Extended Epilogue
Two years later... Edward and Sophia were happily married, and their daughter had been called Constance, after Sophia’s late mother. Edward no longer travelled, unable to bear being parted from his family, and they spent most of their time in residence at Carlfield house.
Several volumes of Sophia’s poems had been successfully published and it no longer filled her with dismay when she read her poems aloud to an audience, still under the watchful eye of her mother-in-law and husband.
And Lady Cynthia? She couldn't be happier.
When Ned did occasionally tease her about her earlier meddling she denied it, telling him that he was being preposterous.
While the truth was the Duke would never forget, or cease to be grateful for, the part she had played in him being able to marry Miss Sophia Barlow. .. For love.
The End