Wedded to the Duke of Lust (Dukes of Passion #1)

Extended Epilogue

Ten Years Later

The wind whipped at Gerard's face making his skin freeze as they came up on the hill. He drew to a stop not wanting to get too far ahead of her.

“Papa!” He turned seeing Diana, his oldest daughter, bearing down on him on her thoroughbred pony.

“Hurry up!” he called before he started down the hill.

The Duke wasn’t worried. He and Diana had raced this hill many times. They both knew it like the back of their hands. He could hear his daughter gaining on him, and grinned wide.

Diana truly was quite precocious on a horse. She had even talked about being a jockey, and riding at Ascot. Gerard was not opposed, but Seraphina thought it might be too dangerous.

“I have nightmares of her falling on her head and breaking her neck,” Seraphina had once whispered to Gerard in the dark of their room.

Gerard had done his best to reassure her that Diana was always careful, but seeing his daughter flying like the wind as she passed him, he could see why Seraphina had been worried.

They reached the bottom of the hill and came to a stop, Diana beaming up at him triumphantly. “I won again, Papa!” she crowed.

He laughed joyfully. “Yes, you did. And as promised…” he reached into his pocket and passed her a piece of paper, “Here is your letter. You may send it to the Prince Regent. If he gives his permission, you can race next month. But…” he held up a finger. “It will be up to you to tell your mother.”

Diana’s lip turned down. “Oh Papa!” she said cajolingly.

Gerard shook his head firmly. “No, no. You will not coerce me. If you wish to race, you will have to tell your mother.”

Diana sighed in defeat. “Very well,” she said sulkily, “but if she throws a fit, I am blaming you.”

Gerard laughed, reaching over to ruffle her hair. “You’re quite adorable for a ten-year-old even if you do insist on growing up too fast.”

“I’m not adorable. Adorable is for babies—like Michaela. I am…” her face screwed up thoughtfully, “winsome.”

“Of course you are,” Gerard deadpanned. “You are the most winsome lady to ever live.”

Diana scowled at him. “Are you making sport of me, Father?”

“Of course not, darling. You know how much I love you.”

They turned into the gate, and clip-clopped up to the door of Irondale Manor.

They were currently hosting several friends and family members who were here to attend the Anniversary Games; the games were something invented by Seraphina and Gerard to mark their third wedding anniversary. Diana had been a newborn at the time, and they had just settled at Irondale, after a year of travelling between London, Paris, and the duchy.

“You were my easiest pregnancy and my most difficult baby,” Seraphina liked to say to Diana when she’d had a few drinks.

Having an easy pregnancy had enabled Gerard and Seraphina to travel for a few months before settling in finally. When the anniversary had come up, Seraphina had noted that though they had been married for two years, they had really only been a couple for one.

“We need to mark this in some way,” Seraphina said.

“How would you suggest?” Gerard asked.

"Well, you did say that you and your friends Dorian and Leo loved to play games when you were growing up, while Tessa and I hardly played any games at all. However, we were proficient at other things. What if we set up a tournament for the entire village as well as our friends to participate in?”

“That actually sounds like a very splendid idea,” Gerard said enthusiastically. “Let us do it.”

They had started small, with just some horse races, boat races, and foot races. It had grown into archery, card games, chess, all the races, as well as a cooking competition. Anyone was allowed to participate in all the events. Safety was prioritized over skill.

It had grown into a grand old time for the entire district.

It was also a guaranteed gathering of friends and relatives who they might otherwise not see until Christmas.

Lord Astor, who had eventually moved to Paris with Mr. Perrineau, always made a point to attend. Tessa and her husband brought the children down every year, and even Lord Ruebridge was known to attend in later years with his wife and two children.

Rosalind and William were a staple of the games from the very first one, and Dorian and Leo made a point of coming too.

Seraphina met them at the door in just her robe, carrying two-year-old Michaela. “Diana, darling, I have been looking all over for you. Lord Astor has arrived, and he has something for you from Paris.”

Diana squealed, jumping off her horse. “Oh, what is it?” she asked, running up to her mother.

Seraphina shook her head admonishingly. “Oh no, no. You cannot just abandon your horse in the middle of the courtyard. Take her to the stables, make sure she’s well-groomed, then you can go and see your grand uncle.”

Diana made a sound of protest, but her mother gave her a look and she turned reluctantly to go and do as she was told. Gerard alighted from his horse, handing it over to a groom much to Diana’s chagrin.

“Why doesn’t Papa have to groom his horse?” She mumbled sulkily even as she led her horse away.

