Choosing Her Earl at Last – Extended Epilogue

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Two Years Later

Emmeline sat in the garden, singing to her one-month-old daughter, Catherine, lulling her to sleep. She smiled gently down at the adorable, round cheeks, tracing her tiny features with the tips of her fingers. Catherine stirred ever so slightly, then sighed in contentment as she settled back into sleep.

She sent a prayer of gratitude up into the heavens for blessing her with such a beautiful gift. She looked up at Michael, who was attempting to paint a portrait of the two women that he loved most in the world, and smiled anew. 

“Is she not perfect?”

Michael smiled. “She is indeed perfect, just as her mother is.” 

Emmeline flushed with pleasure at the compliment. 

The rustling of plants alerted them that they were no longer alone. 

“Your guests have arrived, my lady,” Mr. Quincy announced as he crossed the garden with a tea tray of refreshments.

Emmeline smiled, looking over the offerings in approval. “All of the family have arrived?”

“They have, my lady,” Mr. Quincy confirmed. “Shall I bring them here to you?”

“Please do, Mr. Quincy,” Emmeline confirmed. 

The butler bowed and returned to the house. 

“Our family has arrived,” Emmeline whispered to Catherine, excitement in her voice.

Rebecca and Colin emerged from the house with an armload of gifts for the newest member of their family, smiling from ear to ear. Rebecca was alight with the special glow that always seemed to accompany mothers-to-be. After them followed Louisa, then Michael’s parents, and bringing up the rear was Theodocia, accompanied by Obediah Andrews. 

Everyone circled around Catherine and praised her many virtues. Everyone laid their gifts on the table nearest Emmeline’s chair. Theodocia had embroidered a blanket for the baby, while Mr. Andrews had given her books of far-off and ancient worlds. Michael’s parents had been the most doting grandparents that Emmeline had ever had the pleasure to experience.

“How are things in Bath, Mr. Andrews?” Emmeline inquired, greeting the elder man with a smile.

“Well, well.” He nodded enthusiastically. “You were right about my taking the waters for my health. Other than a brief trip to London here and there, I have been spending most of my time there.”

“How goes our special project?” she asked with a twinkle in her eye at Rebecca.

“Yes,” Rebecca agreed, scooting to the edge of her chair in anticipation.

“Your contributions have made an exponential difference in the lives of many impoverished families,” he reassured them. “As instructed, I arranged for a physician to be on call for each of the communities that you listed. Food deliveries have been made as needed throughout the community, and the mill has reopened, bringing work back to those who need it.”

Those gathered nodded their heads in approval.

Mr. Quincy rejoined them by coming to stand by Emmeline’s chair. “The remainder of your guests have arrived, my lady.”

“Please show them in, Mr. Quincy,” Emmeline gave her approval. 

Mr. Quincy’s face wrinkled in disapproval, but he did as instructed and showed the final guests to the back garden. When Rebecca saw Martha and Timothy Duncan, she cried out in surprised joy. 

“Martha!” She rose and immediately rushed to hug her friend. “I did not know that you were coming. What a wonderful surprise!”

Lady Egerton invited me,” Martha replied, smiling with pleasure at seeing her old friend. Martha extended a wooden rattle for the baby, which Emmeline took with appreciation.

“It is lovely,” she replied.

“My Timothy carved it with his own hands,” Martha admitted. She gazed up at her husband with adoration. The coachman gazed down at his wife, unable to see any other woman in his sphere.

Emmeline and Rebecca exchanged an amused knowing smile. They knew what that feeling was like. Rebecca moved to stand beside Emmeline. 

“I have one more gift,” she announced, handing Emmeline a slip of paper. Emmeline opened it to find a riddle written within. Beaming with happiness, Emmeline and Rebecca giggled together.

“What is it?” Michael asked, his curiosity causing him to abandon his painting.

“It is a riddle,” Emmeline answered, beaming from ear to ear. It was as if their father were there with them in that moment. “Shall we?” she invited her husband, reaching out a hand.

Michael nodded, smiling lovingly down at her. “Lead the way, my love. I would follow you into the depths of Hell itself.”

“You did indeed,” Emmeline replied, pressing her lips to his hand. “But let us hope that Rebecca has not called upon us to pursue such heroics.”

Laughing, Michael pulled her and their baby into his arms. “I love you,” he breathed against her hair. He looked around them at the joyous faces of their family. “We have created something far more valuable than any ancient treasure,” he observed.

Emmeline nodded in agreement. “Yes, we have. We have a family bound together by love, forgiveness, and the courage to choose happiness over fear, ensuring that our daughter will grow up surrounded by the very best of human nature and the unshakeable foundation of her parents’ enduring love. I could not ask for more.”

“Simply an infinity with you, my love, is all that I would ask for,” Michael murmured, burying his face in her hair once more. “Even then, an infinity would not be long enough.”

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Grab my new series, "Love and Secrets of the Ton", and get 5 FREE novels as a gift! Have a look here!

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