Esther at the Ballroom Bonus Scene

10 Months Later

Agnes

Agnes walked through the finely decorated corridors of what was soon to be Esther’s shared home with Laurence. With each step she took, she admired the photos on the wall, the beautifully curated chairs and bookcases, and she felt glad for her cousin.

Originally, they had planned to move to the estate that Laurence had been given along with his title. But, in an effort to ease some of the pain that Esther still felt over the loss of her parents, and to help bring some of her past back to her, they had decided instead to restore her childhood manor in Sussex and reside there instead. And Agnes had to admit that they had done a fine job.  

Agnes heard her mother walking behind her, a sigh escaping the woman as Agnes dragged her forward. The last ten months had been fraught with tension as the wedding between Esther and Laurence creeped ever closer. Thankfully, Agnes had finally found her courage and her voice and advocated for Esther to be moved into the family wing of Surrey Manor while they waited for the day of her wedding.

Now that day was upon them, and while Agnes was happy for her cousin, she found that she was sad to see her leave. Ever since the night of the ball, Agnes and Esther had worked diligently to repair the bruised and broken relationship that had existed between them during Esther’s first year residing at Surrey Manor. And Agnes was now glad to proudly call the other young woman her friend.

Her mother, however, was another matter entirely. While Dorothy had come leaps and bounds over what she had been previously when it came to her meddling, scheming, and the way she treated her daughter, she had not yet sought to mend things with Esther. But Agnes was hopeful that this would end today.

“Really Mother,” Agnes said quietly as they walked, “I assure you that this is for the best.”

“I just don’t understand what I have to do with all of this,” Dorothy huffed as they got closer to the set of rooms the servant before them was leading them toward. “I clothed and supported the girl, after today my job is done.”

“She is our family,” Agnes fired back, giving her mother an admonishing look. “Whether you like it or not. And we will support our family.”

Her mother did not respond further to that, but it was likely for the best. Agnes knew that Dorothy was having a hard time with the events of the last ten months, and as Agnes herself still had not officially began courting anyone, it was hard for her mother to come to terms with the fact that Esther would be married before Agnes. Dorothy would just have to learn to accept it.

At long last, they arrived at the door that led to Esther’s bridal chambers. Agnes could hear excited chattering on the other side of the door, and she smiled as the maid that had escorted them pushed it open to reveal Esther being readied by a small army of servants.

Esther glanced up when the door was opened, her eyes immediately landing on Agnes and lighting with joy. Agnes’ own heart leapt with fondness at the sight of her cousin, and she was filled with wonder at just how much things could change in a short amount of time.

“Agnes!” Esther exclaimed, rushing forward to wrap her cousin in a tight hug, one which Agnes gladly returned.

“You are looking quite lovely,” Agnes said, grinning again when their embrace ended, and she could fully take in Esther’s appearance.

Esther’s golden red hair had been spiraled tightly and pinned back, with only a few meticulously placed curls framing her face. Her cheeks and lips had been rouged, making her complexion glow with liveliness. Her long, white gown had an empire waist that complimented her petite frame, and Agnes knew that Laurence was going to positively melt at the sight of his new bride.

“How are you feeling?” Agnes asked her cousin, grinning fondly.

“Quite nervous, if I’m to be honest,” Esther admitted, her face suddenly grave.

“Nonsense,” Agnes answered her with a chuckle. “You are a stunning bride, and Laurence would be a cad to not be over the moon when you greet him. Which, he will be.”

Esther laughed but nodded as her cousin spoke, but then her smile faltered as her eyes wandered past Agnes and finally realized who was standing behind her. Agnes knew Esther was aware that the Countess would be there, she had been the one to extend the invitation, after all. But Agnes imagined that it didn’t make the moment any less emotionally fraught.

“Hello, Aunt Dorothy,” Esther said with a delicate nod of her head.

“Esther,” the Countess returned.

Agnes glanced between her cousin and her mother, anxiously waiting for the older woman to do as they had discussed. But Agnes could tell by the stubborn set of her mother’s jaw that it was not going to happen. Esther, to her credit, seemed to not take offense to the woman’s reluctance to apologize or to try to move forward. Instead, after a pause she just smiled kindly at her aunt and simply thanked her for coming.

