For a Lady’s Fiery Heart – Extended Epilogue

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Three Years Later

James and Caroline held hands as the carriage made the last leg of their journey toward Pembroke. It had been an easy journey this time, filled with sunshine. They had stopped for a little while on the road to take a short jaunt to the nearby cliffs. Caroline had been so happy to see her childhood haunt that it caused James no little enjoyment to see the smile blooming on her face. She was indeed a treasure. 

Now that they were almost to Pembroke, he looked out the window in expectation. Over the last three years, much had been done to the house and the grounds. It was nigh unrecognisable compared to when he had first come there shortly after his and Caroline’s marriage. 

His wife leaned forward, keeping a hand on his knee, and looked out the window toward the west. “There it is!” she breathed.  

James was glad to have a chance to come and see his relations. His father had been away from Thorneby for some time, travelling throughout France and Italy with friends. As of late, James felt his father was trying to give them as much time alone. James had taken over much of the day-to-day running of the estate. It had been difficult for him at first, but James reckoned he was getting used to the idea of letting go of some control. It had proved good for their relationship, for it helped his father see James as a grown man and not a blundering youth. 

It was probably for the best that his father had not come along. There was still some tension between Lord and Lady Chesterfield and himself. However, things had gotten increasingly better over the years. He was confident that things would only get better with time. Beyond his wildest dreams, James’ father had made great strides. His father had mellowed over the years, given up heavy drinking and mostly quit gambling. 

On the other hand, his father-in-law had completely turned his life around. He had entirely quit London, as it presented too much of a temptation for him. He was neither given to drink nor gambled anymore. He had become the loving and attentive husband and father that his family had needed all along. The Lord was merciful. James was confident that God could take even the worst of situations and turn them around for good. He and Caroline were living proof of that. 

“There is Grace! Oh, my goodness!” Caroline breathed. “And little William,” she said. 

The carriage pulled up in front of the house, and Grace was there to hug her sister as soon as she got out of the carriage, balancing her son on her hip. James followed and reached out to shake hands with Sir Knowles. He and Grace had been married for a little over two years and had a baby boy, William, who had only just turned one year old. He was a happy lad, always smiling with those big, plump cheeks. 

“Oh, it is so good to see you!” Grace said, her face beaming. When she turned to the side, James could see that her abdomen was popping out ever so slightly from her gown. He raised an eyebrow in question, and Grace came over to him to press his hand. 

She winked at him, confirming his suspicions. A mild ache touched his heart. He and Caroline were still waiting to start a family. Not for the lack of trying–but for some reason, they had not been able to conceive yet. All in the Lord’s good timing, he supposed. 

“Come on into the house. We’ve been waiting tea for you,” Grace said. 

James and Caroline followed them into the house. Once inside, James again marvelled at the changes that had been wrought. The foyer and the grand staircase had been finished, with new marble being installed and new iron railings. The crystal chandelier had arrived intact, thank goodness. It had cost a pretty penny, but he was glad to see it had been installed. Everything was new, bright, and fresh, just as he and Caroline had imagined renovating it when they first came here and started dreaming. 

“There you are!” Lady Chesterfield said and rushed over to them. He kissed her on the cheek, and she linked arms with Caroline to draw her into the room. Soon they were all seated in the sunlit sitting area, listening to the birds sing outside the window and the breeze rustle the curtains. 

“Well, have I got some news for you,” Grace said, and the tea was being poured, and refreshments passed around. 

Caroline raised a brow. “I never knew you to be one for gossip, Grace,” she scolded. 

Grace gave her sister a superior look. She was only eighteen but looked much more advanced in years thanks to her mature handling of her household and family. She had the withering gaze of a mother down pat, as he was sure Caroline would perfect when the time came. He laughed at this private thought and then quieted, not wanting to explain. 

“I heard something that I think will make you happy. You too, James,” Grace said. She took a bite of a honey cake and went on. “Lady Beatrice has been banished to the castle at Inverness for good this time!” 

James exchanged a glance with Caroline. They had not seen the lady in question for more than three years, except in passing at the opera or at parties around London where it could not be avoided. She had never spoken to either of them, however. 

“I thought she had learned her lesson,” Caroline said dryly. “What has befallen the great lady now?” 

“It was of her own doing,” Grace went on. She wore a triumphant grin. “Apparently, she was engaged in a flirtation with Lord Heavensby when she and Sir Gerald last came to London. Her husband put a stop to it and has sent her back to Inverness to spend the rest of the dreary Scottish summer alone.” 

“In all likelihood, he will not let her out of Inverness again with that kind of behaviour,” Sir Knowles chimed in. “It is too bad, really. I agree with you, Caroline. It would have been nice if she could have learned from her past mistakes and reformed her ways.” 

“Sometimes people are too far gone,” Grace said. 

