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Catherine smiled as she watched her husband play with their son in the garden. Arthur was a lively and curious boy, with his father’s brown hair and her blue eyes and laughter that could make the flowers blossom even in the dead of winter. He was the joy of their lives, and they cherished every moment with him.
“My goodness, he is so big, I can barely believe my eyes. Was it not just two weeks ago I visited you? How has he grown in just a fortnight?” Theresa asked, sipping her lemonade as she fanned herself. It was hardly hot enough to require a fan but given that Theresa was in the final months of pregnancy, it was not odd for her to be experiencing a hot flush.
Amelia, Theresa’s firstborn, giggled brightly as she ran behind Arthur, coaxing him to be even louder as they played together with Joshua. Amelia was merely a few months older than Arthur, and they were already inseparable. Catherine knew it was far too early to think of wedding bells, yet she could not help imagining her best friend’s daughter marrying her darling son one day.
“Time goes by so fast,” Catherine nodded in agreement. “Soon, your second child will arrive too. I can barely wait to meet my new godson or goddaughter.”
“And she can barely wait to meet you either.” Theresa giggled sweetly.
“Are you still so certain it’ll be a girl?”
“A mother always knows.” Theresa shrugged with a grin. “So, when will Maggie’s next musical be hosted? I hope I can attend, but given my current state, I am afraid the baby might arrive before I get the chance to.”
“I am not certain; she has decided that she and her mother will host the evening themselves at the London manor,” Catherine replied smiling, proud of how much her darling Maggie had grown in these past few years.
Not long after her wedding day, Maggie and the dowager countess had moved to one of the earldom’s properties in London, a gorgeous house more than comfortable enough for them both. Catherine would have been more than happy to live under the same roof as her sister and mother-in-law, but she did not contest Joshua’s decision. He wanted them to enjoy their new lives together as a husband and wife should while at the same time keeping his beloved mother and sister close. They were less than an hour away in a carriage and visited often.
Looking across the green, luscious gardens, she caught a glimpse of a carriage approaching the manor and smiled brightly, practically jumping to her feet.
“Mama and Aunt Harriet are here!” she squealed with delight, having been expecting their visit. She waved at them as the footmen helped the two older ladies descend from the carriage.
Joshua smiled as the women walked toward them while the two little ones rushed to greet them. Though Amelia wasn’t related to them through blood, she had become like another grandchild to Lady Knightley.
“Hello, my darlings!” Catherine’s mother exclaimed, leaning to kiss both the toddlers’ cheeks.
Aunt Harriet, never quite as effusive, still gave a smile to the smiling children and offered them brand-new toys to play with. Whenever Lady Knightley and Lady Buren visited, they always came bearing gifts for the children.
As Arthur and Amelia sat on the lawn to play with their shiny new toys, the adults sat together around the table, enjoying the fresh beverages the earldom’s staff was quick to offer them.
“Dudley and his bride are coming to stay with us for a fortnight next week,” Catherine announced gleefully, already eager to spend time with her husband’s best friend and his wife. They had barely been able to get to know one another, with the happy couple touring the world as only two songbirds could. Dudley had truly met his match, as she seemed just as avid of adventure as he was.
“My goodness, I did not think that marriage would outlast the year,” Lady Buren huffed, disapprovingly shaking her head as she sipped her tea.
“Oh, Lady Buren, they make such a handsome couple!” Theresa giggled, resting her hand on her swollen belly.
“That might be so, but beauty fades, and scandal remains, my dear,” Aunt Harriet retorted, her tongue as sharp as ever.
“Harriet, Theresa is right,” Catherine’s mother added with a smile. “I know it is hardly what our parents would have expected of us, but they seem to be happy, and is that not truly what matters? If we had been so worried about hearsay back when Cathy and Joshua had their little … incident … the earl would not have become our beloved son-in-law. And we would not have Arthur.”
“Well, that is true.” Harriet huffed, and Catherine was relieved she did not choose to continue pushing the subject. “Speaking of Arthur. He is a delightful child, and I adore spoiling him, but when will he receive the sister or brother he clearly needs? After all, little Amelia is not here to keep him company day in and day out.”
Catherine flushed, unable to hold back a giggle, as she held Joshua’s hand in her own.
“Soon, we hope.”
“Oh, Cathy, dear, are you seeking a second child? How wonderful!” her mother squealed with delight, joined by Theresa.
