Was there a part that bored or that you didn't really like in the book? *

Even a character, a scene, or anything. You could say no if nothing bothered you.

What moment from the book you enjoyed the most? *

It can be a character, a scene, a trait, or anything, you have enjoyed.

Was the portrayal of amnesia in the story accurate and engaging? *

• Yes, the depiction of amnesia in the story was both accurate and captivating!
• While the portrayal of amnesia in the story was somewhat accurate, it felt a bit cliché at times.
• No, the depiction of amnesia in the story was not convincing or well-executed.

Which aspect of the book stood out to you the most: the characters and their conversations or the vivid descriptions of the settings and events? *

• The characters and their conversations!
• The vivid descriptions of settings and events!

Which type of setting would you find more captivating for a Regency romance novel: an enchanting indoor house or manor or a picturesque outdoor landscape? *

• An enchanting indoor house or manor!
• Picturesque outdoor landscape!

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Esther

This was a day that she never thought would come.

Here she stood at the end of a chapel, with flowers braided into her hair, in a beautiful white dress. Lucious’ hands were in her own. The pallor had gone from his skin, which now looked bright and healthy. He sported a summer tan from the work he insisted on doing outside. The pastor read them their vows, and she could not stop smiling.

When she had been a little girl, waiting for her turn to be out in Society, she had dreamt of this day. She had imagined that she would have gotten married at St. Anthony’s in the city. She had imagined the gowns she would wear and the people that she would invite, she had plotted and planned the ball she would host after her honeymoon was over. Esther had planned every detail of her fantasy dream wedding . . . all but the actual groom himself.

Even then, she had known that marriage was her duty but not something she wanted. It had been inevitable back then, something she would have simply been forced to do, whether she liked it or not. There would be no options. And when her father’s scandal had disrupted her whole life for what she had presumed would be the worse, the wedding, the honeymoon, and the ball had become just another dream she had been forced to let go of.

Esther was adaptable. She was of the mind that she could endure just about anything if she truly put her mind to it. She knew it was possible. She had adjusted to life on the small farm and living her life in the cottage with her mother, and she had been happy enough. Then, life had decided that not nearly enough had happened to her, and fate had given her Lucious.

A whirlwind of an adventure, to say the absolute least . . . and then she was here. She stood in a chapel on her wedding day, and once the marriage was official, she would be a duchess. A woman of means and title, who would spend much of her time in the small village in the dukedom, helping her husband with his new hobby of farming.

She did not regret a single bit of it.

“With this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.” Lucious spoke in clear tones as he slipped the modest ring that Esther had insisted upon onto her finger with a giddy smile. “Your turn, love.”

Esther felt nearly moved to tears, but not so much as her mother, who was sniffing tearfully into her handkerchief with happiness from the front pew. Esther glanced in her mother’s direction. It was not as if she was looking for permission, even if it meant she would have to leave her mother’s side for a time. Mother had always wanted Esther to wed, she had always insisted that Esther needed to give herself a chance to live life to the fullest . . . she had always claimed it was her dearest wish.
Until now, seeing how much joy it gave her mother, Esther had never quite believed it before.
Mother waved her handkerchief in her direction as if to say, ‘Get on with it.’

Esther’s grip on Lucious’ hands tightened as the words slipped easily from her tongue. “With this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”

“You may now kiss the bride.”

Esther did not need to be told twice. Her hands slid up Lucious’ chest and entwined around his neck as she kissed him. It would have been only too simple to allow herself to become lost in the sensation of it. He was hers. He was really and truly all hers—and her heart felt as if it was going to burst out of her chest with elation.

The small crowd of gathered guests cheered for them as Esther and Lucious headed out of the chapel but were not yet bound for their carriage. No, there was one more place that Esther insisted upon seeing before they returned to the manor for the wedding breakfast. They took the path toward the woods instead. Esther gathered her skirts in her hands as they quickened their pace. Ultimately, Lucious could not take another moment and scooped her up into his arms.

