A Trick to Tame the Duke (Extended Epilogue)
Three Years Later
The beautiful couple walked hand in hand through one of the meadows they often frolicked when time allowed it, with the sun shining down on them. The day was warm and pleasant, and exactly what they both needed.
They discussed the estate and all the pressing details Euan had been consumed by as of late. While Iris didn’t know some of the gritty details, for she was often busy managing the household, she insisted on being informed of what occurred.
She learned the ropes of what it meant to be a duke through her husband and was quickly acquainted with her own role as duchess. While most were expected to meander in London during the season and become well acquainted with the ton, neither of them cared much for it and rather chose to remain in the comfortable home they made with one another.
Iris found his duties fascinating, even if they were mundane to him. She was grateful for the lessons he often gave her.
Walking through the long grasses dotted with wildflowers, she took a deep breath in to soak up the wonderful smells around her.
“Ever since Kian returned from his tour of Europe, Mother has been pressuring both him and Darragh to find wives of their own,” Euan said with a hint of amusement in their eyes. “It’s their turn to bear her insistent eye over everything.”
“I’m sure it is a relief to not be the one facing that scrutiny any longer.”
He released an exasperated breath and nodded in agreement. “It’s about time that pressure was lifted from my shoulders. Darragh has grumbled endlessly to me about how persistent she is. Little do they know, this is only the beginning.”
Iris laughed at the notion as the grass brushed against her palm. “I cannot imagine Darragh or Kian ever getting married.”
“Heaven save those poor women,” he uttered, chuckling to himself.
“Although rakes do make the perfect husbands,” Iris mused, smiling at her husband.
He cocked a brow at her, swinging their hands up so he could kiss the back of hers. “Is that so?”
“I feel I have the authority to speak on the matter myself,” she said, grinning at him. “I’m certain that with time, your brothers will settle and find the young ladies who can best tolerate them and their…habits.”
Euan snickered and continued their careful troll through the meadow. “It would be a blessing if she could manage to speak to Darragh without any wine in his system. Now that is a rare occurrence.”
“Did either of them receive the same preening you did for the role of the Duke?” she asked, curious about the family dynamic and their places in the grand scheme of things.
He shook his head. “Only I was since I am the eldest. Father attempted to show them the ropes, but Kian was too absent-minded, and Darragh cared more for women and debauchery than how to record the latest numbers and keep accounts.”
“I don’t have any doubt of that.”
A small smile pulled on his lips that flickered into a sad one for a moment. “If only Dad were here to see at least one of his sons finally taking the name seriously. While mother has been overbearing at times, it is a relief to know she trusts me with it all.”
“He is with you in some ways, I’m sure,” Iris insisted, offering her hope. “I know he would be proud of you for everything you have accomplished.”
“Everything we have accomplished,” he corrected, grin pulled tightly.
Three years had come and gone since they first met—since that fateful day in the rain—and they had a beautiful life together.
Neither of them had anticipated just how their lives would weave and tangle with one another, but there was nothing they would change.
They had built their home, started their family, and watched as their love grew stronger with each passing day.
There was much to be grateful for, and they had no shortage of appreciation for how their luck had turned around.
Iris had been a restless young lady with the desire to see what had been otherwise hidden from her—a whole different way of life from what she was accustomed to. She took a leap of faith that changed her trajectory and gave her the experience she needed to better understand the world around her and those in it.
The Duke had been resistant to his role, preferring to remain hidden away in his estate and despising anything to do with the ton. While he still favored his countryseat over London, he had at least found himself more capable of being near them, more confident in himself as a duke. He had been picky about his future wife for good reason, and nothing could make him believe any other woman could fulfill him as Iris did.
Their initial meeting and forced proximity had been awkward and not ideal, yet they had managed to make the most of it and came together for better and for worse.
They helped one another to see what they were unable to before, offering a new perspective. With that, their love blossomed and molded them into better versions of themselves.
Through their time together, Iris learned how different her life was compared to that of a maid and just how difficult the job was. She developed a better appreciation for them and always treasured her dear helpers moving forward.
Euan discovered the word wasn’t against him or out to sabotage him. While he had been scorned by the ton before, Iris helped him see that their opinions of him didn’t matter so long as he was happy and pursuing something worth his time and attention. He was in charge of his own fate, and he could make those decisions to fit his own needs without relying on another’s opinion.
They found love and comfort in one another, and that was all they could ask for.
A gentle breeze swept by them as they appreciated the scenery around them. No matter how many times they walked that same path, it never grew old.
“I caught wind of one of the footmen fancying Bonnie,” Iris said after some time, recalling how that tidbit of gossip had perked her attention.
“Does she return those feelings?”
“She hasn’t said it explicitly, nor did I ask outright, although I did notice how her cheeks turned pink after he aided her into our carriage recently,” she murmured, thinking back to that day. “I wished to implore what caused the reaction, yet she was far too bashful, and I couldn’t bear to make it worse.”
Euan chuckled. “Perhaps there is an opportunity for us to encourage their exploration of this possible connection?”
Iris feigned her shock. “Are you scheming, husband?”
He mocked a scandalized expression in return with his hand over his heart. “I would never!”
Laughing together, she looped her arm through his and leaned into him while they walked.
Their hearts warmed, forever amused by how easily they got along and could banter. They both knew that was often a rare occurrence for arranged couples, and they considered themselves incredibly lucky.
Before long, Iris paused the moment she saw movement ahead, realizing who it was at once.
With her brunette hair flying behind her, swept back with the wind, their little girl Sophia ran toward them, swinging her arms enthusiastically. She was shouting, but they couldn’t yet glean what she was saying.
Amused by the sight, the two of them laughed at their daughter, who always saw so much wonder in the world. It reminded Iris of herself.
