Sins of a Roguish Duke – Extended Epilogue

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Selina walked to the edge of the cliff, gazing out at the waves crashing upon the shore. In the distance, she spotted a tall ship, its sails white and billowing as it surged across the water towards its destination. The shrill cry of seagulls circling in the perfect blue sky above her made her smile. How she loved the sea and how she loved this special place.

She turned, gazing back at the small bluestone cottage behind her. It was perfect, the most beautiful and precious cottage in the world. Her true home—much more than Dudley Park ever would be. Her smile widened as she recalled her shock and delirious joy when Lucian had brought her here after they had returned from their honeymoon, telling her it was his wedding gift to her. That had been a year ago now. How quickly time flew when one was so happy.

She recalled that special moment as he had taken her hand, leading her through the cottage, showing it off so proudly. She had been so touched that he remembered her dream, down to every last detail. For the cottage already had occupants—Lucian had made sure that all her animals were there, waiting for her. It had been a joyous reunion with the dogs and cats, especially little Argos, who was truly their shared pet. Lucian had even remembered to transport Buttercup, her old bunny, in its rickety cage.

She sighed contentedly as she walked slowly back towards it. When they weren’t travelling, sailing across the sea to foreign lands, they mostly stayed here now. Sometimes Lucian had to spend time at Dudley Park, but they were never there for very long. He took his responsibilities as the Duke of Dudley seriously, but they had carved out their own life beyond it. A life which was uniquely their own.

Her heart lurched as the cottage door opened. Her husband stood there, gripping a cup of tea, gazing out. Selina knew he loved this place almost as much as she did. He took the dogs for long walks along the beach. In summer, they swam in the ocean. He constantly told her that he had never known that such happiness could exist. The simple pleasures of life, beyond the propriety and stuffiness of high society.

“What is the sea like today?” he called, shielding his eyes against the sun.

Selina laughed. “It is wild and choppy but the most beautiful turquoise colour,” she enthused. “Perhaps we could dip our toes into it later, after our guests have left.”

“Perhaps we could,” he grinned, placing his cup on the ground, and pulling her into his arms. “You have such perfect toes. Pearly pink nails. Toes that are made for dipping in the ocean.”

She laughed as he nuzzled her neck, glowing as always from being close to him. They were truly made for each other. They rarely spent any time apart, and yet strangely, they never fought. It seemed the tempestuousness that had characterised the early stages of their relationship had simmered down, and now there was just the deep love that had always been there, as well. Or perhaps it was because they both knew how easily they might have lost each other that they didn’t want to waste a single moment in silly misunderstandings or conflict.

He nipped and bit her neck in a playful manner. Selina felt the familiar desire springing to life within her. It never changed. It seemed the moment he touched her, she was ready for him. They had made love everywhere, all over the world, and it only became more fulfilling with time. A truly wondrous thing and a source of deep satisfaction for both of them.

We cannot keep our hands off each other. Will we be like giddy honeymooners forever, even when we are old and grey?

“Stop it,” she giggled, gently pushing him away. “There is no time. You know that Howard and Harriet are due within the hour.” She sighed. “I still have to pack the picnic basket, you know. It takes time….”

“Not that much time,” he whispered, pulling her to him again. “We could manage it.”

“You are incorrigible,” she teased, loving every minute of it. 

“I am,” he said, his blue eyes glowing with desire. “But then, you make me that way, Duchess. I cannot seem to control myself around you. You send me into a fury of desire constantly.”

Their eyes met and held. She felt the sizzle and snap of their shared longing.

“Perhaps if we are quick,” she said a little breathlessly. “Very quick.”

He laughed wolfishly, taking her hand, leading her back into the cottage, closing the door firmly behind them. She felt a thrill of delight. How she loved him. How she loved every single moment of their lives together. She truly was the luckiest woman in the world. And she didn’t think anything could make it more perfect than it was now.

                                                                           ***

They had only just emerged from the bedroom, packing the picnic basket together, when they heard the carriage pull up. Howard and Harriet were here. With a cry of joy, Selina rushed out the door to greet their old friends.

Within half an hour, they were off, climbing the path on the cliff. Lucian led the way—he said he knew a perfect sheltered spot for a picnic. Selina and Harriet lagged behind, watching their menfolk up ahead, linking arms in harmony as they gazed out at the sea.

“I am so happy you could come, dearest,” said Selina, gazing at her friend with fondness. 

“We wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” said Harriet warmly, patting her arm. “You were gone so long on your journey to the Americas. It seems like an age since we last saw you.” She laughed. “And we never know with you two when you will be away again. We must seize every opportunity we can to catch up.”

