Epilogue
One year later...
The past twelve months had been filled with new beginnings, and the most exciting of all was Jaclyn’s decision to become an instructor at Havenwood Academy.
As she sat at her writing desk in the drawing room, her quill poised over a fresh sheet of parchment, Jaclyn reflected on the path that had led her here.
A smile tugged at her lips as she thought of Kingston—her husband, her companion, the man who had made all this possible.
Her transition from a young woman with uncertainty about her future to one with a purpose had not been an easy one, but now, teaching French and Italian at Havenwood Academy would be her reality.
Foreign language was the one subject she had excelled in with her tutors during her youth, and it had become her true passion.
There was no finer joy than sharing her knowledge of those beautiful languages with eager students, and she was determined to see her new endeavor flourish.
It may be odd to them all having a duchess as their teacher, but she did not care.
Kingston encouraged her to take on the mantle of instructor and there was nothing he would not do for her.
He showed her how much he loved her every single day.
Kingston had not had to look far to find suitable accommodations for her while she taught.
His dear friend the Marquess of Easton had willingly sold that abandoned hunting lodge to him.
His estate managers were more than capable of managing his vast holdings, and their time at Easton Abbey had been a welcomed respite.
Jaclyn longed for the day when they would finally move into the hunting lodge and they would have some much needed privacy.
One day, in the distant future, they would settle at Amberwood Castle to start their family.
Until that day, the hunting lodge on the grounds of Easton Abbey would be her home.
Kingston had ensured the lodge was renovated and expanded to their exact specifications, offering Jaclyn a perfect space to call her own when they moved in later that week.
For now, though, she was content in the grand, welcoming halls of Easton Abbey, where her dear friend Charlotte, Lady Easton, awaited the arrival of her first child.
Jaclyn had made a promise to Charlotte to stay with her until the birth, providing support as only a dear friend could.
Their bond had deepened over the years they had been together at Havenwood Academy and only became stronger with each day that passed.
Charlotte would always be her dearest friend.
Jaclyn sat back in her chair, glancing out of the window to the expansive gardens beyond.
The sun filtered through the trees in golden rays, and she felt a sense of peace that had become all too familiar in this corner of the world.
The past year had shown her that change could bring joy, not just challenges, and she was excited for what the future held.
“Are you ready, my love?” Kingston’s voice broke through her thoughts, and she turned to find him standing in the doorway, his gaze soft with affection. His arms were crossed, a smile tugging at his lips.
Jaclyn rose and walked toward him. “Nearly. I was just contemplating how much has changed over the past few months.”
Kingston stepped forward, taking her hand gently. “You’ve done more than just change, Jaclyn. You’ve thrived. I’m proud of you. I can already see the difference you’re making at Havenwood.”
She smiled, her heart swelling with affection.
“Thank you, my love. I’m still surprised that I was able to come this far.
It wasn’t something I had ever imagined for myself, but here I am.
” When Mrs. Havenwood had offered her the position she had not known how to respond.
The idea of teaching had never been something she had considered for herself.
Kingston had told her that it was her decision and had stood by her through it all.
She had been teaching for about a month now and she loved it—even with Lady Melisande Burton as one of her students.
That girl would always make things difficult and one day she would go too far with the wrong person.
“You are exactly where you should be,” he said, his voice low and full of conviction. “And I will always be here for you, whether it’s in Amberwood, Easton Abbey, or the hunting lodge.” He grinned. “As long as you always come home to me, I will be happy.”
“You are the very best husband a lady could have,” she told him. “I fall in love with you more every day.”
He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. “I adore you,” he told her. “Now come outside and take a walk with me. You have been cooped up in this room far too long.”
“Pardon the interruption, Your Graces,” the butler said. “But guests have arrived.”
“Oh,” Jaclyn nearly squealed. “It must be Georgina. I must go see her. You do not mind, do you?”
Her husband kissed her again and then said, “Of course not. I suppose I should visit with Foxmoore. Easton will still be flustered and in need of us. With Charlotte due any day he is growing more and more frantic with worry about her and the babe.”
She sighed. “Go to them. We will take that walk later.”
“Promise?” he asked.
“Always,” she told him. He brushed his lips over hers softly. “There is nowhere else I would rather be than with you. Now go to your friend. I am certain he needs you and Foxmoore.”
He sighed and then reluctantly let her go. “Later, love,” he said, the promise of passion in his gaze as he stared at her. “Just you and me.”
She touched her fingers to her lips and blew him a kiss. “You can count on it,” she told him.
Jaclyn went to the sitting room and found both Charlotte and Georgina waiting for her. Charlotte looked rather uncomfortable sitting on the settee and Georgina was pouring tea in a cup. She handed it to Charlotte and then turned toward Jaclyn. “Would you like a cup?”
“Yes,” Jaclyn said. “I do believe I would.” Soon after Georgina handed her the tea and then sat beside her with her own cup.
Georgina could hardly contain her excitement. “I have news,” she said, her eyes gleaming with joy. “I’m with child. Early stages, of course, but it’s already the most thrilling thing I’ve ever experienced.”
Jaclyn’s heart leapt at the news, and she set her cup on a nearby table so that she could embrace her friend. “Georgina, that’s wonderful news! I’m so happy for you.”
Charlotte smiled at Georgina’s news. “How wonderful,” she said. “This one will have a friend then,” she told them as she patted her belly. “I do hope he or she decides to make an appearance soon. I’m so uncomfortable I have no words for it.”
There, in the warm comfort of Easton Abbey, Jaclyn was reminded of the beauty of friendship, of the shared experiences that made life richer, and of the deep connection she had with these women who had become her family in all but blood. “Didn’t the midwife say it should be soon?” Jaclyn asked.
“Not soon enough,” Charlotte sighed.
