After they had departed from the spymaster’s office, they returned to their waiting coach. Now that they had met with Kendrick, Fredrick felt a renewed sense of purpose- he was ready to go and post the banns.
Roswell must have sensed his urgency. “Shall we go post the banns?”
“I think that is a brilliant idea,” Fredrick said.
As the coach traveled to the chapel, Fredrick stared out the window, his excitement building. He couldn’t wait until Emilia became his wife. Never had he been so happy before.
Fredrick didn’t need much in his life. Wanted very little. But the only thing he truly needed was Emilia.
Roswell’s voice broke through the silence. “You are smiling, again.”
“I am,” Fredrick admitted, his smile growing. “I don’t think I can dwell on Emilia without smiling.” And that was the truth.
Fredrick loved her, of course, but better than that, he would choose her, day after day. In Emilia, he had found his match.
Epilogue
One year later
Emilia stood by her baby’s bedside and let out a sigh of contentment. Her entire life had led her up to this point and she had never been so happy. She had everything she ever desired.
As Rosie slept, Emilia couldn’t help but watch her, knowing everything about her was perfect. Her toes. Her fingers. Her smile. There was not one thing about her that she would ever change or want to change. She just hoped that Rosie could feel the depth of love she had for her.
The door opened and Fredrick entered the room with light steps so as not to disturb their sleeping daughter.
Fredrick slipped his arms around Emilia’s waist from behind and leaned into her. “Your guests are waiting for you downstairs.”
“Let them wait,” Emilia said. “Can you believe that we created something so precious?”
“It still boggles my mind.”
Emilia turned in his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Have I properly thanked you yet for what you have given me?”
Amusement danced in Fredrick’s eyes as he teased, “No, and you could stand to do it more.”
“I love you,” Emilia declared.
Fredrick’s demeanor turned solemn. “The greatest thing I have ever done in my life is ask you to marry me,” he confessed. “You have brought me more joy than I can hardly contain.”
“I feel the same,” Emilia responded.
“I hope that we can fill this nursery with children and watch as our joy increases with each new addition.”
Emilia smiled. “Perhaps we should wait until Rosie is a little older to give her a brother or sister.”
Fredrick leaned in, pressing his lips against hers. “I do hope I make you happy, my love.”
“You do,” Emilia said. “Because of you, I am not a nobody anymore. I am a wife and a mother. I have the family that I have always dreamed of.”
“And we have only just started,” Fredrick said.
“Perhaps we could name the next one after your mother, assuming it is a girl,” Emilia suggested.
Fredrick’s eyes became moist. “I would like that very much. It would be a fitting tribute to my mother.” He paused. “I miss her.”
“I know you do, but she is out of pain now.”
“That is the only comfort that I have with her passing.”
