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Adaline looked down at the blank piece of paper in front of her, biting her lip. Inspiration was slow to come today, for some reason. Her hand hovered over the paper, gripping the charcoal, wondering what she might sketch.
“Mama!”
She glanced up, smiling softly. Her three year old, Timothy, was standing in front of her, his huge greenish-blue eyes round, holding out a daisy towards her in his pudgy hand.
She put down her sketchbook, taking the proffered flower.
“It is beautiful, darling,” she said gently. “Thank you. What a kind and thoughtful boy you are!”
The boy ducked his head, bashfully. Her heart filled with love for this gorgeous creature. Timothy was the shyest of their children, his nature much like her own. He had always held a special place in her heart.
A soft babbling interrupted them. She glanced up, at the perambulator sitting beside her. It was moving slightly on its huge, round wheels. The baby must just have awoken.
“I think Isabella is awake,” she said to the three year old, taking his hand. “Shall we go to her?”
Timothy beamed, nodding eagerly. He was enamored with his baby sister, always wanting to play with her. Adaline had to remind him, often, that Isabella was still only ten months old, and not able to play the same way that he could. The baby had been named for Isabel, of course, who was her godmother.
They got up, approaching the pram. The little girl was sitting up, and her face broke out in a beam of pure delight when she saw her mother leaning over her. Her arms shot into the air, wanting to be picked up.
“Did you have a good sleep, my darling girl?” Adaline crooned, scooping her up into her arms. Isabella clung to her, snuggling into her, reminding her for all the world of a little bear.
Suddenly, there was a cry. Adaline turned quickly to see the governess, Miss Hatcher, sprinting up the lawn, with a large bundle in her hands. A little boy ran alongside her, straining to keep up. Joseph, the son of Isabel and William Brown, who they were minding while his parents were away traveling the continent for the summer.
Adaline’s blood ran cold. It was Robert, their oldest son, in the woman’s arms. Something must have happened to him on their walk along the cliffs. Quickly, she took Timothy’s hand, running towards the group.
“What happened?” she cried, panting.
Miss Hatcher’s eyes were grave. “He fell on the rocks, madam. He insisted that he wanted to play there, even though I told him it was dangerous…”
Adaline nodded quickly. “You take the baby, and the others,” she said. “I will take him into the house and see what the damage is.”
They exchanged children, and the next moment, she had her five year old in her arms. His face was twisted in pain and he clung to her, whimpering.
In the kitchen, she sat him down on the table, assessing the damage. He had cut his knee, torn through the fabric of his britches, and blood was dripping out.
“Does it hurt?” she asked gently, staring at him.
He nodded solemnly, his face woebegone. “It stings, Mama!”
“I am sure it does, my love,” she said calmly. “I shall clean it for you and bandage it.” She paused. “Does it hurt anywhere else?” She gathered what she needed as she spoke. Hot water, and a towel, to clean it. A bandage, from the cabinet near the sink.
Robert shook his head. “No, I do not feel pain anywhere else.” He sniffled, looking as if he was about to burst into tears.
Gently, she cleaned the wound, gazing at it carefully. It was a clean-cut, but it wasn’t deep. She didn’t think that it would pain him for long. Within minutes, it was bandaged.
She gazed at him steadily. “It is all done. Shall I take you to the parlor, to lie on the sofa until you feel better?”
He nodded. “Can you tell me a story when we get there?”
She smiled, scooping him up again. “Yes, my love. I have a very good story, which I think will be timely now.”
***
When she had laid him down, his head on a cushion, she sat beside him, taking his hand in her own.
“Once upon a time,” she began, in a soft voice. “Your Papa was walking along the edge of the cliffs, near Birkenhead Lodge…”
Robert sniffled again. “Papa always walks along the cliffs.”
Adaline smiled. “Yes, he does, my love, but this day, many years ago, something happened to him.” She paused, gazing at the little boy. “Something that he did not expect.”
Robert’s velvet brown eyes were bright with curiosity. “What happened, Mama?”
“It was the high cliffs,” she said slowly. “The ones that border the beach and the sea, not the little rocks that you were playing on.” She paused dramatically. “He fell, over the cliffs, and landed on the rocks, hurting himself very badly.”
