Extended Epilogue
6 years later…
Seth took Charity by the hand as he guided her through the verdant, boundless meadows that stretched miles from their country house in Scotland. It had been an age since they had returned here, and even longer since they carved out a moment for themselves as husband and wife. At least, it sometimes felt that way.
With each step, Charity’s delicate shoes crushed upon the soft earth, and Seth pulled her closer, shielding her from the light breeze. He wrapped his arms around her frame, nestling her head against the crook of his neck, as they promenaded in the early dawn.
“You may have forgotten but you vowed to me you would take the time to describe the landscape,” she giggled to him, clasping his arms tighter around her.
“Indeed…” he responded, “Yet, I assure you, the vista before us pales in comparison to the spectacle I behold presently—pale blue eyes, a spirited nose, voluptuous lips I could feast upon.”
Charity’s lips curved into a seductive smile, a bloom of warmth cascading through her belly, offsetting the morning chill. Desire stirred within her, and she spun in her husband’s arms, her own encircling his neck to draw him closer still. Yes, it had been a while since they had seized a moment solely for themselves, but such was life, with their young boy ever demanding attention, and the burdens of the dukedom continuously piling up.
However, to say Seth hadn’t gone out of his way many times to… contrive a few moments of intimacy between the couple, would be a falsehood of the tallest order. Stolen glances, subtle touches, teasing whispers… the thrill was ever-present, just as the first night they met. And Charity appreciated it.
As if reading her thoughts, Seth placed his hand on the growing bump of her stomach. “Perhaps we ought to take advantage of this moment while we can,” he paused, feathering a hand down her cheek, “when the second one arrives, we will not have a moment of privacy, I fear.”
“This moment? You promised me four whole nights this week, I hope you haven’t forgotten,” Charity lightly chided, lifting her finger to his lips as he playfully nipped at it.
“I wouldn’t dare. Let’s just call this… an appetizer.” Seth’s lips met Charity’s with a fervor that spoke of raw need and tender affection. Her response was instant, a flame kindled by the touch of his mouth, the press of his body.
“Oh, Seth,” she murmured against his lips, her voice low and teasing.
Seth’s reply was lost in the deepening kiss, only accompanied by a whistling breeze and their muffled moans. There was not another soul for miles, for Seth had made sure of it when he purchased this plot on their honeymoon for them, and ever since, it had become the perfect little refuge from the world when they wished to bask in each other’s company, alone.
Even mere days without his touch would leave Charity wanting, and she knew all too well that desperation was just the same in him as it manifested in his exploring hands. The fabric of her gown bunched under them, the softness of her skin beneath a contrast to the calloused roughness of his fingers.
With care and reverence, Seth glided an arm about her waist, then laid her down upon the lush carpet of dew, their bodies entwined, silhouetted against the dawn’s light. In this secluded realm, where nothing existed but the beating of their hearts, they explored each other with a hunger born of love’s insatiable appetite. His hand reached to her breast and her back arched in response, needing his attention—pleading for it.
Her own fingers delicately traced the contours of his muscular body, his pectorals, his abdominals, before finding their resting place upon the hardness concealed by his pantaloons. The feel of him sent a thrilling sensation down her spine. He breathed low against her and she knew she had achieved the desired response. He was as desperate as she was. But before their kiss could grow to insatiable heights, Charity’s eyes abruptly widened.
“Oh, the breakfast!” she called out rather breathlessly. “We should not keep our guests waiting, it would be improper.”
“Perhaps we could say that we lost our way?” Seth teased and Charity lightly smacked him on the shoulder in response.
He helped Charity to a stand and after they composed themselves, they decided it was time to head back to the house, where everyone would be waiting. It was easy to get distracted and forgetful when Seth was around.
***
As Charity and Seth neared their Scottish estate, the air grew filled with the sound of laughter and the bays of a hound, Shelby, who greeted them with fervent tail wags even before they reached the front gate.
“Shelby!” Charity chimed.
She bent down to offer a pat, which only heightened Shelby’s excitement, prompting him to nearly leap onto her before Seth swiftly caught him mid-air and gently set him back on the grass.
“Steady there, boy, we must be gentle with the Duchess. And that includes you too, Cherry,” he said with a light-hearted rebuke, his smile betraying his concern for her and the soon-to-arrive addition to their family.
Shelby responded with a soft whimper, while Charity’s expression morphed into a mock frown, on the brink of teasing Seth into an apology aimed at the hound. But before she could utter her playful reproach, another burst of laughter echoed through the air. Turning towards the source of the commotion, they were met with a scene bordering on chaos.
Servants scurried to and fro, their expressions teetering between concern and pure panic, as their son, his hair a cascade of gold—much like Charity’s, weaved through the garden. He was artfully dodging Rufus, whose tail was a blur of happiness. Seth couldn’t help but laugh at the sight, and his wife soon accompanied him after he described it to her. It was the usual bustle of their home, now only amplified by the presence of guests.
“Ah, Your Graces! You have returned!” Bates exclaimed, somewhat breathlessly, as he stumbled into the garden, his eyes widening at the sight of them. He executed one of his impeccable bows, though the lively backdrop of the morning’s disarray made the gesture seem almost comical. “Lord Oliver and Lady Valentina are eagerly awaiting in the dining hall, Lady Edith shall arrive shortly, breakfast is nearly served, and the table has been arranged just as you desired… However, there seems to have been a minor complication with the meal preparations. It appears that Lord Thomas…”
“Ah.” Seth’s response was a smirk, catching on almost immediately.
