Extended Epilogue
Four Years Later
Nathan’s warm hands covered Gemma’s eyes, his fingers interlaced, as he led her down a hallway of Hamilton Castle. She could feel his breath on her neck, sending shivers down her spine.
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going, Nathan?” she asked with a playful giggle, steadying herself against his strong arms. “You know, you’re not exactly the best guide.”
“Trust me,” he replied, his deep voice resonating through the air. “I’ve had the entire layout of the castle memorized for as long as I can remember. I can assure you, we will reach our destination unscathed.”
Despite his blindness, Nathan moved confidently through the halls, his steps measured and precise. Gemma couldn’t help but marvel at his resilience, still unable to get used to it after all these years. The sound of their synchronized footsteps echoed through the empty corridors, creating an atmosphere of anticipation that sent her heart racing.
“Almost there,” Nathan whispered, his voice betraying a hint of excitement.
At last, they reached the open door to a chamber, which Gemma could make out due to the gentle breeze that flowed from it. She could tell Nathan was eager to reveal his surprise, and he swiftly removed his hands. Blinking in the sudden light, Gemma took in the scene before her, her mouth falling open in awe.
“Surprise, my love,” Nathan whispered into her ear, his face aglow with pride despite his inability to witness her reaction.
Gemma’s eyes filled with tears as she gazed upon the beautiful sight before her. The room was bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun, casting a golden hue over everything it touched. And at the center of it all stood an exquisite statue, carved entirely of marble. The delicate features and graceful pose left no doubt as to whom it was meant to represent – it was her, captured in perfect detail.
“Oh, Nathan,” she managed to choke out, her voice thick with emotion. “This is… this is absolutely breathtaking. I can’t believe you did this for me…”
“For you?” he replied drily, his fingers brushing against her cheek as he wiped away a stray tear. “How else would I get to touch anything resembling your body whenever you’re busy?”
Gemma playfully slapped Nathan’s chest at his jest. She could hardly find the words to express her gratitude, instead pulling him close and burying her face against him. The love she felt for him swelled within her heart, threatening to overflow as they stood there together, surrounded by the tangible evidence of their bond.
Nathan’s hand slid down to Gemma’s, their fingers intertwining as he led her closer to the statue, allowing her to examine it closer. The statue was dressed in a…quite revealing low-cut gown that pooled at her feet, with her hair in a chignon, resembling her hair on their wedding day four years prior. “I see you’ve been paying some extra attention to…certain details,” she said, only eliciting a grin from Nathan. He knew precisely of what she spoke. “So, is this where you have been slipping off to all these nights? I presumed it was merely a nightcap. It must’ve taken months…”
It was almost eccentric how closely the statue resembled her. Though Nathan was blind, it was clear as day he knew precisely how she looked, and if anything, visualized her as more beautiful than she could have ever hoped.
“It did take a long time, so that’s why the delay, but I believe it is worth it,” Nathan confessed, gently squeezing her hand. “Well, I suppose you have a different view of it than I do.”
“No, it is perfect. Thank you, Nathan,” she whispered, standing on her toes to brush her lips against his. The softness of the kiss seemed to linger in the air. He returned her affection, savoring the taste of her lips.
“Shall we join the others in the garden?” he suggested, a playful lilt in his voice.
Gemma nodded, still awestruck by the exquisite gift before her. “I suppose we should not keep our guests waiting too long.”
***
Gemma’s gaze was immediately drawn to the small wooden table nestled beneath a sprawling oak tree, where Emily and Richard sat, sipping their tea and deluged in conversation. The fragrant scent of roses from the nearby garden beds filled the air as laughter rang out from elsewhere in the gardens, punctuating the idyllic scene.
“Ah, there they are,” Nathan said, as two small figures dashed out from behind the treeline.
Two little boys, one with chestnut curls like Nathan and the other with golden locks like Charlotte, dashed across the lush lawn, their faces flushed with excitement as they played. Their infectious energy captured the attention of everyone present, including Gemma and Nathan.
“Papa!” little Joseph yelled out to Nathan from across the lawn, hot on the tails of the younger boy, Peter. “Is it true there are dragons on the grounds of Kirkby manor that chew up children who misbehave?”
Peter halted to a stop, allowing Joseph to catch up to him. “It is true, Uncle Richard said so,” he murmured in a lower voice.
