Extended Epilogue
Four Years Later
Eloise looked up at the sun filtering through the leaves of the massive old oak tree in the grounds of Kingswell Manor. It cast a dappled, rippling light across the garden as the children’s laughter rang out, high and joyous.
Little Edward, just three years old and already full of determination and pride, darted around the grass with impressive speed, his chubby legs carrying him in quick circles as he chased after Percy and Hannah’s son, Thomas. Jacqueline, only one year old, toddled nearby, her cheeks flushed as she watched her brother and cousin with wide, fascinated eyes.
From their spot on a nearby bench, Felix and Eloise watched with soft smiles, taking in the scene with the warm satisfaction of a life well lived. Eloise leaned into Felix, her hand resting on his arm, and he glanced down, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.
“You know that as soon as she is old enough to run after the boys, we are going to have trouble on our hands, do you not?” Felix said with a chuckle, watching his daughter with fondness.
“Quite right, too,” Eloise replied. “I hope she grows up with the boldness to go out and get what she wants, no matter what that is.”
Felix turned and looked at her. “With a mother like you, that is to be expected I suppose,” he teased. “What is it they say? Wild and free?”
Eloise smirked. “Wild perhaps, but not totally free. I rather like belonging to you.”
“That is a relief,” Felix chuckled, putting his arm around her and pulling her into a sideways embrace, “because I will never let you go.”
The couple continued to watch in silence, each lost in their emotions and their memories of the past.
Their romance had taken a while to start, and it had been an unconventional beginning, but now, it moved along from strength to strength. They were there for each other often, always available, always strong. And they fell into bed together regularly.
“Who would have thought?” Felix murmured after a moment, looking back at her. “You and I, with a family of our own, sitting here like this.”
Eloise’s eyes sparkled with that familiar mischief. “I would have thought it,” she replied lightly, nudging him. “At least, once I realized I had roped you into this life with me.”
Felix chuckled. “I can only be captured by what I desire. Remember that.”
“Oh, I know; do not worry.”
Across the garden, Thomas had taken a break from the chase and was climbing onto the swing Felix had built. The wooden seat swung gently, the rope creaking just enough to be reassuring as the laughter of the children mingled with the sounds of the garden.
Hannah and Percy joined them, arm in arm as they so often were. Percy chuckled, shaking his head as he watched Thomas’ attempt to push himself off the ground. “He is determined, that one. Must take after his mother.”
Hannah swatted his arm playfully. “More likely he gets it from you, Percy. I am far more of a wallflower. But is it not wonderful?” She looked between Eloise and Felix with a contented smile. “Our children growing up together—it’s what we always dreamed about, Eloise.”
Eloise nodded, her gaze never leaving the children. “It is. We could not have been much older than them when we first discussed it—how our children would be like siblings to one another.”
“And they are,” Percy said.
“I am grateful every day for it,” Eloise continued. “And even more grateful that they are all so close in age. It is nice to know they will have each other as they grow.”
Percy crossed his arms, leaning back. “Yes, well, Thomas has already been asking when we will give him a little brother or sister. I told him he had best ask his mother about that.”
Hannah rolled her eyes though a blush crept into her cheeks. “We shall see,” she muttered to herself, glancing over at Percy with a smile that hinted at something unspoken. “When are the others arriving?” she asked. “I am positively starved; I cannot wait for our picnic.”
“About now, I would venture,” Felix said, nodding over to the pathway where Lady Brimsleigh had appeared, striding through the garden with the regal poise of someone who knew she belonged anywhere. She was carrying a basket draped with a gingham cloth.
“Do not tell me that you have brought them more treats,” Eloise said. “They will grow up spoiled at this rate.”
“That is what great aunts are for,” Lady Brimsleigh retorted, her voice carrying across the garden as she continued her approach. “Besides, look at these sweet little faces! Sweets for the sweets. It is only correct.” She looked over at the playing children and called, “Come here, please, children.”
They bounded over to her, knowing she always brought them gifts. She opened the basket, revealing a stash of perfect sugar plums wrapped in delicate paper. The children’s eyes grew wide at the sight, and Lady Brimsleigh grinned, her hands upon her hips. “Best aunt indeed, would you not agree?” she declared, winking at the little ones.
Felix chuckled as Jacqueline, too young to understand the words but old enough to know that Lady Brimsleigh brought delicious things, toddled over to her with outstretched hands. “You do make a fine case for it, Lady Brimsleigh,” he said, watching as she handed out treats to each of the children.
As the children settled with their treats, Percy nudged Felix. “Are Lady Danridge and Jeremy coming, too?”
Eloise stifled a small laugh, glancing sideways at Felix. “Of course, and no doubt Mother is beside herself with excitement. I would wager that she is going to bring along enough toys to stock an entire nursery.”
“All over again,” Felix said. “Either that, or she will be fussing over how cold the children’s hands are.”
“What news of your brother?” Percy asked Eloise. “I have been so busy with family life that we have not had a chance to catch up.”
“He insists there is no one special in his life,” Eloise exclaimed. “And yet, when he thinks no one is looking, I see that secret smile of love on his lips. I am sure he will share the news when he is good and ready, but I suspect there might be another wedding on the horizon.”
“Oh, how delightful,” Lady Brimsleigh cried, clapping her hands together.
The sound of a carriage crunching on the gravel path signaled the arrival of Lady Danridge and Jeremy, and Eloise looked up from where she sat with Felix.
“What is it they say?” she asked mischievously. “Speak of the devil and he shall appear?”
“But which one is the devil?” Felix asked.
Eloise laughed and playfully slapped her husband’s arm. “I may call them devilish whenever I wish, but that right does not extend to you.”
