Epilogue
Christmas Eve the following year
Grace was excited to be celebrating her first Christmastide as Edward’s wife. The past year had been filled with so much joy, she could not keep a smile from her face.
Winifred and Samuel had been married too by special license just after the New Year, and less than three months later, became parents to a beautiful little girl.
Samuel was a loving husband and father, and truly a natural with horses.
He’d impressed Lady Kenwreck so much that she’s been making plans for the stables to be expanded in anticipation of the spring arrivals.
“The decorations have arrived, Your Grace,” Molly squealed with excitement as she rushed into the drawing room with Miss Casborne following close behind. “The Dower House will so look lovely and festive.”
Grace and Edward had made it a true home, filling it with love, hope, and dreams realized. Every day she was thankful for the support of their friends and family. Tonight was going to be extra special for so many reasons.
“Excellent.” She glanced about the room. Most of the ribbons had been sorted and an assortment of bows created. She could steal a few moments while everyone saw to the other items on the list. “Where is His Grace?”
“In his study.”
“You and Miss Casborne can begin organizing everything. Mrs. Kirkby will direct you on what needs to be done. Hopefully, we’ll have time—”
“Don’t fret, Grace,” Beata said as she joined them. Grace had insisted that in her home, her dearest friend continued to call her by her Christian name. “Everything will be in order well before the festivities begin.”
The main activities were to take place up at the main house during the course of Twelfth Night, but Grace had wanted to ensure her home was equally as jolly.
It was to be a very special Christmastide.
Her brother and his family were due to arrive any day.
They’d been in America for the past couple of years and she couldn’t wait to see them all, especially her nephews.
“I will check on His Grace now.”
She was careful not to make a sound as she entered the study. Craning her head into the warm room, she was instantly overcome by the sight of her husband cradling their two-month-old son.
“And how are the two most handsome men in my life doing this evening?” she whispered.
Edward looked up and smiled at her. Although he was still not fond of the title he’d inherited, he had found a way to honor his late cousin. “Jacob has to be the most even-tempered baby that ever was.”
She bent down and kissed the top of her son’s head before taking a seat beside them. “He is absolutely perfect.” She rested her head on Edward’s shoulder, enjoying their quiet time together. Her heart had always craved this moment, and now that it was here, she could hardly believe it was real.
“What are you thinking about?” Edward asked in a soft tone so as to not wake their son.
“About how precious this moment is, how I’ve always dreamed of a Christmas like this, filled with love and family traditions.” She raised her head off his shoulder and gazed into his loving eyes.
“Since our first summer together, this has been my dream, too.” He brushed a soft kiss to her lips. “And the best is yet to come, my love.”
Want to know what happens next?
Keep reading for a chapter excerpt from
It Started with a Christmas Kiss
Book Three in
A Forgotten Heiress Novella series…
Chapter One excerpt from
It Started with a Christmas Kiss
“Where are we going?” Hope, the eldest of the five children, questioned for the umpteenth time since they’d departed two days past.
“We’re going to visit my aunt,” Emme said, trying to keep her voice light and hopeful.
She didn’t want to alarm the young children by letting them know how truly dire their situation was.
She’d been caring for them even before their mother died in childbirth two years ago, and would continue to do so.
She had a promise to keep—two promises to be exact.
Mr. Frank Dunn, who’d inherited the family’s small but tidy property, was no better than Christopher Youngwin, the girls’ father, who’d cared naught for his children seeing as they were not boys.
Mr. Dunn had marched into their home and informed Emme that Christopher Youngwin was dead, that the girls were not his concern, and they were to depart his house—where each of the girls had been born—immediately and await further instructions somewhere else.
The problem was, Emme had little choice in where to go.
Her only living relative was her Aunt Beata, who’d found a new purpose in life at the Home for Desolate Ladies.
Although they’d written many times over the last few years—once her aunt was finally free of the monster she’d been married to—Emme had not seen her relative since before Papa died, and that was nearly ten years ago.
She hoped Aunt Beata would be able to help her until things were sorted out, and she hoped Mr. Frank Dunn would keep his word and let whoever was named as the girls’ guardian know where to find them.
