A Lady’s Passion Knows No Distance – Extended Epilogue

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William stood with Caroline on the docks in the town, along with Lord and Lady Murphy, and of course Miss Gwendolen. The spring Season was in full swing, the cold winter months finally seeming to falter to the warmer weather. They had returned to town as soon as the roads had been made clear and Caroline was safe enough to travel. Her growing middle made things a little difficult when it came to travelling. However, none of them wanted to miss the return of Lord Sergio. 

“Oh! I think I see them!” Gwendolen said with excitement, raising her hand above her head and waving to someone in the distance. 

It was early morning, and many ships were currently in the process of unloading or loading cargo and passengers. William followed Gwendolen’s line of sight and finally caught sight of Lord Sergio, with his flowing black hair that was tied in the back. He stepped off the ship with an aging man that William could only assume was his father. 

It took some time, but eventually the two made their way to the upper street and swiftly approached them. William couldn’t contain his smile as he watched Gwendolen taking a few steps forward and embracing Lord Sergio. Lord Murphy cleared his throat, but it seemed as though only divine intervention would be able to part the couple. After a time, they did let go of one another and Lord Sergio finally made introductions. 

“Papa, I would like you to meet Miss Gwendolen. These are her parents, Lord and Lady Murphy,” Lord Sergio said in a somewhat loud voice. The man that Lord Sergio had referred to as father nodded his head and smiled kindly enough. 

“We have travelled such a long distance and are looking forward to resting for a while,” Lord Sergio said next. 

“Of course. The carriage is waiting just over there. We are glad to host you and your father this year,” Lord Murphy said with a dip of his head. As Lord Sergio gave instructions to his servants to bring their trunks to the appropriate carriage, William made quick work of saying hello to his friend before guiding his wife back to their own carriage. 

“You are like a mother hen,” Caroline said with a chuckle. 

“Do not fault me for being mindful of my wife and child,” William retorted. After they were secured in the carriage, William held the carriage door open for Miss Gwendolen to join them since Lord Sergio and his father would be riding with Lord and Lady Murphy. Miss Gwendolen was all smiles as she stepped up into the carriage and sat across from them. 

“My word, I can hardly believe it. I’m just so excited that he’s finally here once more,” Miss Gwendolen rambled as the door was closed. William smirked as he knocked his knuckles on the side of the carriage to signal that they were ready to depart. 

“I’m so happy for you, Gwendolen. I know you have been looking forward to this day for some time,” Caroline said as she rubbed her stomach, something she was doing more often. It made William worried since she was so far along, yet still willing to travel to town with him to great Lord Sergio upon his arrival back to England. 

“It has felt like an eternity since we last saw each other. I am glad to see him so well. I do hope his father will approve of me,” she said. 

“Once he gets to know you better, I am sure he will approve of the match,” Caroline reassured. 

Once they had made their way through town and arrived at Lord Murphy’s townhouse, Miss Gwendolen quickly alighted from the carriage first so she could great Lord Sergio once more and show him and his father into the house. William saw the way the young couple looked at one another and he too could at least agree that he was happy for them both. 

They all retired to the drawing room while Lord Sergio’s things were brought to the rooms for him and his father. They were all eager to spend time with the Spaniard and hear how his winter months had gone—all the while, his father sat comfortably, enjoying the conversation around him without really participating in it. 

“You were right, Sir Roberts. The sailing routes you did provide were excellent. I was able to see my crew set sail with reassurance in my heart. Though the voyage was longer, the captain reported of seeing no other ships,” Lord Sergio said at one point in the conversation. 

“This is all good news,” William agreed. “I do not know for how long these routes will be secure. I suppose when my associate does dock once more in England, I may learn from him the latest news upon the sea.” 

“Well, for now, they appear to be working,” Lord Murphy added. The Earl had also been utilizing William’s knowledge to increase his own fortunes in the merchant business. He was just pleased to be of use. Ever since he’d been given the title of earl and the fortunes that Lord Goldman once possessed, he’d relied as heavily on Lord Murphy to teach him much of being an elite member of society. It was the least he could do in return. 

“You are looking well, Lady Roberts,” Lord Sergio said to Caroline. She sat alone on the settee, needing the space to relax her growing body. 

“That is very kind of you, Lord Sergio. I feel as though I don’t look well, so I shall take your compliment to heart,” Caroline replied with a smile. 

“After a bit of rest, I shall show you all the things I’ve brought as gifts. It will take some time for our things to be unpacked, I’m sure, but after dinner I should like to present them,” Lord Sergio announced. 