Charity, too, couldn’t help but let out an amused sigh and roll her eyes at their son’s latest antics. “Oh, heavens, not this again. Well, there is nothing to worry for, Bates, I am certain Oliver arrived for more than just our honeycakes.”
At her words, a visible sigh of relief passed through Bates, his worried expression smoothing over as he bowed again, more deeply this time. “Very well. In that case, all is in readiness. Please, after you,” he replied with a guiding gesture.
“Thomas,” Seth’s voice rang out, a command that halted their son in his tracks and had Rufus pouncing on him, lapping at his face, “come on, it is time for breakfast. Your adventures can wait a little longer.”
“All right, all right, Rufus, stop!” Thomas laughed as he struggled to his feet. He scurried to his mother’s side and took a handful of her gown, trying to hide from the view of Rufus and Shelby. “Oh!” he suddenly seemed to remember, “Will Peter…?”
Charity sighed and allowed Seth to take this one.
“Peter’s father has allowed him to stay over with us for a couple of days, on the condition of your impeccable behavior—” It was too late. Thomas sprang into the air with a whoop before rushing in through the door of their house, his parents’ laughter trailing behind him.
“Maybe it’s time we consider offering the Montgomerys a parcel of land adjacent to ours, so Peter can move in permanently,” Seth mused with a lighthearted grin.
“Perhaps,” Charity replied in kind.
As Seth and Charity made their way through the entrance of the dining room, they were immediately enveloped in the warmth of their home, the rich aromas of roasted meats and freshly baked bread wafting through the air. Oliver and Valentina, sat in the seats closest to the hearth, engaged in a lively discussion that ceased the moment Charity and Seth entered.
“Ah, the wanderers return!” Oliver grinned with a heavy clap. “We were half-convinced you had run off together again.”
Valentina, more reserved but equally pleased, came forward to embrace them in a warm welcome. “Oh, speak for yourself, dear. It is good to see you both.” Her eyes lingered for a moment on Charity’s pronounced belly, a silent understanding passing between them. Charity, with a knowing smile, simply nodded. “Oh, that is wonderful news! Congratulations.”
“Another one? Before we have even planned for our first,” Oliver exclaimed in awe. “Ah, well. At least Thomas will have a playmate, isn’t that right, Tommy boy?”
But Thomas was more preoccupied with something on the windowsill. He was on his tiptoes, peering intently, until he stumbled back with a gasp of surprise.
“Mama, papa, look!” He reached with both of his hands and scooped up something before turning around for everyone to see. In his clutches was a tiny black kitten, with bright green eyes and an awfully long and fluffy tail. “Can we keep the kitty? Oh, she is so handsome!”
“Shelby and Rufus might not be too keen on a new friend, Thomas,” Charity cautioned. Oliver was smirking at the sight as if it was the most amusing thing in the world. Seth, on the other hand, cast his eyes elsewhere, not wishing to get involved.
Upon hearing his name, Rufus sauntered into the room and walked up to Charity, nuzzling against her skirts. Shelby came just a moment after, limping a touch from his front leg. His wound had healed fantastically well after getting shot and despite suffering some limitations, he never once lost his energy. Approaching the kitten with a muzzle trembling with intrigue rather than hostility, Shelby’s reaction was unexpectedly gentle. To the surprise of all, he did not display any of the hostility one might expect. Instead, he was the epitome of decorum, a gentle giant who seemed to recognize the fragility of his new charge.
“Seems the hounds approve,” Valentina noted.
Thomas’ eyes lit up with hope. “So, we can keep her? I shall call her… Snow.”
“I suppose,” Seth shrugged, earning him a sharp glare from his wife for how quickly he gave in. “Ah, but who could deny such courage?” he continued, pointing at the kitten who was now walking closer to Charity almost as if trying to win her over. “Though perhaps a better name would be fitting for a cat the color of… emptiness,” Seth replied, his gaze meeting Charity’s, who couldn’t help but hold her own smirks back.
“Mama, do you agree as well?” Thomas pouted, picking up the kitten, Snow, in his hands and approaching her. He placed its paw against her fingertips and looked up at her with an earnest plea.
“If you vow to take up the responsibility of caring for her, then maybe I—”
“Oh, but I promise, I promise!” Thomas quickly said with little hesitation.
Seth drew Charity close, encircling her waist with his arm, as Thomas waited with bated breath for her verdict—the verdict that mattered most to the each of them. Charity pressed her lips in a thin line and with a sigh, Seth already knew she had relented.
“The men in my life. I fear I can never deny them anything,” she responded with a gentle smile.
Thomas squared and jumped up and down, hugging Charity as well. “Thank you, mama!”
He placed the kitten on the floor and it began purring against Charity’s feet who was now grinning.
“Now, let’s return to the table before our meal turns cold. And I expect to learn that the plate is empty, for a responsible child would finish his meal,” Charity directed to Thomas, her tone warm but firm.
“Of course!”
“You truly do have a way with words, dear,” Seth murmured to her ear before nuzzling against her neck subtly, eliciting from her a cherry blush, as she lightly swatted him away.
Together, they moved back to the dining table, Snow trailing not far behind. As they settled into their seats, amidst the hum of conversation and the gentle clink of utensils, Seth found himself overwhelmed with a sense of profound gratitude.
Surrounded by his family, with every piece of his heart in place, he realized he had everything he could ever wish for. In this moment of perfect contentment, he silently vowed to do whatever it took to preserve this happiness. His hand snaked under the table to grasp Charity’s, noting her cherry blush returning with a vehemence. For the first time in a long time, Seth felt utterly at peace.