“There, head that way,” Esther commanded, pointing when they were close enough. “I do not think I ever told you that I was picking mushrooms when I found you, so I know exactly where it is.”

“If you say so.”

“I do. Naturally,” Esther teased as they came upon the small clearing where they first met. Emotion clogged her throat. “Oh, I did not think it would be quite so moving to be here again . . .”

“I was just thinking the same thing.” Lucious moved over to the rock that was still stained with his blood and shuddered. “To think that this very rock might have been the whole cause of it all . . .”

“I still cannot believe how terrifying that night must have been for you, being chased and fired upon. I shudder to think of it.” Esther wrapped her arms around herself as she peered down at the rock.

“All things happen for a reason, my darling wife. If I had not been chased by those two mad people that night, we might not have ever met,” Lucious offered sweetly, and Esther nodded.

“I do like it when you call me your wife.”

“Well, that is what you are, is it not?” Lucious moved to stand behind her and wrapped his arms around her as well, holding her into his chest.

“I am, and such a happy wife I shall be.” Esther giggled.

“In my old life . . . I was so deeply unhappy. The more of my memories I force myself to look through, the more apparent it becomes how unlovable I felt, alone and scared. I lashed out at everyone around me. I suppose I thought that if I lashed out at them first, they would not ever get the chance to harm me.” Lucious sighed. “Not that it excuses my actions, but I suppose I say all of that because I find it incredible to be standing here with the woman of my dreams, whom I am fortunate enough to be able to call my wife.”

Esther giggled and kissed him before she spun out of his arms. She skipped over to a familiar log and hopped up on the solid surface, balancing easily. “I suppose we ought to figure out what we are planning on doing next, now that we are married.”

The sounds of the forest were a lovely backdrop to their conversation.

“Well, we can do anything you like. We could travel, see the world, if you wish. We could embark upon new adventures, whatever your heart desires,” Lucious offered as he walked beside her, holding his hand up to steady her should she need it.

“I do agree that we ought to do something, after the honeymoon, of course. There are no more limits to our future. We should go out and enjoy every moment,” Esther agreed.

“Yes. That way, should I ever be forced to recover my memories again, I will have far more pleasant ones to draw from,” Lucious said, grinning.

“Do not even jest about such a thing! Bold of you to presume that I would be willing to nurse you back to health yet again.”

“Third time is the charm is the phrase I am thinking of, dearest,” Lucious chuckled.

“I do think that we shall have to delay our travels for a short while though . . .” Esther mused ominously.

“Oh? And what reason do we have to delay? I thought we both agreed that life is far too short to waste.” Lucious turned to watch her as the sunlight danced through the trees, making patterns over her beautiful face.

“Well, the reason is very simple.” Esther came to a stop directly in front of Lucious with a grin that she could contain no longer. “I am expecting.”

“Expecting? Expecting what?” Lucious laughed.

Esther hit his chest playfully. “I am expecting, you fool!”

It still took another long moment for Lucious to understand her meaning. When he did, his eyes widened in shock as he placed both of his hands on Esther’s hips. He lifted her in the air and happily spun her around the forest floor while she giggled.

“Careful! I have only recently learned the news, and I will likely be sick if you keep spinning me all about like this!” Esther complained, so that Lucious put her back onto her feet. He placed his hands over her belly with a smile.

“We are going to have a child . . .”

“Yes. We are going to have a child. One we should name Barnaby,” Esther giggled.

“Oh, absolutely not,” Lucious protested.
Esther shook her head. “No. Boy or girl, it shall be called Barnaby. I am a duchess and I decree it!”

“You cannot be serious.”

“No, of course not. I am Esther. Who is serious?”

“You are impossible.”

“And you love me for it!”

“That I do, more than I can ever possibly express to you, my love.” Lucious pulled her into his arms as the setting sun formed a beautiful backdrop to their loving embrace.

Esther knew she had something special, and she would be a fool to think otherwise. She had married her best friend, her partner, and her better half in every way. She slipped her hands into Lucious’ as they turned to head back into town, eager to begin their life together. Regardless of what might be thrown at them.

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