Selina laughed. “It is true. Lucian is already planning our long-awaited trip to the Orient. He is planning to sail the ship himself this time, and he is going to teach me basic sea navigation so we can spend as much time together as possible.”

Harriet shook her head incredulously. “You are like two peas in a pod! I do not think I have ever seen a couple so deliriously happy nor in such perfect harmony.” She sighed. “I am so very glad you found your happy ending after such a rocky start, Selina.”

“So am I,” said Selina fervently. “It could have all been so very different. I shudder to think about it.” She glanced at her friend. “But you have also found your happy ending and your soul mate, Harriet.”

Harriet smiled blissfully. “I have indeed,” she said, laughing slightly. “Life with Howard is a dream come true, Selina. I know that we are still newlyweds—it is only two months since our wedding—but he makes me so very happy. I still have to pinch myself that it is true.”

Selina leaned against her friend, feeling a surge of pure joy. Howard had courted Harriet slowly but surely. Their wedding, when it had finally arrived, had been beautiful. And she and Lucian often spoke about how pleased they were that their two very best friends in the world, who had been so instrumental in getting them finally together, had found happiness with each other.

“How has life been settling into your new home?” asked Selina.

“Very pleasing,” said Harriet, the wind whipping stray tendrils of hair around her face. “Our house is almost finished, decorated to my satisfaction.” She glanced at Selina. “Lord and Lady Fairfax have bought a home only five miles from ours. They moved in only last week.”

Selina smiled. She hadn’t heard much about how life had fared for her old fiancé and his wife. She had been away so much, and the cottage was so far away from Berkshire. 

“Have you seen them?” she asked her friend. “On the social circuit?”

“Not much,” said Harriet, shaking her head. “Lady Fairfax still likes to keep a low profile, even though the old scandal has died down considerably, of course.” She smiled wryly. “I must admit, I feel sorry for her. It must have been truly mortifying having intimate love letters exposed to the world. Sometimes, people can be so cruel.”

“Indeed,” said Selina, sighing heavily. “But at least they ended up with each other, regardless of the circumstances. It could all have been so different.” She paused, looking solemn. “I might be married to Lord Fairfax. Lady Fairfax might have been the Duchess of Swindon. And we would all have been miserable in our lives.”

Harriet nodded. “Yes. And your husband might have Lady Agatha Holland as a wife instead of you.” She shuddered. “He would have been truly miserable with that virago. Apart from missing out on a life with you at his side, of course.”

Selina gazed out to sea, thinking about that tempestuous time. The way that Lady Agatha had tried to blight them, telling her she was still betrothed to Lucian. The lady had been gripped by a terrible case of sour grapes. 

“Have you seen her?” asked Selina, turning back to her friend. “Lady Agatha?”

Harriet nodded. “Yes, I have. She is still swanning around the district, thinking she is the veritable queen of it.” She laughed quietly. “She will never change. I heard that she is being courted by the Earl of Batten now, who lives up north in Yorkshire. Am I terribly dreadful wishing that she actually marries the man and leaves Berkshire entirely?”

Selina smiled. “Not terribly dreadful at all, dearest! I wish the same on your behalf!”

They laughed together, clutching each other, almost running into Lucian and Howard, who had suddenly stopped.

“What is so amusing?” asked Howard, raising his eyebrows.

“Nothing,” they said, at the same time, before bursting into laughter again. 

Lucian smiled at them. “Here we are,” he said. “Do you like it?”

Selina nodded, gazing around. It was the perfect place for a picnic—a sheltered cove overlooking the sea, where they could lay down the picnic blanket and be spared the high winds while still enjoying the spectacular view.  

“It is perfect,” she said, gazing back at her husband.

Their eyes met and connected. Selina shivered, remembering their high, frenzied passion this morning before their guests had arrived. Lucian had taken her to a place she had never been before. But then, her husband did that quite a lot.

“Good,” he said, his blue eyes filled with that same teasing light that she had noticed that night they had first met. “I am glad it meets with your approval, Duchess.”

Selina burst out laughing. “It does…Duke.”

And then, there was a flurry of activity as they set up the picnic. The rug was placed upon the ground, and the picnic basket unpacked. They all settled themselves down, enjoying the food, while they chatted contentedly while watching the sea.

Life cannot get any better than this, thought Selina. A picnic with best friends overlooking the sea. A perfect summer’s day. And, as always, the best husband in the world.

                                                                              ***

Later that night, when they finally retired to their room at the top of the cottage, Selina sat at her dressing table brushing her hair while Lucian lay in bed, reading a book. 

Suddenly, she put down the brush. She was aware that her breasts were aching just a little. And there was an odd tingling sensation in her nipples. Slowly, she gazed down at her chest, puzzled.

