Ten Years Later

“Isn’t it strange seeing William so grown up?” Lydia asked.

“He’s certainly turned into a handsome young man. He looks more and more like Father every day.”

It was the Duke’s twenty-fourth birthday, and they had thrown a grand ball at the Dorset estatein celebration. The room was filled with people from all over England, there in honor of William.

“He’s making a name for himself as a duke as well, even though he’s only just finished his studies,” Angela said. “Edward says you’re doing a wonderful job running the place, though.”

“Father was a good teacher,” Lydia replied, though the flush in her cheeks told Angela that she recognized her own hand in that too.

“Can you believe we’re all here?” she asked. “You and Humphrey with the boys, and Edward and I with our two. And now William, so grown up. It won’t be long until he is married himself.”

“It’s as if we’ve all found our places in this life. I couldn’t be happier with the way things turned out—even if I am getting old!”

“You’re not getting old,” Angela said, though she too felt the passing of time. “You’re maturing, like a fine wine.”

Lydia snorted with laughter. “I guess I’d rather be a fine wine than a smelly cheese,” she said.

“I don’t know,” Angela said with a shrug. “I rather like cheese.”

Lydia broke into giggles and she swayed until her shoulder bumped into her sister’s. “You say the silliest things sometimes, Angela. It’s no wonder you’re still so young at heart.”

“No, it’s the children that keep me young. They’ve always got so much energy. Some days I don’t know how to keep up.”

Angela and Edward had two adorable children, a girl named Ophelia at eight years old and a boy named Adam at a tender four. Angela loved her children dearly, but it was Edward who doted on them the most.

He worked hard to provide for his family, but he made sure that work never overtook time spent with them. He returned home most days with some treat or toy, and the children eagerly awaited him on the doorstep every day.

Even though his uncle saw him as presumptive heir to the Nordshire Earldom, the legality was still being contested in the courts.A compromise had been agreed upon that would allow James to redeem himself in order to get back his title and inheritance, something unheard of in the country. He had been sent away to travel overseas under special request. Edward had not heard from his cousin in years but hoped that he was well and truly making strides to change for the better.

Uncle Mason had offered Edward a small property and a yearly allowance. Edward, though, was far too proud, and while he graciously accepted his uncle’s kindness, he also insisted on working.

He took up a position in a solicitor’s office, the one he had been offered when he had just finished university, albeit part time. It helped, he said, to secure the children’s futures as well as gave him a chance to meet new people and make new connections—something that will definitely be usefulif he did finally become an earl. He also took partial responsibly of the Brighton estate and checked on its business dealings every so often when requested by his uncle.

Angela had embraced motherhood fully, and though the children had a governess, she also liked to teach them herself. They spent hours together, working on reading and spelling, basic mathematics, and long walks in nature where she would explain about the plants and the trees.

She had also gathered a group of common girls from the village, as she did every single year, and she continued her reading lessons, in the sunshine when possible.

She was content with her life and the way she lived it. Everything seemed peaceful and calm. But it was her times alone with Edward that she relished the most. They laughed often, and held each other whenever they could, their bond growing stronger by the day.

“Can I have this dance, Angela?”

Angela looked up to see her brother, a grown man, towering over her, his hand held out to take hers.

“Why yes, William, that would be lovely, thank you.”

“Do you remember when we were children and you used to stand on my feet to dance?” Angela said once the music had begun.

“Oh, don’t remind me,” William said. Though he acted embarrassed, Angela could see that he remembered the time fondly.

“It was so sweet. You used to say you could never possibly remember all the steps there were to remember. And look at you now! I’ve seen you do at least four different dances this evening alone.”

William laughed. “I was a foolish child, wasn’t I?”

“No more foolish than any other child,” Angela said. “And you can try and hide it as much as you like, but there’s a bit of baby William still in there. I can see it in your eyes.”

“Never,” William cried, though it was with a laugh. In truth, they both knew William had a youthful spirit, just as Angela did.

“Don’t you think it’s time you settled down?” she asked. “A wife will serve you well, and you need an heir, William.”

William’s cheeks blushed red like that of a boy. Angela laughed.

“I take it from your reaction that there is somebody who takes your fancy. Wasn’t that Theresa I saw you dancing with?”

“I don’t want to talk about it,” he said, a pained expression on his face. Angela tilted her head curiously.

“Whatever happened?”

“It doesn’t matter what happened; there’s nothing there.”

Angela didn’t push him further. She let him have his secrets, for now, for it clearly bothered him. But she’d get the information out of him sooner rather than later, and from the glint in his eyes, she suspected he felt more strongly about it than he cared to admit.

