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The Mystery of the Iron Duke Bonus Scene

The Mystery of the Iron Duke Bonus Scene

Catherine looked at herself in the mirror, ensuring that she was presentable. The past three years had changed her ever so slightly. She saw the faint lines at the edges of her eyes that had begun to form as a result of smiling so much.

To Catherine, if ever there was a reason to have lines form on one's face, joy was one for which she did not mind such a sacrifice.

In all, she looked perfectly presentable. The gown hid the slight pouch that still existed from nearly two years prior, when her stomach had stretched to give way for their daughter, Liliana. But once more, this was a flaw in her body that she would not have traded for anything.

She and the Duke had lived a wonderful three years. She wondered what awaited them in the many years to come. Would there be more happiness? She imagined so.

Surely the future would only be greater and grander than they could even imagine. They had worked hard for it, and she felt confident it would come to pass.

Feeling as though she were finally ready, Catherine made her way down the stairs and to the garden outside. The Duke and Liliana were already out there with the nurse, who looked after Liliana and ensured that she was always cared for when Catherine was unavailable for any reason.

But seeing her daughter, with those deep, dark eyes, she needed to hold her instantly. It was always an agony to be apart from her child, and Catherine hated any occasion which might take her away from the daughter she loved so dearly.

"I believe they have arrived," Benjamin announced.

Catherine looked up and saw her mother and father walking towards them down the slight hill. They looked well, and Catherine was glad to see that.

"Darling," her mother greeted, hugging Catherine.

"Your Grace," her father bowed to the Duke, then took his hand in a firm shake of familiarity.

Daniel was lingering close by, and Lord and Lady Abingdon made a point to greet him as well. It was clear they still found themselves somewhat uncomfortable around him - or they did not entirely know how to interact with him - but things had changed and improved a great deal.

Daniel seemed not to notice. He was having a decent day, certainly able to communicate, but his thoughts continued to drift, and he was distracted by the flowers. It was a perfectly fine way for him to spend his time with them, enjoying the outdoors, and being surrounded by people.

"How are you? Can I hold her?" Lady Abingdon asked the two questions in one breath.

It was clear to Catherine that her mother preferred the thought of holding Liliana to hearing an answer about how they were doing. After all, the child was beautiful and loved by all.

Catherine laughed. "Certainly, you may. She loves her grandmother and grandfather, don't you, my sweet?"

She kissed her daughter on the cheek as she handed her over to her mother. It was strange to see the affection Lady Abingdon exhibited towards her granddaughter, as she had so scarcely shown it to her daughter throughout Catherine's life.

It was a relief to know that Liliana would not be subjected to many of the things Catherine had been. All would be much better with Catherine's mother and father now.

Forgiveness had been given once her mother and father had finally confessed that their behaviour had been unacceptable. It was clear at first that they simply felt bad but had no desire to take responsibility for it.

However, over time, things had come together. Lady Abingdon had spoken with Catherine, had told her how she wished to make things right, but her husband was unwilling to bridge the gap that had come between them.

But a year later, he had come around as well. Finally, there was a sense of peace, as the relationship began to heal.

"I am glad we have not had to miss this," Lady Abingdon noted, smiling at Liliana.

"I am as well. It would have broken my heart if you and Father had no part in her life. It brings me so much joy when I see you with her, and I should like for it to always be this way," Catherine said.

"Well then, we ought to have a seat and catch up," Lord Abingdon said, coming towards the ladies from where he and the Duke had been standing.

"Certainly. And once Penelope and Faversham arrive, we can enjoy our lunch," Catherine noted.

The family spent a great deal of time laughing and talking. It was growing easier the more they spent time together, and Catherine was glad for it.

She patted the space beside her, and Daniel came to sit, twirling a sunflower in his fingers as he did. He was not listening to most of the conversation, but he was at least present and would answer when he was spoken to.

With a great deal of help and the encouragement of the physician, Daniel had been going out more. It had begun with twice a month: trips to visit the homes of friends who were kind enough not to mind the scandal.

It was not long before Daniel was allowed to go to town once a week with the Duke to guide him. They would walk together through the streets and spend time visiting men that the Duke knew. He would take him into a sweets shop and allow him to pick a treat for the day.

Of course, this only happened on the days in which Daniel was fairly lucid, but they were the days that Catherine and the Duke were the most thrilled to see him. If he could be out and about with others, eventually he would grow accustomed to company, and not be so anxious around it.

Catherine had seen a great deal of change in her parents, in Daniel, and also in her two dearest friends in all the world.

Penelope and Faversham arrived half an hour later, and Catherine leapt up to greet them. They had been away for a trip to visit her family, and Catherine was excited that they had now returned.

"You look radiant," Catherine noted. "And, of course, I can see why."

Penelope rested a hand on the ever-growing bump of her belly. She was a mere two months away from giving birth, and Catherine had promised to be with her every step of it.

Faversham was already proud that he was going to be a father, and took every opportunity he could to talk about it. It seemed as though he had never been happier in his life.

"It is so good to be back," Penelope said, seeming relieved to be sitting on the still earth rather than travelling on the bumpy road they had been on during their journey.

"I imagine so. A journey like that is not fun when you are with child," Catherine acknowledged.

