Falling for a Forsaken Marquess – Extended Epilogue

One Year Later

Agnes looked up when her husband poked his head around the door. “Will you come down to breakfast?” he asked.

“As soon as Isabella falls asleep,” she replied. “Our daughter has been a little restless this morning.”

Agnes gently tapped her baby’s back, alternating with soothing circles. Their daughter had been awake since six this morning and refused to fall back to sleep. Agnes had taken the baby into their bed instead of giving her to the nanny, hoping the presence of her parents would calm her down, but Isabella continued to fuss.

“Give her to me, and have your breakfast,” William insisted, walking into the room.

“Or we can both go down to breakfast and take turns holding her,” she suggested.

“Or we can give her to Mrs Tipton,” William finished. “She is Isabella’s nanny.”

“I know, but I do not like being away from her too long,” Agnes complained. “She is only three months old. We will never get this stage of her life back, and I just want to be present. I do not like how mothers have nursemaids instead of taking care of their own babies. I find it unnatural. What use is it to carry the baby and simply give it away for others to take care of?”

William chuckled, shaking his head. “Will you argue with a tradition that is centuries old?”

“Old does not mean right,” Agnes insisted. “Many countries call us cold people, and I can understand it. We must be cold indeed to allow others to take care of our offspring.”

“Are you saying you do not want a nanny?”

“No, not at all,” Agnes said with a sigh. “I have no objection to help, but I refuse to allow someone else to spend more time with my child when I can do so.”

“Point made, my love,” William replied, holding his hands out to take the baby.

She handed their child to him, brushing her dark hair from her brow. Isabella had been born with a head full of hair, and it continued to grow at an alarming speed. She sometimes joked that a faerie, angel, and siren had been magically present at the birth of their daughter because it had rained hard during the morning, been amazingly bright that the world looked ethereal by that same afternoon, and she had been oddly at peace despite her contractions. Of course, Agnes had been in immense pain, but there had been no fear involved despite knowledge of high infant fatalities. It didn’t seem to matter whether the mother was well-off or poor; the babies still had a high chance of dying from a myriad of issues like infections.

“You will need to change,” William pointed out. “ I do not want any man seeing you in your bedroom attire.”

“I doubt Paul would mind,” Agnes said with a laugh. “I am well-covered from neck to feet, and he only has eyes for Livvy. He rarely lets her out of his sight. You were the same when I was pregnant with Isabella,” she pointed out.

“I still do not like you being out of sight, but wear something appropriate for my sake,” he said. “Please.”

“Very well. I cannot understand why you continue to be so jealous when the only man I love is you. I have never looked at another man since the moment I met you in Cheltenham.”

“I can admit the same,” he claimed.

Agnes gasped. “That is not the truth, William Sculthorpe! You could not stand the sight of me during our first meeting.”

“I’ll admit that I was overwhelmed when you wouldn’t stop talking, but I soon found it charming.”

“Charming?” she repeated.

“Yes. You still do it now, and my day is not complete without your talkativeness.”

Agnes narrowed her eyes for a moment and promptly burst out laughing, startling their daughter. She didn’t cry, but her eyes widened as she made a gurgling sound and burped.

“You seem happier, my sweet,” Agnes cooed, leaving the bed. “Did you have some air stuck in your tiny belly? That’s why you were so restless. I am such a terrible mother for not noticing.”

She was still speaking sweetly, but guilt gnawed at Agnes’ heart. She would have picked up that her daughter had some air in her belly had she been a good mother, but she had simply watched the little girl suffer.

Agnes looked up in question when William kissed her on the head, seeing the tender look in his eyes.

“You are a wonderful mother, Agnes,” he told her. “You should remember that this is your first child, and you are bound to make mistakes, but that does not make you a terrible mother. Isabella could not have asked for a better mother.”

Agnes’ eyes watered, but she quickly wiped away the few tears that had fallen. “You remind me every day why I fell in love with you. Your kindness was bigger than your bite, but you hid it quite well at first. Now, it drips off your fingers and lips like honey. Every word and touch tells me precisely how much you love me, never mind the locket and ring I wear every day.”

“I wish you would show me that much love,” said William, tongue-in-cheek.

Agnes playfully slapped his shoulder. “Do not be so greedy, Lord Hampton. You’re almost drowning in my love. Now, go, see to our guests while I change.”

William dropped another kiss on her brow before leaving with their daughter in much better spirits. After quickly washing her face, Agnes changed into her usual day dresses, choosing a pretty blue muslin dress that complemented her colouring. She had shoes in the same colour and a headband to keep her curls back. Once done, she made her way downstairs, pausing outside the drawing room to observe her family. Lavinia and Paul had arrived a few days ago despite the young woman being heavily pregnant because she wanted to see Isabella. Agnes had not wanted any visitors during the first two months of Isabella’s life, much to her family’s disappointment, but she had been a tad crazed at the thought of anyone unknowingly bringing a disease to her newborn. She had read so many medical papers during her pregnancy, all with different theories about what caused infant fatalities. Everyone had been an enemy during the first week, even William, but he had calmed her down in the end and talked her into leaving the nursery.

