Bonus Ending
Charles had never particularly enjoyed having visitors over as a youth, and even more so after he began working for the Crown. He was suspicious to a fault and saw an enemy in everyone he encountered, save for a meager handful of people he trusted explicitly. Even then, Huxley and O’Malley understood that there was still a part of him that remained alert and wary, even in their presence.
At first, marrying Phoebe had only made his anxiety worse, as he had sworn to always protect her and it was so very hard when the object of his protection seemed hell-bent on getting in harm’s way. It was enough to drive any man mad.
Added to all of that was his growing desire for her and the inability to communicate any of it, and it made for a great awkwardness between them in the first few weeks of their wedding.
Now, when he watched her, smitten, as she ushered in her parents and her two sisters into their home at Wentworth Park, he could not help but wonder how he had ever deserved such a ravishing creature for his wife. He could only shake his head inwardly yet again and thank God that the gentlemen in London apparently did not have the best eyesight, nor the most discerning abilities. Otherwise, he would never have been able to marry Phoebe and would that not be the greatest tragedy there ever was?
“You simply have to come back to London after the mourning period is over!” Daphne gushed at her older sister. “And soon, Minerva will be making her bow as well!”
He saw his wife turn to him with a hapless smile, a hint of reluctance shining in her bright eyes. For now, at least, they were content to conduct their business from the relative peace and security in Wentworth Park. However, they had already both tacitly agreed that after the mourning period, they would have to establish themselves as the Duke and Duchess of Cheshire and that meant going back to London and all its dangers—hidden or otherwise.
To that effect, he had been preparing Phoebe most thoroughly so that she would never again find herself in a position of helplessness as she had with the Baron of Scunthorpe. Ever since their return to Wentworth Park, they had spent hours in that room underneath the trapdoor as he told her key maneuvers to stun or even immobilize any of her would-be attackers. Those particular lessons yielded the immediate results that morning when she flipped him on his back in bed…
Lady Townsend seemed to have caught on to the pause between her daughter and son-in-law, for she breezily managed to assuage her youngest daughter.
“There will be time enough for that, my dear,” she told her. “And besides, you have much to worry about with your own Season.”
Daphne flushed slightly at the reminder and managed a faint, “Yes, Mama.”
The family proceeded along to the dining hall, where O’Malley stood to the side after having thoroughly tested the food that had already been served. The footman smiled knowingly at him, before moving to a less conspicuous area of the room, ever vigilant should Charles have need of him again.
However, he would have no immediate need for him with the Townsend family present. Charles had learned to trust in them, as he trusted Phoebe. They were now his family, too.
He escorted Phoebe to her chair, before he himself sat at the head of the table. Almost instinctively, their hands found each other once more, catching the eye of Lord Townsend who raised an eyebrow in surprise when the older man took note of how they were so inseparable.
Charles could only nod towards his father-in-law in acknowledgment and a silent vow. In this life, Phoebe would never be alone, as long as he lived. He would make sure of that.
***
Hours later, when they were both alone in their bed, he pressed a soft kiss to her sweat-lined brow, breathing in the fragrance that was uniquely hers.
“Perhaps you can invite your family over again this week,” he suggested softly as he held her tighter in his arms.
She laughed softly and poked him in the chest. “I was afraid you would find them too nosy.”
“They are family. How could you assume such a thing?”
The smile that blossomed on her face was well worth the effort of having the Townsends over for dinner at least three times a week. If that were to happen, he feared that Lady Townsend would never have to bother with the menu at Townsend House ever again.
“I love you so much,” he murmured, twining his fingers with hers as he clasped her hand. “Your happiness and safety are my utmost priorities.”
Her eyes shone with mischief as she looked up at him. “But what if I was to take up another hobby?” she teased him. “Are you still so certain you would not find it cumbersome?”
“My Duchess is entitled to whatever hobby pleases her,” he declared loyally. He paused and then continued, “As long as I remain ever your first choice.”
She let out a soft laugh. “Hobbies are merely things I must occupy my time with so that I do not miss you too much while you work.”
“And work is merely a necessary evil that takes time away from you,” he groaned as he pressed her into the bed with his body once more.
He was insatiable, he knew it. But then, so was she.
It was a long time before they both managed to fall asleep, but Charles had also found that sleeping with Phoebe had brought him the peace that none of his painstaking rituals and precautions ever did.
She was his safe haven and he vowed that for the rest of his life, he would be hers.
Their marriage might have started in a most unorthodox way, but he was glad for it anyway. They had found happiness in each other and it was all that mattered.
In a life that was filled with danger and misery, they had found each other. It was more than anybody could ask for in their lifetimes.
The End.