A Lady’s Heartfelt Confession – Extended Epilogue

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Three Years Later 

Amelia and Daniel jolted about in their carriage, en route to Adrian and Caroline’s home. 

Lily, who had been recommissioned as a nursemaid, was falling asleep. Baby Edmund was not sleeping well these days. He was teething and spent his days screaming, red in the face. When he did not scream, he was a sweet, adorable thing, always smiling and gurgling with happiness at his parents. 

“We should visit Mother, too,” Daniel suggested. “She’s still in deep mourning, of course—it’s only been a few weeks, but we can pay her a visit. She’d like to see Edmund, I’m sure. She lives in the dower house now. Caroline invited her to live with them, but I think she wanted to live by herself instead.”

Amelia nodded. “I’m not sure I blame her. I suppose after all those years of living with Lord Edwin, she wants her space.”

She eyed her husband, wondering how he was dealing with the news. He caught her questioning glance and smiled sadly. 

“I’m quite all right, my dear.”

“Are you sure? You seem…well, I don’t know.”

They hadn’t seen Lord Edwin since their marriage. And now, they never would. Lord Edwin had attended the wedding, to Amelia’s surprise. He hadn’t gone to the breakfast afterwards, just the ceremony. 

“He sent me a letter,” Daniel said suddenly. “I haven’t shown it to you yet. Do you want to read it?”

Amelia nodded, and he wordlessly handed her a letter. It was badly written, the handwriting scrawling and wandering over the page. It was apparent that it had been written by an ill man. A dying man, even. 

My Dear Son Daniel

I know that you and I have not communicated in the three years since your marriage. That is my fault, and now I know that is too late to remedy it. The doctors inform me that I do not have much time left, and at this point, I think it is a relief. 

I’ve spoken to your brother about the way my will and how the estate is to be divided and the care your mother must receive. I know he will fulfil my wishes in this. Of course, Adrian will receive the title and the estates as my heir, but I have made provision for you and little Edmund also. 

I regret that I could never meet your son. I think myself lucky to have seen Adrian’s newborn baby boy. George is a beautiful baby, and I am sure your Edmund is no less perfect. 

I’ve spent a long time thinking about what I should say in this letter. You and I do not always see eye to eye, and I regret that. Still, regrets are useless. Looking back distracts from the present, and more importantly, the future. 

So, I will not clog my letter with useless apologies and regrets. Perhaps I could have been a better father. Perhaps you could have been a better son. Who is to say? My point is, when I leave this world, I wish you peace and happiness. 

Isn’t it strange, wishing you something you already have? I know you are happy, my son. I am pleased for it, and there is just a touch of envy in there, too. Your mother recommends that I summon you to see me one last time, but I know you won’t get here in time. Perhaps this is better, after all. I can put my thoughts and feelings into a letter, which is so much easier than saying them to you. 

Perhaps I do have a few strains of cowardice in me, after all. 

No doubt that’s no surprise to you, Daniel. You always were more insightful than I gave you credit for. 

I wish you well, my son. I wish Amelia well. 

Yours, 

Edwin Berkeley, Duke of Birchington

Amelia folded up the letter and handed it back. She felt strangely tearful. Who would have thought that Lord Edwin could inspire actual tears of sorrow? 

“I’m sorry he’s dead,” Amelia said honestly. “I’m sure if he’d lived a little longer, you and he would have made up your differences.”

Daniel smiled weakly. “I think we both know that’s not true. Still, it’s nice to imagine. I’m glad he wrote to me. I can keep this letter. It will reassure me that my father did love me, in his own way. He was a bad father, and there’s no getting around that. He nearly ruined my life, and Adrian’s, and yours, and Caroline’s. That’s a hefty list of sins. Still, this letter is almost an apology.” He glanced over it again, chuckling. “Almost. Trust it to my father to avoid saying the words I’m sorry in his own deathbed letter.”

Daniel swallowed hard, and Amelia reached over to lay her hand on his. 

“It’s all right to be sad, Daniel,” she murmured. “You can be sad and angry, relieved, and regretful all at once.”

“I know, I know, it’s just…well, now Father and I never will work out our differences. It makes me sad, that’s all.” Daniel smiled sadly at her. “This is going to be a difficult visit, I think. I’m glad that you’re going to be here.”

The carriage rumbled up the final stretch of the driveway towards the yawning shape of Birchington Manor. 

They were expected. Adrian stood on the front steps, his arm around Caroline. They were a few years older but with laugh lines on their faces instead of frown lines. They wore black, of course, as did Amelia and Daniel. 

But there was certainly a sense of new beginnings. Adrian was the Duke of Birchington now, and Caroline his Duchess. The tiny bundle in their arms was the new heir. 

New beginnings, indeed, Amelia thought. The carriage rolled to a halt, and Adrian and Caroline stepped forward to greet them, eyes brightening. 

Daniel leaned forward to press a quick kiss on Amelia’s lips before they disembarked. 

“Thank you for being here,” he murmured. “Thank you for being my wife. I love you, Amelia.”

“And I love you, Daniel.”

They opened the carriage door and stepped out into a new life. 

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