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“Alicia! Look who’s here!” Henry called from the drawing room window, his voice carrying a warm note of familiarity.
Alicia smiled, placing down her embroidery as she heard the sound of small feet pattering across the gravel driveway. Before she could respond, the door flew open, and Violette bounded into the room, her face beaming with excitement.
“Mama Alicia!” Violette exclaimed, throwing her arms around Alicia’s waist. “I’ve been waiting all morning to come over!”
Alicia laughed, kneeling down to embrace the now seven-year-old. “And I’ve been waiting for you, my sweet girl,” she replied, smoothing Violette’s golden curls. “Have you come to help with the garden again?”
Violette nodded eagerly. “Yes, and I want to pick flowers for the table!”
Henry leaned against the doorframe, watching the two with a fond smile. “You’re spoiling her, you know,” he teased. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say she spends more time here than at the Marchioness’s estate.”
Alicia shot him a playful look. “Well, I can hardly turn her away when she loves being here so much. Besides, what harm is there in having an extra pair of hands for the garden?”
Violette pulled away slightly, her expression serious. “I love being at Mama Sophia’s house, but this is my second home, always.”
Alicia felt a swell of emotion at the girl’s words, her heart full as she gently kissed Violette’s forehead. “And you are always welcome here, my dear.”
Just then, a soft cry came from the nursery upstairs. Alicia looked toward the sound, and Henry moved quickly to offer his assistance. “I’ll fetch her,” he said, already heading for the staircase.
“Thank you,” Alicia called after him, her thoughts already on their daughter, Annabelle. The toddler had recently turned two, full of curiosity and mischief. Just as Alicia was about to return to her conversation with Violette, the door opened again, and this time, it was Cecil who entered, accompanied by Estella and Isabella, both radiant with joy.
“Well, if it isn’t our resident gardener,” Cecil greeted, bending down to scoop Violette into a bear hug. “Have you been keeping my sister busy, Violette?”
Violette giggled, nodding as she wiggled free. “I’m helping her with flowers!”
Estella smiled, linking arms with Isabella. “Oh, to be that age again. How lovely it is to see her so happy.”
Alicia stood and embraced both her sister-in-law and cousin. “And how lovely it is to have all of you here today. How is married life treating you both?” she asked with a knowing smile, her eyes twinkling.
“Busy,” Isabella replied with a grin. “But delightful.”
“We can’t complain,” Estella added. “Though I will say, being an aunt is quite the new adventure.”
Cecil chuckled, taking a seat beside Alicia. “Well, we’re not the only ones with busy lives. You and Henry seem to have your hands full with two children now.”
Alicia smiled warmly, her gaze drifting toward the nursery. “Yes, but it’s a wonderful sort of busy, isn’t it?”
Henry returned with Annabelle in his arms, the little girl’s sleepy eyes lighting up as she spotted everyone in the room.
Her small hand reached out instinctively toward Alicia, and Henry laughed, gently handing her over.
“There’s my darling,” Alicia cooed, settling Annabelle on her hip. The little girl snuggled into her mother’s shoulder, her tiny fingers playing with the lace of Alicia’s sleeve.
“I swear she grows more every day,” Estella said, her eyes softening as she watched the scene unfold.
Isabella nodded, her gaze fixed on Annabelle. “She has Henry’s eyes, doesn’t she?”
Henry grinned, standing beside Alicia and wrapping an arm around her waist. “That’s what everyone says. But she has her mother’s stubbornness,” he added with a wink, earning a playful nudge from Alicia.
Before the banter could continue, there was a light knock on the door, and Alicia’s mother entered, moving slowly but with a dignified grace that hadn’t faltered despite her frail health.
“Oh, Mother,” Alicia said, rising to greet her. “You didn’t have to come downstairs. We could have brought the children to you.”
“Nonsense, darling,” her mother replied, her smile warm and soft. “What kind of grandmother would I be if I didn’t spend time with my precious grandchildren?” She motioned toward the chaise in the corner. “Help me over, will you? I want to hold Annabelle.”
Henry was at her side immediately, offering his arm as Alicia settled Annabelle into her grandmother’s lap. The elder Lady Carver sighed contentedly as she gazed at her granddaughter.
“She’s such a dear,” she murmured, stroking Annabelle’s fine hair. “You know, she reminds me of you when you were her age, Alicia. Always curious, always trying to see everything at once.”
