Epilogue
The Ravenshoe family stopped outside the doors to the Royal Chapel.
A light snow had fallen on the carriage ride to St. James’s Palace, and a few flakes settled on their shoulders as they walked inside.
The air was cold, crisp and clean, but here, at the entrance to the chapel, pine boughs decorated the walls and scented the air.
“This Christmas will be the best yet,” Clem said as she lifted baby William from his nurse’s arms and kissed his forehead. “Be a good little man and smile at your godfather when you are introduced, please, my darling.”
“Better than last Christmas?” Will raised one eyebrow. His expression brought back delicious memories of last Christmas, a truly festive season for a pair of newlyweds.
Given they were about to enter a chapel for their son’s christening, such deliciously wicked thoughts brought heat to her cheeks. “Our first married Christmas will always be special and precious, but now we are a family.”
“Indeed, we are, and our son is the finest gift you could have given me. This Christmas will be the first of many together, and that makes it especially precious.” The tenderness in Will’s voice brought tears to her eyes, and concern etched his features. “What’s wrong, my love?”
Blinking the tears away, she gazed into her husband’s eyes. “Nothing, Will. These are tears of joy.”
“If you’re sure . . .”
“I’m sure.”
Will gently took their son from her and settled the baby in the crook of his arm. “Ready, my love?”
Taking Will’s free arm, she looked up into his face. “Ready. But I’m nervous. It isn’t every day the regent agrees to be godfather to a child.”
“He took an instant shine to you, my love, and he continues to ask after you whenever he sees me.”
“But you’re the hero, Will. Prinny hasn’t handed out knighthoods to many men. Perhaps he sees something of what I see in you. I thank God every day that you came home to me.”
“More or less in one piece. I’m sorry about waking you last night.”
Clem set one hand on his cheek. “It matters only that I am by your side when the nightmares occur. And they are less frequent since little William was born.”
“Surely no man should have bad dreams with you by his side, my love. I love you so very much.”
“And I, you.” She rose on tiptoe to kiss her husband of twelve months. As happened whenever she kissed him, time and place disappeared.
And thus it was that when the doors of the Royal Chapel opened, they framed a deeply passionate kiss.
Prinny looked down the aisle and chuckled. “Demmed, but I’m good. Told you they’d make the perfect couple, didn’t I, Marsden?”
“Indeed, Your Royal Highness, you did.”
The End