Confessions of a Betrayed Lady – Extended Epilogue

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Sarah looked out onto the drive from her perch in the library. Miles was due home that day, and she had been anxiously awaiting his return from London. He had only been gone for a week, but it seemed an eternity. They had rarely been apart since the day of the marriage. And that was how Sarah liked it.

“Children! Come down for your lessons!” Aunt Charlotte called. Sarah smiled. Aunt Charlotte had been a Godsend. After she and Miles had returned from their honeymoon, they had invited her to come and live with them. Her father had been pleased by the idea, as he was planning several business trips and did not want his sister-in-law to be alone at the Armstrong estate.

Sarah had become with child shortly after she and Miles were married. They received the surprise of their lives when Sarah went into early labour a few weeks before her time and given birth to twins. Jacob and Daisy were the light of their lives.

Aunt Charlotte came into the library, trailed by the twins. She had them sit down on the floor, and she held up a brightly coloured card to help teach them the alphabet. Jacob excelled at all things academic, like Sarah. But Daisy was more like her father, getting distracted easily by ventures that seemed more entertaining.

Her aunt never tired of telling her what a delight the children were for her. Sarah could tell that she was glad to be included in her growing family. And she was pleased that she did not have to be alone while her father travelled the world. It was the perfect arrangement for all of them.

A few moments passed, and Sarah simultaneously watched the road leading to the drive and listened to her children recite the alphabet. She glanced at Daisy, who watched a fly buzz above her head rather than paying attention to the lesson. Sarah smiled. And then she heard it, the familiar sound of carriage wheels pulling onto the gravel drive.

She stood and peered out the window.

“He’s home!” she announced.

The children were up on their feet at once. Aunt Charlotte put the cards down on the side table, and they went out into the foyer to greet Miles. The butler opened the door, and they all filed out onto the drive as Miles pulled up.

Miles bounded out of the carriage and gave each of the children a hug. He kissed Aunt Charlotte on the cheek and then left her to wrangle the children, who were fascinated by horses recently.

Miles stood in front of Sarah. He bent down and kissed her, lingering for a few moments in her embrace.

“Ahh, I missed you,” Sarah sighed. She looked up into his eyes lovingly. “How was London?”

“Oh, the usual hustle and bustle,” Miles said. “You know I would avoid going at all, if I could,” he said.

“Yes, I know. But it is good of you to help take care of Father’s business dealings while he is away,” Sarah said. “Come on children!” she called. She led them over to the lawn and around to a small garden at the side of the house.

“I have something for you,” Miles said as they walked.

“Oh? What is it?” she asked. She watched the children chasing a butterfly and smiled at their antics. They were both so curious about life.

Miles dug in his coat pocket and brought out an envelope that looked like it had been travelling for some time. Sarah took the missive and turned it over.

“I do not recognise the seal. How intriguing. I wonder who it could be from.” Sarah said.

“There is a very simple solution for that,” Miles winked at her. “Open it,” he teased.

Sarah rolled her eyes and opened the letter as Miles went to help the children locate butterflies.

Sarah unfolded the letter, which contained three pieces of paper. It was then that she recognised the handwriting.

“Audrey. Well as I live and breathe…” she said. She had not heard from her cousin for years, although Lord Lucas gave them periodic updates.

She scanned the letter and then went back to the very top to read from the beginning:

My dear Cousin,

Sarah shook her head. It was odd that Audrey felt the need to remind her that they were cousins.

I am writing to extend an invitation. I don’t know if Father has told you yet, but I was married a few years ago to a nobleman from Florence. Yes, I am living in Italy now! Can you imagine?

“No,” Sarah said to herself. She was sure Audrey was getting into all sorts of trouble with a dashing Italian husband and plenty to divert her in Florence.

My husband is a marquess and very well-connected. But he is a bit older than I am. I am writing to invite you to come to Florence for the season. It is so much more exciting than the London season. The weather is warm and it hardly ever rains here.

But the sad truth is this: my husband does not enjoy the season. He will not accompany me to the galas and operas. He prefers to stay at home and read a book. I know you would enjoy yourself if you were to come and keep me company.

I know that things did not end well between us, but I am willing to put the past behind us and forgive you. Please write as soon as you can a do let me know which boat you will be travelling on…

Sarah laughed a joyless laugh. Miles heard her and came over, wondering at the strange missive his wife had received.

“Who is it from?” he asked.

“Audrey, of all people. The nerve!” Sarah exclaimed.

“What does she want?” Miles said, raising an eyebrow.

“She’s married an old man in Florence and now she wants me to visit her so she won’t be so bored.”

It was Miles’ turn to scoff then. “And what do you plan to do?”

Sarah simply lifted the letter over her shoulder and tossed it behind her. She brushed off her hands to get rid of any memories that might be attached to the message. She had forgiven Audrey in time, despite her cousin’s behaviour. But she would not be travelling to Florence. Not at the behest of her cousin, anyway. Her life was in Surrey with her husband and family. Audrey had made a good match, by the sounded of it. But she had chosen to marry for money, to a rich, old man. Now, she would have to live with the consequences.

