Unmasked by a Captivating Lady – Extended Epilogue

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Ara drew back the curtain, impatiently peering through the drawing room window. It was past noon already, and there were still no signs of her guests. Had something delayed them?

“Mama,” called a small voice, tugging at her gown. “Can I see, too?”

Ara smiled, staring down at the small figure at her feet. Tenderly, she reached out, brushing the boy’s hair back from his face.

“Are you looking forward to seeing Uncle Andrew and Aunt Ruth, too, Cassius?” she whispered, picking up her son, and jiggling him on her hip.

The boy nodded solemnly. “Uncle always brings me sweeties,” he declared, his eyes shining.

Ara laughed. “Well, he might not today, my darling.” Carefully, she placed him on the window sill, so that he could peek out at the gates to Wallington House as well. She pressed her lips to the back of his tousled blonde hair. “Uncle might be a bit distracted. Do you remember why?”

Cassius frowned slightly. “Is it something to do with Aunt’s new baby, Mama?”

Ara nodded. “It is. Aunt Ruth has just had a baby. Your brand new cousin, Marianne.” She smiled at the boy. “We are going to see her for the very first time today. Remember?”

Cassius smiled, clapping his hands together. “Can Emme and I play with her, Mama? Can we take her out to our tree house?”

Ara laughed, kissing him again. “No, my sweet! Marianne is very new to the world. She cannot do anything, yet.” She gazed at her son lovingly. “But in a few years, I am sure she will love to climb to the tree house with you and your sister.”

Cassius nodded, staring out the window, absorbed in his task of watching for his Uncle and Aunt’s carriage to drive through the gates.

Ara stared at her son. He was only three years old but was already so industrious. Cassius liked to be a leader, organising everything, even his older sister.

Ara gazed back at her daughter, who was sitting at the table, absorbed in drawing, her dark hair spilling over the paper. Emmeline was a year older than her brother, but she was more reserved, preferring to sit back quietly and observe. When the siblings played together, it was always Cassius who took the lead. Some might say that he was even a little bit bossy.

“What are you drawing, Emme?” she called out.

Emmeline raised her head, staring at her mother. “I am drawing a picture for Uncle and Aunt, Mama. A picture of them, and the new baby.” She smiled, holding it up. “See? Baby Marianne is in the cradle.”

Ara’s heart melted. Emmeline had artistic talent. At only four years old, she had managed to draw the figures well, with distinctive features. Ara knew that most children her age could only draw stick figures. But then, this was what Emme liked to do, more than anything in the world. If her daughter had a pencil in her hand, then she was happy.

The drawing room door opened. Ara turned, smiling, as her husband walked into the room.

His presence caused an immediate effect on the children. Cassius dropped the curtain, scrambling down from the window sill, to run to his father. Emmeline dropped her pencil, climbing off her chair, and rushing to his side.

“Papa! Papa!” they both entreated, hanging onto his legs.

Miles laughed, scooping them both up, balancing them on his hips. “And how are my little cherubs today? Are you both being good for Mama?”

“They are very well, husband,” said Ara. “Cassius is keeping watch at the window for Uncle and Aunt with me, and Emme has drawn a picture for them.”

Miles planted a kiss on both their cheeks, then put them down. “It makes me very happy, when you are good children,” he said. He rummaged in his pocket, taking out two boiled lollies, placing them in his children’s outstretched hands. “Run along, now, to the kitchen, and eat them. Papa needs to speak to Mama alone for a moment.”

“Thank you, Papa,” they both squealed, disappearing out the door.

Ara gazed at her husband, smiling. “You spoil them, Miles! They think you are Father Christmas, no less, with your constant supply of gifts and lollies…”

He shrugged, walking towards her. “They love it, and you know it.” He stood in front of her, gazing down, his eyes glittering. “Come here. I think that Papa deserves a treat, now.” He pulled her to him, bending his head, claiming her lips.

Ara tried to push him away, knowing that any of the staff could walk in and catch them, but then gave in, letting his lips work their eternal magic on her own. Soon, she was as lost in the embrace as he was, clinging to him, so aroused that she had forgotten where she was entirely.

He pulled away slightly, his breathing heavy and ragged. “I want to drag you to the bedroom now,” he growled, gripping her tighter. “Do you think we have time, before our visitors arrive?”

Ara feigned shock, swatting him lightly on the arm. “You are wicked, husband! An old married couple like ourselves do not steal away to the bedroom for illicit embraces in the middle of the day…”

He grinned, letting her go. “I find the illicit middle of the day embraces rather refreshing, wife.” His grin widened. “How is it that you still drive me so wild after all these years?”

Ara blushed. It was true. Their lovemaking was still as passionate and fulfilling as it had always been, despite the years, and two children coming along. All he had to do was narrow his eyes at her, in that way, and she would shiver with longing. 

