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Two Years Later
It was a radiant afternoon, the golden light of the sun shining through the drawing-room windows, creating a tapestry of luminous threads across the polished floors. The room was filled with the laughter of children. Lady Arabella, now Mrs. Edward Windermere, watched as her friend Seraphina played peek-a-boo with her twin boys, Henry and Thomas. Their giggles seemed to lift the very air in the room.
“Seraphina, you’ll make an excellent mother one day,” Arabella said as she placed a porcelain vase filled with fresh roses on the tea table.
Seraphina looked up and grinned. “I don’t know about that, but I do love playing with these little rascals.”
“Speaking of matters of the heart,” Arabella began, teasingly, “I heard Viscount Ryder paid you a call yesterday. My dear, you’ve been keeping secrets!”
Seraphina’s cheeks flushed a delightful shade of pink. “Well, he’s a very charming man. But it was only tea.”
“Only tea, she says,” Arabella mocked in playful disbelief, finishing her floral arrangement with a sprig of baby’s breath. “As if tea isn’t the first step towards a wedding ceremony.”
The room was filled with their laughter, and Arabella felt a wave of gratitude for the love and friendship that had survived even the most trying of times. As she contemplated this, the butler entered, holding a silver tray with a sealed letter on it.
“For you, Miss Seraphina,” he said, extending the tray to her.
“Thank you, Williams,” Seraphina said, taking the letter with an air of intrigue. The butler bowed and left the room, leaving the two women to their privacy.
Seraphina broke the seal and quickly scanned the contents. As she read, her expression changed, turning into something complex and unreadable. She looked up, her eyes searching Arabella’s.
“It’s a letter from the prison,” she began, her voice softer than a whisper. “Gregory… the man who raised me, has passed away.”
A heavy silence fell over the room, shrouding it like a cloud. Arabella saw Seraphina’s eyes brim with tears and felt an ache deep within her heart for her friend’s sorrow.
“Would you mind terribly if I took a moment alone, in the garden perhaps?” Seraphina asked, folding the letter delicately and placing it on the table next to her.
“Of course, take all the time you need,” Arabella said, watching as Seraphina drifted out of the room like a wistful breeze, leaving the door ajar behind her.
Arabella felt a mixture of relief and sorrow as she picked up one of her children, nestling him in her arms. The past was a complicated tapestry for each of them, filled with both light and dark hues. As she gazed at her son’s innocent face, she knew that for Seraphina and herself, the past was now truly a thing of the past. There were still wounds that needed healing, but perhaps, they could finally start afresh.
At that moment, Edward entered the room, his eyes meeting Arabella’s in an understanding gaze.
“It seems the ghosts of our past have finally been laid to rest,” he said softly, walking over to Arabella and placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.
“Yes,” Arabella sighed. “I can’t help but feel a sense of relief, but also sadness for Seraphina.”
Edward held Arabella and their child in his arms. “Life is moving forward, Bella. And while it’s natural to mourn, it’s also crucial to celebrate the life we have now.”
Arabella looked up into Edward’s eyes, seeing the wisdom and love reflected there, and knew that whatever the future held, they would face it together.
Seraphina wandered through the winding pathways of the garden, the blooms of summer roses and lavender filling the air with their fragrant perfume. Each step she took seemed to distance her from the life she had known before, a life that was far removed from the grand estate and beautiful gardens she found herself in now.
She reached a secluded spot, a small bench framed by blooming lilacs. It was a space that allowed her to breathe, to think, to feel. She sat down and looked up at the sky, where the sun was making its descent, casting a golden glow over everything it touched. A tear slid down her cheek, and she let it fall.
“Goodbye, Gregory,” she whispered into the wind, hoping that wherever he was, he’d hear her. For despite the complexities and the darkness that he had brought into her life, he had also raised her, protected her when she had no one else.
She stayed there for a few moments longer, caught in the liminal space between sorrow and relief, then she took a deep breath and stood up. It was time to go back.