Alicia laughed softly, sitting beside her mother. “And she’s as stubborn as I was, too, so Henry says.”
“Well, you’ve both done a fine job with her,” Lady Carver said, her eyes bright. “And little James, too. Where is he?”
“Off with Nanny, I imagine,” Henry said, smiling. “He’s a handful, that one. Already trying to climb everything in sight.”
“Just like his father,” Alicia teased, exchanging a glance with Henry that spoke of their shared pride.
As they spoke, Henry’s mother, the Dowager Duchess, entered, her presence always commanding attention, though today her expression was softened with grandmotherly affection.
“I thought I heard voices,” she said with a smile, moving to kiss Alicia on the cheek before settling into a nearby chair. “How are my darling grandchildren today?”
“Annabelle is being sweet as always,” Alicia replied, “and James is running poor Nanny ragged.”
The Dowager Duchess laughed lightly. “I’ll have to steal him away for an afternoon soon. He’s growing far too quickly for my liking.”
Alicia smiled at the warmth radiating between the two grandmothers, both so different in personality, yet united in their love for the children. The sight of them together—her frail mother, finding strength in her role as a grandmother, and Henry’s mother, still vibrant and ever proud—brought a deep sense of peace to Alicia.
The room was filled with light conversation, laughter, and the sweet coos of Annabelle, who had drifted back into a gentle slumber in her grandmother’s arms.
The peace of the moment was briefly interrupted by Henry glancing toward the window and sighing.
“Well, it seems Clara Flanders, now Lady Whitcombe, is still making her rounds,” he said, his voice tinged with mild frustration.
Alicia’s heart sank a little at the mention of Clara. “She’s certainly persistent, isn’t she?” Despite her newfound wealth from marrying into a wealthy but distant family, Clara’s reputation had never fully recovered from the scandal of the thefts, and the air always grew heavy whenever her name came up.
“Lady Whitcombe?” Cecil asked, raising an eyebrow as he exchanged glances with Estella and Isabella. “She still finds her way to every event, doesn’t she?”
Alicia sighed, brushing a stray lock of hair from her forehead. “It seems so. Though I haven’t seen her in months, she’s always lingering in the background somehow.”
Estella frowned. “I thought she had moved to Bath. What is she up to these days?”
Henry shook his head. “Bath didn’t quite suit her, apparently. From what I hear, she’s been trying to re-establish her social standing, though it hasn’t gone particularly well. The ton hasn’t fully forgiven her, despite her wealth.”
“And her brother?” Isabella asked, her tone cautious.
Henry shook his head. “Still living in debt, from what I hear. His reputation is in ruins. Clara’s life hasn’t quite turned out as she had planned either, has it?”
Alicia glanced at the window, feeling a brief pang of sympathy for Clara. “It’s difficult, I’m sure. But she made her choices,” she said softly. But the thought passed quickly, replaced by the comfort of knowing she was surrounded by those who loved her. She turned toward Henry, his reassuring presence a constant reminder of the life they had built together, despite all the hardships and uncertainties they had once faced.
“Shall we take a walk in the garden?” Henry suggested, his voice soft as he offered his hand.
Alicia smiled, placing her hand in his. “I would love that.”
Together, they slipped out of the drawing room, leaving the others to chat. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden glow over the lush gardens of Clarington Hall. The scent of roses filled the air, and a gentle breeze rustled through the leaves. It was a perfect, tranquil moment.
As they strolled along the familiar path, Alicia leaned into Henry’s arm, feeling the warmth of his love radiating through her. They paused by the garden fountain, the sound of trickling water filling the peaceful evening.
“You know,” Henry began, his voice thoughtful, “I think often of how different our lives could have been.”
Alicia looked up at him, her turquoise eyes shining. “Oh? How so?”
“If not for that fateful day at your cousin’s wedding…” He chuckled softly. “I might never have found my way to you.”
Alicia’s smile widened, her heart swelling with the memories of their past. “I suppose you’re right. But fate has a way of bringing together what is meant to be.”
He turned to face her fully, his expression softening. “I never knew, until I met you, what it meant to truly love someone.”
The sincerity in his words brought a tear to Alicia’s eye, and she reached up to brush her fingers along his cheek. “And I never knew I could be so happy, Henry. You’ve given me more than I ever dreamed.”