Ara pondered it. Was she just lucky? Did all women still feel the same way about their husbands, after so long, or was the connection between her and Miles indeed as special as they always thought it was?

She didn’t have time to contemplate it any further. She could hear carriage wheels rumbling over the stones in the driveway. She ran over to the window, her heart racing with excitement.

“They are here!” she declared, beaming.

                                                                                  ***

Ara gazed down at the small bundle, wrapped in swaddling blankets, writhing in her arms. Her heart melted, as she gazed on her cousin’s first child, taking a tiny hand in her own. The baby gripped one of her fingers but didn’t open her eyes. She was pale, with skin as soft as a rose petal, and a cap of light brown hair.

“She is beautiful, Ruth,” she breathed, blinking back tears. “She makes me long for another baby of my own.”

Ruth smiled, peering over at her daughter with soft eyes. “Miss Marianne is indeed a beauty,” she said slowly. “She is also headstrong, already. The nanny was pacing the floor with her, last night. Mrs. Coombs says that she has a very strong will, indeed.”

Ara smiled. “I do hope your confinement was not too bad, dear Ruth.”

Ruth shuddered a little. “The less said on that, the better, Ara! I never knew that such pain existed.” She took a deep breath. “But it was all worth it, to welcome her into the world.”

Ara’s smile widened. “Indeed! After Emme, I swore that I would never bring another into the world…but then, you forget, after a while.” She paused. “I am quite confident we will be sitting here next year, Ruth, welcoming your next child.”

The baby stirred in her arms, trying to stretch. Gently, Ara laid her down in her basket, adjusting the blankets. Then she picked up her cup of tea, staring at her cousin, who was quietly sipping her own.

Her eyes turned to the large window. They were sitting in the conservatory, in the window alcove, watching Miles and Andrew play with the children outside. At the moment, Andrew was pretending to be a bear, running after a mock terrified Emme and Cassius. Miles was laughing uproariously, before deciding to join in on the fun, pursuing them around the garden as well.

“Andrew is going to be a wonderful father,” declared Ara suddenly, still watching them. “Look how natural he is with Emme and Cassius. They both adore him.”

Ruth put down her cup, smiling. “He is so excited, at Marianne’s arrival. In the last few weeks, before she was born, he was on tenterhooks, jumping every time I moved, or grimaced, asking me ‘is it the baby?’”

Ara laughed. “Miles was just the same, Ruth! They get very protective, and anxious, towards the end. I suppose they are worried about how childbed will be for us, and also terribly excited to see their children, for the first time.” She paused. “It is different for us. We have felt the baby for nine long months, and already know it, and love it.”

Ruth sighed. “Marianne is only a month old, cousin, and yet I am sometimes consumed with worry for her.” She hesitated. “It is so hard for a girl, in our world…”

Ara nodded. “I felt exactly the same, when I had Emmeline,” she said slowly. “Sometimes, I would lie awake at night, wishing that she could have been born a boy. Is that awful?”

Ruth shook her head. “On the contrary, cousin. I think that most women feel the same way, about their daughters. It is because we know how hard it will be for them, trying to play the marriage game, just as we did…”

Ara’s lips tightened, staring out the window at her daughter. Emme was running around the lawn, her dark curly hair streaming behind her, laughing, without a care in the world. Ara made very sure that her daughter felt as happy and free in her home as was possible, and she knew that Miles felt the same way. They did not limit activities for her or try to constrain her, just because she was a girl.

But she knew that one day, Emme would have to go off in the world, and that the world thought very differently about girls, and what they were allowed to do, and what they weren’t. Ara’s heart bled, thinking about how callous that world could be. She never wanted her daughter to be spoken to like she had been, at the Tattersall’s horse auction, on the day she had met Miles, all those years ago. And yet, how could she protect her forever?

And then, there was the marriage market. She never wanted to be like her own mother, pushing her relentlessly to marry, whether she loved the man or not. Her mother had never listened to her, when she had been reluctant, always pressuring. No, she wanted something much better, for her daughter.

Ara took a deep breath. “Are you resolved to not push Marianne, the way that I was pushed by Mama? For I am resolved, Ruth. Miles and I shall never force Emme to court or marry someone she does not care about, for the sake of it.”

Ruth blinked rapidly. “Yes, I have spoken about it with Andrew, and we are agreed, too. Our daughter shall not be pressured by us, in that way.” She hesitated. “I saw how hard it was for you, Ara. And it was hard for me, too. I felt like my hand was being forced, to marry well, regardless of whether I liked the person or not. I thank the Lord that I found Andrew. He is the love of my life, and I could not ask for a better husband.”

