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“I do wish we could have made the trip to the country house for Christmas, but I suppose this will have to do,” Emmaline stated as they all came into the duke’s London home.
“It was good of your father to invite us all over for Christmas dinner, my love. Besides, you just gave birth a few days ago. You would not have been able to make the trip.” Silas placed his hand on the small of Emmaline’s back, leading her into the drawing-room where a cheery fire crackled in the hearth. She held little Jacob close, pulling down the thick wool blanket to uncover his face.
Silas sat down next to her as the rest of his family filed in. His mother was in raptures over the baby. She was enjoying being a grandmother–perhaps even more than she enjoyed being a mother. He looked down at his sleeping son’s face and marveled at how perfect he was.
“There you are! Come and let me hold the new little man!” Mrs. Stockwell said as she came into the room. Emmaline laughed and stood, handing the bundle to her waiting arms. He was glad that she had been there to assist Emmaline in the birth. It was only fitting that she would come up from her work in the kitchen to say hello. Silas stood and went over to her and Sarah, who looked about ready to pop with her own child at any moment. She placed her hands over her belly and looked down at Jacob’s sweet, puckered face.
“He is a handsome lad, Emmaline. Well done,” Sarah said. “Congratulations, Mr. Gooding.”
“Thank you, Sarah.”
“Where is my grandson?!” The duke said as he entered. He made a straight course for Mrs. Stockwell, who turned to show him the tiny bundle. Emmaline took him from her arms and walked over to her father.
“Would you like to hold him?” she asked. He balked at her question. Silas was sure that he had not held an infant since Emmaline had been born.
“Oh, no, I shouldn’t like to break the lad,” he said by way of an excuse.
Silas stepped in then, motioning for the duke to take a seat. “Please, do, sir. You are his name sake after all.” The duke sat down, and Emmaline handed the child into his arms. He was nervous at first, looking as if she had given him a bundle of hot coals.
“Relax, father. Jacob Edward is in good hands,” she laughed and sat down beside him. Tears sprang to the duke’s eyes as Jacob stirred. His eyelids fluttered open, and he gazed at his grandpa for a moment.
A solitary tear dripped down his cheek, and he whispered to Emmaline. “He has your mother’s eyes.”
He could not have paid Emmaline a higher compliment. Silas stepped aside, and Dahlia joined him at the hearth, watching as the people they loved most laughed and visited together. All was in perfect harmony, it would seem. She linked her arm through his and sighed contently. “Have you heard the news? Hermione is engaged to be married.”
Silas raised a brow, wondering why she had not told him herself. He and Hermione had found a way to be friends again, Emmaline welcoming her into the family once more. He was glad to hear that she was moving on. “Oh, and who is the lucky fellow?”
“His name is Elijah Gooding,” Dahlia said, barely above a whisper. Silas’s eyes grew wide, and he looked over at his brother, who was chatting with Sarah and Mrs. Stockwell.
“Elijah? You must be joking.”
“I am not,” Dahlia said, a smirk playing at her lips. “It turns out she loves lawyers even more than she loves bakers,” she teased.
“Well, I’ll be,” he breathed. “Why did he not tell me?”
Dahlia shrugged. “I think he was afraid of how you would react. And you were so busy preparing for the baby’s arrival. He thought it might put added pressure on you.”
“I’m not upset. I am happy for them, as long as she is not using him to get away from her father.” Silas’s protective side was coming out.
“No. I believe they genuinely love each other. I think Elijah always has loved her, to be honest. He just never spoke up because he knew she was in love with you all those years.” Silas looked down at his sister. She always had been the most perceptive of the siblings.
“And what about you sister? It’s your turn now to find a husband, I suppose?”
“Oh, no, not me. I shall be the crazy, fun aunt who spoils the children and then sends them home for their parents to contend with.”
Silas laughed, and Dahlia moved away to join their parents as Emmaline took the baby from her father and joined him at the fire. He wrapped his arm around her, and she leaned her head on his chest. He leaned down and kissed her hair. “Thank you, Lord, for my family,” he breathed. Looking around the room, he thought how well and truly blessed he was.
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OFFER: A BRAND NEW SERIES AND 5 FREEBIES FOR YOU!
Grab my new series, "Love and Secrets of the Ton", and get 5 FREE novels as a gift! Have a look here!
Hello my dears, I hope you enjoyed the book and the Extended Epilogue! I will be waiting for your comments here. Thank you 🙂
You never disappoint. This story was no exception. You truly have a gift for engaging your readers. I couldn’t put this book down.
I’m humbled, my dear Christina!
I’m really grateful for your support and kind feedback!
I’m glad to hear that you enjoy my stories! Make sure to stay tuned because I have more coming!
Another beautiful love story. Exciting , waiting for Emmaline and Silas to finally find their way to be together at last. Thank you for such a sweet love story.
