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The golden light of an early summer morning spilled through the great windows of Ravenswood Manor, casting soft shadows across the polished floors. Juliette, now Duchess of Blackwood for nearly three years, stood in the nursery, gazing down at the sleeping infant in the bassinet. The sight filled her with a warmth so deep that she pressed a gentle hand to her heart, as if to keep it from overflowing.
“He has your eyes, you know,” Nathaniel murmured from behind her, his voice thick with tenderness.
Juliette turned, smiling as she looked upon her husband, who stood in the doorway. His cravat was slightly loosened, his dark hair still damp from his morning ride. Though still every bit the Duke, there was a softness in him now that had not been there when they first met. She had witnessed it bloom over the years, especially since the birth of their son, Andrew Nathaniel Montgomery, a year ago.
“And your stubborn expression when he does not wish to sleep,” Juliette teased, stepping toward him.
Nathaniel chuckled, slipping an arm around her waist and pressing a kiss to her temple. “Then we are well and truly doomed.”
A quiet knock at the door interrupted their moment. Juliette turned to see Penelope standing there, her usual air of amusement about her, though now accompanied by an unmistakable glow. She and Charlie had been married a year past, and Penelope, much to Muriel’s great delight, was expecting her first child.
“I do hope I am not disturbing your precious family moment,” Pen said, stepping in and peeking at the slumbering infant. “But the girls are quite beside themselves with excitement.”
“The girls?” Juliette echoed, glancing at Nathaniel in question.
“Vanessa and Elizabeth,” Pen clarified. “They have declared that today is most momentous, for it marks three years since their dear Juliette came to Ravenswood and turned their dull world upside down.”
Juliette’s heart swelled. “I had quite forgotten.”
“They certainly have not.” Pen laughed. “And they have conspired with Lady Muriel to plan a grand surprise. Though I should warn you, it may involve questionable theatrical performances.”
Nathaniel groaned. “Not another of their plays.”
“It would seem so, dear husband,” Juliette replied, a teasing gleam in her eyes. “And you, as their beloved uncle and guardian, must play along.”
Nathaniel sighed but nodded, offering Juliette his arm. “Then let us face our fate together.”
Juliette took his arm, allowing him to lead her from the nursery. As they descended the grand staircase, the sound of lively chatter filled the air. It was the sound of home, of love, of family.
As she glanced up at Nathaniel, she knew there was nowhere else she would rather be.
The great hall of Ravenswood Manor was alight with laughter and excitement. Lady Muriel sat in a grand chair, her cane resting against her knee, watching as Vanessa and Elizabeth whispered to one another in hushed excitement. The two girls, now on the cusp of young womanhood, still retained their mischievous spirits, and it was clear they had something dramatic planned for the afternoon.
“Juliette, you must sit here!” Vanessa called, gesturing to a chair near the hearth. “You shall have the best view.”
Juliette smiled indulgently and took her seat, while Nathaniel reluctantly lowered himself beside her. He still bore the air of a man who had suffered through one too many impromptu performances.
“This will be an original production,” Elizabeth announced with great flourish. “A tale of love, adventure, and mistaken identity!”
“That sounds familiar,” Charlie remarked dryly, sharing an amused glance with Penelope, who was sipping tea beside Lady Muriel.
“Hush, Charlie,” Pen scolded, though the twitch of her lips betrayed her amusement. “Let the girls have their fun.”
As the performance began, Juliette found herself watching Nathaniel more than the play. His expression shifted from feigned disinterest to genuine amusement as Vanessa, in an ill-fitting tricorn hat, declared herself the “Dashing Duke of Blackwood.” Elizabeth, wrapped in a shawl, played the part of a “Mysterious Governess with a Secret Past.”
The room erupted in laughter as Vanessa dramatically declared, “But who are you truly, dear governess?” only to have Elizabeth sigh and dramatically reply, “I am but a lady of no consequence, my lord.”
Nathaniel covered his face with his hand. “Is this how I sound?”
Juliette bit her lip to suppress her laughter. “Only when you are being particularly brooding, dearest.”
At the end of the performance, the twins took their bows, basking in the applause. Lady Muriel wiped a tear from her eye, declaring, “That was the finest piece of theatre I have ever had the pleasure of witnessing.”
“Indeed, I shall never recover from its emotional depth,” Nathaniel added dryly, though the fondness in his eyes gave him away.
As the afternoon wore on and the family settled into easy conversation, Juliette sighed in contentment. This—these moments of love, joy, and laughter—was everything she had ever dreamed of. And more.
Later that evening, as the festivities began to settle, Juliette stepped out onto the terrace, breathing in the cool night air. The sky stretched wide above her, a canvas of midnight blue dotted with shimmering stars. She closed her eyes for a moment, letting the peacefulness of the night wash over her.
A warm hand settled on the small of her back. “Escaping the chaos?”
She smiled before opening her eyes to find Nathaniel watching her with a knowing expression. “Simply enjoying a quiet moment.”
“I can hardly blame you,” he said, looking out over the sprawling gardens of Ravenswood. “It is difficult to believe how much has changed in three years.”
Juliette sighed, leaning into his embrace. “It is, though I would not change a moment of it.”
He turned her gently to face him, tucking a loose curl behind her ear. “Not even the moment when I mistook you for a pickpocket and you attacked me with an umbrella?”
Juliette laughed, resting a hand against his chest. “That was rather dramatic, was it not?”
“Quite.” He smirked. “And yet, here we are.”
She searched his face, seeing the man she had fallen in love with—the man who had once hidden behind duty and expectation, but who had since learned to embrace love, family, and joy.
“Nathaniel,” she murmured, “are you happy?”
He gazed at her, his expression turning serious. “Happier than I ever imagined I could be. And you?”
Juliette smiled, stretching onto her toes to press a soft kiss to his lips. “Utterly.”
As they stood together under the moonlit sky, the sounds of laughter drifting from the manor, Juliette knew with absolute certainty that this was her forever.
The next morning, as dawn painted the sky in hues of rose and gold, Ravenswood Manor hummed with quiet contentment. Juliette stood at the window of the nursery, watching as Nathaniel walked through the gardens with their son in his arms. The sight filled her heart with indescribable joy.
Soon, a carriage arrived carrying Penelope and Charlie, who had come to spend the day with them. Lady Muriel, looking as lively as ever, had already begun discussions about the twins’ future, much to their protest.
“I do not see why we must discuss marriage just yet!” Vanessa huffed. “I have yet to conquer the art of fencing.”
“And I have no desire to marry a man who does not enjoy books as much as I do,” Elizabeth added, crossing her arms.
Lady Muriel scoffed. “Well, you had best prepare yourselves, for the world shall not wait forever.”
Juliette chuckled, watching the exchange as Nathaniel came to stand beside her. He placed a gentle kiss on her temple. “Do you think the girls will ever be ready?”
“Eventually,” Juliette mused, smiling warmly at the thought. “For now, let them enjoy their freedom.”
Nathaniel turned her toward him, gazing into her eyes. “And what of you, my love? What do you see in the future?”
Juliette leaned against him, content. “Happiness. Laughter. A growing family.”
He kissed her, the love between them as strong as ever. “Then that is all I shall ever need.”
As the sun rose higher, Ravenswood Manor bustled with the sounds of family, of love, and of a future filled with endless possibilities. Juliette knew, without a doubt, that she was home.
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! What did you think of this extended epilogue? Did you enjoy where out protagonists are now? Did you imagine something different? Waiting to read your comments below! 🥰