Epilogue #2
“Are you sure he’s a good man? If he’s slandering you to get his way…”
“No, he truly believes I’ve been unfaithful. It’s not true, of course, but I haven’t tried to correct his assumption. Maybe it’s better that way. I’m not the kind of wife he needs.”
Ah, that Josephine could empathize with.
“You undervalue yourself, my friend, and maybe do him a disservice as well. I don’t know what the issue is between the two of you, but it looks as if you once loved each other.
Don’t let misunderstandings or feelings of inadequacy destroy that.
True love is precious and worth fighting for.
I’m telling you from experience. I didn’t believe I was worthy of being Michael’s wife.
Thank goodness he convinced me otherwise, because forsaking our love would have been harrowing for both of us. ”
“But Michael loves you. Nate hates me.”
“There was a time when Michael thought he hated me as well. Because of lies he was told. He wouldn’t hate you if he didn’t feel strongly about you. Maybe what you think is hate is nothing but tortured love.”
Alice lowered her head, looking down at her twisting hands. Josephine had never seen the normally calm and self-assured woman as vulnerable and uncertain. “I don’t know if he’ll ever believe me. Too much time has passed. Too many things have come between us.”
Josephine squeezed her hand. “Don’t lose hope. If you love him, fight for your marriage.”
At that moment, a weak whimper followed by a hoarse cry interrupted their conversation. The babies had woken and demanded attention. Without hesitating, Josephine picked one up, while Alice held the other.
Cradling the tiny life against her breast, Josephine tried to croon in soothing tones, but there was not much she could do to offer comfort. The little head turned instinctively, rooting at her breast for the nourishment she could not provide.
She had never felt more useless than at this moment. Looking at Alice, she knew the other woman felt as helpless as her. Standing with the baby in her arms, she rang for the housekeeper again.
Mrs. Pritchard ran in a few seconds later.
“Has a wet nurse been found? The babies need nourishment urgently.”
“Begging your pardon, Your Grace, the footmen were dispatched with instructions to make haste, but it might take a few hours before they can locate a suitable wet nurse.”
“We can’t wait that long.”
The housekeeper shuffled from foot to foot, wringing her hands. “We could give them some watered down milk…”
“I have a wet nurse.” Michael said, walking into the room, followed by a shy and dazzled girl.
Josephine’s eyes widened. “How did you find one so soon?”
“I figured we would need a wet nurse for the babies. After I left here, I started asking the staff. Turns out, the sister of one of the grooms just had a baby. I sent him to fetch her at once.” He turned to introduce the young woman who was following him. “This is Sally.”
Sally looked no more than twenty. But she came toward Josephine and curtsied. “Your Grace. May I have the baby?”
As soon as Josephine handed her the baby, she held him competently and, taking a seat in a corner of the living room, facing away from the people, she put him to her breast, then she called for Alice to bring the other baby and placed her on her other breast. Both babies quieted while they suckled and peace reigned once more.
Josephine flew into Michael’s arms. “Thank you. You always know what to do.”
“I simply made a few inquiries and sent for the girl. We were lucky one was available on such short notice.”
“You may have saved those babies’ lives with your quick actions.”
He kissed the top of her head, hugging her tighter. “Do you want to keep the babies?”
He posed such a life-altering question so casually. But she knew him well enough to know the decision was anything but. Her eyes snapped to his.
“You wouldn’t mind?”
“Why would I? I told you we could adopt children if you wished. These babies look like they need parents, and we are already taking care of them.”
“I…” What could she say to such an offer? She had immediately felt the pull to care for the two little mites, but there hadn’t been time to consider the idea of adopting the babies, much less make such a decision.
Michael didn’t need time. He always knew what he wanted and never looked back. It had been that way when they first met; he had immediately known he wanted to marry her. And when they reunited, he still hadn’t wavered. Not even after learning of her barrenness.
He had not hesitated one moment to take Edward under his wing and had seamlessly become a father figure to her nephew, treating him as if he were his own child. And now… he had sprung into action to help these babies. She buried her face in his chest, her eyes watering with emotion.
“I do want the babies. But I didn’t know if you would want the constant reminder of what we are missing… Even if we adopt them, the boy can’t be your heir.”
He put a gentle finger under her chin to turn her face towards him.
His eyes were dead serious. “I thought we had laid this foolishness to rest. As long as I have you, I’m not missing anything.
I’m not looking for an heir. But if you want to have babies, any children we raise would be ours in any way that matters, regardless of who birthed them or who provided the seed to create them.
I already love Edward and I’m sure I’ll come to love these babies as well.
That is more than enough for me. Is it enough for you, Josie? ”
Her eyes overflowed, and he ran his thumbs over her cheeks, wiping away the moisture. “How can you even ask? Of course it is. You are everything I need.”
“We are in accord, then.” A brilliant smile lit his face. “It seems we’ve just become parents.” He chuckled softly, eyes gleaming with warmth. “I must say, there’s something to be said for this method. No waiting, no months of worry or pain. Just two perfect little souls handed into our care.”
She chuckled. “As if you would be the one to suffer through that. It’s the woman who goes through pregnancy and childbirth, sir,” she teased.
“Trust me, I would suffer right alongside you. No, I like this method better. In fact, I feel sorry for my friends who have to see their wives go through that.”
“Oh, do be serious.” She leaned back within the embrace of his arms to peer at his face.
“I am.”
His eyes shone with love and unwavering devotion, anchoring her in the moment.
It had taken time, but at last she understood her heart was full.
She had love, true and enduring. She had family, and the promise of a future she had once only dared to imagine.
And most precious of all, she had found her place in the world.
In his arms, in their home, she belonged.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for joining me on this emotional journey through The Duke’s Undying Devotion. I hope you were swept away by the passion, heartbreak, and ultimately, the enduring love between these two unforgettable characters.
If you enjoyed the story, I would be incredibly grateful if you left a rating or review. Just a few words can make a world of difference—it helps other readers discover the book and means so much to authors like me.
And if you were intrigued by the brief glimpse of Alice’s story…