As the music came to an end and William went to dance with someone else, Angela thought she had a moment to catch her breath. But she couldn’t, for as she stepped from the dancefloor, Humphrey approached her.

“It seems an evening for dancing with brothers,” she said with a giggle. “So I suppose it’s only fair you get your turn, Humphrey. You are my brother now, after all.”

The music was lively and quick, and Angela found herself laughing as her feet moved rapidly across the battered wooden floor. Humphrey grinned at her as he jumped around her then came back into view.

“Gets the blood going, doesn’t it?” Humphrey said, his face red with effort.

“No, you’re just getting too old for it,” Angela teased.

“And you’re getting too sassy!”

“It won’t be long before your own boys come of age,” she said.

Humphrey groaned. “Don’t remind me. The time is passing us by far too quickly. If only there was a way to keep them small for longer.”

“But alas, our babes grow into children, and then from there we don’t have much to do with them. We can only hope that the lessons we instill in them serve them well as they grow.”

“Isn’t it great to have a party though?” Humphrey asked, his smile still wide. “We’ve been so concerned with growing our families that we’ve quite forgotten to enjoy ourselves.”

“It’s certainly nice to be together again. I miss those long afternoons at the house playing cards.”

“Me too, actually,” Humphrey said as if just remembering. “In that case, why don’t we arrange an afternoon of cards? We can bring all the children. It’ll be a grand affair.”

“I love that idea, Humphrey. You are a genius!”

“What nonsense are you saying, Angela? Humphrey, a genius? I would hardly call him that,” Edward asked, eyes glinting in humor as he approached the dancers.

“Humphrey suggested a card game one afternoon.”

“In that case, yes, he’s a genius,” Edward said with a laugh. “But now, brother, do you mind if I cut in? I’ve been watching you dance with this beautiful woman and I thought, Edward, there is a woman worth dancing with.”

“You say the sweetest things, Edward,” she said, taking her hands from Humphrey and putting them onto her husband.

“After all this time as well,” Humphrey teased. “It must be true love. Enjoy your dance.”

As Humphrey left them, the music became slower, softer, and Edward and Angela fell into each other’s arms once more. It was Angela’s favorite place to be, warm and safe with the husband she adored.

“I didn’t think it was actually possible, but I love you more now than I did on our wedding day.”

“Do you?” she asked.

“In fact, I believe I love you more now than I did yesterday. More than I did this morning, even!”

Angela giggled. “You’re being quite silly.”

“No,” Edward insisted, a serious expression on his face. “I’m not being silly at all. It’s true. And do you know what else is true?”

“What?”

“How I feel now is nothing compared to how I will feel tomorrow.”

Angela felt her cheeks flush.She dearly loved that Edward could still, after all this time, have that effect on her. He still made her heart flutter and her soul sing. She still wanted to look her best for him, to draw him to her. She still found herself nervous for their times alone, but an excited, happy kind of nervous.

“I must admit I feel like that as well. I love you more and more each day, Edward Lancaster.”

“Isn’t our little family just perfect?” he asked.

“It is,” she agreed.

“But I was thinking . . . perhaps it’s missing one thing.”

“Oh yes? What’s that?”

“One small thing.” He grinned at her, but she frowned in confusion.

“What are you talking about, Edward?”

“I’d like us to have another child,” he said.

Angela was stunned into silence. She hadn’t even thought of having a third child, loving their family as it was. But as soon as Edward had said those words, she felt a twist of excitement snaking up her spine. Yes, another child would be something to look forward to, something to cherish. Something to make their family truly complete.

“Do you really mean it?” she asked.

“Of course I do!” He laughed, throwing his head back. “I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t mean it. I would have thought you’d know that about me by now.”

She grinned sheepishly. “Do you want a boy or a girl?” she asked. “A new Ophy or another Adam?”

“No one can replace Ophelia or Adam,” he said, shaking his head. “And whatever comes, it does not matter. I’d be delighted with either because, Angela, any child of yours will be a real gift to the world—and to me.”

The music slowed to a stop then, and Angela stopped moving. Instead, she stared lovingly into her husband’s eyes, her cheeks aching from the smile on her face.

“You really mean it,” she repeated.

“I want our family to grow,” he said. “So yes, I really mean it.”

She threw her arms around him and he pulled her into his chest, their hearts beating as one next to each other. At that moment, Angela knew with undying certainty that she had truly and without doubt found happiness for the rest of her life.

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