When Seraphina returned to the house, Edward and Arabella were waiting for her in the drawing room, each holding one of their twin boys. Their faces were etched with concern and understanding.
“We didn’t want to disturb you,” Arabella began, “but Alvin, Jacinda, and little Emily are expected any minute for dinner.”
Seraphina nodded, trying to bring a smile to her lips. “I wouldn’t want to keep anyone waiting.”
“It’s more than okay, Seraphina. Take your time,” Edward said, the sincerity shining through his words. “Life keeps moving, but we all need our moments of stillness.”
“Thank you, both of you,” Seraphina replied, her voice tinged with genuine gratitude. “Your support means the world to me.”
As the evening descended, Arabella found herself in the privacy of her bedchamber with Edward. The dinner had been a delightful affair, filled with laughter and love, but now they were alone, away from the world and its complexities. Edward closed the door behind them and turned the lock, his eyes meeting Arabella’s in a gaze full of intent and promise.
He stepped forward, his arms encircling her waist, pulling her closer until their lips met in a searing kiss that set their souls alight. The taste of him was like aged wine, deep and intoxicating, leaving her yearning for more. Arabella’s fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer, deepening the kiss until they were both breathless and intoxicated with the closeness of each other.
Edward’s hands roamed down her back, finding the fastenings of her gown, his fingers skillfully unhooking each one as if he were revealing a priceless work of art. The gown fell to the floor, pooling around her feet, leaving her standing before him in her shift. His eyes, filled with love and desire, drank her in, making her feel like the most cherished person in the world.
“Arabella, my love, my life,” he whispered, his voice husky with emotion. “With you, I’ve found my home.”
“And I, mine,” Arabella replied, her heart full to bursting. With a swift movement, she helped him unbutton his waistcoat and shirt, pushing them off his shoulders until he stood before her, as vulnerable and as open as she was. They fell onto the bed, their bodies intertwining in a dance as old as time, yet as fresh and as new as the love that continued to blossom between them.
As their lips and bodies met in a symphony of love and passion, Arabella felt a gratitude and happiness she had never thought possible. They had faced adversity, weathered storms both within and without, and yet their love had not just survived, it had thrived. As Edward held her close, lost in the beauty of their connection, Arabella knew that their future was one she could look forward to, one that held not just promise, but a lifetime of happiness.
The next morning, Arabella woke in a room bathed in the soft light of dawn. Edward was still asleep beside her, and she took a moment to admire the serene look on his face. Their passionate night was still fresh in her mind, filling her with a sense of satisfaction and intimacy that only deepened their love.
She carefully slipped out of bed, donning a robe, and went to check on the twins. To her delight, the nanny was already there, gently rocking them back to sleep after their morning feed.
“Everything alright, Mrs. Langley?” Arabella whispered.
“Very much so, my lady,” the nanny replied softly. “These two seem to be growing stronger every day.”
Arabella smiled, her heart swelling with love for the two little beings she and Edward had brought into the world. She bent down to kiss each one on the forehead before quietly exiting the nursery.
As she descended the grand staircase, Arabella found Seraphina in the hallway, holding an envelope in her hands. Her eyes met Arabella’s, and she seemed to be in a state of contemplation.
“I received another letter this morning,” Seraphina said, “from the solicitor. Gregory left something for me in his will.”
“Oh? That is rather unexpected,” Arabella replied.
“It’s a locket with a portrait of my mother inside. He wanted me to have it as a final keepsake.”
“Are you going to accept it?” Arabella asked cautiously, aware of the complicated emotions that the memento would likely stir.
Seraphina paused, looking down at the letter. “Yes, I think I will. As a reminder of where I came from, and how far I’ve come.”
Arabella stepped forward and wrapped Seraphina in a warm hug. “Then I think it’s a good idea. We can’t erase our past, but we can learn from it and cherish the lessons it has taught us.”
The dinner table was a lively place that evening, filled with laughter, engaging conversation, and the tinkling of fine china. Alvin and Jacinda had indeed arrived, their daughter Emily bouncing happily on her grandfather’s lap.