Seraphina narrowed her eyes at Gerard. “Now why did you do that? She’s going to think we’re the worst hypocrites.”

Gerard laughed. “If you wanted me to go off and groom my horse, you should not have shown up at the door wearing a robe only.”

Seraphina looks down at herself in alarm. “I am modest! What are you trying to say?”

Gerard just laughed, taking Michaela from her. “Come, let us go upstairs and get you decent.”

The little girl wrapped herself around Gerard like a sea urchin, laying her head on his shoulder contentedly.

Even as she followed him, Seraphina was protesting. “We have visitors, Gerard. We cannot just go off for a midday tryst.”

“Who said anything about a tryst? You, my dear, have a dirty mind.”

Seraphina pursed her lips, glaring at him. “Do not even act as if you are not thinking it.”

He smiled at her. “I am always thinking it. That’s why you should know better than walking around in your robe.”

He caught sight of Leticia walking down the corridor and called to her. “Please take Michaela back to the nursery. It is time for her nap.” He handed the baby over to the lady’s maid.

“No, it isn’t,” Seraphina said as Leticia walked away. “It’s barely ten in the morning.”

"Yes, well, I’m sure her nanny has food waiting. It’s been at least four hours since she last ate.”

Seraphina inclined her head, conceding that that was true. Michaela was a very early riser. By the time the rest of the house was awake, she was on her third breakfast. Their lastborn was not only hyperactive, she was also a voracious eater.

Gerard took her by the arm. “Now let us get you dressed so that we might attend to our guests.”

Seraphina glared at him. “I mean it. We do not have time for whatever nefarious activities you are thinking about.”

Gerard gave her an innocent look. “All I want to do is help.”

Seraphina snorted derisively.

***

The first event was hunting. A wild boar had been procured for the purpose, and supper was dominated by what a vicious animal it was.

“Seraphina, I do not think that you and the ladies should participate. That animal could cause damage.”

“It could cause serious damage to anybody, including you. If you want to call off the hunt, that’s fine with me, but we will not be staying home if you are going hunting.”

He gave a big put-upon sigh, opening his mouth to protest further.

“Seraphina is right,” Rosalind said. “If it’s too dangerous for us, it’s too dangerous for you.” She gave Gerard a challenging look. “So, what will it be?”

Gerard looked around the table for support, but all the men avoided his eye. “Very well then,” he said with a pout. “Let us hunt this thing.”

They woke up very early in the morning, a mist still obscuring visibility. Gerard wanted to wait for the mist to clear, but he was overruled by the rest.

“We shall divide into groups of two,” he said. “Make sure not to go ahead of the dogs, so that you are not shot by accident.”

“Yes, we know this. This isn’t our first hunt,” Tessa called cheekily.

Gerard narrowed his eyes at her. “Find your teammate and let’s hunt!”

***

Being paired with Tessa brought back memories for Seraphina. The few times that they had visited their rural home, they sometimes went hunting for rabbit or deer, to supplement their diet. It had been the groundskeeper, who had taught them, and Seraphina was fairly sure she had retained her skills.

They could hear the boar snorting somewhere ahead of them, and the sisters exchanged glances before splitting up to each side of the boar but not directly next to it.

Seraphina lifted her bow and arrow and took aim, while Tessa shuffled the leaves to distract the boar.

She knew that she had to take the boar down on the first shot or else he would go for her sister. She aimed carefully for its neck and then let the arrow fly. There was a loud squeal, and the animal tried to run but ended up stumbling and collapsing on the ground.

Seraphina threw a fist in the air in victory, as Tessa jumped up and down.

They approached the boar carefully, wanting to make sure it was really dead. It was still snuffling and grunting into the leaves, so Tessa put a musket ball in its head.

The boar fell silent and still as the rest of the hunting party converged on them.

“We got it,” Seraphina said happily to an enthusiastic round of congratulations.

The servants came and carried the boar away. It would be roasted slowly over a spit and served at the farewell feast.

Gerard took Seraphina’s hand as they walked back to the house for the next event.

“Very well done,” he murmured.

“Thank you.” She grinned up at him, unable to completely disguise her smugness.

He snorted at her, shaking his head.

***

The rest of the day was spent on other activities. Aside from the main competition, many villagers had set up stalls to sell their wares to the visitors.

There was a very carnival air about the place.

Seraphina had a hard time keeping track of her children, especially George, their middle child, who tended to run off and play at the slightest appearance of other children. With all his cousins about, he was in his element, leading them to mischief as they played among the bales of hay or stole sweetmeats from a stall.