“I thought we were going to wait until the doctor confirmed the news to tell our families.” Joshua chuckled as he gently admonished his wife, but Catherine shrugged softly.
“I could not help myself!”
“I know, my love, I know. It was only a matter of time before you blurted it out for the world to know.” Joshua leaned forward and kissed her cheek tenderly, making Catherine flush even further. Then, turning towards the group, he raised his glass and added: “Will you join us in a toast? Whether we are with child or not, this reunion still deserves a celebration, for we are together, and the Lord has blessed us with health and happiness.”
They drank to their happiness and their future, and as Catherine stared into her husband’s stunning brown eyes, she was overtaken by a wave of gratitude and affection. He was her everything, the father of her child, her happiness and joy, and that was more than enough for Catherine.
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OFFER: A BRAND NEW SERIES AND 5 FREEBIES FOR YOU!
Grab my new series, "Lust and Love in High Society", and get 5 FREE novels as a gift! Have a look here!
Hello my dear readers. I hope you enjoyed the book and this Extended Epilogue! I will be waiting for your comments below. Thank you so much! 🙂
Loving but long and very proper. I enjoyed this book and keep reading it hoping for me.
I am so glad you enjoyed the story, my dear Cheryl! Thank you so much for comment and support. Make sure to stay tuned because I have more coming!
A good story and the characters are realistic and interesting
Thank you so much for your comment and support, my dear Gwen. So glad you enjoyed the story! Make sure to stay tuned because I have more coming!
A lovely story. Love wins out over all. So glad they were caught in a compromising situation to force their hand and reveal their love for each other. A touching story.
Thank you so much for your kind words and support, my dear Terry. I truly appreciate it!
So glad you enjoyed the story! Make sure to stay tuned because I have more coming!
Thank you again and have a lovely day!
A beautiful love journey with wonderful and interesting characters. Very entertaining as well enchanting with lots of twists and turns throughout the story. Beautiful love and finally got its happy ending.
Thank you so much for your kind words and support, my dear Lourdes. I truly appreciate it!
So glad you enjoyed the story! Make sure to stay tuned because I have more coming!
Thank you again and have a lovely day!
I loved this book but wanted to shake both Joshua and Cathy for not sharing how much they loved each other. How typical! Your characters seem so real that it is easy to forget they are real only in your imagination. Keep up the great stories.
Thank you so much dear Margaret! Your loving support truly inspires me!
Lovely story. Most of the characters were really nice. Joshua and Cathy were instantly attracted to each other. The stupid idea that there was a class of difference between them created issues. I wish Joshua had come to his senses and proposed to Cathy without creating the compromising situation and scandal. However, all is well in the end. The one error I noticed was that you said Cathy’s father called him by his first name for the first time but he called him Lord Haroven which is definitely not his first name. I also do not think a description of their lovemaking on their wedding night was necessary. You could have easily ended with them kissing and declaring their love for each other. Leave something for the readers imagination.
Thank you so much , dear Madhu! I will discuss these with my editors and keep it in minf for my future stories!
Loved the story – but did I miss what favor Cathy granted to Dudley when she lost the bet?
Also – did the elle one remain in the nunnery?
Thank you for a great read! Love the happy ending – real life is tough – your
stories are always a feel good perk!
Thank you so much for your kind words and support, dear Sandee! I truly appreciate it!
Another intriguing, perfectly composed story to keep me spellbound. I love the expressions of emotion by the characters as developed in all forms of caring and passion. A bit of history of the times and the emotions involved then about right and wrong and love and caring. Superb as usual…on to the next in the series!!!
Thank you so much for your kind words and support, dear Karen! I truly appreciate it!
So glad you enjoyed the story!
I always enjoy your stories. I am disappointed when authors suggest passionate feeling between characters but only follow through with a kiss and a hint. You have a gift for following through with the natural process of love and marriage with beautiful sensual encounters.
This storyline was excellent and showed that sometimes keeping your own counsel can be problematic as in the case of Joshua and Cathy, eventhough their closest friends tried to encourage them otherwise.
I loved Maggie and Lady Haroven’s caring and open nature.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful words. I’m truly grateful you connected so deeply with the story. I’m especially glad Joshua and Cathy’s journey resonated with you, and that Maggie and Lady Haroven’s warmth stood out. Your support means more to me than I can say.