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The smiles on his lovers’ faces meant that all was forgiven.
Ash’s heart swelled with emotion. “We’ll always be together.”
Epilogue
OVERTON HALL, EIGHT YEARS LATER
“Lizzie, there’s a letter from Southart. Ash, you have one from your publisher as well,” Robert called out as he and Amanda walked from the house to join Elizabeth on the blanket. He held their daughter Amanda’s hand.
At five years of age, she possessed black hair and blue eyes. While she looked like Robert, she had Ash’s temperament, playful and full of life. She had both Ash and Robert wrapped around her little finger. Every day they took time out of their day to have tea or play dolls with her in the nursery.
Elizabeth pushed herself to a sitting position. Laying on a blanket with the sun beating down, she didn’t mind if she was freckling. It felt glorious, with the slight breeze keeping her from becoming too hot. Ever since they’d returned to live at Overton Hall, her health had improved. She didn’t cough anymore. She’d never been happier. The same could be said for Robert and Ash as well.
“Open the one from Southart, darling,” she called out. When Amanda rushed to her, she opened her arms for a hug. Their lovely daughter was always generous with her hugs.
Robert lowered himself to the ground and broke the seal on the parchment. “It must be important. One of the Southart footmen delivered it.”
By then, Ash and their oldest child Ethan, who was Robert’s heir, had joined them on the blanket. While their daughter had dark hair, their oldest child possessed blond hair and blue eyes, just like his father. Ash and Robert were kind and patient with their son. But Ethan’s serious nature favored Robert’s. Those two could while away the hours playing chess or discussing politics. Yet, Ash could bring out the playfulness in Ethan.
“Darling,” Ash cooed to Amanda. “Come sit on my lap. I don’t think your mother’s lap is the most comfortable right now.”
With a lop-sided smile, Amanda hopped up and jumped into Ash’s lap. He pretended to have the breath knocked out of them, but it was a silly game those two played all the time.
Elizabeth glanced at her rounded belly and sighed. She still had two more months of carrying this child. “It’s not that comfortable for me either.”
Robert smiled at her affectionally. “What do you think we’ll have?”
“A brother,” Ethan called out.
Amanda frowned. “A sister.”
Ash laughed. “Maybe both, Lizzie?”
“Don’t say such a thing,” she cried.
Her son sat beside her and patted her hand. “Babies are a lot of work, but I’ll help you.”
“Thank you, my love,” she answered and pressed a kiss on the top of his head. Their son had a kind nature that would serve him well throughout his life.
Ash smiled as he contemplated Robert. “Is the letter something you can share with us?”
Robert looked up with the biggest smile on his face. “Yes. It’s wonderful news. Southart has been elected prime minister.”
“Congratulations to him,” she cried.
“Indeed,” Robert agreed. Ever since they’d left London and made Overton Hall their residence, he’d kept in constant contact with Southart. Robbie only attended sessions in the House of Lords when the vote was close. He always voted the same as the duke, who, with his wife, had become their closest friends.
“I do hope that means they’ll still be able to come and visit every once and a while. Being prime minister isn’t for the faint at heart,” Ash added as he pressed another kiss to the top of Amanda’s head before reaching over and ruffling Ethan’s blond curls. “You enjoy their visits, don’t you?”
Ethan shrugged. “Just as long as they bring their children. I find the duke and duchess boring, to be truthful. They only want to spend time with the three of you.”
“Except when we all go fishing and riding,” Ash reminded him.
Their son grew serious. “You’re right. They’re not boring then. The duchess catches more fish than any of us.”
Robert laughed as he handed Ash his letter.
Quickly, Ash broke the seal and scanned the parchment. With a wide grin, he held the letter out to Elizabeth. “I have good news as well. My publisher is printing my agriculture treatise for the fourth time. The one on animal husbandry will have a second edition.”