Diana was participating in the horse race for the first time, much to Seraphina’s horror. She did not think she would be able to watch. She sat inside with Rosalind instead, who was fairly pregnant with her third child. She tended to tire quickly and needed a few naps to get through the day.

Seraphina was more than happy to nap with her, as she was quite tired from all the organizing as well as the early morning boar hunt.

“You need to come to London more often,” Rosalind was saying, “we miss you so.”

Seraphina looked at the child in her lap. Michaela was fast asleep with her thumb in her mouth. “You know how terribly hectic it is to travel with children. Besides, they prefer the fresh air of Irondale to the smog of London. I cannot blame them. There is a lot more to do here than there for them. But I will try my best to come and visit on my own.”

Rosalind laughed. “Your husband would come and collect you in two days.”

Seraphina couldn’t help smiling. “Yes, he would. He acts as if he’s quite hopeless without me. I don’t know whether it’s endearing or annoying.”

“Probably both,” Rosalind said sagely, rubbing her stomach gently. “But I do hope you will come for the birth. I need you and your experience to see me through.”

“I shall be there; never fear.” She smiled at her friend, squeezing her hand.

***

Gerard gave Lord Astor and his friend, Mr. Perrineau, the honor of giving out medals. It worked out well because they had barely participated in any of the events and so they were happy for every winner.

Diana took third place at horse racing, much to her pleasure and her mother’s horror. Gerard was torn between pride and fear. Now that she’d had a taste of racing, Diana was already talking about the next one. George, seeing how much attention his sister was getting, was also beginning to talk about racing too.

“No, George. You are not old enough,” Gerard said.

“I’m seven!” he shouted indignantly. “And I can ride a horse!”

Gerard just sighed. He knew if he refused outright, George would go out and find a horse right away to ride. “We shall see,” he said instead.

The cooking competition was won by Dorian who had made an omelet shaped like a rooster. Everyone agreed that he won based on originality. The foreman won the foot race and bit into his medal—made of a gold coin—triumphantly before being carried off by the villagers to celebrate with copious cups of ale.

All in all, it was a successful two days of games. They closed the event with the evening dinner, where the wild boar caught by Tessa and Seraphina was served.

They ate outside in the moonlight, on long benches, all the adults and children squashed together.

Then Erasmus, Gerard’s uncle, stood up to make a speech.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it is with great pleasure that I stand here to celebrate the wedding anniversary of Seraphina and Gerard. Their beginning might have been rocky, but in the intervening years, they have given us a great example of how to love each other unconditionally. In addition to that, they have given me two grandnieces and a grandnephew whom I love like my own.”

He indicated Diana and George who were sitting together on the other side of the bench. Michaela was sitting in Seraphina’s lap, demolishing the food on her plate.

“To the rest of you who I have come to know and love because of these two people, I am grateful for you as well. Many of us here know the pain of losing a parent either through death, abandonment, or both. But we have made our own family here that is better than any we may have come from. So, raise your glass as a toast, each and every one of you, and to Gerard and Seraphina, here is to another year. Cheers!”

“Cheers!” the company chorused and drank.

Rosalind got unsteadily to her feet. “I feel awful that I must follow that toast, but I will try my best to live up to it.”

A ripple of laughter went through the crowd.

“I met Seraphina after her wedding to the duke. She was all alone in London, while he slipped away here at Irondale. We became fast friends. So, I would just like to thank his grace for abandoning his wife in London for a year so I couldn’t meet her and befriend her.” She lifted her glass and toasted Gerard, who covered his face, shaking his head. “It’s true what they say; every cloud has a silver lining. And I do believe that this rocky start is the reason that Gerard and Seraphina’s marriage is so strong and loving now. So whatever route you take, take heart and take courage. Your destination is still up ahead.”

She sat down to thunderous applause. Seraphina leaned over and kissed her cheek.

“That was a very sweet toast. Thank you,” she whispered.

“Oh, good! You liked it. I didn’t even plan it I just said what was in my heart.”

Seraphina beamed at her. “That makes it even more special. Thank you, my friend.”

“You’re very welcome.”

Gerard got to his feet. “It would be difficult to top those two marvelous speeches, and so I will not try. All I wish to say is: happy anniversary, my love.”

He turned and lifted his glass to Seraphina.

She got to her feet, picked up her glass, and clinked it to his.

“Happy anniversary, husband,” she said in turn.

He leaned in, and their lips met in gentle affirmation.

The End.