Epilogue #2
I pulled the small sacks from Knight and handed him off to a waiting stable hand. I had a feeling the children weren’t the only ones about to have a treat.
I followed where my wife led.
I always would.
The sun shone high in the early afternoon sky, the breeze light and warm on my face as I chased my son, laughing with him as I caught him and tossed him high, catching him and swinging him around.
I loved spending time with my family this way.
Relaxed and easy. A picnic—a family favorite—good friends, delicious treats, and lots of laughter.
I tossed my son up onto my shoulder and headed toward the picnic. “I think our repast is ready, Andrew.”
He yelped in excitement. He loved picnics, and Maddie was of the mind it was due to the fact that we all ate with our fingers.
Our cook had begun making sandwiches with the most delectable fillings, and I knew the basket was full of them.
Chicken, beef, cheese, with savory sauces and the softest of breads.
Some creamed mixtures we all loved but only had for picnics would be in the mix.
Maddie adored them, and I had heard the fare was becoming more popular even in London.
We reached the blanket, and I sank to my knees, letting Andrew off my shoulder gently. Edward grinned at us.
“Maybe some ball games after lunch, Master Andrew?”
He nodded, his mouth already too full to speak.
Maddie chastised him gently but without rancor.
It was too fine a day for anger. She handed Charlotte a sandwich with cucumber and soft cheese.
Our daughter stared at it with that stubborn look on her face, then turned it in her hand as if inspecting it.
She tasted it, chewed, then pointed to the platter.
“Mo’.”
Maddie laughed and handed her another one. Unlike her brother, who had one in each hand and was devouring them simultaneously, Charlotte placed the second one on her plate and daintily bit into the first one.
I met Maddie’s amused glance.
“At least one of them can be presented in mixed company,” I muttered with a grin, taking a beef sandwich and biting into it, the strong mustard tightening my taste buds.
Maddie laughed and wiped Andrew’s mouth. “He can behave when he wishes to. He is always too hungry.”
We ate and chatted, laughing at the antics of the children, taking in the vistas and enjoying ourselves.
“Papa, can we swim?”
I ruffled his hair. “Not this time. I will take off your boots, and you may wade today.”
“Tomorrow?”
“It is too cold. Soon,” I promised.
I glanced over at my wife. She had been quiet as we ate, and I noticed she barely picked at her food.
“Maddie?” I queried. “Are you well?”
“I am fine. My back is a bit sore.”
She was in a chair I had the servants bring down to the brook. It had plump pillows and a blanket in case she was chilled. A small stool to rest her swollen feet on. I had driven her and the children down in a small cart. But something was amiss.
I studied her. She looked paler than she had earlier. There were lines of pain around her eyes.
“Do you wish to return to the house?”
She waved her hand. “It will ache here or there, my lord. Do not trouble yourself.”
I frowned. She only ever used the title “my lord” if she was vexed or upset.
I leaned closer. “I will trouble myself if I fear you are ill, Maddie mine.”
She smiled and cupped my face. “I am not. Simply uncomfortable for a short time. In a few weeks, that shall resolve itself,” she replied with a gentle smile.
“And I look forward to it. But I dislike seeing you in pain.”
“I am fine. Do not—”
I lifted an eyebrow, stopping her words.
“I am fine,” she repeated. “But my appetite is off.”
“Then nibble. You can eat a substantial evening meal. I know Cook is making your favorite.”
“Lovely.”
I sat back but kept my eyes on Maddie. One thing I had learned in our years together was that she still had trouble expressing her needs at times. She still put herself last—whereas for me, she would always be first.
After we ate, Edward and I left the ladies in the shade and took the children to the brook.
As promised, I let Andrew stick his feet in, and his yelp of surprise at the cold convinced Charlotte she did not want to risk it.
We retrieved the balls and began a slow, fun game of kicking them, letting my little girl have her chances.
She was competitive—another trait she got from me.
But after a while, she became tired and stood in front of me, her arms outstretched.
I lifted her to my shoulder, where she nestled in with a sigh, falling asleep.
I watched Andrew and Edward kick the ball around until Andrew decided he wanted to scale the tree.
We watched him as I stroked along Charlotte’s back, her little puffs of air warm on my neck.
I heard a shout and turned, seeing Lydia waving frantically.
Without a thought, I transferred Charlotte to Edward’s waiting arms and ran over to where Lydia was now kneeling in front of Maddie.
I skidded to my knees in front of her. She was pale, shaking, and grimacing in pain. “Maddie? My darling, what is it?”
“The babe,” she gasped. “It is coming, Alexander. Now!”
I glanced down as she gripped my hands. “My waters,” she gasped. “And the pangs, they are hard and fast.”
I looked at Lydia, who seemed calm. She turned and spoke to Edward. “Help the children into the cart for me, then run to the house. Get the servants to send for the midwife. Tell her it is urgent.” She looked at me. “Lift Maddie to the cart and hold her. I will drive us.”
I nodded. She laid a hand on my arm. “Remain calm, my lord. For her and the children. Do not let them see you frightened.”
I straightened my shoulders. “Of course not.” I bent and scooped up Maddie, who whimpered. I pressed a kiss to her head. “All will be well, my love. I have you, and you will soon be bringing our child into this world.”
She gasped as another pang hit her. She was correct—it was too fast. I only hoped the midwife came quickly.
“We cannot wait,” Lydia murmured. “I must do this without the midwife.”
“I will help.”
I had not left the room yet. Maddie’s obvious pain was too much for me to leave her. She gripped at my hands during the more painful moments, holding them so hard, I knew her agony had to be great. Edward was keeping the children entertained and busy. I was required here.