To make matters even worse, the funds Mr. Dunn had not-so-politely given Emme when he’d arrived were not enough to last more than a sennight.
She was being forced to leave their future in the hands of Fate.
Day after day, they’d lumbered along the soggy, muddy roads.
Each night, she and the girls had tried to relax at the latest coaching inn.
Traveling with five little ones was not ideal, but they’d been exceptionally well-behaved, all things considered.
Even so, they were tired and grumpy and ready to be on solid ground again.
“How much longer?” Betty, the second eldest at four, complained again.
“Weather providing, just one more—”
A loud crack ricocheted through the conveyance. Horses neighing frantically gave way to the girls’ hysteria.
“Emme!” Mary and Melisent cried in unison.
“What’s wrong?” Hope questioned with panic.
“I’m scared!” Betty screamed.
And poor Noelle clung to Emme for dear life, her little heart pounding so hard, Emme could feel it through her clothing.
Before she could comprehend what had happened, the carriage came to an abrupt halt and slumped to one side. It took several minutes, but she had just got the girls to settle down when the door to the carriage opened, revealing their driver.
“The wheel is broke, Miss Stoke,” O’Hare said in an apologetic tone. Throughout their journey, he had been most attentive and protective of her and the girls. Providing a carriage and driver had been the one nice thing on Mr. Dunn’s part, although Emme suspected it was his wife’s doing and not his.
“Can it be fixed?”
O’Hare tilted his head this way and that before answering. “I suggest you and the little ladies wait out here while I take a look.”
Emme had no knowledge of such workings, but a repair alongside the road did not sound very likely.
Her heart sank. They were too far from the last town and still a good distance from the next.
There was no way she could walk there with five young children in tow, and of course, she would never leave them.
Panic rose from within. Would O’Hare abandon her and the girls to get help? The highway was not safe, especially for a woman and children. All sorts of horrible outcomes flashed through her mind, each more terrifying than the last.
An hour passed and their conveyance was still nowhere near ready for travel.
Several coaches came and went, but none offered assistance.
Despite the chill in the air, the girls occupied themselves with a game they’d made up and, for the moment, were enjoying their freedom outside the confines of the carriage.
But Emme knew it wouldn’t last for too much longer.
Before too long, another carriage rolled along, only this one seemed to be slowing down. She squinted into the near distance. It was large and impressive. She had never seen such an elegant conveyance before.
“Do you need assistance?” the driver called to O’Hare in a friendly manner as the carriage came to a halt.
As the two drivers discussed the issue with the broken-down vehicle, the occupant of the fine carriage opened the door and surveyed them.
Oh dear, but he was a handsome fellow. His hair was not just blond, but golden, reminding her of one of the tales about a Greek god—which one, she could not remember, too taken aback by his striking visage.
And then he spoke, and she went weak in the knees. “Is everyone alright?”
She nodded her head, unable to do anything else as the good-looking stranger stepped down from his carriage. Alarm bells should be ringing in her head, but the kindness in his eyes and the sincerity in his voice were a soothing balm.
“Are you traveling alone?”
The gentleman addressed her, but it was Betty who spoke first. “We’re going to visit Emme’s aunt.” Then, with an innocence that only a child could have, she questioned, “Who are you?”
“Betty—” Emme started to reprimand, but the handsome stranger waved his hand.
“I apologize. I seemed to have forgotten my manners.” He stepped forward toward their little group, and bowed. “Lord Parker, at your service.”
Both Hope and Betty giggled, while Noelle, Mary, and Melisent hid behind Emme’s skirts.
Just then, Lord Parker’s driver called out. “Wheel needs to be replaced, my lord.”
“Please allow me to offer my carriage and take you to the next coaching inn. I can arrange assistance for your driver.” Lord Parker glanced over to where the two drivers were still fiddling with the wheel.
O’Hare nodded his head, and said, “You might want to take him up on his offer, Miss Stoke. It’s not going to be mended anytime soon, and with those five young ones, well…” He tsked several times as he returned to his task.