To Arabella’s delight, even the Viscount Ryder had accepted their invitation, and he seemed to be quite taken with Seraphina. The two conversed easily, their eyes meeting more often than not, and Arabella felt a flicker of hope that perhaps another wedding would soon grace their family.
As the dinner drew to a close, Edward rose to his feet, glass of port in hand.
“Before we all retire for the evening, I’d like to make a toast,” he began, his eyes meeting Arabella’s across the table. “To family—those we are born with, and those we choose. May we always be there for one another, through all the challenges and triumphs that life has to offer.”
“Hear, hear!” Alvin and Jacinda chimed in, and the others joined them, raising their glasses high.
As Arabella sipped her port, she looked around the table at the faces of the people she loved most in the world. Her heart was full, and she couldn’t help but feel grateful for how everything had turned out.
Later that night, after the guests had retired to their rooms and the twins were safely tucked in their cribs, Arabella found Edward in their private study. He was poring over some papers, but he looked up as she entered, his eyes lighting up.
“Ah, there you are,” he said, setting aside his work to give her his full attention. “I’ve missed you today.”
Arabella smiled, walking over to where he was seated and perching herself on the edge of his desk. “I’ve missed you, too. It seems like a rare luxury these days to have a quiet moment just for us.”
Edward reached out to take her hand, pulling her toward him. “Well, then let’s not waste it,” he murmured, his voice tinged with the soft urgency that always thrilled her.
Their lips met in a kiss that was at first gentle, then deepened as they lost themselves in the familiar yet always electrifying connection that bound them so closely together. Edward’s hands found the ties of her robe, undoing them deftly and allowing the garment to slide from her shoulders.
The fire in the hearth crackled and popped, casting flickering shadows on the walls as they gave themselves over to the passion that had been simmering between them all day. And as they consummated their love once more, the past and the future seemed to meld into the eternal present, a never-ending cycle of joy and fulfillment that they would share for the rest of their lives.
The following morning, Arabella awoke with a sense of contentment that was as warm and enveloping as the blankets that surrounded her. Edward was still beside her, his arm draped protectively around her waist.
She turned her head to look at him, her eyes meeting his. “I love you,” she whispered, as if saying it too loudly might somehow break the spell.
“And I love you,” he replied, his gaze unwavering. “Forever and always, come what may.”
As Arabella lay there in the comforting circle of her husband’s arms, her thoughts drifted to Seraphina, Jacinda, Alvin, and everyone else who had become a part of their extended family. They had all faced trials and tribulations, yet here they were, stronger and more united than ever.
And as a new day dawned, promising fresh beginnings and endless possibilities, Arabella couldn’t help but feel that the best was yet to come. For all of them.
And so, they lived happily ever after, their lives an enduring testament to the redemptive power of love, forgiveness, and the resilience of the human spirit.
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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! 🙂
The story was riveting and I read it in one sitting. It was a lovely love story between Bella and Edward but of course too many secrets and the inability to speak freely keep them apart for so.long. I find it awkward that Alvin would let Bella go with Edward without a maid. Even if they were masquerading as a married couple, there was no reason not to have a maid since in those days rich women always had a ladies maid. There were minor errors in the pronouns used but no big deal. In the epilogue you have reduced Seraphina from a beloved sister to a mere friend. Small error but easily fixable.
Thank you so much for your lovely words and support, dear Madhu!
So glad you enjoyed the story!
Great story and I also sat and finished it in one evening. Love the story and the finish waiting for your next one, thank you
CCB
Thank you so much for your lovely words and support, dear Cheryl!
So glad you enjoyed the story!
I really enjoyed the story and epilogue. Thank you!
Thank you so mych for your kind woirds and support, dear Rita!
I read in 2 settings in one day it was so suspenseful! Such a wonderful and thoughtful story portraying the many problems and pitfalls of loving deeply and it is not a smooth journey. I love the happy endings! Thank you for another moving, very well written story!
Thank you so much for your kind words and support, dear Karen! I truly appreciate it!
So glad you enjoyed the story!
This needs proofreading,