Epilogue
“It’s here! It’s here!” Rose waved a letter in the air, and Edmund came trotting down the stairs, the faint creak and clank of his brace only noticeable to her ears.
“Open it quickly! And do not run! You should not run in your condition!” Edmund hurried to her side and immediately tried to herd her into a chair.
Rose put a hand on the swelling that pushed her stays outward. In September, they would welcome their first child, Lord willing.
“What if they say they will not let me attend? What if they say I must speak in September or October? Anytime before the new year will be too soon, Edmund. I could not give a lecture in London with an infant who will require my attention every few hours.” Rose put a protective hand on her middle again. Even though there were several months left until the arrival of their baby, Rose already felt it stirring, little flutters of motion that matched the flutters in her heart whenever Edmund kissed her and called her his finest flower.
“Open the letter, my love. All your fears will be resolved in a moment.”
Rose reached for the paper knife, but dropped it. Her hand was trembling so. “You must read it, Edmund. Please.”
He nodded and picked up the paper knife. With a deft flick, he had the letter opened and the folded sheet of paper inside unfurled. His eyes scanned it, and he sank down in the chair beside her.
“It’s bad news?” Rose deflated.
“No, Rose. No! You and your father are invited to speak in June on the creation of your new hybrid rose at the Royal Horticultural Society—” Edmund paused, eyes narrowed and sucking in a great gulp of air. “And your name is being considered for membership, Rose. Not simply the right to attend as a guest,” Edmund whispered, getting to his feet, “but to be inducted as a full member into the Royal Horticultural Society.”
Rose placed a hand over her mouth, staring up at her husband. “Truly? This is not a jest?”
“I would never be so cruel. I speak the truth.” Edmund smiled and handed her the letter. “It’s there, in ink.”
“Oh, Edmund!” Rose flew out of her chair and into his arms. To her surprise, he spun her around without a wince, turning smoothly on his ankle. “You’re getting better, darling! You didn’t have to stop that time.”
Edmund put a hand on her middle, his forehead to hers. “You’re right. It’s not only me, Rose. It’s us. We’re both better than we were this time last year. Why, this time last year, I had not even proposed to you. It would be another month before I would proudly call you mine.”
“Do you still think I’m suitable?” Rose asked, hands lacing around his neck.
He swayed with her, dancing to music that seemed to play silently, where only they could hear it. Rose twirled away from him and back into his arms, pressing hungrily into his embrace. “I think you are so much more than suitable, Rose. You are perfection.”
If you enjoyed Suitably Yours, keep reading to learn more about the next Hidden Gems Historical Romance! Each book is a sweet historical romance where women of unique talents find the happy endings they long for with men who love and cherish them.