Page 78 of The Duchess’ Little Miracle

Seraphina let out a trembling laugh, her chest bursting with warmth. “Me too.”

William pulled back to meet her eyes. “You... you do? I thought... I thought all you wanted was to return to the countryside to live with Lady Byron.”

“That was a last resort.” she laughed softly, shaking her head. “I only said that because I thought you were desperate to be rid of me. As much as I love Lady Byron, there is no life for me there anymore. I have entirely outgrown it.”

William beamed, a sight so breathtakingly rare that Seraphina’s heart skipped a beat. He wrapped his arms tightly around her waist, lifting her slightly off her feet as he pulled her into a tight embrace, burying his face in the crook of her neck. When he set her down, he captured her lips once more in a slow, lingering kiss that calmed the last of her nerves.

“So,” William murmured, pulling back just enough to look into her eyes. “Do we live our lives together, then? Forever?”

“Yes,” Seraphina replied softly, resting her cheek against his chest. “I would like that very much.” She paused, a small frown touching her brow. “Though... I do still worry for Lady Byron. I do not wish for her to be completely alone.”

William hummed thoughtfully, smoothing his hand over her hair. “Then we shall make it a rule to visit her every three months. Or better yet... we shall invite her to stay here. The estate is vast enough for her to have her own wing, and she may debate politics with you to her heart’s content.”

Seraphina looked up at him, her eyes beaming. “That is a wonderful idea, William. I would love that.”

“However,” William added. “I would strongly prefer that we take a proper honeymoon before any of that occurs.”

Seraphina squinted her eyes at him suspiciously, a playful smile tugging at her lips. “A honeymoon? What, pray tell, would be different about this honeymoon compared to our last?”

William leaned in close, his voice dropping. “Well... I could properly show you how to consummate a marriage. Since you were so delightfully curious in my study the other night, I believe it is only right that I demonstrate how it is done... the proper way. Together. In our bed.”

Seraphina’s cheeks flushed crimson, her eyes widening as she looked up into his handsome, unrepentant face. “William!”

He merely chuckled, pulling her against his body and pressing a soft kiss to her temple. “I promise to show you everything, my love.”

EPILOGUE

“Do you know about King Henry VIII, Lady Byron?” Alice asked, her hands clasped behind her back as she stood before the older woman. “He had six wives, and two of them lost their heads. Miss Peyton taught me about it, and then Seraphina told me even more.”

Lady Byron nodded slowly. She had barely made it through the threshold of the estate when Alice had accosted her. “I am well acquainted with King Henry. A most tumultuous sovereign. Did this Miss Peyton happen to mention his first wife, Catherine of Aragon?”

“Yes!” Alice nodded eagerly. “She said King Henry wanted to set her aside because she didn’t give him a son, but Catherine fought him for years.”

“Indeed she did,” Lady Byron said dryly. “Though few people bother to mention that before she ever married Henry, Catherine was betrothed to his elder brother, Arthur, who died when he was merely fifteen. She was left stranded in English court for years, speaking barely a word of the language, surviving on grit before she ever wore the crown.”

Alice’s wide eyes grew impossibly larger. She shook her head softly. “No... Miss Peyton didn’t tell me that at all.”

“Most history texts written by men tend to leave out the resilience of the women involved,” Lady Byron noted calmly. “If this estate possesses a half-decent library, we might look for the chronicles of the Spanish court. I could show you her actual letters.”

Alice beamed, nodding vigorously. “I would like that very much! The library is up the stairs, just down the hall!”

With that, Lady Byron offered a curt nod, and Alice eagerly led the way.

William stood near the stairs, his elbow resting against it, watching their retreating backs. Beside him, Seraphina folded her hands over her waist, her gaze tracking them.

“They just met,” she mumbled. “How did they get along so quickly when they met ten seconds ago?”

“I think you are in a better position to answer that question, Seraphina,” William answered. “You made Alice the inquisitive young lady she is now.”

William took her hand into his. “How do you think Lady Byron will take the news that you are not returning to the countryside with her?” William asked softly, turning his head to look at his wife.

Seraphina exhaled, gently squeezing his hand. “I have no idea. But the fact that she accepted our invitation to come to Norwyn Manor must count for something, doesn’t it? I was terrified she would refuse. Though... I can already see that Alice is quite taken with her. That’s a good thing. I do not think there is a single question Alice could ask that Lady Byron would not know how to answer. She is the answer to all of Alice’s inquisitive questions, even the ones I struggle to explain. That is a wonderful thing.”

William chuckled. “Right. That should be a great help.” He glanced up the stairs toward the library. “I suppose I ought to join them. Who better to navigate the collection than the one who has lived here the longest?”

“Go on, then,” Seraphina said, smiling up at him. “I shall go check with the kitchen staff to ensure the guest wing is properly prepared and dinner is set according to her preferences.”

As Seraphina turned to walk toward the domestic wing, William made his way toward the library.