The boy looked shocked. “Papa was hurt?”
Adaline heard soft footsteps behind her. She glanced back. James had entered the room, standing behind the chair in the corner. She knew that Robert hadn’t seen him yet, and probably wouldn’t, where he was positioned. Her mouth twitched. For some reason, her husband didn’t want to make his presence know yet. Perhaps he had been listening to what she was telling the boy, from the hallway.
Her smile widened. If James wanted to listen to this story as well, who was she to deny him?
She took a deep breath, turning back to her son. “He was, Robert. The fall was so serious that he lost his memory entirely, for a while.”
The boy’s eyes were huge, as he contemplated this. “Papa could not remember anything? Not even you, Mama?”
Adaline shook her head gravely. “Not even me, my boy. He forgot everything that had happened to him, you see, over the last five years of his life.” She paused. “He forgot that he had ever met me. He forgot the day of our wedding. He could not remember that we had ever been married.”
Robert shook his head in wonder as if he could not comprehend such a thing, at all.
“Could he remember his own name?” he asked slowly, tilting his head to the side.
Adaline smiled. “He did not, at first, but it came back to him after a while.” She paused. “But I had to remind him, slowly, of what his life was. Teach him, if you like, to be himself again.”
Her mouth twitched. Her husband was listening to every word of this story. What must he be thinking of her assessment of what had happened?
Six years had passed, since that day when the whole world had changed for them. They had three beautiful children now. They had created a family, and a home together. All of her dreams had come true, and every day with her husband and her children was better than the last.
Amazingly, he still loved her, just the same. They were older, but it had not changed the passion they had for each other. They had watched in delight when Isabel had finally married Dr. William Brown. They had settled in Hemsworth and were close to them. Adaline saw Isabel weekly, and their children were growing up together, almost like cousins.
Life was perfect. She could not want for anything more. And now, so much time had passed since the dramatic events that had unfolded six years ago, that it had become a story to pass onto their son. An abridged story – Robert knew nothing of Reuben Montgomery, and never would – but a story, nonetheless.
Isabel’s brother had vanished from their lives, completely. Isabel had refused to see him again, but her parents had informed her three years ago that Reuben had left England to seek his fortune in the colonies. He was currently living in North Carolina, in the Americas. Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery rarely heard from him.
He was gone. He did not even reside in the same country any longer. They were free to put it all behind them, once and for all.
Robert pouted, his bottom lip trembling. “I do not want to forget anything,” he said, his huge eyes filling with tears. “It will not happen to me because I fell on the rocks today, will it, Mama?”
Adaline laughed softly. “No, you will not lose your memory from grazing your knee, my child.” Her face grew stern. “But that is why it is important to be careful when you are playing, and to listen to Miss Hatcher if she does not want you to go somewhere. Do you understand me?”
He nodded solemnly.
She ruffled his dark hair, so like her own. Of all her children, Robert looked like her the most. He had the same dark coloring, with brown eyes, and black hair. His father often teased him that he was a gypsy changeling, found in the rocks, near the beach.
“I would not let you forget who you are, anyway,” she said slowly, her eyes shining with love, for her firstborn. “I am your mama, after all, and I know everything about you.”
His dark eyes gleamed. “Who am I, Mama?”
She smiled. “Why, you are Master Robert James Townshend. You are five years old, and you are your father’s son,” she said slowly. “You are honest and sweet and adventurous, but sometimes you can get a little gloomy, now and then.”
She heard the stifled laugh, behind her. She hoped that James appreciated her assessment of his character. She had only told the truth, after all. Robert might take after her in his appearance, but he was more like his father in temperament. Timothy was like her, and Isabella was pure sunshine, gurgling and laughing all the time. James called his little girl a beam of sunlight.
“I am glad that you can remember who I am,” said the little boy, with a satisfied air. “Just in case I do ever forget, like Papa.” He gazed at her keenly. “Can I have a glass of milk, and a biscuit?”
She laughed outright, standing up. “I think that our patient is on the mend, if he has such a good appetite,” she said, reaching down, and ruffling his hair again. “I will fetch both for you, if you promise to stay here and rest like a good boy.”
“I will, Mama,” he promised earnestly.
