The Duke’s Reckoning (Extended Epilogue)
Eight Months Later…
“This place is so beautiful, Amelia! Why did it take you so long to host the gardening society, my dear?”
Amelia turned from her vantage point on the elevated porch of her mother’s conservatory to Lady Clarice, who held her six-month-old son, Geoffrey, in her arms. As the auburn-haired bundle of delight met her gaze, he chortled delightfully and stretched out his thick, chubby hands toward her. Amelia’s heart constricted with warmth as she took her son from his grandmother and held him close to her bosom, inhaling his soft baby smell.
Glancing at her mother-in-law, Amelia smiled shyly before turning back to watch members of the gardening society walk around appraising and admiring the blooming flower beds spread across the ten thousand square feet garden. “Well, I’ve always thought the garden wasn’t ready enough. I kept postponing over and over again, but I think now is just the perfect time.”
“As far as you’re finally doing it. That’s all that matters, dear.”.
Amelia couldn’t help feeling a surge of pride under the older woman’s approving gaze. “Thank you, Lady Reeves, for your kind encouraging words.”
“No, thank you, Amelia,” Lady Clarice said fondly. “Thank you for coming into my son’s life and my family. You’ve been a great blessing, and I wish Geoffrey had been alive to meet you and his grandson.”
“Oh, Lady Reeves.” Amelia couldn’t help the smile that crept into her face. “I would have loved to meet him as well. But I’m sure he is above watching over us.”
“Oh, I’m sure he is. I’m beyond certain he is,” Lady Clarice said, dabbing at her misty eyes.
“Do not worry, Your Grace. I promise you will have enough grandchildren to fuss over in a short while.”
The Dowager Duchess chuckled and tickled her grandson’s cheeks, beaming as he chortled harder.
Several minutes later, as everyone proceeded to the dining room for lunch, Amelia noted Anne and Jace’s absence and turned to her mother-in-law. “Will Jace and Anne not be joining us for dinner?” She inquired.
“I don’t think so. They have been holed up together in the drawing room discussing a matter of great importance.”
Amelia couldn’t help but worry about them. Initially, she’d thought Jace would renounce his plans to join the army after their engagement, but that wasn’t the case. As she excused herself to go tend to her son in the nursery upstairs, she couldn’t help but pray and wish that the both of them found the same kind of blissful happiness she’d found with Sidney.
Walking into the nursery with her son held gently against her shoulders, Amelia’s heart fluttered delightfully as she saw her husband leaning against the wall. At the sight of her, he hurried close and planted a kiss on her temple before kissing their son.
“How are you, my darling?” Sidney asked with concern. “I hope the event is panning out as you hoped?”
“More than I expected it would,” she gushed happily. “Everyone is talking about the garden and how amazing it is. I have the strong intuition that I might win the best garden of the month.”
“And you wouldn’t be less deserving of it, Amelia darling. You deserve to win best garden for the whole year in my opinion. I cannot wait to see what you’d do with ours when it is finally complete.”
“Oh, sweetest heart. You know just how to flatter me shamelessly.” She preened, lowering her gaze.
“You’ve given me a beautiful life. And I’ll do it again and again just to see your beautiful smile.”
“Oh, how I love you, husband,” she whispered as a rush of emotions flooded her heart.
“I love you too, wife. And I’ll love you boundlessly till the end of time,” he replied, leaning down to kiss her softly on the lips.
Sidney’s arms around her waist steered them toward the cot, Amelia felt the most fulfilled and happy.
Being a wife had ushered so many wonderful things into her life, but being a mother had changed everything completely.
She couldn’t wait to grow and expand her family with the wonderful man beside her, and she eagerly anticipated more adventures to come.
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A good read
Hello my dear Gwen, thank you for your sweet comment!
I truly enjoyed this story. I knew Lady Victoria was a retched person. Sydney was quite the character as was Amelia. Great drama and gossip in this story.
Hello my dear Donna, thank you for your comment! I am really happy you enjoyed the book!
LOVED THE STORYLINE AND ALL THE CHARACTERS .
Thank you for your sweet comment, my dear Pickle! I am truly touched!
The flow of the story made it impossible to put down…
Hello my dear Collen, thank you for your seat comment! I am really glad you enjoyed the story!
Loved this book. I really enjoyed the storyline and the characters were easy to love (or despise in Lady Veronica’s case). I will definitely ready more of your books.
Hello my dear Kathy, thank you for your sweet message! It really made my day!
Love, love, love it’s like catching up with a friend when reading your books. Love the characters and the historical events. So very romantic and what every young girl dreams of. your definitely getting
that romantic feeling with the touch of bitterness. Looking forward to starting a new book.
Hello my dear Genna, thank you for your sweet message, you really made my day!
Amazingly good! It was funny, tearful, frustrating all in one book. Well written and plotted,out. Thank you for the entertainment.
Hello my dear Jo, thank you for your sweet comment! I am really happy you enjoyed the story!
Such a commentary on revenge, assuming facts without full knowledge, & acting in hate. Luckily things worked out for the best in the end affording HEA in this intriguing story
Hello my dear Ann, I am so happy you enjoyed the story!