A Lie to Lay with the Lord (Extended Epilogue)
Matilda looked down at the letter she had just received from Althea, smiling as her sister-in-law recalled her various dances with gentlemen, her on-going courtship with the viscount and, perhaps more than Althea realized herself, her continual complaints about Owen. Matilda sighed and leaned back, looking down and out over the piazza in Rome, church bells ringing out over the square. Of all the places she and Henry had traveled, their townhouse in Rome was undoubtedly Matilda’s favorite. She had already talked about bringing their sisters and Barty out for a visit, but Matilda knew it would likely need to wait a year or two. Matilda had a secret, a joyous one that she couldn’t wait to reveal. She wished she could write to Althea and her mother about it, but she first needed to share her news with her husband. She grinned to think of it, looking down over the piazza, longing to see him return from his daily walk. She opened her journal to write a brief missive, her heart-warming when she flicked through the pages of sketches and dried flowers from their months of traveling. She set pen to paper:
It has now been two weeks and I am certain. I did not know I could be so happy. Now I must tell Henry, and then our joy can be shared. I find myself wondering if my own mother felt such excitement and trepidation.
Matilda’s head jerked up when she heard a familiar whistling coming across the square. She looked up, rising from the writing desk to smile down through the open window, waving to her husband as he smiled back before jogging up the front steps. Matilda closed her diary and tucked it away, hearing Henry conversing lightly with their butler downstairs and then his heavy footfalls on the stairs as he ran up to find her in the small library.
“My love,” Henry said, entering the room with his usual grin. Months of continent sunshine had made him even more handsome. His blonde hair had lightened, his skin had tanned, and every time Matilda saw him her heart would flutter. “How are you feeling this morning? Any better?”
“Much better darling.” Matilda tried to hide her smile. She had suspected the reason of her morning illness a week ago but had waited a little longer to be sure. Now she was bursting to tell him.
“Excellent, so we can carry on with our adventures!” He threw his cap on the chair. “Was it the Vatican today, or the Forum again?”
“Well, actually, I thought we might stay here,” Matilda said.
“Oh, say no more.” Henry grinned and then swooped down upon her, kissing her swiftly and thoroughly. Matilda leaned into it, trying to keep the smile of her secret from her lips, but Henry pulled back, looking down at her shrewdly.
“You have a secret,” he stated. Matilda inwardly cursed herself for being unable to hide anything from her husband, but when one was married to both the love of her life and her best friend, it was practically impossible.
“I don’t,” Matilda tried to deny, her lips breaking into a grin. She could feel happiness bubbling up inside of her, threatening to burst out of her lips.
“You do!” Henry declared, holding her tightly by the waist staring at her searchingly. “Tell me! Or shall I tickle it out of you?”
“No, no!” Matilda giggled, swerving away from his roaming fingers. “Don’t!”
“Surrender, Tills!” Henry demanded, falling back into their familiar game. “Say the word, Say it!”
“I am with child!” Matilda blurted out, twisting away from him with a gasp. She stared up at him, watching for his reaction. He jerked at her words, his emerald eyes widening. His hands immediately stopped moving. He held her waist lightly, staring with an open mouth. Matilda grinned at him, waiting for him to process, feeling as light as a feather with joy. She imagined that if she stepped out of the window she would fly away on the sunshine.
“You’re…” he said, dazed.
“With child,” Matilda supplied, taking one of his hands and moving it gently to her abdomen, hoping the touch would make the words more real. “We are having a child, Henry.”
“Oh, God!” Henry exclaimed, sweeping her up into his arms and twirling her around so she screamed joyfully.
“Henry, put me down!” she laughed, watching the sunlit room swirl around her.
“Oh, saints be praised! Oh, Tills!”
He set her down, cupping her cheeks and looking deep into her eyes.
“I am so happy,” he whispered, green eyes wet with joyous tears. “Are you happy, Tills?”
“I am.” Matilda nodded, delighted and filled with relief to finally share this with her husband. Now the marvel of it could be shared between them. “We are going to be parents.”