“Come now, there is no need,” Lady Murphy said. “Though I will not deny such things from Spain.” This caused them all to chuckle then as they talked of the latest news in both England and Spain, their conversation heavy on the business side of things. William noted the way that Lord Sergio and Miss Gwendolen often observed one another. He recognized that hungry look in Lord Sergio’s eyes and couldn’t help but smile from time to time as he realized their deep love for one another. 

When Lord Sergio escorted his father upstairs so they could get a bit of rest and recover from being at sea for almost a month, William took Caroline outside for a bit of fresh air and exercise. The doctor had reassured them that the baby would be arriving soon and that frequent walks would help strengthen Caroline for the birth. 

“What a lovely day,” Caroline remarked as they stepped outside the back door of the townhouse and into the gardens. With spring having just come to England, the flowers had just started to bloom, filling the air with their fragrance. 

“‘Tis only lovely because I get to spend it with you,” William said. 

“Then I suppose you must think that every day is a lovely day,” she retorted. 

“Of course, my dear. We have not yet been married a year and I have yet to tire of your presence. I am convinced that our lives will only improve still with the arrival of our first born.” 

“Do you have any ideas what the gender could be?” Caroline asked as they stopped to observe the rose bushes getting ready to bloom. 

“As long as the child is healthy, I do not care the gender.” 

“But you must have some hope one way or another,” Caroline pressed. 

“Even then, no. I do not.” William leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead before escorting her further into the gardens. It was near a small bird bath situated amongst the hedges that Caroline gripped onto William’s arm with all her might and squeezed as she grabbed her middle. William watched as her face contorted as though she was in great pain. 

“What is it, Caroline? Is the baby coming?” he quickly asked. Caroline took a deep breath and let it out slowly as she looked at the ground, where a small puddle was forming around her feet. 

“I do believe so,” Caroline said, her face flushed as though she had just finished running. 

“Quick, let’s get you into bed. I will call for the midwife to come right away,” William said, trying to keep his voice steady even though he was panicking on the inside. He was excited to have a child with Caroline; he was simply afraid of the birth and all the horror stories he had heard. 

As they passed by the drawing room, William poked his head through the door and calmly said, “I am taking Caroline up to her room. Please have the midwife called because we are certain the baby is coming.” He said the words so simply that the Murphys just stared at him for a moment. It was Miss Gwendolen who stood first and quickly came to them. 

“Here, let me help you,” she said as she came to Caroline’s other side and supported her. Caroline started to breathe heavily as she stood for a moment and simply squeezed their hands. When the pain seemed to ebb, she began to walk towards the stairs with the two helping her. 

“It’s going to be all right, Caroline. Once you are comfortable in bed, everything will be fine,” William said in a soothing voice. 

“Gwendolen, make sure my husband has a tall glass of brandy,” Caroline said with a chuckle. 

“Don’t worry, my dear. I’m sure Father will keep a close eye on him,” Miss Gwendolen replied. 

Once Caroline had been deposited into her room, Miss Gwendolen encouraged William to return to the drawing room with her father. And when Lady Murphy appeared with fresh linens, she was firm, yet gentle when she told William to go downstairs. William had no choice as he stepped out into the hallway and the bedchamber door was swiftly closed. He gulped as he wrung his hands together, so worried about his wife as he headed back downstairs to wait. 

“The midwife has been called for,” Lord Murphy said when William returned to the drawing room. “Come. Have a seat and I shall pour us both a stiff drink.” William simply nodded, his nerves getting the best of him as he sat down heavily into a chair and accepted the drink that was placed into his hand. He drank the contents quickly, wanting his nerves to settle so he could be there for Caroline when the time was right. 

~*~

Caroline was doing her best to concentrate on her breathing. The contractions in her stomach were causing her body to feel all sort of pain. But when the midwife came, she explained that everything that Caroline was feeling was perfectly normal. 

“Don’t you worry, wee lass. You’ll do just fine,” she said in a Scottish brogue. Her bright red hair was tied back with cloth so she could examine Caroline without having to worry about her curls. 

Caroline was helped out of her gown and bathed in warm water. She found that the hotter the water, the more her body seemed to relax. Therefore, Caroline sat in the bathing tub for some time as more hot water was added now and then. When she was done in the tub, she was helped to her feet by all the woman around her and dressed in a very thin nightgown. 

“All right, my dear. Let’s get you pushin’ so you can meet your new babe,” the midwife said in a chipper voice as Caroline was helped onto the bed. Gwendolen and Lady Murphy stood to one side of the bed as the midwife knelt on the other side, examining Caroline from time to time as she tried to focus on bearing down and bringing forth this child. 