“Have you heard from your family?” Georgina asked Jaclyn.
She sighed. This was the part that was not quite as happy.
Her father refused to have anything to do with her.
She was effectively disowned, and he refused to give Kingston her dowry.
Neither of them cared about that. She was sad that her father was being so difficult, but she could not make him more accepting of her or her choices.
Jaclyn would just have to live with that loss.
“My brother recently wrote to me,” she told them.
“As you know Father is…” She sighed. “Well, he’s Father.
I do not believe he will ever change. Barrett is a lot like him in that regard. ”
“What did Oakley have to say in his letter?” Charlotte asked.
“He apologized and said that while Father would never come around, he did not want to sever our relationship.” She shrugged. “I hope he meant it, but we shall see. He plans to visit for Christmastide.”
“He is staying with you?” Charlotte frowned. “And Kingston? At the lodge?” She tilted her head to the side. “Is that wise?”
“Perhaps not,” Jaclyn said. “But we have to start somewhere, and I do hope he keeps his word and remains levelheaded. I do not need him challenging my husband to another duel.” She shuddered at the thought.
Thankfully that first duel had not ended Kingston’s life, and then her fool brother had gone and challenged him again when Kingston had eloped with her.
She prayed Barrett had finally learned some patience and stopped to consider everything before reacting.
“Oh…” Charlotte grimaced and put her hand to her stomach. “That wasn’t pleasant.” She let out a heaving breath. “Ouch.”
“Oh dear…” Georgina nibbled on her lip. “I think we should perhaps send for that midwife now.”
“Help her to her bedchamber,” Jaclyn told her. “I will go tell Easton to fetch the midwife.”
Jaclyn exited the sitting room and went to the marquess’s study. She rapped on the doorframe and all three gentlemen inside turned to glance at her. “Yes, love?” her husband asked.
She focused her attention on the marquess. “It’s time,” she told him.
“Time?” Easton leapt up. “Now. It’s happening now?”
“I will go for the midwife,” Foxmoore said. “I do not think Easton is in the right frame of mind to ride out.”
“Just you wait until it is your turn…” Easton began to pace. “Where is she? Where is my wife?”
Jaclyn barely held back a smile. The Earl of Foxmoore did not stop to respond to Easton’s quip about his turn.
He must have shared their good news with the men.
Instead, she focused her attention on the marquess.
“Georgina has helped her to her bedchamber to help her prepare for the birth. It’s best you wait here… ”
Easton did not allow her to finish speaking before he left the room and raced toward his wife.
It was good to see how much the marquess loved her friend.
They had all been blessed with their spouses.
She was so blissfully happy with Kingston and her heart was so full of love.
She was grateful that both Georgina and Charlotte also knew that kind of love.
“He will be a mess until she makes it through the birth all right,” Kingston said.
“Undoubtedly,” she agreed.
“Stay with me for a bit won’t you,” he said. “I want to hold you. If they need either of us, they will send a servant.”
“All right,” she agreed and went straight into his arms. This was her home. Wherever Kingston was, she would be happy.
Jaclyn nestled into Kingston's embrace, letting the warmth of his body soothe the tension that had built in her own. The worry over Charlotte’s impending labor had been gnawing at her since the moment she had noticed the signs.
Her thoughts kept returning to her dear friend, hoping that she would be able to handle the process without complication, but knowing all too well how unpredictable childbirth could be.
Kingston’s arms tightened around her, and she rested her head against his chest, drawing comfort from the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. “I know it’s a trying time,” he murmured, “but we must trust that she will be well, Jaclyn. Charlotte is strong.”
“I know,” she said softly, her words barely above a whisper. She could feel his warmth seeping into her very bones, and for a moment, the outside world—the impending birth, the worry for her friend—seemed to fade into the background. All that mattered was here, in this room, with him.
Kingston brushed a gentle kiss against her hair and sighed. “I never imagined I would be here with you. And now, with friends who share the same love we do...” His words trailed off as he tightened his hold around her, as if unwilling to let go.
Jaclyn looked up at him, her heart swelling. "I couldn’t imagine my life without you. You make everything better." She let out a small laugh, her fingers tracing the lapels of his jacket. “Sometimes, I wonder how it is that I deserve all this.”
“You deserve everything, Jaclyn.” Kingston lifted her chin gently, his eyes soft and warm. "Do you know how much I love you?"
She smiled, her fingers curling into his shirt as she leaned in to kiss him.
The familiar taste of his lips, so tender and warm, made her heart skip a beat.
She felt safe, cherished, and cared for in ways she never thought possible before he had come into her life.
She had often wondered how such a powerful and commanding man could love her, but with every moment they spent together, he proved it to her over and over again.
He pulled back slightly, his expression suddenly more serious. “You are everything to me, Jaclyn. And I want to ensure that no matter what happens with Charlotte, I’m here with you. Always.”
Her heart swelled with emotion. She reached up to brush his hair from his forehead. “And I’m here with you. Always.”
Just as the words left her lips, a knock at the door broke the tender moment. Jaclyn glanced toward it, her heart fluttering with a new wave of concern. She didn’t have to ask who it was; she knew it was the servant coming to inform them of Charlotte’s condition.
Kingston gave her a knowing look, his hand slipping into hers. “Shall we?”
She nodded, her heart pounding, both for Charlotte and for the world they had built together. As the door opened and a young maid entered with an urgent look in her eyes, Jaclyn gave Kingston’s hand a final squeeze before they both turned toward the unknown.
Many hours later the Marquess and Marchioness of Easton welcomed their first child into the world.
A son that screamed his displeasure to the world and one that was loved beyond belief.
Jaclyn fell in love with him immediately.
How could she not. He was part of her new family and she loved them all, and that now included the new Earl of Easterly, Garrett Jamison Hayes.