The Lord’s Promise (Extended Epilogue)
1814
“They are here! They are here!” shouted Charlotte Reeves, bounding alongside the carriage with more excitement than a child should be able to contain.
“I saw them first!” yelled Tom, racing his other siblings to be the first to reach the house.
“Be careful, children!” Anne shouted through the window, laughing at the sheer delight their arrival had caused. “Do you know Jace, I think they are pleased to see us?”
“I suspect so as well, my love,” he replied, nodding toward the door of Reeves House. “Everyone is out to greet us, and your parents are with them.”
Anne practically squealed with excitement herself, barely waiting for the carriage step to be put down before bounding out into the arms of the Earl and Countess.
“Oh, how I have missed you both,” she announced, “although your letters are such comfort, it is not the same as you being with me.”
“We have missed you as well, dear Annie,” said her father, his eyes wet with unshed tears. Two years of correspondence had done much to mend their relationship, and Anne was truly happy to see him once again.
There were hugs and kisses and jokes all around, compliments given and presents exchanged, until, finally, they were all settled in the morning room, Charlotte occupying the prime seat, squeezed between Jace and Anne on the sofa.
“A lieutenant colonel now,” said Anne’s father to Jace with considerable respect. “We saw the commendations you received in the papers, my boy. It seems you are a great favorite with the Duke of Wellington.”
“I think we are all great favorites with him now Napoleon is safely on Elba, my lord,” said Jace with a depreciating chuckle. “I am grateful for the honor they have disposed upon me, however, and I am proud to have acquitted myself well at Toulouse.”
“He was marvelous,” said Anne, swelling up with pride as she looked at her husband. “Hayworth said he was instrumental in the success of the campaign, and he is almost sorry the war is now over.”
“Napoleon, abdicating,” said Sidney with a disbelieving shake of his head. “I can hardly countenance such a thing.”
“And yet here we are,” said Jace with an easy smile. “A half-pay officer and his wife, back to darken the Devonshire countryside.”
Amelia sat bolt upright. “You are returning to Devonshire?” she asked with a hopeful glance at Anne.
“If Devonshire will have us,” joked Jace.
“And if Father is happy for us to settle at Seacrest,” added Anne, smiling at her father. “I know you have been looking after the estate on our behalf, but if we may stay with you while the house is brought slap up to the echo, then we think it is the perfect place for us to settle down.”
“I have already begun structural repairs in hope of such an announcement,” said the Earl, a little sheepishly, while Anne’s mother could not contain the tears of happiness at this news.
“Oh, my darlings! I have always supported your great adventure on the Continent, but I confess, all I desire is for you to be close to us.”
“Is it because of your baby, Godmama?” asked Charlotte, patting a hand on Anne’s stomach.
The ensuing silence was broken by a burst of laughter from Jace.
“Charlotte, you little monkey; how did you know?”
“I felt it kicking,” she said as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. “Was I not supposed to say anything?”
“It is fine, my darling, you just announced it a little sooner than we intended,” said Anne, kissing Charlotte on the nose.
“A grandchild!” said the Earl, beaming as though the sun had climbed inside of him. “I am going to be a grandfather!”
“Which is why we are coming back to Devonshire,” admitted Jace. “Facing down an army of Frenchies is one thing, but the thought of rearing just one more Reeves child is quite terrifying.”
“But you will not be bored, settling down to be a country squire?” asked Sidney. “I want you home more than anything, Brother, but are you sure this is the life for you?”
“There are a great many soldiers returning to England with no work here waiting for them,” said Anne as she reached over to squeeze Jace upon the knee. “We will open up the lands to those men who need recuperation, provide a home for those who have no means to support themselves, and work for those who require it. Jace will still be a soldier but fighting a different kind of fight.”
“What a marvelous plan,” said the Dowager Lady Reeves. “Your father would be so proud of you!”
“I am not out of the military altogether,” laughed Jace. “There is always a chance old Napoleon will escape captivity, and I will be called upon to resume my post.”
“Do not joke about such things,” said the Countess with a shudder, which merely amused Anne and Jace still further.
“Fear not, Mother,” said Anne reassuringly. “Even if that did happen, Wellington’s army would put a swift end to it, and Jace would come out the other side an unscathed hero, for he promised me as much. Besides, he has an angel watching over him, and he shall never come to harm while I am at his side.”
The tea tray was brought in, and the conversation turned to more pleasant things.
Anne sighed happily. The man she loved was at her side, his child growing within her, and her family was all about them. Nothing could destroy her happiness, for with their support Anne knew she could take on Napoleon himself, and win.
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As always Lisa Campbell pens the perfect urgency nkvel!
Hello my dear Coye, thank you so much for your sweet message! I can’t wait for you to read the stories to come!
I liked this one better than the first book. I found the younger Reeves children funny. Charlotte was the best one of all.
Hello my dear, thank you for your sweet message! I am so happy that you enjoyed this story, I loved writing it!
Best book so far! I loved the kids and the Countess roles in this story!!! Bring on the kids.
Hahaha 🤣🤣
Really enjoyed this story, my husband’s regiment holds the colours of the battles of Badajoz and Talavera, so it an interesting read as well as a good romance
So grateful my dear!! ❤️