Epilogue
Eighteen months later
“A pleasure as always, Lady Rockford.” The two ladies who’d been taking tea with Caroline rose and curtsied gracefully to her. Lady Cartwright, the new baronet’s wife, smiled with a charming eagerness to please. “You will join the garden party this coming Saturday, won’t you? It would be such a downfall to me if you were not present.”
Caroline smiled in return. She knew from experience how eager a new bride of the ton must feel to have her first event be a success. “I would be delighted to attend. Thank you both for your visit.”
When the ladies had left, Caroline puffed out her cheeks and could have cheered when the clocks struck eleven.
This was her morning to be “at home” and it meant being available for any impromptu visits. Now that the rounds would be done for the morning, she could attend to something much more exciting in the library.
As Caroline walked into the hallway, she almost ran into Felicity.
“Oof! Oh, sorry, my lady.” The girl had grown even taller in the last eighteen months, and now was at almost six feet. Caroline looked up at her in bemusement. “I only had to ask Smith to look out the battledores. Lady Isabelle and I decided to begin a game. I hope that’s all right?”
Even at her great height, Felicity looked upon Caroline with something like an enthusiastic puppy’s adoration. When the girl had learned that her favorite author and her newly acquired half brother were to be man and wife, she’d been beside herself with excitement.
Though Felicity’s ancestry was still a closely guarded secret to the rest of the ton , the girl was welcome to Kane House at any day during the Season. She was often over with her best friend, Lady Isabelle Montagu, who was the Duke of Huntington’s younger sister. Apparently Felicity’s former governess was now the Duchess of Huntington, and the two girls were frequently together.
“I think a game would be a splendid idea.” Caroline beamed. “I might have a caller this afternoon. That new Duke of Cairn’s in town and he’s rumored to be quite the sportsman.”
Most young girls would swoon at the notion of an eligible duke, but Felicity rolled her eyes.
“I shall tell Lady Isabelle. To be honest, I’ve known far too many dukes in my life. It would be pleasant to not keep running into them all the time.”
Caroline laughed as Felicity strode away. Before she could continue her journey, Mrs. Wilcox, the housekeeper, hurried over.
“Beg pardon, Your Ladyship. We’ve six for dinner this evening, including the duke. I was wondering if you’d given thought to any adjustments to the menu?”
Indeed, Caroline had heard from Sybil that His Grace was partial to lamb and fresh mint. She asked their cook to replace the rib of beef with a rack of lamb, and also checked quickly on the correct wine for the new dish. They’d a bottle of a robust burgundy that would do nicely, and Mrs. Wilcox nodded with relief.
“All excellent choices, my lady.”
“Yes, I think my taste’s caught up with my station.” Caroline laughed and was finally free to walk toward the library. She passed a mirror and got a fleeting glimpse of herself in a gown of rose muslin, perfect for the morning. She’d have to change for afternoon in an hour or so, and already knew the frock she’d like to wear.
When she’d become a countess, Caroline had feared being forced into a life and routine she could not stand. As it turned out, her new station meant Caroline could adapt life to suit her own desires, not the other way around. She’d always been a quick study, and between Sybil, the dowager countess, and a full, expert staff, Caroline had enjoyed plenty of education and a leisurely introduction to running a household.
It helped that her mother-in-law relished keeping an eye on things. Caroline had eased into her duties, and would be fully prepared for any challenges that might arise when the day came that she was the sole captain of the Rockford ship.
Caroline walked the hallways of Kane House feeling more at home than she had anywhere else. Even Devereux House had become overcrowded with complicated memories, but this was a home in the truest sense.
It was as if the house had been designed for her, everything just so for her comfort and convenience. Of course, the master of the house would never have had it another way.
Whatever Caroline wanted, her husband worked immediately to provide.
Of course, Gabriel had insisted she have all the time she needed away from overseeing the house in order to write.
C.D. Winthrop’s Masquerade at Seville had become an undisputed success. Devereux Bros. Publishing had flourished, and Eddie was now making a most respectable income for the family. Sybil was expecting their first child, and Baron Devereux had officially retired from his endless sessions at the club to be a doting father and grandfather.
Simon had entered his schoolboy days with great confidence and was now one of the most popular boys in his year.
Indeed, Caroline’s family had been set up as well as she could have ever wished. And now, with everyone taken care of, she had only to worry about the estate and her husband.
And, of course, the copy of her newest book which she’d been told had arrived only recently. Smith said it had been left in the library for her at His Lordship’s request.
As Caroline entered the library, she gasped in surprise. A pleasant one, of course. Her husband reclined in a chair, a beam of sunlight highlighting his black curls. He looked so simultaneously at ease and commanding in his own home.
But while the home was his, what he was currently involved in was most decidedly Caroline’s.
“My lord. Did you unwrap my parcel?”
Gabriel looked up at her with a teasing grin.
“My lady, I’m afraid I did. I couldn’t resist. I’ve waited to read this one for months, you know.”
Beside his chair, a bit of twine and brown paper had been tossed to the side. He was currently perusing a leather-bound volume with gilt-edged pages. A luxurious choice of binding, to be sure, but one that people had been happy to buy.
The Earl of Rockford glanced at Caroline over the top of the book and smiled. Once, she’d thought his smiles the epitome of sin. Now, they were all that was radiant about the world. Caroline went and folded herself against him, resting her head upon his shoulder while he closed the book and wrapped his arms around her.
“No wonder you had the parcel kept here instead of brought directly to me.” She kissed him once, but withheld a second kiss when he went for it. Her husband gave a hushed chuckle.
“During the Season I do find it difficult to catch you alone in the morning. I knew I could tempt you with the right enticement.” He whispered in her ear, “I am awfully good at temptations. You must admit.”
Caroline could never deny it, but she didn’t want to give him quite so much power just now.
“I wanted to open it myself,” she whispered against his lips. “You know I like to do that with all the first copies.”
Gabriel wound an arm around her waist. Caroline found her new life as Countess of Rockford comfortable, her home comfortable, but this was surely the most comfortable spot in all of England.
“If you’d only let me read the manuscript, I wouldn’t have been so eager,” he growled. Their lips met. His kisses fluttered through her blood and warmed her. She took up the book and traced her fingers along the printing upon the spine.
The Bride of the Evergreens by Caroline, Lady Rockford
It had been scandalous to publish under her own name and title, but the ton had come to anticipate some scandal from the Rockfords.
“I like to surprise you,” Caroline told him. It was the truth.
“Every day is a surprise, and a glorious one at that.” He whispered those words against the very back of her neck and kissed her softly there. Caroline sighed. “You know, it’s invigorating being married to you.” Gabriel chuckled as she glanced back at him in challenge.
“I fear to know what is so ‘invigorating’ about it.”
“Come now. To be married to a woman of talent and business? Watercolors and pianoforte are well and good, but there’s something about originality that fires the blood.”
“Originality, you say? I’m afraid like calls to like in that regard.” She kissed him once more and allowed him to enfold her into a deep embrace. “We’ve originality to spare in this household.”
“And affection?” He pressed his lips to her brow.
“More than that, I should think.” She closed her eyes. “I should think a great deal of love, too.”
She felt a pleased rumble reverberate in his chest, and Caroline allowed herself to settle as she only could with him. Her blood quieted, her brain stopped buzzing, and she was able to feel safe. It was as wondrous an experience as the passion between them, and something she never tired of.
“I liked what I read so far,” Gabriel whispered. He opened the book again. “I say, will Dorabella manage to find the man who waltzed with her during the Carnivale ball?”
“There’s only one way to know the ending.” Caroline kissed her husband. “Turn the page and read on.”
The love doesn’t end here…