Epilogue
Estelle
Gazing out the window, I sighed with pleasure at the sight.
Reggie and Atlas had started a game of battledore while I had snuck away for a quick nap.
Their friendship had mended considerably since our wedding.
Seeing them together made me quite happy.
Ever since Reggie had come to visit us three days ago, we had spent several late nights in a row talking and laughing together. A little sleep had done me good.
Reggie missed the shuttlecock and made a noise of frustration loud enough for me to hear him.
I shook my head and grinned. Moments like this made it hard to remember that I hadn’t been happy for a long time.
My time at Norwood Hall had not been entirely miserable, but I hadn’t noticed how severe my situation truly had been until I had experienced another view.
One with roses in the garden, laughter in the air, and a family around me.
Atlas had changed my life for the better.
Now I found myself brimming with gratitude for every moment I had with him.
When the shuttlecock went wildly out of bounds, Atlas looked up and caught me watching them. He waved and tossed his battledore aside, running toward the door of the house. I knew where he was headed, and I waited. A few moments later, he burst through the door.
“Did my wife rest well?”
“Your wife rested very well.”
He went straight to me and drew me into his arms. He dropped a long kiss on my mouth and grinned. “Ready for your ride?”
“Don’t I look ready?”
He admired me in my riding habit, his gaze shameless. “Very much. Maybe we shouldn’t go riding.”
I laughed. “Yes, we should. I don’t want to halt my progress simply because my brother is here.”
Atlas extended his hand to me. “Then for you, my dear, we will keep to our schedule.” He led me to my dressing table and picked up my riding gloves, helping me put them on.
It had become a sort of ritual for us. If no one was at home, he did not allow me to wear gloves at all.
He wanted me to overcome my struggle with my imperfections and learn to love myself the way I was.
But he also challenged me to face my fears and experience new things.
We had been married less than a year, and already we had traveled to places I had longed to see, practiced swimming, and had nearly conquered my fear of horses.
When Atlas finished straightening the seams of my second glove, he kissed the skin just above them like always. Warmth rushed through me. The simple gesture never failed to endear me to my husband.
We spoke of the arrangement for a second cottage hospital on the way to the stables, since it had been postponed with our wedding.
Atlas had narrowed down a few locations, and we would meet with the solicitor about it on the morrow.
I loved the passion in Atlas’s eyes as he spoke of the people he would help.
Once the horses were saddled, I mounted Champion, and Atlas pulled himself up behind me. Riding double likely shocked the servants, and admittedly, I could probably start riding by myself, but I wasn’t ready to admit it. There was nothing as wonderful as Atlas putting his arms around me.
“Is Reggie joining us?” I asked.
“Not this time. I told him that his company was adequate enough, but not nearly as enjoyable as my wife’s.”
I turned in the saddle so I could face him. “Can a host say that?”
“A brother-in-law certainly can.”
I smirked and he grinned.
“Besides, when he’s around, I can’t do this.” Atlas captured my lips and tightened his hold around me. I melted into his arms, forgetting that we were still in front of the stables.
When I remembered, I reluctantly pulled back and turned around. “There is time enough for that later. Augusta is coming over, remember?”
His answer was a kiss on my neck and a murmur of approval. Then Atlas put the reins in my hand, and I led Champion around the outside of the fenced pasture to a path I preferred. Riding was thrilling and terrifying, but I loved the sense of accomplishment it gave me.
Our ride did not last long enough—or rather, my alone time with Atlas.
When we finished, we changed and made our way to the drawing room to await Augusta for afternoon tea.
I had hoped my mother-in-law would join us, but she was quick to make excuses to my invitations.
Still, I saw signs she was softening, and hoped that someday we would have a good relationship.
Reggie sat on the sofa reading the paper. When we entered the room, he set his paper down and lifted a letter. “Mr. Barnes said this just came for you both, and I accepted it on your behalf.”
“Taking liberties already, are you?” Atlas teased. He took the letter and opened it. I slipped into the seat beside Reggie and watched as Atlas’s mouth bent down into a frown.
“What is it?” I stood to see the letter.
Atlas shifted so I could read it with him. “Augusta sends her apologies. Mother is taking her dress shopping. It appears Augusta’s wedding date is set.”
“To that rake? How is your mother allowing this?” I folded my arms and silently fumed.
Atlas ran his hand over his face. “I should never have allowed her to live with Mother.”
I tucked my arm through Atlas’s. “It was her choice. She wanted us to grow together as a couple without her hovering about. Now I see that we should have been more insistent.”
Reggie cleared his throat. “Is Miss Wilde happy about this wedding? By your reaction, I cannot imagine she is.”
I took the letter from Atlas. “She’s devastated. How could she be anything but? All she ever wanted was a love match.” Her desires for such had only been fueled by watching Atlas and me. It wasn’t fair. She had done so much for us. She deserved to be happy.
Atlas stalked to the fireplace and set his hands on the mantel. “This is Mr. Bastion’s influence. If he was not so good to Mother, I would never want to see his face again.”
I perched on the edge of the sofa. “There must be something we can do.”
Atlas straightened. “Indeed. We will intervene.”
“What will you do?” Reggie asked.
The sides of Atlas’s mouth suddenly quirked up. “Estelle has experience with this sort of matter.”
I met Atlas’s eyes and immediately guessed what he was thinking. “Could we get away with it?”
“We can and we will.”
THE END