Forced to Wed the Scarred Earl – Extended Epilogue

Three years later

Tristan rose before the House of Lords, aware that his wife and two children watched from their seats in the balcony. Many years of preparation had gone into that moment, and now it would all come to an end. The outcome, he could not know for certain.

Men stared at him with tired, expectant faces, and he knew that he would either make their day better, or anger all of them. They were not the sort who were often supportive of progressive ideas.

“Lords, it is with great honor that I address you today,” Tristan started.

From the gallery, his wife offered him a supportive nod. His children watched, doing their best to remain quiet and well-behaved.

“I ask that you listen to all I have to say before making a decision about the worthiness of my cause,” Tristan said. “For there is much you need to understand in order for it to make any sense to you at all.”

He clutched his cane as tightly as he could, hoping that it would give him strength. However, his real support sat with his children and watched silently.

“I know better than anybody the pain that war causes to a country, but also to an individual,” he continued. “I will never know a life without pain again, and there are many in far worse condition than I. You see, my leg is still attached.”

His words clearly had an impact, as those he spoke to seemed to shuffle in their seats. He had their full attention; it was imperative that he kept it.

“When war is at its most destructive, and you’re out on the field fighting for your survival, fighting for your king, the divide between the lines of wealth becomes nothing more than a blur.” He paused for breath. “You see only people like you. You watch them win, you watch them fall. Sometimes you watch them crawl to safety, grasping one of their own limbs.”

A horrified murmur went through the room, and he knew it was better not to push the gruesomeness of it too far.

“However,” he continued. “Once the battle is over and the damage is done, despite a victory or a loss, we return to our lives. Then, the divide between rich and poor becomes painfully clear.”

Eliza smiled and nodded, a sign that it was going well.

“Miners without arms or legs return to a life in which their sole means of income no longer exists, without any further qualifications to aid them,” Tristan explained. “Young men search for work, the scars of their battles too frightening for anybody to stand. The very same people they fought for, turn them away.”

Tristan fought back his emotions as he spoke. It would not aid in his cause to tear up in the middle of his speech. He needed to remain stoic and in control if he was to be taken seriously.

“This has bothered me tremendously over the years,” he said. “I am fortunate to have been born into wealth. So, upon returning from the war, I still served a purpose, despite my injuries.”

Tristan straightened up and added some power to his voice.

“Over the last two years at Evermere Hall, and on my estate, I have been experimenting with a solution to this problem,” he said. “I have curated positions of employment suitable to those with injuries and ailments, such as those we see from the war. Those who have lost their eyes have taken up positions as music teachers and textile spinners. Those who have lost their legs have taken up positions as shoemakers and in clerical work.”

He could see the looks on their faces, the concern that his ideas were unusual and unnecessary.

“Those who have lost arms have taken up positions as patrol guards,” Tristan continued. “The result has been all I’d hoped for. Men who previously lived their lives in taverns and on the sides of streets now have safe homes. They are building families and living happier lives. Their loyalty to my estate is unmatched by others. No longer do they cry out that they wish they had died. Instead, they find solutions to problems that I could never have known existed, and they work hard to become masters within their roles.”

He let out a soft sigh, knowing that the best was yet to come.

“One man with no legs used his arms to create a machine that allowed a man with no arms to still feed himself rather than rely on another to do it for him,” Tristan said. “Another man who lost his ability to hear has brewed the finest ale that York has ever known, allowing him to start his business and find success. At his brewery, he employs others like him, and they continue to refine their craft.”

Now he had their attention. He watched as the men before him perked up and listened a little closer.

“Those who truly cannot work receive a weekly income. I see it as a gratitude fee for the sacrifice they’ve made for our peace and our country…the safety of our families,” he continued.

From the balcony, he saw his two children bounce excitedly, proud to see their father stand before the lords and address them all.

“All they needed was a little support and some inspiration,” Tristan said. “They needed a place within our society, and I did my best to provide it for them. The Evermere Estate boasts its most successful year in history, and it is a result of the men and women who work tirelessly to support us. I urge all of you to do the same and reap the benefits.”

He gave them one last look around. “Thank you,” he said.

As he sat down, he felt the pain burn through his leg but forced his face not to show it.

“That is very interesting,” one of the lords said. “I can see the benefit to it. You’re right. They deserve more than they’ve been given.”