"I think I shall spend the next two months resting," Penelope sighed.

Catherine nodded. Her friend was doing so well but seemed quite tired. When lunch arrived, she insisted that Penelope eat first, to get her energy back.

The picnic was a delight to all, and it seemed that everything was finally as it ought to have been. The relationship with her parents had finally settled. Daniel was doing as well as could reasonably be expected. Penelope and Faversham had found their loyal partners and were expecting a child.

And Catherine had married the man she loved and given birth to a sweet baby girl.

The afternoon was a reflection of everything that had been made right. It was more than she could have hoped for.

In the evening, after everyone had left, and the nursemaid had taken Liliana to put her down for a nap, Catherine and the Duke found themselves seated on the balcony, looking out at the world around them.

It seemed entirely too vast as the sun began to set, and the colours protruded from every direction without end.

Catherine could not tear her gaze from it, but she felt that the Duke could not tear his gaze from her.

"You are missing it. It is the most astounding sight," she told him.

"I know. I am looking right at it," Benjamin replied dreamily.

With that compliment, Catherine turned her attention to her husband and allowed her eyes to rest upon his.

She thought back to that day all those years ago when she had first spoken to him on a balcony, seeing only a small portion of his face in the darkness.

He had fascinated her then with his mystery. He had been kind to her and had brought her a sense of peace that she did not otherwise have.

And even then, when she knew nothing about this strange man who had stood beside her, she had agreed to dance with him.

That dance had revealed him to be the strange man about whom so many rumours were told. He had been the one she had feared to marry. But he had grown to be the only man in the world to her, and nothing could keep them apart now.

Catherine let her eyes fall to his scar, and she traced a finger over it.

"Do you find my scar frightening?" he asked her in a teasing voice.

"No. Not seeing it is what I would find frightening. Because that would mean I wouldn't be seeing you either, and you being gone is what terrifies me," she admitted.

Benjamin took her hand and softly kissed her palm. "Then you must never fear," he said. "I am going nowhere. I shall spend all my days by your side, and you cannot find a way to be rid of me."

"I shall never wish to be rid of you. But you must promise that any time I wish to have you at my side, you shall forget all else, leave everyone else behind, and come to me," she said.

"Why must I?" he asked in a complaining voice, eliciting laughter from Catherine.

"Because I have heard rumours of a man who becomes a beast and howls at the moon at night," she reminded him.

The Duke laughed heartily. "Oh dear, are you thinking of those times again?"

"Now and then, I like to remember where we began."

"I am glad we have come so far. I should never like to go back to those times when the world thought I was an animal, and you were frightened of me," he said.

"I was frightened of the things I had heard. The moment we first spoke, I was utterly taken by you. I always did want a husband who had a bit of mystery," she remarked.

"Then you must be sorely disappointed for I have now shared with you all of my mystery. You and the entirety of London, as I recall. Everyone knows all there is to know about the Duke of Windermere," he sighed.

"That is not true. We know all there is to know about his past. But there is an entire future ahead for us to build and discover. I do not think the mystery shall ever cease because you and I are new people each day. Everyone is new each day. A new beginning is what we are truly made for," she said.

"And you do not think you know anything of what the future might hold?" he asked.

Catherine grinned, looking away from him, and back at the sky. The colours still held their sway, not fading, only brightening. There was a scent of roses in the air wafting from the bushes below.

"I suppose I have things that I imagine shall be a part of our future," she confessed.

"Oh? And what sort of things might those be? What do you imagine?" he asked.

"First, you must tell me. What do you hope for the future?" she asked.

The Duke looked at her with a teasing irritation that she was making him share his thoughts before her.

"Well, I imagine a day where you shall speak before I do," he laughed. "But truly, I believe our future shall hold many days like today. I believe we shall continue to grow closer to your mother and father, to see them change even more and grow more satisfied with the life that they have.

"I believe we shall see Daniel continue to grow and improve socially. And while I should like to see his mental state continue to improve, I can only hope for that at this time.

"I should like to continue to be around friends like Penelope and Faversham with whom we can celebrate the great things that come into their lives, that we might be able to support them. And I do hope our children grow to be friends with theirs," he added.

"I like that idea," Catherine noted. "Very much."

"And I suppose that brings me to the last point. I should like very much to see our family continue to grow. Liliana shall have many brothers and sisters, and I shall get to see my beautiful wife looking after them as the wonderful mother she has already proven herself to be," he said with a smile.

"That is what you wish for the future?" Catherine asked.

The Duke looked at her in confusion. "Well, yes. You asked me, and I told you. What more do you wish for me to say?"

"Nothing more. It sounds ideal as it is," she replied, looking at the sunset once more.

"Now it is your turn," he said.

"Ah, yes, I am to tell you what I hope for the future," she remembered.

She took a deep breath, an enigmatic smile tugging at her lips.

"My dream for the future echoes yours," she said. "And speaking of that, I do have a little bit of news for you."

"Oh?" The Duke looked at her with wonder, curious what the news might be.

"It appears your wishes have already started coming true."

With a knowing smile and a certainty of what lay ahead, Catherine placed her hands upon her abdomen and watched the realisation dawn upon Benjamin's face.

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