Epilogue
One Year Later
The journey had been a long one, but they were not far from Grantham now.
Roberta had begun to think it would never end, particularly the part where they were on board the ship.
It would have been so much easier if she had Pegasus and could fly.
But now they were nearly there, and she couldn’t wait.
It had been forever since she had seen her sisters, and their children, and Gabriel and Vivienne, and Grandmama.
She was looking forward to seeing Estelle too. Her friend would be there with her new beau. Estelle said he knew all about her past and still loved her. She had also promised to pay a visit to Holtswig very soon, as long as Karl wouldn’t be there.
Karl wasn’t there. He was still in Paris, although he had been involved in positive negotiations between the new chamberlain and Lady Henrietta’s council.
The new chamberlain seemed very good at persuading people to do things that were in the interests of Holtswig and its royal family.
Count Becker—or Chamberlain Leo—said he was so grateful for being saved from Francis’s clutches that he could never repay them, and Countess Becker had become one of Roberta’s best friends.
“Francis could not make me join his band of followers,” the count had said when he had recovered from his kidnapping. “I swore I would never do anything to harm the prince.”
Niki had said that loyalty like that deserved to be rewarded and announced him as the new chamberlain on the spot.
Most of his old council had been dismissed—they still didn’t know which one of them had been ranting in the drinking den that night—and replaced with worthy men he trusted.
He had swept the broom of change through his country, and the disturbances of the past had begun to settle as everyone saw the benefits.
The road made a turn, and there was Grantham, peeking through the trees. Roberta could hardly sit still in her seat.
Niki smiled and reached to take her hand in his.
He had so many different smiles, and this was a gentle one.
He smiled a great deal these days, as did everyone in Holtswig.
Niki often told her she had brought happiness to his country, and she was loved by everyone for her generosity and her liveliness.
She had become the patron of Holtswig’s equestrian sports, spending her time encouraging and offering advice to fellow enthusiasts.
She also visited hospitals and orphanages.
Children followed her about, laughing and chatting, and the story of her escape from Francis was whispered in amazement around dinner tables.
As much as Roberta enjoyed her duties as princess, official and unofficial, lately she had had to reduce them.
“Will you tell them?” Niki asked her.
“Yes. Though not straightaway. They will only fuss, especially Olivia, and I want to enjoy our stay without being fussed over.”
Antonia had left London before them and was already at Grantham. She was to have her coming-out while they were in England and was caught up in the usual excitement. She had had fittings for her dress, and the invitations had been sent out.
“You must ask Matilda and Freddie, and the twins and Tomas,” Roberta had reminded her. She’d done it just to see Antonia’s eyes flash.
They had flashed then. “I am not inviting Tomas.”
“I thought you had forgiven him.”
“I have, I just don’t like him, Robbie.”
Niki was speaking, and Roberta brought herself back to the present.
“I’m still not convinced we should have come all this way. I know you want to see your family, but the doctors say it is important you rest.”
Roberta laughed. “The doctors also say I am fit and healthy. There will be plenty of time to rest when we get home. Niki, as much as I love you and my home, and my life there, I miss them.”
Niki smiled, and this time, she knew it was because she had called Holtswig home. And it was her home now, but there would always be a special place in her heart for Grantham.
“The baby will be born in the castle, don’t worry,” she added, knowing he was worried. “With all those swans staring down.” She shuddered. Despite managing to rid herself of a few of the bird replicas in the royal suite, there were still too many.
“The baby? You mean my heir,” he said smugly.
“Or heiress,” she retorted, just to tease.
“Yes, perhaps. If she is like you, then she could rule our country and several others.”
Roberta thought that might be true.
“You don’t think my family will notice, do you?” Roberta asked, cupping her hand over the slight rounding of her belly. She was still small, and her height allowed her to carry the pregnancy without it being obvious.
Niki put his hand over hers. “I love you,” he said quietly. “I love you both.”
“And we love you,” she whispered, and leaned in to kiss him.
Niki tried not to “fuss,” as Roberta called it, but sometimes he just wanted to do everything in his power to keep her safe.
If it had been up to him, he would not have made this journey, and he admitted now that it would have been a shame, because Roberta was glowing with happiness.
He could not keep her from her family, and he must never try.
“Olivia hasn’t forgiven me for not telling her that our engagement was a sham,” she said with a sigh. “I’m not sure she ever will. She forced it out of me eventually, and she reminds me every time she writes.”
“We all have our secrets,” Niki reassured her.
“I think I know all of yours,” Roberta retorted. “I know that I was the first woman you slept with, and you were a virgin just as I was on our wedding night.”
“You didn’t notice till I told you,” he said smugly.
“Yes,” she teased. “You were so good. So—so flawless.”
He shrugged and shot her a smirk. “I am just a very fast learner,” he said.
“I am glad to know there was never anyone else,” she said, her blue eyes suddenly very earnest. “I like that there has only ever been me for you.”
“And you for me.”
By the time they passed through the Grantham gates and drew up in front of the house, Roberta and Niki had been enjoying some wonderful kisses. Because, as Roberta said, practice makes perfect.
The coach door was opened, and Niki jumped down and held out his hand to help his wife.
As Roberta stepped down, she could see her family pouring out of the front doors.
Children were running, and Vivienne was trying to catch them, and then they were inundated with Ashtons and their partners. Estelle shrieked with excitement.
It was some time before they could make their way inside, and at once, Roberta went to see her grandmother, who was resting in her favorite sitting room.
In the drawing room, Niki sat and answered questions and tried not to panic with so many of his in-laws in one room.
He was better at social engagements than he used to be, but it was always better if Roberta was by his side.
Eventually, she returned. Her eyes were a little red, but she was smiling.
She sat down beside him, and he took her hand in his.
“You are all right?” he asked softly.
“Yes. Do you know what she said?” Her blue eyes stared into his in wonder. “She said congratulations and to name the baby after her.”
“You told her!” Niki exclaimed, his voice too loud.
“No, I didn’t. She just knew.”
“Told her what?” Olivia demanded, her eyes narrowed.
That was the end of their secret, but it didn’t matter. Now there were hugs, and kisses, and good wishes rained down on Niki and Roberta. And when Gabriel lifted his teacup and proposed a toast to “The Ashtons,” the room rang with cheers.