Caroline’s head shot up, and a frown took over her lovely face. “I do not believe that, and neither do you, Grace. Is that the kind of lesson you want to teach little William?” 

Grace looked thoroughly chastised. “Forgive me, sister. You are much better than I am. I suppose I still hold some resentment for what she tried to do to break you and James up all those years ago.” 

“I, for one, know that one is never too far gone if they can surrender to the Lord,” Caroline’s father murmured quietly. “I am glad that my family did not give up on this old louse.” 

Caroline stood and went to her father, kneeling before him and planting a kiss on his forehead. “Never,” she assured him. “And now, I think I have had enough of Lady Beatrice. I will only say that I hope her time in Inverness helps her to see the error of her ways and to turn her life around. She could have a wonderful life with Sir Gerald if she would only let go of the past.”

James stood. He was proud of Caroline, for she held no grudge toward the woman who had almost succeeded in tearing them apart with her lies and manoeuvrings. “I agree. Let us forgive and forget,” James said. 

Caroline came and sat beside him again, and he wrapped an arm around her waist, resting his hand on the settee beside her. “Well, how are things in the garden this season, Father?” James asked, turning his attention to his father-in-law. 

“Oh, very well. Shall we go out and see the garden? I think you will be very pleased.” 

They finished their cups of tea and walked out onto the terrace. His father-in-law waved his hand in front of him, giving a broad smile. “The roses are coming in nicely, are they not?” 

James and Caroline walked toward the railing, both in awe at how the garden was coming to life. His father-in-law had given him free rein over the redesign of the space. He had even allowed them to extend the boundaries of the original garden. They had opted to keep a bit of a wild look with the new design, with hundreds of wildflowers spread about simple winding paths bare of gravel. They had left the ageing oak trees, giving the place an air of mystery with the moss hanging down. The fountains had been made to look like they had been there for centuries, allowing the dark green moss to grow on the stone. 

It was a paradise in James’ eyes. He nodded with satisfaction. “It is better than I imagined it would be,” he said. Caroline leaned into him, and he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. 

“You are pleased then?” she asked. 

“I am. Are you not?” 

“Oh, no, I am very pleased. It is wonderful to see a vision come to reality. I remember when we first drew out the sketch. And now look at it!” Caroline said happily. She looked up at him, her loving gaze brushing over his face. “What say you to exploring the garden a bit?” 

“Yes, please go. I want to know what you think,” her father said, willing them all to go down and talk a turn about the newly finished garden. Caroline reached over and intertwined her fingers through his. Her touch still sent a thrill through him. 

Grace and Sir Knowles fell into step behind them, followed by Caroline’s parents. The garden was filled with the scent of spring, of growing things, and the bird’s song. To him, it might as well have been Eden. So perfect, was it.  

“I have never seen anything more beautiful in all my life,” he said, looking around at the garden they had created together. 

“I beg your pardon?” she laughed, frowning playfully.

James shook his head. “Besides you, my love, of course.” 

She giggled. “I knew that is what you meant,” she teased. “I hope there is one more thing you will find more beautiful than this garden, though.” 

“It will be a difficult competition,” he shot back. “But if you think it worth my while, then I shall consider. Pray tell, what is this thing?” 

“Well, it is not a thing, really. It is a who,” Caroline said. James halted on the path, but she kept going. He reached out and took her hand, swinging her back around. She came back to his side, giggling all the while. 

“Caroline, what are you saying?” he asked. His heart thudded in his chest. 

She took both his hands and squeezed them. Caroline was positively glowing. She placed her hand over her abdomen. “I am with child,” she whispered. 

James could not contain his joy. He drew her close and spun her in a circle, his laughter ringing over the garden. He put her down quickly when he realised he might harm the baby by swinging her around so. She laughed, placing her hands on his shoulders. “My goodness,” she said. 

“I am sorry. Did I hurt you?” 

“Not at all,” Caroline said. She touched his cheek. “I take it you are pleased then?” she asked. Her eyes filled with tears of joy. 

“I could not be happier,” James said. “When?” he asked. 

“By Michaelmas,” she replied. “I am about four months along, I think.” 

“That does not give us much time. We must start work on the nursery as soon as we return to Thorneby.” 

It was too late to conceal the news from the family as they had walked up behind them on the path. Congratulations were passed around, and it seemed they would now welcome two new lives into the family by year’s end. James’s heart overflowed with thankfulness. He drew Caroline aside, taking her hands in his as they stood at the garden’s edge and the green. 

“I must be the luckiest man in the world to have married you, Caroline Deveroux.” 

“And I am the luckiest woman. I love you ever so much, James,” she said breathlessly. 

He leaned down and kissed her soundly on the mouth, his chest filled with the promise of the years ahead. As long as he had Caroline, his life was complete.

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