Extended Epilogue
Six months later
“I cannot believe it has taken him this long to visit us.”
Frederick looked up from the paperwork on his desk with a smile on his face as he gazed upon his wife, feeling the love in his heart grow and pulsate.
“Why is it so hard to believe? I told you that he is a busy man.” Frederick told her gently.
"You are a busy man. But you have met all my friends who also have equally busy husbands. But I have yet to meet your closest friend. That isn't fair at all." Eleanor huffed in the complaint.
She was like this a lot these days, quick to fixate and worry over things she would have otherwise dismissed before. Today, she found it particularly egregious that Sampson was only visiting them for the first time since Frederick had mentioned him to her.
Eleanor thought it was sad and wrong that she had not been allowed to appreciate her husband's friend properly, after all he had done for the both of them. Frederick had told her all about how Sampson had helped him put Herbert behind bars and she had nearly wept when he also told her Sampson had wanted nothing in return for his kindness.
"Well, your – our friends have other things to focus on in their lives besides work. Sampson isn't married or courting anyone and he is quite business-focused, so he travels a lot. He is hardly in London for long periods. We were actually lucky to have caught him this time." Frederick explained gently.
Eleanor was silent for a moment, then she nodded. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
Frederick sighed and rose to his feet, walking around his desk to wrap his arms around her comfortingly.
“You have nothing to be sorry for, my love. I understand why you got upset and I promise, nothing will ever take away from the fact that you are the love of my life,” he told her softly, pressing a kiss to her lips before he rested a hand gently on her protruding stomach. “And the mother of my child.”
Eleanor sighed and nuzzled into his neck.
“I love you.”
“I love you more than there are stars in the sky.”
She giggled and it brought peace to his heart. He kissed her again, pressing another to her cheeks and then her forehead. A knock at the door interrupted his quest to prepper every inch of her skin with kisses and he called for whoever was on the other side to come in.
Mr. Bradley walked in and informed, “The Duke of Rosehall has arrived.”
Frederick nodded and looked down at Eleanor. “Are you ready to meet my friend?”
She nodded, clinging to him. Frederick chuckled and led them out of his study, down to the drawing room where they usually received guests.
Sampson was standing, admiring the painting of a lake that had taken up the spot where Frederick’s father’s portrait used to be, and he turned to face them when they walked in.
“Frederick! It has been a little while. I hope you have stayed out of trouble in my absence.” Sampson teased.
Frederick snorted. “I do not even know the meaning of the word.”
“You can say that now because your wife has worked wonders, reforming you into a respectable member of society. She should be awarded greatly for her efforts, I think.”
“If you are going to be a nuisance, you might as well leave my house now.”
Sampson laughed heartily. "And miss yet another opportunity to meet your beautiful wife? Absolutely not." He faced Eleanor "Good afternoon, duchess. I am Sampson Richards, the Duke of Rosehall. It is a pleasure to officially meet you. I have heard many good things about you.”
Eleanor blushed, surprised. “H-How do you do?” she smiled as they shook hands. “And… you have heard about me? What sort of things have you heard, if I might ask?”
“All good things,” Sampson assured. “Mostly about how my friend over there cannot live without you.”
“I really cannot,” Frederick sighed in admission, making Eleanor laugh.
“My word,” Sampson gasped. “You have really done a number on him. He never would have admitted that before, not even if you held a gun to his head. Are you some sort of angel? A goddess, perhaps?”
“That is enough out of you,” Frederick joked, pushing the man back. “How have you been? Were your travels successful?”
"Quite so. I have been everywhere, enjoying the sights the world has to offer. But I have gotten rather homesick, so I plan to stay for a little while this time. And you?"
Frederick glanced down at Eleanor, unable to keep himself from grinning brightly.
“I am well. We both are. Preparing for the new member of our family that is to be arriving soon.”
“I noticed. Congratulations,” Sampson smiled, clearly very happy for his friend. “Do you have a name in mind yet?”
“We have a list.” The couple chorused, making Sampson laugh.
“You have a list? Both of you? Are they individual or –”
“We seem to be encountering a lot of… differences in our opinions when it comes to this subject. For instance, I believe Leonard would be a splendid name for a boy and Olivia if it were a girl –"
“And I do not disagree with you,” Eleanor said, cutting off her husband gently. “I think those are wonderful names, but do they compare to the grandeur of Percival and Aurelia? No, I don’t believe that they do.”
“Please, Eleanor, we cannot get into this now, not with the rest of our friends on the way for brunch. Leonard and Olivia don’t meet your expectations? What about Eugene and Tianna? I think they are classic and elegant.” Frederick stated looking proud of himself.
“And a tad boring, dear. What about Adriel and Briar?” Eleanor proposed with an imploring smile.
“Wonderful suggestions, my love, but they don’t quite hit the mark for me.”
"How often do you do this? Argue over your baby's name?" Sampson interrupted, looking a little impressed by the situation.
Frederick and Eleanor glanced at each other.
“Once a week,” Frederick stated.
“At least,” Eleanor quipped.
“I see. Well, as entertaining as it is, I feel as though you shouldn’t do it in front of me. Because it would likely ruin the surprise of whatever choice you eventually make. And you wouldn’t want that to happen, would you?” Sampson reasoned.
Frederick turned to Eleanor, telling her in a single look that his friend had likely grown tired of their arguing, making her giggle.
“We need to fetch something from the nursery that Eleanor had planned to show our friends later. We’ll be back in a moment. Would you like something to drink while you wait?” Frederick asked.
“Some juice would be fine,” Sampson nodded.
“Just juice? Are you cutting back your intake of spirits?” Frederick teased.
“Ah, my friend, you have mistaken me for yourself. I am not as committed to my spirits as you are, but your concern does warm my heart.” Sampson stated with a touched expression.
Frederick snorted and rolled his eyes, leading his wife away.
“Come along dear. Perhaps we will just leave Sampson there to die of thirst while we’re gone.”
In the hallway, Frederick gave it a moment before he asked,
“What do you think of him?”
Eleanor smiled up at her husband. “He seems delightful. I am glad you have such a kind friend in your life. You can never have too many of those.”
“I’d trade the world if it meant I could have you forever. You and our child, who I would love no matter what we end up naming it, as long as it has your eyes and your smile.”
“You’re ridiculous.”
Frederick grinned, leaning in closer.
“But you love me.”
Eleanor beamed up at her husband, utterly smitten as she kissed him and whispered against his lips.
“But oh, how I love you so.”
The End