Extended Epilogue
Meredith looked out over the verdant expanse, the sound of rustling leaves in the gentle breeze offering a sweet symphony to her ears. The last time they had been here was three months ago, and now, three months later, a checkered blanket spread on the grass held the remnants of a picnic, while Ethan, her husband, the Duke of Allerton, lounged leisurely with his head in her lap. His eyes were closed, a soft smile gracing his lips as he basked in the serenity of the moment.
Ethan was a stunning sight to behold. His attire was casual yet elegant, a light cream-colored shirt and dark breeches that molded to his powerful thighs. His cravat was discarded, the top buttons of his shirt undone, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of his tanned chest. His ebony hair was tousled, endowing him with an added allure, making him appear almost boyish. This was a far cry from the icy, aloof man she had married. And he had never looked more handsome.
Meredith blushed as he opened his eyes and caught her in her unabashed admiration. “Enjoying the view, my lady?” he teased, his voice carrying a note of playful intimacy. His dark eyes were brimming with love and affection, a sight she cherished more than she cared to admit.
She looked down at her own attire, a soft muslin dress of cornflower blue, trimmed with delicate lace. Her hair cascaded around her shoulders in loose, chestnut curls. To herself, she was a picture of ordinary beauty, but the way Ethan looked at her, it made her feel like the most exquisite creature in the world.
“Someone has to keep an eye on you,” she retorted playfully, her fingers tracing the lines of his face. “Your reputation is rather notorious, Your Grace.”
Ethan chuckled, taking her hand and pressing a kiss on her knuckles. “Perhaps that was the case sometime long ago. However, I fear it’s been drastically amended of late. I am, as they say, a changed man.”
The memory of the stormy night he chose her over Hartley’s, when he had ridden through the tempest to ensure her safety, brought a warm glow to her heart. It was then that Ethan had laid bare his heart, choosing her, loving her, and declaring it to the world.
“Even for a bookish wallflower?” she quipped, her eyes sparkling with mirth.
“Especially for a bookish wallflower—who happens to be the love of my life, mind you,” he affirmed, his sincerity echoing in his voice.
“Speaking of books,” Meredith reached out for the worn-out copy of ‘Whispers of Serendipity‘, the same book she’d held on the night they met at the grand ball. She’d been a wallflower then, engrossed in her book amidst the lively crowd, while he had been a rake, a man of icy countenance. How times had changed.
“Ah, that dreaded thing,” Ethan groaned dramatically. His antics elicited a giggle from Meredith, her laughter adding a sweet melody to the afternoon air. “I know the ending. You’ve read it to me a hundred times.”
“Perhaps, but it’s not about the ending…”
“It’s about the journey,” they both said in unison, as she grinned, opening the book to their favorite passage.
Ethan reached into the picnic basket, retrieving a ripe strawberry. With a playful smile, he held it up to her lips. She paused in her reading, a blush staining her cheeks at his teasing gesture.
“Ethan!” she exclaimed in mock scandal, “you’re making it impossible for me to read.”
“That’s the general idea, my dear.” His voice was rich and low, sending a delicious shiver down her spine. “Besides, I find your blush far more captivating than any novel.”
Meredith swatted his arm lightly, her blush deepening. Ethan laughed, the sound echoing across the meadow, carefree and full of joy.
She took the strawberry from him, biting into the juicy fruit as he traced her jawline with his thumb. The intimacy of the moment was not lost on her.
As Meredith read aloud, Ethan lay there, his thumb absentmindedly drawing circles on her palm. The regrets and pain of losing his brother Jeremiah, the trials surrounding Hartley’s, all seemed distant and trivial. Meredith was his home, his haven, his life.
“You know, I never did understand this part,” Ethan suddenly said, smirking, pointing at the book in her hand.
“Which part?” Meredith asked, her eyebrows furrowing in curiosity.
“The part where the hero falls desperately in love with the heroine after seeing her just once. And then travels over continents to find her. It’s too… melodramatic.”
A blush spread across her cheeks, and she feigned annoyance. “That is because you, sir, are heartless.”
“Ah, but am I?” he teased, reaching out to pluck another strawberry from the picnic spread. He held it up, waiting for her to open her mouth before popping it in. “I fell in love with a certain bluestocking, remember?”
“Only after two weeks of grumbling and arguing,” she retorted, her eyes sparkling with mirth.
“Actually, it was one day of grumbling,” he said with a chuckle, brushing a stray curl from her face. “And thirteen days of finally coming to terms with my love for you.”
There was a pause before Meredith spoke again, her voice hesitant.
“…Speaking of journeys,” Meredith said, a hint of nervous excitement in her voice. She grasped Ethan’s hand and placed it on her stomach, meeting Ethan’s questioning gaze with a radiant smile. “I believe we’re about to embark on another one.”
Ethan’s eyes widened with realization. A moment of stunned silence, and then, he was sitting upright, his joyous laughter echoing through the tranquil surroundings. “We are?” he asked, his voice choked with emotion.
“Yes, I believe we are,” Meredith confirmed, her eyes glistening with happy tears.
Ethan cupped her face, pulling her into a passionate kiss. When they broke apart, they were breathless and laughing, their shared happiness bubbling over.
“From a wallflower to a Duchess to the mother of my child,” Ethan murmured, pressing his forehead against hers. “You’ve brought me more happiness than I ever dared dream.”
“I love you, Ethan,” Meredith confessed, her voice barely a whisper. “And I don’t think I can imagine a future without you.”
They kissed again, this time slow and tender. It was a promise of forever, a promise they each intended to keep. As the sun began its descent, they packed up their picnic, hand in hand. Their hearts were in harmony, beating to the rhythm of their shared joy and anticipation.
As they began their journey back home, they left behind the verdant expanse that had witnessed their love three months ago. Ethan had chosen her over everything else, and as Meredith clung to his arm, she knew their love story was far from over.
In fact, it was only just beginning.