Epilogue
Thirteen months later
As the omnibus rolled into Bloomsbury, Tess clutched Dominic’s hand in both of hers. The museum came into view as they turned
onto Montague Street, and she felt the excitement fluttering in her middle.
Tristan and Justine were set to join them within days, and Dominic and Tess had arrived the day before and settled into the
Prince town house for their visit.
Meeting Dominic’s sister Allie again had been as lovely as the first time they’d met when she and her husband had come up
to Wiggenstow for their wedding. They discussed their research, writing, the challenge of being a woman who wished to publish
in a field that had long been dominated by men, and a few other matters out of the hearing of their husbands.
Tess had a secret she planned to divulge to Dominic at some point during their visit.
To match her own happiness and excitement, the whole city seemed to be full of anticipation as preparations were made for
Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee, which would take place in but a week.
Dominic had been concerned they’d get caught up in the crush of all of it, but Tess was determined to see the Van Arsdale
collection laid out in all its splendor at the British Museum.
“Perhaps you were right about the crowds,” Tess told him as they stepped off the omnibus and she spied the queues near the museum.
“It’s to be a grand celebration over two days, apparently,” Dominic told her, his hand on hers where she held his arm. “If
you want to wait, we can.”
She quirked an eyebrow at him. “Who are you? My husband is not a patient man.”
Dominic laughed the deep, full-throated sound that never failed to make her smile.
“I am patient only for your sake. I don’t want you overheated or crushed by the crowd.”
The weather was lovely and warm, though they’d had some late spring storms in the first few days of their visit.
“We’re here now. I don’t want to turn back.”
They headed for the queue and Dominic stroked her back in delicious circles as they waited. Though they’d planned their visit
for weeks, they’d decided to take each day as it came, but Tess told him of a few sites she wanted to visit.
“And Princes, of course.”
He smiled. “Of course.”
Tess had yet to visit the famous antique shop, but she was eager to, not only to see the beautiful historic pieces they carried,
but also to understand more about Dominic’s family history. She even wanted to see the famous “bachelor lodgings” he kept
upstairs.
“There’s a jeweler’s shop we should visit too.”
“You’ve spoiled me enough.”
Since their wedding, her wardrobe had grown by dozens of fashionable, beautiful gowns, and her small wooden jewelry box could
no longer contain the earrings, bracelets, and necklaces he’d gifted to her.
“Oh, I haven’t,” he assured her, “but I’d also like to pay a visit. They’re the family of a friend I lost a while ago.”
“I’m so sorry, my love.”
He bent and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek. “He was far too young for such a loss, but I think he’d be proud of the turn
my life has taken.”
Tess reached up and cupped his cheek. “I’m eager to meet his family.”
A few moments later, they were admitted to the museum and broke off from the main area to find the collection they’d come
to see. A collection they’d worked to excavate, clean, document, and study.
In the end, Van Arsdale didn’t get a few displays or a single room. His donations got an entire wing.
After passing through several corridors, they found The Van Arsdale Bequest. The displays were artfully done, and the panels behind the artifacts contained historical details, some of which Tess had
provided.
On a wood pillar and set upon a rich green velvet pillow sat the golden buckle. It had been cleaned and polished to a high
sheen, and Tess felt tears well as she took in its incredibly detailed knotwork and remembered the awe she’d felt the day
she’d pulled it from Fenbridge’s field.
The silver bowls had been polished too, and the coins they’d found looked like a true treasure as they lay assembled together.
Though scholars disagreed on whose burial they’d discovered, and there was nothing among the finds to know definitively, all
agreed it was likely a royal personage and one deemed worthy of great honor.
“An incredible accomplishment,” Dominic said as he stood beside her, reading one of the panels for which she’d contributed verbiage.
“So many people had a hand in this. I can’t wait for Tristan to see it.” Tess turned to him. “We should ask Fenbridge if he’ll
allow us to host an anniversary dinner and invite all the workmen and their families.”
They’d held one last autumn to celebrate, though there were so many in attendance that they had to bring in extra tables and
chairs to accommodate everyone.
“That’s a wonderful idea,” he told her. “Let’s speak to him when we get back. It’s plenty of time to prepare.”
“Even if we have quite a bit else to prepare for too?” Tess asked him, her voice full of joy she could barely contain.
Dominic frowned. “Autumn shouldn’t be terribly busy. We’re going to tackle that barrow in Little Greeling this summer. I estimate
the project will only take about a month or two.”
They’d agreed to a small excavation at a mound in a village south of Wiggenstow.
“I think so too, but . . . we’ll have our own project to prepare for as well.” She placed a hand over her belly that had begun
to gently swell over the last few months.
Dominic beamed at her, then pulled her into his arms, ignoring the glances of other museumgoers.
“What would you say,” he whispered near her ear, “if I told you that I already suspected?”
“Did you?”
He led her to a corner of the room, where they were slightly sheltered by a display.
Then he cupped her face in his hands. “I wanted you to tell me in your own time.” He offered her one of his genuine, slightly crooked smiles. “But thank you for telling me today. It was bloody agonizing to be patient.”
Tess laughed and wrapped her arms around her husband, holding him close, feeling his love. She smiled as she laid her cheek
against his chest, and he kissed the top of her head.
“I love you,” he whispered.
“I love you,” she murmured back, smiling, knowing what their child was in for.
Two parents who were mad for history, each other, and making a life filled with love for them too.