“Are you sure you don’t want to go?” Miles asked. “You have never been to Florence.”

“No. I am not going to go and be my cousin’s scapegoat again. Marriage is about dealing with one’s differences – learning to respect and honour each other. Audrey chose her life. As did I. She will now have to live with the consequences,” Sarah replied.

“Bravo,” Miles said, his eyes laughing.

Daisy and Jacob ran past their father in a blur of little arms and legs. They squealed with delight as they began playing a game of tag.

“Children! Go to the carriage. I have a present for each of you!” he called.

The children did as they were told and waited patiently by the door of the carriage. Miles asked the coachman to hand down two wooden hobby horses.

“Gosh! Thank you!” Jacob exclaimed.

“Thank you, Father,” Daisy said.

The children began racing around the drive, riding their new horses as they went. Soon they were chasing each other down the drive. They were almost to the gate before Sarah realised it. She had been engrossed in her conversation with Miles, asking about how the trip to London had been.

“Jacob! Daisy! Come back towards the house, please. You’re too far away!” Sarah called. The children either did not hear her or were simply ignoring her instructions.

She was about to call again when Miles got down from the coach and gave her a look that said ‘let’s have some fun’.

“I’ll race you to the gates,” he challenged.

Sarah thought about it for a moment. Then, like a flash of lightning, she set off after the children. Miles growled playfully and followed, gaining on her quickly. Sarah squealed with delight as Miles chased her down the drive, the children cheering her on.

When they reached the children, Miles again growled and pretended to be a bear. The children lit off back towards the house, being pursued by a ‘bear’ all the way. Sarah walked back instead of running, her side hurting from the exertion.

As they came back to the front door, Sarah spotted Aunt Charlotte coming around the corner of the house, no doubt wondering what all the commotion was.

She laughed at Miles and the children, racing around the fountain in the centre of the drive in front of the house. “My, that looks fun!” she said, watching the children enjoying their new toys.

Miles made them squeal as he renewed his efforts to catch them. In a split second, they were both caught up in his arms, and he was spinning them around.

Sarah laughed at their antics. She could feel her face was warm and probably bright red from the exercise. She waved at her aunt.

“I’m sorry for all the noise, Aunt!” she called.

Her aunt came down the stairs and smiled. Then, without warning, she began to skip around the pond, following Miles and children. Sarah’s mouth hung open in shock. And for a moment, neither the children nor Miles knew what to do.

“Come on! You won’t catch me if you all just stand there with your mouths open!” she said. Jacob and Daisy caught on immediately and began chasing Aunt Charlotte around the fountain.

Miles glanced at Sarah, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Have you ever seen this?” he mouthed the question to her.

“Never!” she mouthed back.

They watched for another split second and then looked at each other with the same childish grins. They then began skipping around the fountain as well, following behind Aunt Charlotte and the children. Their laughter rang out, echoing through the grounds and the woods beyond. Sarah stopped after a few minutes, breathless again. Aunt Charlotte joined her, trying very hard to catch her breath. They both had stitches in their sides, but neither of them could stop laughing.

“I have never seen you do that, Aunt,” Sarah replied.

“Have you not? Well, I’m sorry about that. I wish now that you had seen me enjoy life more.”

“Nonsense. You enjoy life, I know. But I have just never seen you act like a little girl before, so carefree,” Sarah explained.

“Well, I would like to do that more in the future. Children have a way of bringing out the fun in us, don’t they?”

“They certainly do,” Sarah agreed.

Miles joined them a few moments later, and the three of them watched the children skipping around the fountain, having the time of their lives. Her aunt had grown more and more content as the years passed. She and Lord Lucas had made amends, even though there had been no marriage to come out of it. But they were happy and had formed a close friendship over the last five years. Sarah had often talked to her aunt about marrying Lord Lucas. But she said that she could not leave her family. And they were both happy in their simple, laid back friendship.

“It is enough,” her aunt had said over and over again. And after the third time of asking, Sarah finally let the matter go.

Sarah glanced over at her husband, and he stepped behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist.

“Thank you, Miles, for giving me a life so full and rich,” Sarah whispered as they watched their children play. He kissed her on the curve of her neck and then turned her around to face him.

“And thank you, Sarah. You are the perfect wife for me. And you’ve given me two beautiful children,” he said. “I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”

“Well, actually you can ask for something more. And you’re going to get it, too,” she said, smiling at the confused look on his face.

“I owe you six more sons, I believe. And in November, I’ll only owe you five more,” she said. Her eyes welled with tears of joy.

Miles smiled, “Really? We’re having another baby?”

“Yes,” Sarah announced. Miles leaned down and kissed her, taking his time. When she opened her eyes, she looked at him with a dreamy smile.

“Oh, how I love you, Miles,” she said.

“I love you, more.”

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