Her eyes flew open. She had lost track of time because they had only recently returned from their voyage to the Americas, but she realised that she had missed her usual courses. It should have happened on the ship, but it hadn’t. And she had completely forgotten about it.

Slowly, her hand strayed to her belly. Her heart was thumping hard. Her mother had told her the early symptoms that might indicate she was with child, but she hadn’t experienced them at all in the year of her marriage. And she hadn’t really thought much about it. They had been too busy on their adventures and enjoying their lives to even think about children. They both wanted them, of course, but they rarely talked about it. 

Could she be with child?

It seemed like she might be. It really did. Her eyes filled with tears of wonder. Now that she thought about it, she had been feeling a little sick lately. Food didn’t taste as good, and she couldn’t eat as much as she usually did. She had only nibbled at the picnic today, but she had put that down to excitement at spending time with Harriet and Howard again. 

Fearfully, she glanced at Lucian, who was completely absorbed in his book. How would her husband react to this news if it was indeed true? He was an adventurer, always wanting to sail away, to explore new lands. They were already planning their next trip to the Orient. A child would ground them. Apart from the fact they would probably have to spend more time at Dudley Park. The small cottage was probably not equipped for all the paraphernalia of a baby. It was cramped enough with all the animals.

Her head started whirring. This would change their lives completely. And they loved their lives. They had struck the perfect balance between adventuring and being settled. Now, that balance would be askew. And Lucian often talked about how miserable he had been in those two years when he had first become duke. One of the reasons had been the loss of her, but it had also been because he was so grounded, giving up his life as a sea captain. It was in his blood.

Would he be disappointed? Would it change everything? Would his face crease in disappointment when she told him?

Her heart started thudding hard. She had been thinking today about how perfect their lives were, and how it couldn’t get any better. And now, their lives were set to change. Would it be for the better, or would it be worse?

But even as the thought slid into her mind, she baulked. A child was a blessing. Already, without even knowing if it was really true or not, she felt a soft tenderness forming inside her at the thought of it. A child that they had made together. A union of both of them and a result of their unending love and passion. How could that ever be a bad thing?

“Selina. Is anything wrong?”

She jumped, looking at him. He had placed his book down on the side table and was gazing at her intently. She took a deep breath, trying to think. She wasn’t sure if she should tell him yet—she wasn’t even sure if it was true herself. Should she consult a physician to confirm it first? Perhaps she should journey to Berkshire to speak with her mother. 

“Selina?” He was looking worried now.

She took a deep, ragged breath. They were always completely honest with each other. They told each other everything. And she didn’t want to keep this from him, even if it turned out to be a false alarm. They tackled everything in life together. And if he was disappointed at the thought of it, rueing that it would change their lives, then they would deal with that together, as well.

“I think I might be with child,” she whispered. “I do not know for sure, but there are definite signs. It has only just occurred to me to put them all together.”

His jaw dropped. He didn’t say a thing. He simply stared at her. She couldn’t read anything in his expression. Her heart lurched with fear. 

“Say something,” she begged. “Anything. I am scared.”

He roused himself, swearing softly underneath his breath, before leaping out of bed and rushing to her. He knelt down in front of her, gazing up at her solemnly.

“I am sorry,” he whispered. “You shocked me. That is all.” His gaze drifted to her belly. “You truly think you are with child?”

She nodded. “I do. But I cannot say for certain until I have consulted a physician….”

She didn’t get to finish the sentence, for he had grabbed her, pulling her towards him and hugging her fiercely. Her eyes filled with tears again. 

“I am so happy,” he whispered into her hair. “A child! Our very first child!”

She sobbed a little, her heart swelling. He wasn’t disappointed. 

“I thought you wouldn’t be happy,” she whispered. “Our lives are going to change, Lucian. We will not be able to travel as much. And we will probably have to spend more time at Dudley Park.”

He pulled back, gazing at her. “What of it? It does not matter. It will be an adventure. A new adventure, with a brand new soul.”

“Yes,” she whispered, overcome with emotion. “Yes, it will. The most exciting adventure of all.”

“I love you so much, Selina,” he whispered, his eyes shining. “You have made me the happiest man in the world. I did not think I could be any happier. But you have done it—you have just surpassed it. I cannot wait to meet our child.”

She laughed softly. “I might be wrong. Do not get too excited.”

He shook his head solemnly. “It is true. I can tell. Now I know why you have been glowing so much recently. I did wonder.”

They kissed gently. And then, he put his arms around her again, resting his head on her lap, pressing his face into her belly.

Selina’s breath caught in her throat. She had thought that life couldn’t get any more perfect. But it seemed she had been wrong. And now, they were sailing towards new terrain, side by side. As always.

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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!

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