Ara reached out, taking her cousin’s hand, squeezing it gently. A wave of love passed between them. Things hadn’t always been easy between them; Ruth had resented her, for a long time, after the scandal in London, at Andrew’s ball. But now, they were as close as they had ever been…and their children were going to grow up together, as well.

Ara blinked back tears. She had wanted her cousin to be as happy as she was, and Ruth had achieved that. She genuinely loved Andrew, and now she had a child, as well. 

They both jumped, as the baby let out a wail, piercing the silence. Ara leaned over the basket, picking her up, crooning softly as she rocked her. Her eyes filled with tears, once again.

No, it didn’t get much better than this. And baby Marianne, as well as her own daughter, would reap the benefits of their mothers’ determination, to make sure they were always free, to make their own choices in life.

                                                                                       ***

Ara sighed, waving, as the carriage drew away. She felt so happy, to have met baby Marianne at last, and assured herself that Ruth was in good health, after her confinement. But the visit had drained her, too. She had been up and down in the night, attending to Cassius, who had a slight cold. Miles had told her to let the nanny, Mrs. Gregson, attend to him, but she liked to tend her children when they were feeling poorly. She was their mother, after all.

Suddenly, she felt arms snaking around her waist. She jumped, just a little, leaning back into her husband. His warm breath blew softly into her ear.

“Mrs. Gregson has put the children down for a nap,” he whispered. “I want you to come with me. I have a surprise for you…”

Ara sighed again. “Miles, you are incorrigible!”

He grinned. “Not that kind of surprise, although maybe it could happen later, if we have time, and the children sleep for long enough.” He held out his hand to her. “Come on, this way.”

He led her through the house, into the back garden, which was still the rambling mess it had always been. Abruptly, he veered to the left.

Ara smiled. “Are we heading to the stables?” 

He didn’t answer. He just kept pulling her along, as if it was a matter of urgency. 

Ara’s smile widened. She hadn’t had time to get to the stables today, with Ruth and Andrew’s visit. She didn’t get there as much as she wanted to, anymore. The demands of young children consumed most of her time, now. She knew that a lot of women in her position would simply leave them to the nanny, but she had never wanted to do that. She wanted to be as hands-on with them as she possibly could, even if that meant she sacrificed some of herself in the process.

She didn’t resent it, not in the slightest. They would not be small forever, and the day would come when they would learn to ride, and then they would all spend time together, in the stables and out in the fields. Everything came full circle.

They were approaching them, now. She saw Pem’s chestnut head, peering over his stable gate. In the stable next to him was Hero, who neighed softly in greeting, when he saw them. 

Ara’s heart lightened. Even seeing her beloved horses filled her soul with joy. 

Miles was still pulling on her hand. He walked past Pem and Hero, greeting them, but not stopping to pet them. Ara frowned. Where was he leading her?

He kept on, walking to the furthest stable. It was dark, back here. Ara had to squint, to see at all. The familiar scent of hay and manure filled her nostrils.

Suddenly, she saw a dark figure. There was another horse, in that last stable. Her heart quickened, as she pulled away from Miles, running towards it, peering at it over the stable gate.

She gasped. The horse was huge; at least sixteen hands high. And it was black, as black as night, silky smooth, with a coat that had a sheen like polished shoes. He flared his nostrils, stomping his hooves, tossing his head imperiously.

She turned back to Miles. “What…?”

Miles grinned, walking slowly towards her. “Do you like him? He is all yours.”

Ara gaped at him. “Like him? I love him!” She gazed at the beast again, her heart filling with joy. “He is so beautiful! I have never seen a coat so black and sleek…”

Miles’ grin widened. “I thought you might like him.” He paused. “I bid for him, at Tattersall’s, when I was in London last week, and had him brought down last night. It took a bit of maneuvering, to get him into the stables, without you noticing.”

Ara shook her head in wonder. Miles had told her that he was visiting an old friend, when he had gone to London last week. And the whole time, he had been planning on bidding on a horse for her. As a surprise. Just because he knew that she would love it.

“It is not my birthday,” she whispered, gazing at him with shining eyes. “You should not have done it, my love…”

He walked up to her slowly, taking her in his arms. “Why shouldn’t I buy a gift for the one I love? It does not have to be your birthday, or Christmas, or any other occasion.” He paused. “I bought him for you because I knew you would love him, and he would bring you joy. It is as simple as that.”

Ara’s eyes filled with tears. She still could not believe, sometimes, that she had a husband who was so thoughtful and loving towards her. A husband who was consistently loving. A husband who never wavered in his devotion to her, even after all these years.

As his lips descended on her own, in a passionate kiss, she sighed inwardly, melting with joy. She was simply the luckiest woman alive. Her husband was amazing, she had two beautiful children, and a wonderful home. And now, she had another horse. A beautiful horse, to add to her collection. Life could not get much better than this.

She was so very glad, that she had given him a second chance, all those years ago.

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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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