Emily rolled her eyes, as Richard fell into a fit of laughter. “Uncle Richard is going to have a lot of explaining to do when the children fear stepping a foot out of their home for the next five years,” she began.
“And there you have your answer,” Nathan chimed.
Joseph stood there with innocent and wide eyes, a confused look on his face. “So it is true?” he squeaked before running off once more, causing everyone to fall into laughter this time.
“He’s so full of life and mischief,” Gemma mused, her eyes sparkling with warmth as she watched their son. The more the years passed by, the more she could see the resemblance to Nathan.
“Much like his mother, wouldn’t you say?” Nathan teased.
“The two of us,” she replied. “I suppose we have only ourselves to blame for his boundless energy.”
Emily and Richard looked up as they approached, their expressions alight with pleasure.
“It was about time you joined us,” Richard chimed in, taking a sip from his teacup before continuing, “Or I would have to listen to another one of my dear wife’s rumor mills about the goings-on of the ton.”
Emily smirked and gently hit him on the shoulder. “Oh, you enjoy them!”
Both Gemma and Nathan took a seat at the chairs laid out in front of them, and just then, a sound from the two kids reached their ears. It was the sound of a rock hitting against the window—luckily with no damage being done.
“Be careful, Master Joseph!” Marshall called out as he made his way from the castle’s balcony into the gardens.
Gemma laughed, a genuine, heartfelt sound. “I never thought I’d see the day Marshall’s reign of tyranny would be overthrown by two young boys.”
A wry smile played at the corners of Marshall’s mouth as he watched the boys dashing about the garden, ignoring his heeding. “I cannot help it with these two,” he remarked, exhausted after chasing them about the castle only hours prior to prevent them from damaging something irreparably. “I suppose that is the cost of having the Duchess’ free-spirited nature condensed into a child. He might put me through the ringer on the daily, but I daresay, I would not have it any other way.”
“Indeed,” Gemma agreed, her eyes sparkling with amusement. She couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride at Marshall’s observation. Over the years, they had slowly built a friendship that was now solid and true. Oftentimes, it felt like Marshall displayed greater loyalty to her than Nathan.
“Let’s not forget the Duke’s influence,” said Emily, who sat across from them. “The boy has quite the taste for adventure.”
“That is code for running into anything and everything blindly without thinking,” Richard said jokingly.
As the laughter slowly faded, the garden gate creaked open, drawing everyone’s attention. Charlotte appeared, her cheeks flushed from the warmth of the sun, and a questioning look in her eyes. She approached the table with an air of concern.
“I heard that the boys threw a rock so I came as fast as I could. Was it Peter?” she asked, eyebrows raised in concern.
“Peter?” Richard chuckled, shaking his head. “Quite the opposite, I assure you. Same as Joseph, your boy is the very picture of a gentleman in the making…”
“When they aren’t looping Marshall in a chase and leaving carnage in their wakes,” Nathan quickly added with a laugh that Richard shared in.
“Oh, behave you two,” Emily reprimanded with a warm smile. “He has been nothing but well-behaved and polite.”
Charlotte exhaled with relief, her smile broadening as she took a seat at the table. “I’m glad to hear it. He can be quite the handful when his energy gets the better of him.”
“Speaking of energy,” Gemma said, casting a fond glance at Nathan, who was now chatting animatedly with Richard about their plans to leave for the recently renovated Kirkby manor tomorrow, “I do believe we’ve worked up quite the appetite.”
“Ah, yes, which reminds me why I came looking for Your Grace in the first place,” Marshall began. “Cook has outdone herself this time, preparing a farewell feast for you all.”
“Then let us not keep her waiting,” Emily suggested, rising from her chair elegantly. “Shall we proceed inside?”
The group murmured their agreement, and they began to make their way toward the house, leaving the sun-drenched garden behind. As they walked, Gemma felt the familiar flutter of desire in her chest, ignited by the nearness of Nathan’s body. Though she knew it was unseemly, she couldn’t help but steal glances at him, admiring the confidence he still possessed and the strength that radiated from his broad shoulders.
The boys soon followed when Marshall had managed to herd them, and Gemma found herself drawing even closer to Nathan, seeking the warmth and comfort of his presence. As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the garden, she knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together – bound by love, passion, and an unbreakable bond.
As wife and husband.