“We are.” Henry shook his head in wonder, his fingers flexing on her dress. “I shall have a son or daughter. Ralph or Iris.”
“Iris?” Matilda looked up at him quizzically. The name ‘Ralph’ was obviously a homage to her father, but she did not understand the other.
“Yes, Iris. Ever since Medea mentioned it at our wedding breakfast I have thought it a lovely name for a daughter,” Henry smiled softly. “Especially if she has your eyes.”
Matilda was touched he had remembered, and overwhelmed that he had been thinking about it for so long. She kissed him softly, trying to convey her thankfulness and gratitude with every slow second of it.
“We can call them whatever you like, my love.” Matilda tangled her fingers in his hair. “As long as you call us all forever yours.”
“You are mine, my dearest friend, my wife, my life.” Henry kissed her firmly and Matilda felt in his lips all the promises for the future. His hand flexed on her belly. “Both of you are mine, part of my heart. I shall love you forever.”
“We shall love you forever, too.” Matilda sighed, resting her forehead against his as they breathed in one another’s scent: familiar and comforting, the smell of home.
“Are you well?” Henry asked gently, his hand still rubbing her belly in awe. “Do you want for anything?”
“Only your presence.” Matilda smiled. “And perhaps a cup of tea.”
“I can provide both.” Henry kissed her on the forehead and moved to the doorway, “let me go and speak to the housekeeper.”
“Thank you.” Matilda smiled at him, settling back down at the desk.
“And Tills?”
“Yes?”
Matilda turned to look at him. Henry was leaning against the door frame, looking at her with a smile that would light up the whole city.
“I love you,” he said simply. “I love our life together. I can’t wait to meet our child.”
“Me too,” Matilda whispered, her heart full of joy and her eyes starting to tear up. She shook her head, trying to dispel them. “Though I suppose we shall have to share the treehouse now.”
“Indeed!” Henry laughed, “though we shall keep it for some things.”
He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively and disappeared down the stairs, leaving Matilda giggling with excitement and fighting back tears of joy as she opened her journal again. She wanted to write a few, final words to mark this occasion.
Now my happiness is complete. I did not know when I first loved Henry how beautiful our life together could be. I am so glad to be his wife. I am so glad that I married my best friend.
If you haven’t already, please leave your review on Amazon
If you want to know what lies ahead in our story, you may want to get the sequel…
Finding herself at a terrible crossroad, Rosaline is torn: should she join a competition to ruin the man she loves in order to save her father, or should she let her own Papa rot in prison? Whoever she chooses to betray, one thing is certain: neither could ever forgive her…
What a great story. It had me transfixed from the very start. So many trials and tribulations for both Matilda and Henry, and through it all they found true love and happiness together. Enjoyed the Extended Epilogue as well. Would like to see a follow up with Althea and Owen…
Yes, the love that bursts on the pages of Althea and Owen needs to survive in its own story.
Thank you, dear Evelyn! I will keep that in my mind! 🙂
Thank you, dear Ann! I will keep that in my mind to start writing Althea and Owen’s story soon 😉
Thoroughly enjoyed the love of being first friends and then the love of becoming one in marriage.
Thank you dear Evelyn for your comment!
Thoroughly enjoyed this story and Extended Epilogue was a great finish
Thank you so much dear Pauline for your comment! I am glad you liked this story!
I enjoyed this book and the characters in the story. I would enjoy a book about a romance between Owen and Althea.
Thanks for your comment, dear LaVera! I will keep that on my mind 😉
Wonderful story! Hope there will be a sequel!
Thank you so much dear Patty! I am glad you enjoyed this novel!
BRILLIANT STORY FOLLOWING ON FROM PREVIOUS BOOK LOVE TO SEE IT CONTINUE FURTHER COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN .
Thank you so much dear Pickle!
Very good story. Enjoyed it tremendously.
Thank you so much for your comment dear Peggy!
Loved this story and the suspense of Tills and Henry to finally recognize their love
Hey dear LouAnne, thanks for your positive feedback!
Loved the book. Hope there is another book for Althea and Owen
Thank you so much dear Lolo for your positive feedback! 🙂
I agree!