“Mama! Papa!” the little girl shouted, finally reaching them. Her chest heaved, out of breath the moment she threw her arms around their legs. “Come quick; you must see what I found.”
They exchanged a confused look, but without wasting a moment, they followed Sophia through the meadow. Wearing their smiles and anticipation, they moved through the tall grass while the sun’s warmth beamed down on them and created one of the most beautiful days either of them had seen.
They reached the end of the field that overlooked a clearing far below, and the most magnificent sight became apparent to them.
Stretching as far as the eye could see, a meadow of wildflowers went on and on like a sea of colors. Every part of the rainbow was present, all just as bright and incredible to gaze upon. The sky above was crystal clear and free of any clouds while the sun shined brilliantly.
It was unlike anything they had ever seen. Even more incredible than seeing the flowers up close.
Iris gasped in awe, eyes gleaming with happiness and amazement while they gazed at the field of freesias.
At once, her mind returned to that time they shared among the flowers. Euan had arranged it all, down to speaking with Miss Spencer and having the quilt arranged with the picnic basket. He fed her strawberries dipped in chocolate while they drank wine, soaking in the allure of one another.
She didn’t think he could ever top the hot spring, but he did so effortlessly, taking her by surprise. He had kissed her so feverishly that her head spun, and she couldn’t think of anything else but him.
They made love for the first time, and Iris knew then and there that her feelings for him would never change. He had been determined to make her stay, and he had done exactly that.
The young mother looked up at her husband as her heart swelled with love, so overwhelmed by it that the emotions tickled her nose. She couldn’t believe how everything had gone in their favor, and she knew there was no other man she would rather build her life with.
Euan met her gaze and smiled, features just as handsome as they had been the day they met on the road.
Even after all those years, he had the ability to make her feel like the most beautiful woman in the world, and she would never stop being grateful for it.
He had left his impression on her, along with all the special things he ever treated her to, and those warm memories would be with her forever.
“Thank you, Euan,” she said softly, unable to take her eyes away from his despite the beautiful view ahead of them. “For everything.”
Her husband smiled down at her as he slipped an arm around her back, bringing her close. His eyes were so flooded with love that her heart raced, certain that he could hear it. It didn’t matter, for his pounded all the same.
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be than by your side, my love,” he murmured. He couldn’t be surer about anything else. “For all eternity.”
He dipped his head down to press his lips against her gently, feather-light yet so full of love and adoration that her knees nearly wobbled. Their noses touched as they shared a smile, foreheads pressed together.
Her heart stirred, blanketed by the familiar warmth that often consumed her when he was near. She would never grow tired of being just as awestruck by his touch, and the way she reacted to him never grew old.
As they returned their attention to the freesias down below, surrounded by the beauty of their estate and nature, Iris knew they could face every challenge life could throw their way. With their daughter at their feet and a symbol of the love and passion they always shared, anything was possible.
She only wished her younger self could know what was ahead of her and what she had to look forward to. For if she had, then perhaps she would be less resistant to marrying the brutish Duke her father had found in her stead, who turned out to be the man of her dreams.
Love worked in strange ways, yet she had grown to welcome it.
The gentle breeze kept the sun’s warmth at bay, gleaming over the wildflowers while they swayed. The light floral scents of spring and early summer wafted all around them, keeping Iris in that time she treasured most.
“There’s no time to waste,” Euan said suddenly, bending down to scoop Sophia in his arms and placing her on his shoulders.
She squealed happily, laughing once she was settled and held on to his neck gently.
He began down the slope, watching his step with his daughter hanging on.
“Where are you going?” Iris asked with a laugh, watching how he moved gingerly.
With a glance back at her, he smiled. “To fetch some fresh freesias, of course. Race you there!”
Heart fluttering at the thought, she had no mind to deny him, and she wasn’t one to concede. With that usual spark of competitiveness coursing through her, Iris lifted the skirt of her dress and hurried after them.
Laughing, she scaled the slope quickly to try and catch up to them. Their amused sounds mingled in the quiet picturesque scene, only spurring more excitement and wonder inside her.
As they raced down to the field that had a special place in her heart, Iris felt utterly content and wouldn’t trade her life for anything.
Even if it took pretending to be a maid to achieve.
In the end, it was all worth it.
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If you want to know what lies ahead in our story, you may want to get the sequel…
Eugenia Humphries never forgot her first heartbreak. When Dorian Townsend vanished without a trace and left her without explanation, she made a solemn vow to guard her heart from any man’s touch. And yet, years later, fate intervenes with a life-changing letter, bringing Dorian, now the Duke of Richmond, face to face with the woman he left behind. As Eugenia becomes his sister’s governess, their hearts collide once more, but amidst hurt, hate, and a rival’s courtship, can they rekindle a love that never truly faded? For they say love is a flame, and this time, they will both get burned…
Brilliant What’s not to like LOVED STORY LOVED CHARACTERS
Hello my dear Pickle, thank you so so much for the sweet comment! It really has made my day!
I was not happy that I was forced to buy the box set if I wanted to read the last book of the series
Hello my dear, thank you for the comment and I am really sorry for the inconvenience! I will let my team know of your feedback! I hope you have a lovely day!
Lovely story. Nice to see a determined woman set out to see the world and deal with the circumstances she runs into. Also nice to see a duke who cares more about feelings then the snobish ton. Iris and Euan are perfectly matched and a lovely couple.
Hello my dear Madhu, thank you for the comment, I am glad you enjoyed it! This couple was one my my favourites to write about!
Lovely story well written!
Hello my dear Madhu, I am SO happy you enjoyed the story! It was so fun to write!
This book was lovely and exciting. I read in one day tops!!!!
So glad you enjoyed it my dear! 🙏