That was all he needed to hear. His report and findings had been written down, and copies had been made, which he passed out to every lord in the room. All they had to do was look at the numbers and know that it was worth it. Already, Tristan’s new reputation was one to be desired.

When, finally, the House of Lords meeting ended, he was only eager to head out and find his wife and children. His children found him first. Thomas and his sister, Irene, ran at him, stopping just in time before they might have slammed right into his legs. They’d both learned early on that it would have knocked him over if they did that.

They were only a year apart in age, and Tristan struggled to remember a life before them. He no longer remembered what made him happy before Eliza had come into his world and given him a family. Eliza followed them soon after, lifting Irene into her arms. Thomas took her hand, and Tristan looked at the most beautiful sight he’d ever seen.

“Well done,” she said. “You were excellent.”

“Thank you, I just hope that it made a difference.”

“I’ve heard some whisperings on my way over to you,” Eliza said. “Some think you’re a madman. But there are lords among us who have heard you and take interest in what you’ve had to say. You have a good reputation, and your estate is strong, I see no reason for anybody to question you.”

Tristan nodded. “There is little more that I can do,” he said. “If even one lord adopts my methods, I’ll have made a difference.”

“There are lords here who have seen battle just as you have, and I am certain that they will have sympathy for your cause,” she said.

They walked toward their carriage. They would be spending the weekend at their London townhouse so that they could walk with the children in Hyde Park and take them to tea houses. Tristan looked forward to seeing London through his children’s eyes.

“You spoke with dignity. You spoke like a man who has learned how to listen,” Eliza said.

It was one of the greatest compliments she had ever given him. He recalled once asking her if she thought he was a beast like the rest of the world did. He no longer worried about that. She had made him a better man than he’d been before.

“You taught me to listen,” he said. “And it is the greatest skill I have ever learned.”

They stepped into the sun and bundled the children into the carriage, following closely behind. The children peered at everything through the window as the carriage moved forward.

“Where now?” Thomas asked.

“We’re going to see the River Thames,” Tristan explained. “Before joining an old friend for dinner.”

Thomas nodded and stared out of the window. As he pulled his feet up to get a better view, he kicked Tristan in the knee. Tristan grimaced, but tried not to lose his temper at the child. He had not meant to cause so much pain.

“This carriage is starting to get a little full,” Eliza said.

“It wouldn’t be a problem if Thomas sat properly,” Tristan teased.

He lifted his son, correcting his legs and placing him back down again. Thomas nodded that he understood, but kept his eyes on the window. He liked to observe the world, much like his mother.

“Perhaps it is time for us to get a larger carriage,” she pressed.

“I’ve had more adults in here than we are now,” Tristan argued. “Somehow these small children take up an enormous amount of space.”

“Well, it’s only going to get fuller,” she said.

Tristan sighed. “Stop reminding me that they’ll grow up. Some days I hope they will remain the way they are now, still so eager for life and easy to please.”

Eliza smiled at him in a way he hadn’t seen in some time, as if she had a secret to keep. Had he said something odd? Was she laughing at him?

“What is it?” he asked, reading her cue.

“We’re going to need the extra space because soon there’ll be a third small body that we need to cram in here,” she said.

Eliza beamed with pride as her hand lowered to her stomach.

“Another little voice for you to listen to,” she said softly. “Another kick to the knee, I suppose.”

She laughed then with such joy that even the children felt the need to laugh with her.

There could be no greater news than the news that his family would grow even larger. Tristan felt a wave of love and excitement so strong that he reached forward and took hold of his wife. He pulled her across the carriage so that she landed on his lap and wrapped his arms around her.

She shrieked and laughed, much to the amusement of their children as he held her in his embrace.

“A bigger carriage it is!” he said cheerfully. “I see we have no choice now.”

Eliza straightened herself out as she continued to laugh. “I thought it would make you happy to know. You don’t think it will be too many?”

“A hundred wouldn’t be too many,” he said with a laugh. “I am happier with each new child that is born into this family. You make me happy.”

Despite not knowing what they celebrated, Thomas threw his hands into the air. “Yay!” he cheered, and Tristan followed suit, cheering along with him.

Later, as they walked along the River Thames, he was reminded of how they had started, walking so awkwardly together, struggling for conversation. Now, he wouldn’t be anywhere else in the world but at her side with their children following closely.

She squeezed his arm, her secret way of reminding him of her love for him. He placed his hand over hers and felt her warmth. They walked so close together that it felt as if nothing could pry them apart.

THE END