Thank you so much for your kind words and support my dear Teresa. I truly appreciate it!
So glad you enjoyed the story! Make sure to stay tuned because I have more coming!
I loved the book! I would like to see a love story for Lord Carlisle though. He deserves it! Maybe Dahlia?
I am so glad you enjoyed the story my dear Heather! Thank you so much for your kind feedback! Make sure to stay tuned because I have more coming!
Such an exciting, engaging story. Well sometimes not so exciting but it did keep this reader engaged. With all the twists and turns, love finally wins out. Plus the extended epilogue is a very happy ending.
I am glad you kept going!
Abigail, you have managed it again and given us another gripping tale, that had me enthralled from start to finish. All of the characters are amazing, with Silas and Emmaline having a really interesting journey to navigate, before managing to convince her father to consent to their marriage. Hermione was also an interesting character who was able to come to terms with her lot, and apologise for her scheming and find her own happiness with Elijah. As always I found the extended epilogue a wonderful rounding off to the story.
I’m humbled, my dear Stephen!
I’m really grateful for your support and kind feedback!
I’m glad to hear that you enjoy my stories! Make sure to stay tuned because I have more coming!
This is another very good and enjoyable story
Thank you so much for your kind words and support my dear Gwen. I truly appreciate it!
So glad you enjoyed the story! Make sure to stay tuned because I have more coming!
I enjoyed reading this story from start to the extended epilogue.
I am so glad to hear that my dear Eny! Thank you so much for the kind feedback! Make sure to stay tuned because I have more coming!
Very good conclusion to a wonderful, entertaining story. Well done. Thank you for your time and writing abilities to write this for everyone.
I’m humbled, my dear Phylis! I’m really grateful for your support and kind feedback!
I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed the story! Make sure to stay tuned because I have more coming!
Lovely story and lovely characters. But you know we need to know about when Dahlia finds her match!
Thank you so much my dear Marc! I am so glad you enjoyed the story!
I really didn’t think there would be a wedding between Emmaline and Silas. But a wonderful surprise ending and there was a wedding. Thanks for a great book.
I am so glad you enjoyed the story my dear Carolyn! Thank you so much for the support! Make sure to stay tuned because I have more coming!
Very well done! Love conquers all.
Can’t wait for the next one- your stories never disappoint!
Thank you so much for your kind words and support my dear Ellen. 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!
A more complex plot than some others. I thoroughly enjoyed the story even though I question some of the details. The extended epilogue in particular held a rather glaring detail for me as to my knowledge a new mother would not have been out of bed so soon after giving birth. Not would a expectant mother have been seen during the later months of her pregnancy. Altogether a good story.
Thank you so much for your kind and honest feedback my dear Barbara! You are raising some valid points and have a solid justification for them. I will keep them in mind and will work closer with my editor to get them handled in the future.
Thank you again for taking the time to share your thoughts with me, they are very helpful. I hope you enjoy the rest of my stories. Have a great day!
I enjoyed the whole story.You keep me looking for the next book I truly enjoyed this book.
Thank you so much for your kind words and support my dear Elizabeth. I truly appreciate it! Make sure to stay tuned because I have more coming!
Thank you again and have a lovely day!
This was such a good story! I felt that I knew how it would end but there were many twists and turns before the happily ever after. Love between the classes and with your own personal baker…what more could you ask?! ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so much for your kind words and support my dear Kristy. 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!
Another great read from you, MS Agar. I have no idea how many of your books I have read. Have never left a comment before however. I am an almost lifelong reader, and just want to thank you for many hours of reading pleasure.
What a tender and beautiful comment. Thank you so much my dear M. J. I am humbled. I am so glad to hear that you enjoy my stories! This is the best gift an author can ask for…
Thank you again and have a lovely day!
Another great book. Hmm, is it just me thinking this, or does it seem that the Duke has an heir now doesn’t he? This family story can continue forever!
Thank you so much my dear Cheryl! I am so glad you enjoyed the book! Make sure to satay tuned because I have more coming!
It was a pleasure reading your book. I was mad, sad and happy reading this book. I felt sad for lord carlisle. I hope you find love for him.
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback my dear Calaine! So glad you enjoyed the story! Make sure to stay tuned because I have more coming!
Thank you for such a wonderful book one that was hard to put down. I enjoyed it so much and hated for the story to come to an end even though it had a very happy ending. I do love happy endings!
Thank you so much for your kind words and support dear Dianne!
Really appreciate it! So glad you enjoyed the story!
Even though I knew what the outcome would be, even Elijah and Hermione pairing up, it is always interesting and enjoyable to follow the journey of how they get there.
Thank you so much for your lovely words! I’m thrilled you enjoyed the journey of Elijah and Hermione. Your support means a lot to me. 😊