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They lay together for the longest time. Not speaking, but not sleeping either, just holding one another until Matthew finally raised his head. “Ella.” He brushed back the strands of her hair.
“Mmmmh,” she replied stretching against him like a contented cat.
“Are you hungry?” he asked.
She gave a little chuckle. “I am not sure I could even move.”
“I’ll get you something.” Rising from the bed, he crossed the room and stepped out, not wearing a stitch of clothing.
“Matthew,” she gasped, sitting up then. “You’re naked.”
But as he came back in, wearing nothing at all, she found she quite liked the view.
“It’s of no consequence to me.” Then he plucked a grape from the tray and placed it against her lips. “But your care means a great deal.”
“Thank you.” Though she meant the food, she really was thanking him for something much deeper.
He popped a grape into his own mouth and then leaned down to kiss her. “Now, I’ll have our special license, hopefully tomorrow. What would you like for a wedding?”
A wedding…it sounded so wonderful. “Let’s invite Ryker, Tricia, Tabbie, and Luke.” She gave him a glowing smile. “And perhaps, my former nanny. I know she isn’t actually my family but she’s the closest I have and the only one who was ever kind to me.”
He nodded then. “I agree. In fact, she should likely come live with us in whatever capacity she sees fit.”
“Do you mean it?” She scrambled to sit up then her lips finding his again. “Oh that would be wonderful.” A lightness she hadn’t felt in so long filled her chest. It was…well, it was hope.
“I love you, Ella.” Matthew placed a piece of cheese to her lips. “I’ll spend my life proving it.”
She was so gloriously happy.
Epilogue
Two and a half years later…
Matthew stood on the bow of the ship watching as the island grew larger. It had taken them quite some time to make it to Barbados but here they were.
Not that he regretted it.
First, they’d taken little Anne into their home and she’d been too young to travel. Then when Ella had become pregnant, she’d had to remain at home. After William’s birth, it had been winter again.
“It is so good to see land,” Ella exclaimed next to him.
She held William in her arms. Anne toddled beside her. He swung his precious little girl up into his arms. If he hadn’t known how to give love before, he knew now. Kissing the little girl’s cheeks over and over, he put his other arm around his darling wife
and pulled her close.
Ella gave him a glowing smile. “You’re spoiling her.”
He quirked an eyebrow. “I can’t help it. She is most darling little girl I’ve ever seen.”
She tapped her chin, her eyes sparkling. “I think when we return home we should consider another child. If we only ever have the two, you won’t stop kissing them, even for a second.”
He laughed and leaned over to then kiss William’s chubby cheek. “A most excellent idea. Though I am sure my sister won’t mind if we get started even sooner than that.”
Her husky laugh told him that she quite liked the idea but she gave him a tiny push. “Don’t be silly, you’ll be busy getting to know your sister again.”
“True, though exchanging letters has gone a long way toward that. And though I wish she could come back to England, I am glad she is happy too.” He grimaced. She’d come to him that night hoping for advice on whether or not to marry a man who would take her away from her home. When Matthew had refused to speak to her, she’d decided there was nothing left for her in England.
It made him ache to know he’d done that, but Camille saw it differently. She loved her husband, Tom Baker, and she’d found the happiness she’d been searching for, much as he had found his with Ella. It was meant to be.