She turned, walking out of the room, pretending that she didn’t notice the man lurking behind the table. But just when she had reached the hallway, there was a hand on her arm, spinning her around, and she was gazing into the green-blue eyes of her husband.
“A kiss?” he entreated, leaning towards her.
She suppressed a smile. “Just one,” she replied.
He looked inordinately happy. Slowly, he brushed his lips against hers, clutching her around the waist, pulling her towards him.
“You are so beautiful,” he whispered when the kiss ended. “How can it be that you do not look a day older than when I first met you?” His gaze lingered on her. “You do not have even one grey hair in your glossy black mane. Whereas I am sprouting them all over the place.”
She grinned. “Only a few, my dearest. Only a few.”
They laughed softly together.
He sobered, gazing at her intently. “You are a wonderful mother, Adaline,” he said, in a serious voice. “You are devoted to those children.”
She smiled, feeling so pleased with his praise that a blush rose over her cheeks. He still complimented her effusively, even after all these years. And for some reason, it still thrilled her, the same as it always had.
“I do my best,” she said, her smile widening. “But it helps that they are such good children. Even Robert, who is the most reckless, will listen when I talk to him…”
“That is because you are always there,” he said, clutching her waist tighter. “I know many ladies who are happy to leave their children with the nanny or the governess entirely. But not you. You want to be here, with them.”
“Of course,” she said, surprised. “I carried them within me, and I suffered the agony of childbirth to see their sweet faces. How could I give them entirely to other women to raise? I could not do it, James.”
He gazed at her admiringly. “You see, that is why I love you so much, my Adaline. You truly are one in a million. The most wonderful woman in the whole of England.” He paused. “Have I told you lately that I am the luckiest chap in the whole wide world?”
Her smile widened again. “Only last night, and this morning, and yesterday morning…”
He gripped her tighter. “I shall tell you again and again.” His voice dropped. “I am still so grateful, for all of this, my Adaline. For you, for the home, we have created together, and the family you have given me. I do not take it for granted.”
She swallowed down a sudden lump that had formed in her throat. She knew that he did not take any of this for granted. That he was still conscious, after all these years, of how it could have all gone so differently. It was true that they had moved on, and rarely talked about what had happened now, but it was still there.
She rarely thought about it, anymore. She was too busy with her children to dwell on the past. The threat had gone, and that was all that mattered.
He pulled her closer to him, grinning, in a wolfish way. “Since you are such a wonderful mother, perhaps we might retire to the bedchamber,” he whispered. “I would like to start another baby within you, my love…”
She laughed, pushing him away. “You are incorrigible, my love! You were in the parlor just now. You know that I have promised our son a glass of milk, and a biscuit, as he recovers from his injury.”
James feigned disappointment. “You break my heart, Adaline.” Abruptly, he grinned again. “But I suppose the lad does need his milk and biscuit. He has been running along the beach all morning, and knowing Robert, he will start to sulk again at being confined to the sofa if we do not supply ample distraction.”
“I am glad to hear that you agree,” she smiled. “Why don’t you go and get his favorite storybook from his room, and read it to him, while I fetch his refreshments?”
James nodded, clearly delighted. He loved reading to his children at bedtime, sitting with them on the edge of their beds. Timothy and Robert would crowd around him, in their nightshirts, looking over his shoulder at all the wonderful pictures within the books.
James often took the boys with him when he went bird watching, as well. They knew that they had to be quiet as mice when they spotted the birds. And they were often to be found in his study, with him, poring through books on local Lancashire legends.
They adored their father; worshipped the ground he walked on. It always filled her heart with joy, to watch them together. And often she would find James in the nursery, leaning over Isabella’s crib, just gazing at his daughter with wondrous eyes.
“She will be the spitting image of her mother,” he often said. “A Spanish queen. I do not think I will be able to let her go, when the time comes and she must marry.”
Adaline would remind him that Isabella was only a baby, and that time was very far away. And as for being a Spanish queen, she rather thought that Isabella was more like Snow White. The girl had her dark hair, but James’ pale complexion, and the most glorious hazel colored eyes. A perfect combination of their own.
