Married By Twelfth Night (Regency Christmas Brides)

31. Epilogue

Epilogue

Four Years Later

Grace’s half boots crunched against the thin layer of snow lining the drive. Tilting back her head, she admired the cream-colored stucco smoothing the brick surface of her new home. The tall windows gleamed, beckoning for her to look inside each and every one. Her eyes traced the iron balcony above the columned entrance to the familiar black door she had dreamed of entering again since that eventful holiday four years ago when they had been forced to leave.

“Mama, I’m cold. Can we go inside?”

Grace squeezed the small hand she held and smiled at Oliver. “Father gets to go first.” She pulled his cap more snugly over his dark hair, admiring how much her growing three-year-old took after her husband. He was already a precocious, handsome little man. How he would love growing up here, swimming in the pond in the summers, running through the leaves in the autumn, and walking the same corridors as generations of Grahams before him.

Richard’s heavier footfalls brought him up beside her. “Baby May didn’t want her nursemaid. She prefers me, just like her namesake.”

Grace laughed. “Is that why you insisted on giving her part of my childhood nickname?”

“Of course. That, and she has your eyes. Which also explains why she loves looking at me above anyone else. ”

Grace rolled her eyes and lifted her free hand to stroke May’s round little cheek. May giggled in response. Why, she didn’t appear upset in the slightest. Grace glanced back at the carriage and caught the nursemaid playfully shaking her head. The poor woman never had a chance to do her job with Richard swooping in and ruining scheduled walks and naptimes, always eager to see his children.

There was no use complaining about it. Grace loved seeing Richard grow and thrive in his role as father. Turning back to Richard, she expected to see him hiding a laugh, but he did not meet her gaze. His childhood home stole his attention completely. She watched his eyes trail over every snow-dusted shrub to every corner of the grand manor house. He was home. He was finally home.

A cold breeze curled under her bonnet and sent a shiver down her neck. Wiping at the moisture filling her eyes, she tucked her arm through Richard’s. She hated to rush him, but Oliver was right. It was freezing. “I think baby May and Oliver are eager to see their new nursery.”

Oliver gave a strong tug at her arm in response.

“What? Oliver does not want to turn into an icicle?” Boyish excitement filled Richard’s features as he looked expectantly at his son.

Oliver scrunched his nose. “No icicles today. I want to see my toys.”

Richard groaned, winking at his son. “By all means, let the lad run ahead.”

Oliver did not wait another second before bolting forward.

Their butler must’ve anticipated their arrival because he pushed the door open just as Oliver whipped past him. The servants lined up to welcome them, and she and Richard greeted each one of them. By the time they were all dismissed, Grace and Richard could finally take in the house again .

The large entryway was much the same besides a new rug and the vase full of fresh winter roses. But what she hadn’t expected to see was the house decorated for Christmas. It was breathtaking. Richard had reluctantly handed May off to her nursemaid for a nap, and she was grateful for a moment with just him. After all this time away, there was a great deal to take in. She had practically grown up here, and memories were already flooding her mind. How much more so must it be for Richard.

Grace slipped her hand through Richard’s and teased, “I hope no one is going to have a year of bad luck for hanging the evergreen boughs already.”

Richard chuckled and lifted his hand to his lips. “You are married to that unlucky man.”

“Hmm?” Her brow quirked. “Do you mean you arranged all of this?”

“It’s a few days early, but I wanted a head start on preparing the house for our Twelfth Night party. My mother should arrive by Christmas Eve and Bridget and her husband early next week. We will be busy unpacking everything and setting the house in order, and I want them to see Belside at its finest. Not to mention . . .”

“What?”

“I wanted to surprise you.”

She grinned as he pulled her to his chest. “It was a wonderful surprise. I’m so glad you are finally restored to your home.”

“As am I. It feels right to have us here, especially the children.” One of his hands held her securely around the waist and the other lifted to the back of her neck, his thumb gliding just under her ear. “I couldn’t have done it on my own. Without Aunt Edith’s inheritance, your father’s guidance, my solicitor’s diligence with my investments, and your resourcefulness, we wouldn’t have returned so soon.”

“You forget to mention your part. You worked so hard and were so disciplined with our finances. You are a credit to us, Richard.”

“Thank you for being patient with me,” he said. “I did it all for you and Oliver and May, and all the other children we’re hopefully blessed with.”

“All the other children? May is barely six months old. Don’t get ahead of yourself.”

Richard winked. “I like to plan ahead.”

“Oh?” He had a mischievous look in his eye, and she wondered if she should be worried.

“Look up,” he said.

Frowning with confusion, Grace lifted her chin, her eyes catching on a very large and very expertly arranged kissing bough hanging from the chandelier. A laugh bubbled up from her chest. “It’s perfect.”

“I told you on the carriage ride over that this was going to be the best Christmas our family has had yet, and that includes the decor. I insisted on the very best and the very largest kissing bough.”

“Let me guess, you didn’t specify any other decor, just this one.”

He grinned. “You know me well. I expect a generous kiss every time we walk by it.”

Grace feigned a look of ignorance. “Define generous.”

“Ah, my clever minx is begging for a demonstration, and I am helpless to refuse.” He dipped her back, cradling her in one arm, and generously kissed her.

He was right. This Christmas was shaping up to be the very best yet.