looked oddly familiar.
“The list!” she exclaimed. “You kept it!”
He grinned at her. “Of course, I kept it. It is like our very first love letter.” He paused. “And there is another reason as well.”
“Which is?” Her voice was breathless.
In response, he passed the list to her. “Read it,” he said, his grin widening.
Maddie stared down at the aging piece of paper, gazing at her own handwriting.
It seemed an age ago that she had sat down at her desk in her parents’ house, writing the list, her heart filled with longing for adventure and life.
She had no idea Daniel had kept it. She had forgotten about it entirely in the whirlwind of their marriage. It was the list that had brought them together, playing their sensual game that had culminated in their marriage. It was like staring at an old relic.
She read the first five items on the list, all neatly crossed off.
Learn How to Play Chess
Cheat at A Card Game
Kiss A Rake
Walk Around Without Undergarments
Sleep With A Gentleman
When her eyes landed on the sixth—and last—item on it, she gasped. She had forgotten all about that one.
Make Love Under The Stars
She looked up at him, her heart beating frantically, unable to speak.
“Yes,” he whispered, his voice husky, as his eyes glinted with desire. “We never did cross off the last one.”
“No,” she agreed in a breathless voice. “We never did.”
“It seems about time,” he said slowly, taking her hand. “In fact, I would say it is long overdue.”
He led her down the stone steps at the side of the balcony, onto the grounds. Her heart was thumping loudly now, and her mouth had gone dry. Overhead, the stars blinked dazzlingly, as if they had chosen this night to put on this brilliant display for them alone. As if they were the last two people left in the world.
He led her deeper onto the grounds, heading towards a tall elm tree. She saw there was a blanket spread beneath it, waiting for them. Her heart flipped, and she couldn’t help smiling. He had thought of simply everything.
They didn’t speak as they lay down on it, side by side, staring up at the luminous sky. The air was starting to thicken between them, the sensual tension brewing, as it always did, but there was no rush. There was all the time in the world.
“It is like we are sailing on a ship towards the stars,” she murmured, filled with wonder, as she gazed up at the night sky.
“I could not ask for a better traveling companion than you,” he whispered back.
Slowly, they turned to each other. He wound his hands into her hair, drawing her to him. His lips were like cold silk as his tongue plunged into her mouth. She felt a stab of desire, so intense that it startled her.
It was as if a candle flared to life within both of them. Hungrily, they tore at each other’s clothes, unable to get enough of each other.
In the back of her mind, she marveled that it never changed, that their desire for one another was as strong as it had always been, from the moment he collided with her in Hyde Park.
His hands were on her legs, dragging up her gown, before delving into her sex, which was already moist and ready for him. Instinctively, she knew that this wasn’t a time for leisurely lovemaking and finesse. This was animal hunger, which must be sated as quickly as possible.
She gripped his back tightly as he plunged into her, over and over, arching her hips to meet his, straining against him. Their rhythm was as old and timeless as the tides. Together, they were sailing towards those stars, reaching out for the highest one in the sky.
She opened her eyes, gazing up at the sky in wonder, letting all that brilliance fall into her, as her release finally washed over her. It was so powerful, so thrilling, that she couldn’t help crying out over and over. The breeze caught her voice, carrying it into the night.
Daniel moaned, gripping her tightly, as his own release tore through him. They fell back onto the blanket, gazing up at the sky, trying to catch their breaths.
“So, that is it,” she whispered as her heartbeat slowed. “The final item can be crossed off now.”
Daniel laughed softly, reaching out to take her hand. “We can add more things to the list if you want, you know.”
Maddie sat up, gazing down at him, loving him more at that moment than she ever had before. “Actually… that is a very good idea, indeed. Shall we put our heads together and think of something?” Her lips twitched. “I’m ready if you are.”
The End.