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“Alice! Look who’s here!” Henry called from the drawing room window, his voice carrying a warm note of familiarity.
Alice 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 Alice!” Violette exclaimed, throwing her arms around Alice’s waist. “I’ve been waiting all morning to come over!”
Alice 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.”
Alice 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.”
Alice 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. Alice 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,” Alice called after him, her thoughts already on their daughter, Annabelle. The toddler had recently turned two, full of curiosity and mischief. Just as Alice 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.”
Alice 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 Alice. “Well, we’re not the only ones with busy lives. You and Henry seem to have your hands full with two children now.”
Alice 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 Alice, and Henry laughed, gently handing her over.
“There’s my darling,” Alice cooed, settling Annabelle on her hip. The little girl snuggled into her mother’s shoulder, her tiny fingers playing with the lace of Alice’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 Alice 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 Alice.
Before the banter could continue, there was a light knock on the door, and Alice’s mother entered, moving slowly but with a dignified grace that hadn’t faltered despite her frail health.
“Oh, Mother,” Alice 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 Alice 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, Alice. Always curious, always trying to see everything at once.”
Alice 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,” Alice 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 Alice on the cheek before settling into a nearby chair. “How are my darling grandchildren today?”
“Annabelle is being sweet as always,” Alice 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.”
Alice 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 Alice.
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 disrupted by the arrival of a carriage outside. Henry, ever curious, glanced toward the window and sighed.
“Well, it seems we have unexpected company,” he said, his voice tinged with mild frustration. “And if I’m not mistaken, it’s Lady Clara.”
Alice’s heart sank a little at the mention of Clara Flanders, now Lady Whitcombe, having married into a wealthy but distant family. Despite her newfound wealth, Clara’s reputation had never fully recovered from the scandal of the thefts, and the air always grew heavy whenever she was near.
“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?”
Alice sighed, brushing a stray lock of hair from her forehead. “It seems so. I haven’t seen her in months, though.”
Estella frowned. “I thought she had moved to Bath. Why would she be here now?”
Before Alice could respond, the door opened, and a footman announced Lady Whitcombe. Clara swept into the room, her movements as graceful as ever, though there was something in her eyes—a hardness, a forced air of superiority—that made Alice uncomfortable.
“Ah, Lady Hawthorne, Lord Hawthorne,” Clara greeted them with a tight-lipped smile. “I was passing through the area and thought I’d stop by to say hello.”
“Lady Whitcombe,” Alice said politely, standing as Henry joined her side. “What a surprise. We hadn’t expected visitors today.”
Clara’s eyes darted around the room, taking in the family gathered there. Her gaze lingered briefly on the sleeping Annabelle, then on the Dowager Duchess, who returned the look with a cool nod.
“How lovely to see you all in such good health,” Clara said, though her tone lacked warmth. “And your little one has grown so much. She looks… healthy.”
Alice felt Henry stiffen beside her, and she knew he shared her unease. “Yes, Annabelle is thriving,” Alice replied, her voice even. “We are very blessed.”
Clara’s smile faltered, but she quickly recovered. “And what of your son? James, I believe? I had heard he is quite the lively child.”
“He certainly keeps us on our toes,” Henry said with a slight chuckle, though it didn’t reach his eyes.
Cecil, sensing the tension, stepped forward. “And how is Lord Whitcombe?” he asked, steering the conversation toward safer ground.
Clara’s face hardened slightly, though she maintained her composure. “He is well. Busy with business matters, of course. We travel often.”
Alice noted the strained tone in her voice. It was no secret that Lord Whitcombe, though wealthy, was not known for being particularly affectionate or attentive. Clara, despite her outward confidence, seemed to carry a weight of dissatisfaction with her life, even if she would never admit it.
“We are pleased to hear that,” Alice said kindly, though she could sense the falseness in the exchange.
Clara glanced around once more, then, with an air of forced politeness, she offered a curtsey. “I won’t take up any more of your time. Do pass along my regards to the rest of your family.”
With that, Clara made her exit, the tension in the room easing the moment the door closed behind her.
Estella sighed heavily. “I cannot understand why she insists on making these appearances.”
“She has no choice,” Henry replied quietly, his hand still resting on Alice’s shoulder. “The ton has not forgiven her, no matter her wealth. She’s never truly welcomed anywhere.”
“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. Their lives have not turned out quite as they had planned.”
Alice glanced at the door, feeling a brief pang of sympathy for Clara. But it 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.
Alice 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, Alice 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.”
Alice 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.”
Alice’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 Alice’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?” Alice 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.”
Alice 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?” Alice 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 2 FREEBIES FOR YOU!
Grab my new series, "Noble Gentlemen of the Ton", and get 2 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!