Five Years Later
“Papa! Papa! You must come quick!” Chloe’s voice rang out as she burst into Edmund’s study, her curls bouncing wildly. Her rosy cheeks and bright eyes reminded Edmund so much of Eliza that he couldn’t help but smile.
“And what is the emergency this time, my little duchess?” Edmund asked, setting down his pen and leaning back in his chair.
“It’s William!” Chloe exclaimed, her hands on her hips in a perfect imitation of her mother’s no-nonsense stance. “He’s trying to eat a flower again, and Mama says it’s your turn to stop him.”
Edmund chuckled, rising from his chair and sweeping Chloe into his arms. “Ah, the perils of having a botanically curious little brother. Let’s see what mischief he’s up to now, shall we?”
Together, they made their way to the garden, where two-year-old William sat on the lawn with a flower clutched in his tiny fist. Eliza was kneeling beside him, her laughter floating through the air as she tried to coax the flower away.
“Edmund,” she called over her shoulder, her voice warm with affection, “your son is at it again.”
Edmund placed Chloe down gently and crouched beside Eliza. “William, my boy, you can’t go about eating flowers. What would the gardeners think?” he teased, plucking the flower from William’s hand.
William responded with a toothy grin, his big brown eyes sparkling with mischief. Edmund ruffled his son’s soft curls and scooped him up, lifting him high into the air to delighted giggles.
Eliza watched them with a fond smile, her heart swelling at the sight of her family. Chloe slipped her small hand into her mother’s.
“Mama,” Chloe whispered, “Papa said I could be a duchess one day. Is that true?”
Eliza knelt to look into her daughter’s eyes. “You can be anything you want to be, my darling,” she said softly, brushing a curl from Chloe’s face. “But most importantly, I want you to grow up kind, brave, and true to yourself. That’s far more important than any title.”
Chloe nodded solemnly, as if absorbing a great truth, before her mischievous grin returned. “Can I be all those things and still have a pony?”
Edmund laughed as he set William back down. “We’ll see about the pony, my little duchess. For now, why don’t we all have tea in the garden? Mrs. Birkins has just baked some of her famous lemon tarts.”
The family settled on a blanket beneath the shade of an ancient oak tree. The warm sunlight, the gentle rustling of leaves, and the sound of children’s laughter created a perfect moment. Edmund reached for Eliza’s hand, squeezing it gently.
“Penny for your thoughts, my duchess?”
“I was just thinking how far we’ve come,” Eliza replied, her voice thick with emotion. “This estate used to feel so cold and empty, but now…” She glanced at Chloe and William, who were happily sharing a tart. “Now it feels like home.”
***
“Charlotte, slow down!” Chloe’s voice echoed through the estate’s garden as she chased her cousin. The two wove between rose bushes, their laughter ringing through the air.
“I’ll never slow down!” Charlotte called back, her auburn curls flying as she dashed ahead.
Eliza watched the scene unfold from her seat beneath the pergola. Beside her, Amelia rocked baby Emma in her arms, the infant cooing softly.
“Those two are inseparable,” Amelia remarked, her gaze following the girls.
“They might as well be sisters,” Eliza replied with a smile. “Charlotte has always had a special place in my heart, and Chloe feels the same. I couldn’t love her more if she were my own.”
Amelia reached over to squeeze her sister-in-law’s hand. “You’ve been wonderful to her, Eliza. I’ll never forget how you stepped in when I couldn’t, how you cared for her when I was lost in grief.”
“You’re an amazing mother,” Eliza replied warmly. “Look at Charlotte—she’s thriving. And now with Emma, you’ve brought so much light into this estate.”
At that moment, Thomas arrived from the stables, his sleeves rolled up and a bright grin on his face. “Amelia, I believe this little one is ready for a nap,” he said, leaning down to kiss his wife’s cheek before scooping Emma into his arms.
Amelia laughed. “Famous last words, Captain Helmwood. She’ll have you wrapped around her little finger in no time.”
***
The sun was beginning to set. Edmund and Eliza stood together near the terrace, their arms entwined as they looked out over the gardens.
“I never tire of this view,” Eliza said softly, leaning into Edmund’s side.
“It’s not the view I treasure most,” Edmund replied, his voice filled with affection as he turned to look at his wife. “It’s what we’ve built together—our family, our home. It’s everything I ever dreamed of and more.”
Eliza tilted her head to meet his gaze, her heart swelling at the love she saw in his eyes. “You’ve given me so much more than I ever thought possible, Edmund. I look at our children, at the life we’ve created, and I’m overwhelmed with gratitude.”
Nearby, Mrs. Hart and Patsy were chatting with Clara and Robert, who sat hand in hand beneath a tree. Patsy, now a young lady of fourteen, looked healthy and confident.
“This estate feels like home to all of us now,” Eliza said. “Everyone we love is here, safe and happy. What more could we ask for?”
***
As the moon rose high over the estate, Edmund led Eliza on a quiet walk through the gardens. The scent of late-blooming flowers filled the air, and the rustle of leaves whispered around them.
“Thank you, Eliza,” Edmund said softly, stopping to face her. “For bringing light and love back into my life, for giving me our children, for building this family with me. You’ve made me a better man, and I’ll never stop being grateful.”
Tears filled Eliza’s eyes, and she reached up to touch his face. “You don’t need to thank me, Edmund. I love you. I always have, and I always will. This family, this life—we built it together.”
He pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly. “I’ll spend the rest of my life making you as happy as you’ve made me.”
“You already have,” she whispered.
Hand in hand, they returned to the terrace, where their family awaited them. Surrounded by warmth, love, and the promise of a future filled with joy, Eliza leaned into Edmund’s embrace.
“This is our happily ever after,” she said softly.
“And it’s only the beginning,” Edmund replied, his voice steady and sure.
Hello wonderful readers, I hope you enjoyed the book and the Extended Epilogue! I can’t wait to read your thoughts here! Thank you ❤️
I truly enjoyed this book. It was a little too sweet, but happily ever after is a most welcome emotion. Look forward to other books.
Hi Marilyn, I’m glad you enjoyed the book, sometimes, a little extra sweetness is just what we need for a happy ending! I’m thrilled to hear you’re looking forward to more books – I hope the next one resonates with you even more. Stay tuned for what’s to come!
Another lovely read Daisy! Eliza and Edmund were just a love . You did a great job of portraying Victoria and Her Father as imperious and perfectly nasty individuals. So happy they got their just deserts. Thanks Daisy. I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Edmund and Eliza.
Pat
Thank you so much, Pat! I’m thrilled you enjoyed Eliza and Edmund’s story—they really were such a lovely pair to write. And I’m glad you equally appreciated the vile antagonists! Thanks, again, for reading and sharing your thoughts!