He pulled her close, wrapping her in his arms, and for a moment, they stood in silence, simply breathing in the sweetness of the moment.
“Do you ever regret any of it?” Alicia asked, her voice quiet. “The trials we faced, the misunderstandings… even the rumors?”
Henry shook his head, his lips curving into a tender smile. “Not a single moment. Every step brought me closer to you, and I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Alicia rested her head against his chest, her eyes closing as the steady beat of his heart lulled her into a peaceful reverie. “I’m glad,” she whispered. “Because I couldn’t imagine my life without you.”
“And you never will,” Henry promised, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “I will love you, always.”
They stood there, bathed in the golden light of the setting sun, the future stretching before them—bright, beautiful, and full of promise. The sound of laughter and voices from the house drifted toward them, a reminder of the life they had created, surrounded by family, friends, and most of all, love.
“Shall we go back inside?” Alicia asked, pulling away slightly to meet his gaze.
Henry smiled, taking her hand once more. “In a moment. Let’s enjoy this a little longer.”
And together, they lingered in the garden, content in the knowledge that their love would endure, strong and unshakable, through all the days to come.
OFFER: A BRAND NEW SERIES AND 5 FREEBIES FOR YOU!
Grab my new series, "Noble Gentlemen of the Ton", and get 5 FREE novels as a gift! Have a look here!
Hello, my dear readers! I hope you truly enjoyed this heartwarming romance! I would love to know your thoughts on it! Had you imagined a different conclusion for our couple’s love story? I am eagerly waiting to read your comments here! Thank you – always! ♥️💫
I so loved the book. The extended epilogue was good also. Except her name was Alicia in the book and Alice in this epilogue! But it was all written very well. I loved the twists and turns that you write so well. I was very surprised that Lady Clara wasn’t in jail. Thank you for it all, I thoroughly enjoyed it!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the book. I will fix this asap, thank you for letting me know.
Take good care!
How is it that she is Alicia throughout the novel and she changes to Alice in the epilogue? Also, while she was Lady Clara Flanders, her brother was Lord Thornton but towards the end you referred to him as Lord Flanders. His name should not have changed. At the end of the novel you tell us to click on the link to learn more about Johanna & Edmond instead of Alicia and Henry. Lady Clara should have remained in the asylum or in jail but in the epilogue you have her married to rich Lord Whitestone and paying social calls to Alicia. That is just bizarre. It was a lovely story but I can’t say I liked the epilogue. It seems like something added without much thought put into it. I wish I had stopped at the end of the well written novel.
Thank you so much for catching these, I will fix them immediately.
I’m very glad you enjoyed the book! Please take good care.
I loved the story. I like how you have included people with human imperfections in many of your newer stories. Clara being rich and married was a little strange
Thank you for letting me know. I’m so glad you enjoyed the story. I will work on fixing this one, promise!
I loved this book with a curvy woman and her wonderful family. The ins and outs of the love story kept me reading on and on and on. The mean, vindictive Clara was such a great read until the Epilogue where she was rich and married. She should have remained confined and insensible‼️
I think you are right, Patrice, and I may have to fix that. Thank you so very much for your comment! I’m glad you enjoyed the book!
l enjoyed the story very much .
The twists and turns were
good and very interesting .
Unfortunately your epilogue diddent
quite gell the thief sholdent have left Bedlem.
In my view .
Thank you, Carol, I’m very happy you enjoyed the book! And thank you for reaching out about the extended epilogue. It helps me a lot when people tell me what they think, and I might change this.
Definetly loved the story! But agree fully with the other comments that Lady Clara should have stayed in the asylum or somewhere worst! She definetly should have never been able to wed a rich gentlemen and go back to society. I would surely have given her a worse ending.
Hi Ines, Clara seems to be one of the least popular characters I have ever created! Glad you loved the story, and thank you for letting me know. I will try to re-write this as soon as I get the chance. I’m currently busy with my next release, but I promise I’ll look into it.
Loved the book ! Epilogue was a little off for me. When Alisha’s brother came to visit the twins were with him but it never told anything about Isabella’s husband not being there.
Glad you loved the book, Diana! Sorry to hear the extended epilogue was confusing. I will look into this. Thank you for reaching out and letting me know, I appreciate it! 🥰