Mrs. Dougall spoke. “This is woman’s work, my lord.”
Maddie shook her head wildly, her voice pleading. “Alexander. I need you.”
“And you shall have me.” I looked at Lydia. “Tell me what to do.”
She heaved a sigh and indicated the head of the bed. “Get behind Maddie. Hold her and help her. She needs to push.”
I rolled my shoulders and did as she asked, once again sending a prayer above for the safe passage of my child and the well-being of my wife.
Then I held her close, offering the only thing I could—encouragement and my strength.
“Was it…terrible?” Edward asked.
I shook my head, still trying to put to words what I had witnessed.
“Seeing Maddie in such pain was horrendous, but seeing my child born was a miracle I am still trying to comprehend,” I replied, taking a long draught of brandy. My hands were still shaking.
The midwife had appeared just as the babe was born, and she took over, not blinking an eye at my refusal to leave the bedchamber. I held Maddie and rocked her, soothing her brow with a damp cloth and murmuring my love before a small bundle was placed in my arms.
“Your son, my lord.”
I looked down at the red-faced little boy. Fat and wrinkly, he was one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen. Carefully, I handed him to Maddie.
“My love,” I whispered. “What a gift you have given me. Look at our son.”
She smiled, exhausted and pale but more beautiful than ever.
Shortly thereafter, I was escorted from the room and turned over to Edward. Mrs. Dougall took the children to the kitchen, promising tarts. I assured them their mother was resting and they could see her shortly.
“Have you chosen a name?” he asked.
“We have. He shall be called Edward Thomas.” I paused. “After one of the greatest men I know.”
He blinked. “Alexander. I am at a loss for words.”
“I pray he follows in your example. We would like you and Lydia to be godparents.” I requested.
He reached out and grabbed my hand. “I would be proud.”
“Thank you.”
Lydia appeared, looking tired but happy. “Maddie wishes to see you now.”
I drank the last of my brandy and set down the glass, anxious to return to her.
As I passed Lydia, I paused. “Thank you,” I stated sincerely. “You are the epitome of friendship to Maddie. To us both.”
She blushed, lowering her eyes. “Thank you, my lord.”
I touched her cheek. “Alexander to my friends,” I reminded her. “And I consider you that, Lydia. You are part of my extended family. I am Alexander to you.”
She smiled, tears shining in her eyes. “Very well, Alexander.”
I grinned as I bounced my baby son in my arms, looking over at my wife.
In front of us, Charlotte played on the Axminster, close to the fire, content with her dolly.
Andrew ran around, his little toy soldier in his hand.
Geraldine sat close to them, ensuring they were happy.
She now lived in the small house Edward had previously dwelled in.
She was close enough to visit daily and often took her meals with us, but she had a place to call her own.
She had been beyond grateful and excited the day we moved her in, running her hand over the fresh paper on the walls and new furniture.
Maddie and Lydia had done over the small house to suit her.
It was a far cry from the masculine air it had when Edward was there.
It was now light and airy, filled with feminine touches and soft fabrics.
She wept when she saw it, admitting she never thought she would have a home of her own.
I had kissed her hand. “For all you did for my wife, it is the least I could do for you.”
To our children, she was Grandmama, and a beloved member of the family.
Maddie watched them both from the settee, a smile on her lips, but looking wan.
“Are you well, my sweet?” I asked Maddie. It had only been a few days since Edward’s birth, and she was still recovering.
“I am well, my love. Do not concern yourself.” At my glower, she laughed lightly. “It is only that I am still tired, but I feel well. Truly. The servants and the nurse you hired are not allowing me to do anything but rest and sit.”
“Good.”
She watched our children for a moment, then looked at me, a small furrow on her brow.
“Alexander, are you content?”
Her question caught me off guard.
“My darling?”
“Here. With us. Not living an opulent life in London with all it has to offer as a carefree bachelor? But here with children, a wife, and all that it entails?”
I felt a rush of tenderness. As with our other two children, she was overwrought at times after the births. Emotional and needing reassurance.
My reassurance.
I rose, transferring our babe into Geraldine’s arms. She met my gaze with a small smile of understanding and held out her free hand. “Children, I think Cook has a treat!”
They followed her eagerly, and I sat beside Maddie, sliding my arm around her and tucking her close. I tilted up her chin, making her meet my eyes so she saw the truth.
“When I was a carefree bachelor, this was a house. You turned it into a home again. I sat alone most nights, whether in London or here. Now I am surrounded by love and laughter, and I feel more alive than I ever have in all my years. London is anything but opulent. Here, the soil is rich, the air is clean, and I am the happiest man in the world because I have you. You were made for me.”
“A former maid,” she teased softly.
“A beautiful woman I am so in love with it befuddles me at times. I hate what you went through, but it brought you to me. You were a maid briefly, but you will be my marchioness for the rest of our lives. Made specifically for me.”
“You truly believe that.”
“I do.” I ran my finger down her cheek. “You make me happy, Maddie mine. Something I had long forgotten to be. You bring such joy to my life. Before you, I was empty. You and our family mean everything to me. That will never change. Nor will the love I have for you, except to grow more abundant every day. So, am I content? More than I can express.” I paused. “Does that put your worries to rest?”
“Yes.”
“Never doubt my love or what you are to me, my wife. You are the beginning and the end for me.”
“I love you, my Alexander. Thank you for this life.”
I shook my head and bent to kiss her.
“No, my wife. Thank you.”