She turned to leave, to fetch Robert’s milk and biscuit before the child started to caterwaul, but suddenly James pulled her into his arms again, quite fiercely, staring down at her with intense eyes. Today, they were more green than blue, matching the color of his moss jacket that he was wearing.
And then, he was kissing her again. It wasn’t a light brushing of lips, like before. This was a deeply passionate kiss. She could feel him moving against her, almost straining. She felt her body leap in response, like it always did. They never seemed to tire of each other, in that way. Every time was just like the first.
She didn’t know if they were special in that way; she never talked about that side of her life with another woman. But what she did know was that there was unlikely to be separate rooms in their future, for a very long time.
He pulled away. “Until tonight,” he whispered, his eyes burning with need. “I promise you, I will give you our fourth child tonight, Adaline. We are not done yet.”
She blushed furiously, turning away to hide her smile. Quickly, she smoothed down her hair, continuing down the hallway, towards the kitchen, before he could waylay her again.
Her blush intensified just thinking about him, and what they were going to do, together, when bedtime finally arrived.
She was the luckiest woman in England. She had everything that her heart desired. And now, those lost years, when they had lived side by side as strangers in this house, seemed gone entirely.
He was her world, and so were her children. Taking a deep breath, she shook herself out of her reverie, and stepped into the kitchen to fetch her oldest son’s refreshments. It would not do, to keep an invalid waiting. She had learnt that, many years before, with the lad’s father, after all.
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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! 🙂
I loved the the e very original!
So glad to hear that, my dear Evelyn!
I really enjoyed this book. Thank you☺
I really enjoyed this book really dude not like a
Reuben. I just had a feeling that Reuben had something to do with James being a the bottom of the cliffs. I was happy James finally found out about his friend and really fell in love
with his wife. Great story from beginning to end.
Thank you so much for your kind words, my dear Rosemary! I am glad you enjoyed it!
Wow. Loved it from the beginning. Couldn’t put it down until bread it all day. Thank you…….
I enjoyed this epilog because of the characters. The depth of love shown between the family is wonderful to read.
Thank you for creating “Adaline”. Her character could have been vindictive seeking solace in Reuben but you show a woman of great strength. No pity for Adaline, only admiration for her choice to remain steadfast in her love for James. It takes real courage, dedication and hard work to make a marriage survive trials and tribulations. Albeit, it’s a sweet and fairy tale ending, one that Adaline undoubtedly deserves, but good things do happen to real people too. Women have to believe “everything good always happen to me” when we follow through in our conviction to always try to do the right thing and remain true to our values and conscience. James has redeemed himself to become worthy of Adaline. But for all those women whose husbands are monsters, these women are the silent saints and angels. I had always wondered how my grandmother felt with my grandfather’s “concubine” and raising their “sons.” For the short 8 years I knew my grandmother, she never complained about my “uncles”, treating them as they were her own children. Women of inner strength and amazing courage…
Thank you so much for your time to comment on the extended epilogue! I am glad you enjoyed it, my dear!
This is A very good epilogue and story so glad that James realized true love and Adeline hopes of love and family came true
A wonderful story with some great emotional moments and plenty of intrigue. The extended epilogue as usual is a beautifully crafted ending to the characters story’s. I can’t wait for your next offering.
First my comments on the novel. It is one of the most wonderfully written books I have read in a very long time. It was an unusually story line that kept me grasping my Kindle from the first chapter until the last.
Now for the Extended Epilogue. It was one of the first that I truly enjoyed as it covers a few extra years into their future and gives you a sense of how it will continue for them.
Bravo Miss Harding
My dear, you make my heart melt! Thank you so much for your kind words!
This story of Adeline and James kept me interested until the end. I wondered how they would get together when James was mired in the past. Then I wondered what would happen when James regained his memory. Reuben was a great villain and Isabelle was a wonderful redeeming quality for this book. Thank you for the time I spent involved in this book!
Thank you for this beautiful story! The extended epilogue creates a peek into this family’s life and the deep love that blossomed out of that tragedy. I too love Adeline’s character. A lesser woman would have grown bitter, but she held enough love for both of them until he was freed of his past. Thank you! Thank you!
You’re welcome, my dear Lisa! Stay tuned for more!
