Epilogue
Four years later
Sussex, England
Cordell glanced out the window and saw the carriage coming down the drive. He held his three-year-old daughter in his arms, her long dark waves a contrast to her wide, expressive blue eyes. “Is it Uncle?” she said, pointing out the window.
He smiled. No matter how much he had tried to tell Samantha that the viscount was not relation, she seemed more determined to call him uncle.
No doubt that was due to Lord Alton’s own urging, because he had certainly doted on the child since she’d made an appearance in the world and changed everyone’s lives for the better.
Now, with the addition of their son, the adoration would be greater than ever.
Mary entered the room with a tiny bundle wrapped in her arms. “Has our honored guest arrived yet?”
“Just now,” Cordell said as he moved away from the window.
Their house was not grand or overly large, but it was perfect for him and his growing family.
At long last, he had finally discovered his true purpose in life.
The monarchy had urged him to stay in London, lamenting his ability to help combat crime, but after delivering a glowing recommendation for Reynolds, Cordell had left the city with a smile on his face and a lightness in his shoulders he wasn’t sure he’d ever felt before.
Aislynn had remained true to her word and stopped acting.
He was afraid that she would grow to resent him, although he had not discouraged her from performing.
If it was something she loved to do, he would fully support her.
All these years later, she was still being contacted by hopeful theatre owners, but she had not trod the boards since her final performance.
She had found her new role as a wife and mother, and Cordell enjoyed the sound of her laughter floating through the air.
He could not have asked for more in his life when, for so long, there had been nothing but fear and uncertainty for his future.
He counted his blessings every day and vowed not to take anything for granted.
“How is Mrs. Steele?” Cordell asked. He loved referring to Aislynn as the woman who shared his name.
“Very well. I am impressed how well she recovers after each birth. Most women are not so fortunate.” Mary had been designated as the resident midwife with each of their children. They both agreed that they trusted her as much as any other physician and she was more than happy to assist.
Mary had decided to give up Spade’s after Cordell had offered her a new proposition.
He had sold his townhouse to her as a charitable house.
Rather than running a house of ill repute, she had taken most of the women who were interested in an alternate lifestyle and started Steele House for Deserving Persons where those who were in need of assistance could find a safe haven.
Cordell had been surprised to learn that The Wolf and his Pack had offered their services for protection, which thankfully, were used very little.
He wanted to believe that the lord of the underworld had a good heart and the time he donated to Steele House was further proof of that.
“Uncle Fin! Uncle Fin!”
Samantha wiggled, and Cordell set her on her feet when the viscount made an appearance in the doorframe. He laughed and tossed her up in the air as she screamed in childhood glee. “You get bigger every time I see you. We must find a way to stop that!”
She giggled, and Cordell’s chest tightened with emotion—in a good way.
“I have to grow!” she explained.
“I suppose if you must.” He gave a heavy sigh. He tapped the side of his mouth. “Now, I have to know, have you been a good little girl?”
She nodded her head emphatically. “Of course!”
“Very well. Then I suppose you’ve earned this.” He reached into his jacket and pulled forth a small, wrapped package.
Her eyes lit up, and she eagerly took the present. “Thank you, Uncle!”
The viscount set her on the floor and she scurried off, whether to show her mother or one of the servants in the household, Cordell wasn’t sure. She spent a lot of time in the kitchens attempting to coerce biscuits from Cook, so he wouldn’t be surprised if that is where she had gone.
“You are spoiling her,” Cordell admonished.
“There is nothing wrong with that,” Lord Alton gave a wink. “She deserves it.”
“Samantha is a delight, I would agree, but I am partial as well.”
The viscount had already discounted Cordell in favor of what Mary had.
“Is this the new addition to the Steele family?” Mary handed over her bundle and the viscount looked as though he’d been struck with a sense of awe when he looked at the small baby.
“You are already a handsome devil, are you not?”
“I am sure he will come to inherit his name soon enough,” Cordell said.
It took the viscount a moment to glance up in confusion. “What did you call him?”
Cordell smiled. “Aislynn and I both agreed that he should be called Findlay. We hear the name enough around here that we decided we might as well give him the same.”
In all the time Cordell had known the viscount, he had never seen him get visibly emotional, but there was a decided sheen of moisture in his gaze. “I am honored.” He inclined his head. He walked over to the settee to sit down, and Mary walked over to sit next to him.
As they proceeded to coo over the baby with his light tufted hair, Cordell found time to slip out of the room and check on his wife’s recovery. Although Mary said that she was doing well, he would feel better when he saw her for himself.
He opened the door to her bed chamber and although the room was bathed in a soft, comfortable glow from a few lamps situated around the room, the curtains drawn to keep out the blinding light of day, Cordell moved to the side of the bed.
Sitting on the edge, he thought perhaps she was asleep, but her head turned when he joined her.
She held out a dainty, feminine hand and although he wondered if it was too frail, her face was full of healthy color and there was a bright smile on her face. “Did Uncle Fin finally arrive?”
Cordell rolled his eyes. “You should not enable such behavior. It will only confuse Samantha.”
Aislynn waved away his concerns. “The viscount does not mind. In truth, without a family of his own, he seems content to adopt Samantha as his.” She tilted her head slightly. “Did you tell him our son’s name?”
“I did. He was very sobered by it.”
“I imagine he was, but I could think of nothing else that suited any better.”
He brought her hand to his lips for a soft kiss. “Neither could I.”
“I feel like a terrible mistress,” she said with a slight pout.
“Do not fret. Lord Alton understands. Besides, we have never stood on true ceremony here.”
“Indeed. And I am glad for it. All those rules and strictures. It is so freeing not to have to worry about the opinions of others any longer.”
“Or madness,” Cordell had to add.
She shook her head. “Oh, no. I think that is still a definite cause for concern as I am quite mad about you.”
He chuckled. “I would have to agree with you, Mrs. Steele. I feel the same about you and that is certainly the best sort of madness.”