“I’m getting so tired,” Caroline whined as the hours continued to pass by without any progression. 

“Come now, dearie. You’re doing great. Just a bit longer and you’ll be holding your wee babe,” the midwife encouraged. 

The cramps in her body seemed to increase then as Caroline finally felt the urge to start pushing. It was then that time seemed to fly by till she was holding her crying baby in her arms. 

Caroline wept as she looked down at the child. The midwife was quick to clean the baby and do a thorough inspection before wrapping him in cloth and tucking him into Caroline’s arms. 

“I have a son,” Caroline said in a weak voice as she looked up at Gwendolen and Lady Murphy, who also had tears in their eyes. They came a bit closer to get a good look at the baby but kept a safe distance so the two could get some rest. 

“He’s beautiful, Caroline,” Gwendolen said as she brushed the tears from her eyes. 

“You’ve done splendidly, my dear. I shall go downstairs to let the men know that the child is finally here. I’m sure Sir Roberts will want to meet his new son, as well,” Lady Murphy said with a bright smile. 

As the women left the bedchamber, the midwife helped her to nurse her son for the first time before helping Caroline get all cleaned up. She was so focused on looking at her son that she hadn’t noticed that William had come into the room until he was crawling onto the bed and coming to sit beside her. 

“William, I would like to introduce you to your son,” Caroline said in a soft voice, feeling as though she could fall asleep at any moment. 

“I have a son?” William asked, his voice wavering as though he was about to be brought to tears. Caroline nodded her head as she passed the sleeping child to William so that she could cover herself once more. The midwife stayed near, ready to help Caroline stand and bathe once more. As she sat in the tub, she watched William holding their son tenderly—the most beautiful sight she’d ever seen. 

~*~

The next few days after the birth of their son seemed to go by as a blur for Caroline. She spent most of her time sleeping or taking care of her son. The maids were very attentive, helping Caroline remain comfortable during her recovery and also fussing over the new baby. It was one evening that William and Caroline sat together in bed, their son resting in the bassinet beside them that Caroline finally brought up the topic of the child’s name. 

“My love, have you thought of a name for our son?” Caroline asked before she yawned once more. 

“I have an idea but wanted to get your opinion before things are official. I would like to name him Duncan, after my father,” William suggested. 

“I think that would be a lovely idea,” Caroline reasoned. “I’m sure your father will be glad to hear as much.” 

“He is quite excited to meet his grandson; I just received a letter from him this morning. I will write him tomorrow and let him know that we will return to the country once the wedding is through,” William said. 

Caroline smiled, having heard the good news that morning that Lord Sergio had proposed and would marry Gwendolen before returning to Spain. They had talked in length and had decided that Gwendolen would sail with him to Spain to meet all of Lord Sergio’s family. Then, they would return to England, where Lord Sergio would find a home for them to enjoy. It warmed Caroline’s heart to know that her dear friend would eventually be staying in England for good. 

“I love our little family,” William said as they laid down together, his arms coming around Caroline gently. 

“I love us as well,” Caroline agreed. “I never thought my heart could grow this large or be filled with such love. But indeed, that is how I feel.” 

“Get some rest now, my love. There is much to do in the morning. It sounds as though Miss Gwendolen has big plans for her wedding,” William said with a chuckle. 

“I am certain you are correct. After all, our own wedding was quite marvellous.” 

Duncan sat up in bed as his mother finished telling him the grand story. He thought it was rather delightful, filled with all sorts of plot twists and surprises. 

“Mama, do you think I’ll ever travel to Spain one day?” Duncan asked as his mother stood from where she’d been sitting on the side of his bed. 

“I do not know, Duncan. Perhaps Aunt Gwen will take you one day when you are older. The journey is quite far,” she replied. Just then, the door to the bedchamber was opened and Duncan’s father came walking into the room. 

“How is my little man faring now?” he asked. 

“I am doing fine enough,” Duncan replied with his chin held high, causing his parents to chuckle. 

“Even so, it should be time for you to rest. We don’t want to the future Earl of Prescot to be unwell at such a long age,” his father said. 

“I will be fine, Father. You fuss over me too much,” Duncan replied as he settled underneath the covers. His mother came close and placed a kiss on his cheek, making sure he was tucked in securely. As he began to fall asleep, he heard his parents talking out in the corridor. 

“What story did you tell him this time?” his father asked. 

“Oh, just a very long story about how a woman had to wait a long period of time to marry the man of her dreams,” she replied with a giggle. 

“Do you think he realizes that you told him our story?” he asked. 

“Perhaps so, or maybe not. But one day, he will know how a footman became an earl.” 

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