“Will you stand there all day?” her sister asked. “Come away from the doorway and eat your breakfast. I took the liberty of asking for some things we do not normally eat at this hour, but this baby has odd cravings.”

“Goodness,” Agnes said with a smile. “What did you request?”

“Every cut of pork available,” Lavinia replied with a smile. “Cook baked some eggs as well and made mountains of toast so I can eat to my heart’s content. I’m rather disappointed you do not have any plum preserves. Does your housekeeper not make this variety?”

“William had the last bit the other day,” Agnes said, taking a seat.

“Will you only put the blame on me?” he asked in surprise. “All you ate was plum preserve and toast during your pregnancy! I’m surprised there is a plum left in Westmorland.”

“Ho-ho! So it was you, Aggie,” said Lavinia. “I knew I should have brought my own preserves! Why did you stop me, Paul?”

“We were already carrying so much in our carriage that we couldn’t have possibly added bottles of preserves,” Paul said, defending himself. “Think of the poor horses that would have to pull that extra weight.”

Lavinia’s lower lip trembled. “Oh, those poor horses! Please give them extra sugar and apples for their trouble.”

“The horses are fine, my dear,” Paul assured. “I only meant they would have been tired if we had brought the preserves with us.”

The man patted his wife’s hand affectionately, calming down the emotional woman. Agnes could not judge her sister because she had been the same during her pregnancy. Everything had made her sad, from cutting flowers to seeing clouds empty with rain. It had been ridiculous, but William had been patient with her.

“When do Mama and Papa arrive?” Lavinia asked, smiling again.

“About ten days or more from London,” William replied. “They decided to visit a friend in Bath and spend a little time in London before coming to see us.”

“It seems they travel a lot now that we are not living with them,” Lavinia remarked. “Do you think we held them back from doing all they wished?”

“I doubt they thought about such things,” Agnes said truthfully. “We were simply content to be together as a family. Their love for travelling was awakened when they realised they had more time on their hands.”

“They also trust us with their daughters,” Paul added. “William and I have proven ourselves to be worthy of the Humphries’ daughters.”

“You certainly have,” Agnes agreed. “Our parents could not have asked for better sons-in-law.”

“Now, can we eat something before I faint from hunger?” William demanded.

Agnes laughed. “Let me take Isabella, and you can fill your belly. I had some hot chocolate earlier this morning, and Cook insisted that I have some biscuits with it. Who has ever heard of biscuits first thing in the morning? The chefs seemed horrified at the thought, but Cook has a mind of her own.”

Their three chefs and Cook often argued about what should be on the menu, resulting in Agnes needing to step in and decide for them all. Perhaps she should not have given them free rein when it came to their meals, but Agnes had not wanted to discuss menus when all she wished to do was spend time with Isabella. However, she might have to take over that task sooner rather than later. The chatter around the table continued, with everyone commenting how good the pork was with the baked egg.

“I have a surprise for you,” William said, leaning close to her.

“Indeed? What kind of a surprise?”

“One that you will either hate or love.”

Agnes narrowed her eyes. “I do not like the sound of that. What if I hate it?”

“Then we shall have to live with it for the rest of our lives,” William replied.

Agnes’ eyes grew wide with worry. “What have you done? How can it be permanent?”

“You will find out soon enough, my love. Will you spare me some time for a walk after breakfast?”

Agnes didn’t like being away from her daughter for too long, but she needed to know what her husband had done. She couldn’t begin to imagine what it was and prayed she didn’t dislike it.

“We need some time alone, so I suppose an hour would do,” she agreed.

“Only an hour? You used to spend every waking hour with me, but now …”

Agnes grinned. “Are you competing with your daughter? You spend just as much time with her.”

Laughing, William nodded. “I suppose I do, but we have to make time for ourselves as well. Two hours should not make too much of a difference to your schedule.”

“Two hours?” Agnes asked, biting her lower lip. “I do miss spending time with you …”

“That settles it!” William said triumphantly. “We will give Isabella to her nanny, and you will go on a walk with me.”

“Is this how it will be once the baby comes?” Paul asked, looking horrified. “I will have to set times to see my own wife?”

Agnes chuckled at his expression, letting her husband answer him. She forked another piece of pork, dipping it into the egg before taking a grateful bite. Pork should be on the breakfast menu more often than the toast, preserves, and cakes they usually ate. Agnes had read somewhere that the Americans ate corn, beans, and salted pork for breakfast. She didn’t know if they mixed it all together or if they were eaten separately. While she couldn’t imagine eating corn or beans for breakfast, the salted pork sounded fine as long as it wasn’t too salty.

“Lavinia and I have discussed moving to Westmorland to be closer to you,” Paul said, drawing her attention.

“That would be lovely!” Agnes exclaimed, loving the idea of having her sister near her. “But will your parents not object? They seem to like the idea of being close to their grandchild.”

“Paul’s parents will not be happy at first,” said Lavinia, “but Paul and I love this area so much. It’s a lovely place to raise a child.”