They watched as Lady Danridge descended with an air of bustling importance, her wide-brimmed hat bobbing with every step as she turned to call for Jeremy to fetch the basket she had brought just in case.
“Mother,” Eloise greeted warmly, rising to embrace her. “It is good to see you.”
Lady Danridge gave Eloise a quick, almost distracted hug before turning her gaze upon the garden and setting her sights upon Edward, who was running toward them. His beautiful curly hair bounced as he dashed across the lawn.
“Oh, look at this dear, sweet child!” she exclaimed, opening her arms wide as Edward ran up to her. Just as he reached her, his foot caught on a small root, and he tumbled forward, scraping his knee against the grass.
“Oh dear!” Lady Danridge cried, her hands flying to her cheeks. “Edward, my precious boy!”
Edward, who was more surprised than hurt, looked up at her with wide eyes. He didn’t cry, but Lady Danridge’s reaction made him consider it. She swept him up in her arms, fussing over him with a mixture of horror and sympathy.
“A scrape! Oh, my poor darling!” she murmured, smoothing back his hair as if he’d suffered a grievous injury.
Eloise exchanged an amused smile with Felix, who leaned back with a small smirk.
“Mother, it is only a scrape,” Eloise said gently though she knew there would be no calming her mother’s theatrics.
“Nonsense,” Lady Danridge replied briskly. “Jeremy, fetch the basket! And tell the servants to bring a bandage at once.” She turned back to Edward, her voice taking on a cooing tone. “Do not worry, darling, Grandmama is here. You shall be all right.”
Edward blinked up at her, his knee already forgotten. He seemed more curious about her fussing than anything else.
Felix, grinning, leaned over to Eloise and whispered, “Should we tell her he has suffered far worse playing in the garden?”
Eloise stifled a laugh, shaking her head. “Let her have her moment. Besides, Edward appears to be enjoying the attention.”
***
Later, with the sun high in the sky, the family gathered under the shade of the great oak. A blanket had been spread upon the grass, upon which were woven baskets overflowing with fresh bread, fruit, sandwiches, and cakes.
Laughter rang across the yard as the children dashed between the adults, snatching grapes and sneaking bits of bread while Lady Danridge tried—and failed—to shoo them away from her basket.
Lady Brimsleigh was in the middle of an animated story, her eyes sparkling with nostalgia. “So, there I was, on horseback mind you, speeding down the country road with Lord Morton close behind. I had warned him I was the better rider, but did he believe me? No, of course not! He insisted he could beat me in a race. Well, needless to say—”
“Horse racing, Lady Brimsleigh?” Jeremy laughed, raising an eyebrow. “Was that quite proper of you?”
“Proper?” Lady Brimsleigh huffed, waving a delicate hand as she chuckled. “It was exhilarating, my dear! I have learned of late that sometimes, the best moments in life are anything but proper.”
She threw a conspiratorial wink at Eloise, who giggled in return, knowing that the comment mirrored her own life with Felix.
Felix leaned against the trunk of the oak tree, watching Eloise as she cradled Jacqueline in her lap, feeding her soft bits of cheese and grapes with infinite tenderness.
A warm smile softened his face as he took in the scene: the glow in her eyes, the way her lips curved as she murmured to Jacqueline. Without thinking, he leaned down and softly kissed her cheek, letting his lips linger just a moment longer than necessary.
“Honestly, the two of you,” Jeremy grumbled, though the corner of his mouth twitched with a half-smile. “Must you always do that in public?”
“Jealous, are you?” Felix teased, giving Eloise another quick kiss which made Jeremy roll his eyes with exaggerated disgust.
“Oh, you shall be next, and you know it,” Eloise teased Jeremy, laughing as he made a face. “Soon you will be doting on someone just the same. If you are not already, of course.”
“Maybe,” Jeremy replied though he did not meet her eye.
Eloise exchanged a knowing smile with Hannah.
Lady Danridge broke in, clapping her hands in delight as she pulled a ribbon-wrapped parcel from one of the picnic baskets.
“And I brought something special for the children!”
She untied the ribbon, revealing a handful of small, hand-painted wooden toys. The children’s eyes lit up, and they flocked to her with excited giggles as she passed one to each child.
Eloise cradled Jacqueline who in turn cradled her new toy. She looked up at Felix, her gaze warm and full of gratitude.
Surrounded by their family and friends and the estate in full bloom around them, she felt her heart overflow with joy.
She had never expected her life to turn out so wonderfully.
***
Evening settled over the estate as Felix and Eloise quietly tucked their children into bed. They had spent their entire day running amongst the adults, and now, thoroughly exhausted, they fell sound asleep within minutes.
Felix gently adjusted Edward’s blanket while Eloise leaned over Jacqueline’s crib, brushing a soft kiss on her tiny forehead.
As they stepped out, Eloise glanced up at Felix with a contented sigh. “Our children are truly remarkable, are they not?”
“Remarkable indeed,” he agreed, his voice low, his gaze meeting hers with a spark of pride and love. “We are indeed very lucky to have such well-behaved children.”
She leaned against him, a playful smile on her lips. “And do you think I have been well-behaved, Felix?”
Felix raised a brow, giving her a sideways glance as he shut the door to the nursery.
“That depends,” he murmured, his voice dropping to a sensual whisper. “Do you feel that you have been a good girl, Eloise?”
Her eyes gleamed mischievously as she took his hand, guiding him toward their chambers.
“No, Your Grace,” she replied, her tone wicked and tantalizing. “I think I have been very, very bad. And I ought to face the consequences.”
A smirk lifted the corner of his mouth as he gently shut the door behind them, his gaze locked on her with a promise of what was to come.
“In that case,” he whispered, his hand sliding around her waist, “we had best see to it at once. Remove your gown and show yourself to me.”
The End.