What a lovely story, I had a very hard time putting the book down and now that I have finished I am sorry to see it go. I loved the characters very much and was happy that Ruben got his just desserts. I loved Adaline and James they were well suited thank you for a very enjoyable tale.
I can’t think you enough for a very enjoyable story I loved the the story and I it was amazing
Thank you so much for your kind words, my dear Maria! I am glad you enjoyed it!
Beautiful story
Thank you so much for your kind words, my dear Yvonne!
Another great read from beginning to end. My heart ached along with Adaline when James would turn away from any sexual contact with her. And then the accident and the memory loss and Adaline’s hesitation to really believe James, and wonder what might happen when his memory returned.
A great read about conflict and being afraid to truly express any feelings. The drama plays out in unexpected ways and the passion wins. The epilogue serves to wrap it into a beautiful ending.
This plot addressed the power and effects of emotional pain, but also the motivation of love and hope. Adaline’s willingness to sacrifice her happiness, even in her prayer, for the good of her husband speaks eloquently of sacrificial love and made their growing love so much sweeter. Well done! Reuben was reminiscent of Shakespeare’s Iago, even his appearance, and was just as evil. I hope someone here in the colonies was able to motivate a metamorphosis before he damaged people there. Loved Isabel’s blossoming as well. Please keep writing!
I enjoyed the real life problems of marriage and how they were overcome.
I am so glad!
A wonderful read! The extended epilogue confirmed a love that evolved into a solid and everlasting bond.
Thank you so much, my dear!
This book was a great story. You make all the characters in the story come alive. This is one of the best book that you have written. Couldn’t put in down. Way to go.
Enjoyed the book ever so much. I had a hard time putting it down, as I just wanted to keep on reading to see what would happen. I enjoyed the characters very much also.
Many thanks, my dear!
Yet again another lovely story. Could not put it down.
Was really nice for the friends to get together and James to fall back in love with his wife and that they offered a home to Isabella. Glad that they were able to start a family and were able to enjoy their lives and be happy. Thanks again and am waiting to start the next book.
This gripping, scintillating, poignant Romance will keep readers enthralled and entice them to purchase a copy to add to their collection of captivating historical romances, with some sexual content. However,fans of sweet and clean may give it a wide berth and miss a great read.
Thank you so much for your kind words and support, dear Greer. 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!
Thank you for this wonderful story. I loved reading it.
Thank you so much for your kind words and support, dear Mary.
I wasn’t sure about the beginning of the story, being quiet sad but it was worth it in the end. After James accident their love story began and beautifully finished with the extended epilogue. Very moving and warm and gripping. Thank you so much
Thank you dear Philomena!
Stay tuned there is more coming!
A very wonderful story and I love the ending thank you very much
Thank you dear Rebecca!
Stay tuned there is more coming!
Enjoyed the book. Loved the unusual plot where the problem is not finding the right husband but facing the tribulations of how to get your husband like/love you without becoming bitter in the process. The epilogue was great.
Thank you so much for your kind words and support, dear Margaret! So glad you enjoyed the story!
I almost did not continue reading when I first started reading it as I thought it would be a strange topic…but I did continue and again your writing held me totally spellbound. I ditto all of the comments above!. wow! I am amazed! Thank you!!
Thank you so much for your kind words and support, dear Karen! I truly appreciate it!
From the beginning I was intrigued by this book and anxiously read to find out how it would all play out. And play out it did in a most amazing and beautifully interesting way! Adaline and James, Isabel and Dr. Brown, Rueben, the servants, the doctor and crew member, and even the children-such an interesting host of characters. And as on reader said, the “clean” and sweet fans would miss an exceptional read.
I’m humbled, dear Vivian! So glad you enjoyed the romance! Thanks for the lovely feedback.
It is one of my favourite books. I am on my fourth re-read and find it just as emotional and lovely. Adeline is a wonderful heroine, I still get teary with what she endured. James was a great hero. At the beginning I didn’t like him but he redeemed himself so well. Acknowledging that Adeline was his one and true love, letting go of the past and embracing their future he became the hero. Thanks, can’t wait to read it again!
Thank you so much for your support and kind comment, dear Liset! So glad you enjoyed the story!