Agnes and William had thought so as well, which was why they had left Cheltenham and moved to Westmorland. William had been able to find a lovely estate that was practical as it was magical, meeting all their needs. Agnes couldn’t wait to have more children and fill the house with running little feet. She wanted four, while William had insisted on five, but Agnes didn’t like uneven numbers. Still, she could change her mind and start liking them if she felt four wasn’t enough.

“I cannot eat anymore,” Lavinia said, sitting back on her chair. “Will you carry me to the chaise longue, Paul? I need to rest my aching back.”

“You cannot lie down straight after eating such a big meal!” Paul protested.

Agnes grinned at their argument, recalling how she used to argue with William about the same thing.

“They sound like us,” he whispered.

“They certainly do. Will you take Isabella? My left shoulder feels a tad stiff.”

William nodded, gently handling their daughter. “I will give her to the nanny because it’s time for our walk.”

“Will that not upset my stomach?”

“On the contrary, my dear,” said William. “It will aid with digestion.”

Agnes sighed. “Very well. I shall meet you in the garden.”

William kissed her cheek, shaking his head at the still arguing couple. Paul would eventually give in and let Lavinia lie down, but it amused them to argue over silly things.

Agnes took one last piece of pork and made her way to the garden, wiping her greasy fingers on the leaves of a nearby tree. She plucked a few petals to rub between her hands, removing the rich smell of fried meat from her hands. Only a faint scent remained, but she didn’t mind. Sitting on a bench, she raised her face to the sun and closed her eyes. Her first anniversary had come and gone, and she was still deliriously happy. A niggling part of her mind always told her she didn’t deserve all this happiness, but that was due to the years of listening to Phoebe and people like her. William never made her feel like she didn’t deserve to be loved or wanted; he merely showed her how special she was. To think that she once believed he hated her, but it had been his insecurities that had blinded him. It seemed Mrs Mellors had been right after all; they were perfect for each other.

“You look so serene sitting like that,” William said behind her. “I almost do not wish to disturb you, but I must.”

He sat down beside her, pulling her in for a sound kiss on the lips, leaving her breathless.

“What on earth was that for?” she said, still catching her breath.

“For being the most amazing wife, giving me a daughter, and making me a happy man. I owe everything to you.”

“How glad I am that Magnus rejected me,” she said happily.

“I think I said something to that effect last year. We should both be thankful for our disastrous first loves.”

“I think I shall send a thank you note to Magnus,” she decided. “You should send one to Charlotte and Jacob. They did us both a great favour.”

“I forbid you from speaking to him,” William said, frowning.

Agnes giggled at his mutinous expression. “How jealous you are! I only wish to thank him. He is married; thus, it should not be such a problem. Your brother is also a married man. I just hope he respects and loves his wife.”

Jacob had entangled himself in another scandal with a woman, but this time he couldn’t run away from the consequences. He was forced to marry the woman or face her brothers’ wrath.

“Enough of these people,” William interrupted. “I still have my surprise to show you.”

“Oh, yes. The permanent one. What is it?”

William surprised her by standing up and removing his coat and waistcoat. She cried out in alarm when he began taking his shirt out of his breeches, stopping him.

“What are you doing? Why are you undressing like this?”

“The surprise is under my shirt,” William explained.

“What? Under your shirt? What on earth could it be?”

“Let me lift up the shirt, and I’ll show you,” he insisted.

Agnes covered her face quickly. She might be married, but she wasn’t used to this part of a man and woman’s relationship. William laughed, taking her hands away from her face.

“Look, my love,” he insisted.

Agnes slowly opened her eyes, frowning when she saw something black on William’s skin. She came closer, gasping in shock when she realised what it was.

“You etched my signature and Isabella’s footprint on your back! Why? Only sailors do that sort of thing.”

“Yet you were willing to do so,” he pointed out.

“I know, I know, but you actually did it. Did it not hurt?”

Agnes stretched her fingers towards it, pulling back at the last moment. She secretly liked it and thought it made him look like a pirate, but she didn’t want him to assume she was a deviant.

“It hurt somewhat,” William admitted. “But I just thought of you while it was done. Do you not like it?”

He seemed disappointed, so Agnes told him the truth. “I believe you are more attractive with it. It gives you a dangerous air that puts butterflies in my belly.”

“Indeed?” he asked, smiling. “I look more handsome?”

Agnes held her cheeks. “You will make me blush! Put your clothes back on before one of the servants see you and assume the worst.”

He laughed and did as she asked, pulling her to her feet once he was done. “Come, our walk awaits.”

“Do you plan to get any more?” she asked.

“Would you like me to get more?”

“I wouldn’t mind a few more,” she admitted. “But only for my eyes. I do not want anyone else seeing them.”

“How possessive you are, my love,” William said, hugging her to his side. “I love it.”

They walked hand in hand through the garden, only making their way to the house hours later. Perhaps spending a little time away from Isabella was not such a bad thing after all. Every married couple needed some alone time, especially with a wonderful man like William. Life was truly wonderful.

THE END

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