The Secrets of a Charismatic Duke Bonus Scene

Logan placed a simple diamond ring, that had been his mother's, upon his bride's finger.

"With this Ring, I thee wed,

with my body I thee worship,

and with all my worldly goods I thee endow,

in the name—"

He looked at the beautiful bride before him, at the front of the church, and he was overwhelmed with love for her.

Olivia had been swept off her feet all morning. When it came to the final deed of signing her maiden name in the Marriage Registry, she was glad it was almost over.

She had barely slept a wink the previous evening. Sarah had come to share her room to soothe her nerves, but now, it was all done.

Olivia and Logan had agreed that they would have only a small affair. Her family was not large, though she had invited a couple of cousins from Yorkshire. Logan's immediate family wasn't much larger, for he had been an only child, so the gathering remained a small one.

After the church ceremony, everyone made their way back to the manor house for a wedding feast.

Olivia had wanted to change her gown from all the silk and lace, but her mother had convinced her to keep it on until the guests left. There was to be no ball as the happy couple was to take a coach to Dover and then a ship to France for their honeymoon.

"It was so good of you to provide accommodation for us," Juliana thanked Olivia.

"Not at all," Olivia said as she watched the father and son take their seats at the table. "Logan and I were so pleased that Joshua could be here today. We would have it no other way."

"They are inseparable," Juliana continued, for she and her husband had talked much of the boy's future. "When you return, Joshua would love to come and stay awhile with you both."

"That would be perfect, thank you," Olivia agreed. "We have been debating on how Joshua should address me. Would you mind terribly if I ask him to refer to me as his mother?"

"Oh, Olivia, that is what we had hoped for," Juliana clapped her gloved hands together. "He asks about you as much as he does about his father."

The matter was settled then, Olivia was to be Joshua's mother, provided he accepted it.

The two ladies parted ways as they arrived in the dining room for the celebratory breakfast meal. It was an informal affair, with two tables laid out for all the guests. Olivia took her seat at the top of the main table, with her parents at either side of her. Logan was at the other end, with Joshua.

Her new husband looked down the table at her. Logan felt as if his heart would burst with love and joy. Olivia smiled down the table at him, a twinkle in her eye. Logan and Olivia yearned to be together and alone, but for now, they must entertain their close friends and family.

Soon, they would be leaving for their honeymoon and enjoying their first evening as man and wife.

The passing of a year

Olivia was sitting in the garden taking tea with her best friend, Sarah. They watched as the children chased one another through the maze of hedgerows. The maze had been planted by Logan's father many years ago, and Logan had fond memories of it.

It gladdened her heart to see William and Joshua having such fun, as did Sarah's girls. William's life was so much better now that Joshua had come to live at the manor house. The two of them shared the same governess, and now their lives were intertwined.

Following their return from their honeymoon, Joshua had visited every weekend. His visits had stretched into weeks, until finally, his aunt and uncle had approached the duke and Olivia. It had been a day of jubilation as it had changed the course of young Joshua's life.

They had proposed that Logan's son should live with him. When he was not at the Manor House, he was miserable. It was still their wish to remain in Joshua's life because they cherished the boy. But they felt that he should be raised with his parents.

Instead, they would sell up their townhouse and move closer to the manor. They felt it imperative for his welfare, that he lived to be surrounded by his natural family. It was clear to them that they all loved him as much as they did.

And so, Joshua had moved into the Manor House.

***

Olivia and Sarah worked on a soft piece of cloth together. Each embroidering the edging with intricate floral patterns.

"Lizzie has taught you well," Olivia pointed out as she turned to look at Sarah's work.

"Yes, but she still loves to come and work at the front of the shop," Sarah smiled in reply. "She hates being stuck in the sewing room, so we've agreed that we will share the tasks between us."

"I'm pleased that you two get along so well. Lizzie has her ways, but her heart is true," Olivia said.

As she looked up, she could see that her husband was strolling towards their table, and she stood up to greet him.

"My dear, you should remain seated in your condition," he smiled, rubbing at the bump in her tummy.

She took her seat as he requested. There wasn't long to go before they would have their first child together, a sibling for Joshua.

"Come, sit with us, Logan, and watch the children at play," Olivia invited. "The boys are chasing the girls around the maze, and it is a delight to hear their laughter."

"What a perfect day," the duke remarked as he took a seat next to his wife. "The sun shines, I have my wife by my side and the joyful laughter of our children."

"Ooo—" Olivia gasped. "I felt a kick," she chuckled. "Your baby recognizes your voice, I'm sure of it."

Logan leaned over and kissed Olivia's forehead, for he was truly happy. He had wed the woman he loved, his son was by his side, and now their shared child was on the way. Life could not possibly get much better.

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