<3
Wonderful couldn’t put it down had to get to the end.
Thank you so much dear Marian for your comment!
Truly delightful story. Moved right along, read the book in a few hours. It was nice to see the friendship develop into mature love.
Thank you so much dear Sammee!
Could not put it down. Loved the book and characters. Owen and Althea next?
Thank you so much dear Christine for your comment! Stay tuned for more.. 😉
A very enjoyable read
Thank you for your beautiful comment, my dear Bridgit!
Is there for Althea and Owen? …I think they should be falling in love with each other…would love to read their story too…
Thank you so much for your comment, my dear Mary! I’m glad you liked the characters. Stay tuned for more…
I throughly enjoyed this story, I cried and laughed. I so did not want it to end!
Thank you so much, dear Luci! I’m glad you enjoyed the story so much.
A wonderful story and extended epilogue so glad the truth was exposed and they had no more secrets from each other
Thank you for your beautiful comments, dear Gwen. I’m glad you enjoy my stories!
Thought it started off a little slow but once it got going couldn’t stop reading it. Love the way friendship can blossom so completely. Hope there will be a sequel about Althea and Owen.
Thank you for your comment, dear Mary! As for a sequel…Stay tuned!
Henry and Matilda have been together since childhood and are now building a family of their own.
Thank you for your comment, dear Gail!
Enjoy the book very much. Was glad Matilda and Henry got past her lies and had a happy life.
Thank you for your comment, dear Jasmin. I’m so glad you enjoyed this story! Stay tuned, because I have a surprise for you that loved Matilda & Henry… 😉
Such an awesome story!! Thank you💗💗
Thank you for this comment, Lisa! I’m glad you enjoyed it…And if I were you, I’d stay tuned because there’s something cooking that connects strongly to this book… 😉
Loved this book! Couldn’t put it down once I started. Definitely would love to read and follow the lives of Matilda and Henry’s brother, sisters and children!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed this book so much, dear Brenda! Thank you. Now, I don’t know about their children, but you can definitely learn about their best friend (and one of their siblings) on the next novel in this series, “A Way to Betray the Duke”. I hope you’ll give it a shot. I’ll look forward to your comments on that one. (And you’ll definitely meet Matilda & Henry there, too!)
I loved this book. It held me spellbound from the beginning to the very end! Thank you for the gift of your talent!
Hello my dear Patricia, thank you for your sweet message! I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed the book!
A truly Happy Ever after! Loved the story, love Matilda and Henry and hoping for a Althea and Owen Story!
Hello my dear Jud, I am so happy to hear that! I loved writing this story and I am so happy it resonated with you!
Loved the book. Hope there is a book about Althea and Owen.
Hello my dear, thank you for the sweet comment! I hope you enjoy the stories to come!
Love your books, can’t wait to read more of them.
Hello my dear Lois, you comment truly made my day! Thank you so much for the support!
Loved it. How wonderful to marry your best friend. Was it Ralph or Iris. That I would of liked to know. He never forgot his promise to her at age 17.. I think I maybe in love to with Henry
Hello my dear Claire, I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed the book! Thank you for the support! I hope you enjoy the rest of the books in the series!
Okay I admit it, I am so addicted to this series! This book had me from the beginning! Loved it!!
Hello my dear Patricia, you have no idea how happy this makes me! A new book in coming sooner than you think… 🙂
Enjoyed reading this story. The misunderstanding between Matilda and Henry. Eventually from friendship to lovers.
Hello my dear Jan, thank you for the kind comment! I am really happy to hear that you enjoyed the story!
I loved this book! It had just enough spice that I like. Thank you .I love your books
Hello my dear Deborah, thank you for the sweet comment! It truly made my day! I hope you enjoy the stories to come!
Delighted to read Miltilda’s story with Henry.A great follow and the Extended Epilogue was a finish to their story.
Thank you dear! ❤️
As always, a bit of a white knuckle wait until they find each other.
Thank you and please keep the story going.
Chris
Thank you Chris! I’m thilled to know you enjoyed the book!
Wonderful!!!
Thank you!