“That is kind of you to say.”
He leaned closer until his forehead rested against hers. “I hope I can make you as happy as you make me.”
“I have no doubt.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because I can’t seem to stop smiling when I look at you and realize that you are mine, now and forever.”
“That I am.”
She smiled when he made no move to step out of her arms. “Shouldn’t we attend the celebration in our honor?”
“In due time,” he replied. “For now, I just want to kiss my wife.”
“You will hear no complaints from me,” she murmured just as his lips brushed up against hers.
EPILOGUE
SEVEN YEARSlater
CHARLES HELDhis wife’s hand as they walked along the shores of Blackwater River. Up ahead, their three young boys were running around, playing with one another. It was a scene he knew he would never grow tired of.
Henrietta spoke up, drawing his attention. “Your mother wrote and asked if we planned to visit Town this Season.”
“Would you care to do so?”
“It would be fun to see your family again,” Henrietta said. “We haven’t seen them since Christmas.”
Charles nodded. “That it would be.”
“Besides, my family will also be residing in London for the Season.”
“Then it is decided,” he replied.
Henrietta’s attention turned towards the boys, who were now tossing sand at one another. “I must admit that I dread traveling in a coach with the boys.”
Charles chuckled. “They are rather rambunctious.”
“To say the least.”
“After hearing some of the stories of your youth, I am not the least bit surprised that we were blessed with such unique boys.”
Henrietta grinned. “I suppose it is only fair, but you must promise me that you won’t ride your horse the entire trip to London.”
“I can agree to that.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, his oldest son, Alfred, came running up to him with a spoon in his hand. “Father,” he said, his breathing labored, “look what I just found.”
Alfred proudly held it up for his inspection and continued. “It is a bronze spoon.”
“That it is,” Charles replied. “What else can you tell me about it?”
A line between his brow appeared as Alfred studied the spoon. “There are no engravings on it, so it must just be used for eating.”
“Excellent deduction.”
“I would say that it is rather old, based upon the tarnishing,” Alfred remarked. “It might have been used by the Romans.”