Agnes shot her cousin an apologetic look before Esther instructed them of where to go to be seated for the upcoming ceremony. She nodded at Esther, and then guided her mother out of the room. She was angry at Dorothy, angry that her mother could not be bothered to care about the only true family that Agnes had left besides her. She was upset that her mother had allowed herself to become so bitter that she could not extend kindness simply for the sake of being kind. However, Agnes knew how deeply her own guilt over the way she had treated Esther during her first year living with them ran. So perhaps her mother was still processing some of her emotions surrounding the matter. Humanity was often complicated in that way.

They walked through the house to the back garden. The weather was fair and warm, with a light spring breeze blowing through and ruffling the flowers that had been planted for the occasion. Agnes had been surprised when Esther informed her that she and Laurence had applied for and been granted a special license by the Archbishop of Canterbury. They had wanted their wedding to be reminiscent of the letters that had started their love story – private. So, when their special license had been approved, they had immediately gone into preparations for a small wedding to take place in the beautiful gardens behind the Sussex estate.

Agnes blinked around, taking in the beautiful and tasteful way it had all been set up. She rearranged her skirts underneath her as she sat down delicately on the artfully arranged chairs.

The few guests were beginning to arrive, and she knew it was almost time for everything to begin. She looked around once, spotting William in a far corner waiting for his brother. He looked handsome, and when their eyes met, he gave her a stunning smile before glancing away. Agnes’ cheeks flushed as she diverted her attention, but it was instantly grabbed by a familiar face two rows back.

The Earl of Hampton grinned when he saw her, dipping his head in acknowledgement. Esther had told Agnes that the Earl and Laurence had become close as of late, but it didn’t wear off her shock of seeing him. She had thought about him often, wondered if he would call on her again throughout the season. But, for some reason unknown to her, he had not come to another ball since she had seen him the night that Esther and Laurence had announced their courtship. She returned his smile, and as music started up from a small ensemble at the back of the garden, announcing Esther’s arrival, Agnes pushed herself to her feet. With visions of William and the Earl of Hampton dancing in her head, she thought that perhaps, this day would not just be a celebration for her cousin after all.

*       *       *

2 years later

Esther

Esther rubbed her hands over her swollen belly as she laughed at something Agnes had said. They were seated in her drawing room, discussing Agnes’ own upcoming marriage at length. Esther was glad her cousin had finally found her perfect match, a man who was honorable and kind, and treated her cousin with the care and love that she deserved. It had been a long road for them both, and as she felt her child kick within her stomach and looked upon her cousin’s face that was so filled with love, she was glad that their journeys were finally coming to an end.

“How is my beautiful wife?” Laurence’s voice distracted them both, walking into the drawing room and planting a kiss on Esther’s cheek.

“Large,” Esther said with a sigh, forcing a chuckle from both Laurence and Agnes.

She pushed herself off the chair, wanting to stand and walk for a moment. At the end of her pregnancy, she felt as if she could never get comfortable, constantly darting between bouts of being unable to sit still, but also unable to move. But, as Esther straightened her spine, she felt something inside her twist, and a rush of warm water break free down her legs.

A violent cramp tore through her abdomen, and she glanced around frantically. Agnes and Laurence’s faces were alight with shock.

“It’s time,” Esther said, holding her belly as she waddled toward the stairs.

Laurence darted forward, looking for Charles to send him after the midwife. Esther felt a hand grab her elbow and start helping her through the house, and as she turned her gaze, it fell immediately on Agnes. Joy and gratitude washed through Esther as she made her way up the stairs, and nerves followed slowly after. For better or worse, the rest of her future was about to begin. And with her cousin and husband by her side, she felt more than ready to face it head on.

The End...

Thank you for reading our books!

Before you go a few things to remind you!

Don't forget to post your review on

Our Website, Amazon, Goodreads or Bookbub.

Join our Facebook Group with Voracious Readers

Esther and Laurence lived happily ever after!

Now it’s Agnes’ turn to build a future of her own, a future full of passion and true love… but will her path be an easy one?

The next book in the series is available!

Click Here or on the image below and Read it now!