Epilogue

Eight months later

“We have to return to London!” Kat declared as she slammed her fist on the breakfast table.

Marcus glanced up from his paper and had to suppress a smile at the sight of his enraged wife sitting across the table from him, a letter in one hand, her other still balled into a fist on the table. “Trouble?” He glanced at the letter she was holding.

“When is there not trouble with the Gazette?” Her eyes narrowed as she flickered her gaze down to the note. “Etta tells me everything is under control, but I can tell she’s simply saying that to placate me. There’s a group of men making a concerted effort to unmask the writer of the Gazette. That means Etta is in danger and I must return to protect her.”

He couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow as he stared down to her belly. “My darling, I don’t know if you’ve realized it, but you’re not in any state to be protecting anyone right now, especially as Dr. Harrison has given you strict instruction to rest and relax in the country.”

“Dr. Harrison is a quack,” she declared. “I should’ve known he’d suggest the same thing with me as he did with Livie when she was pregnant. He obviously wants all of the pregnant ladies out of London!”

“I’m sure that’s it,” Marcus said, completely straight-faced.

It was a frequently debated topic in their household but considering Dr. Harrison was one of the queen’s personal physicians, Marcus was willing to argue the point, especially as Kat considered any doctor who told her to rest in the last period of her confinement, a quack. Though, at least, the doctor was a proponent of still going for walks and keeping somewhat active, just not in the smog of London. The man seemed eminently reasonable to Marcus. “Darling, if you’re worried about Etta, I’ll send a note to Colver and he can get some of his men to protect her.”

In the intervening months, after he and Kat had married by special license, Marcus had become good friends with Sebastian Colver, the notorious Bastard of Baker Street, and the husband to one of Kat’s best friends, Lady Olivia. He and Marcus had rather hit it off, which had surprised them all.

Kat all but threw up her hands. “Colver’s men can’t blend in in the places Etta must attend to gather intelligence for the Gazette. She hangs about in ballrooms, not taverns.”

Marcus had noticed that at nearly eight months pregnant, his wife was definitely getting more impatient about everything. And given patience had never been her strong suit in the first place, she was coming to resemble the Dragon Duchess more and more every day. Though he dared not tell her that; she still carried her daggers upon her person, after all.

A pregnant Kat was an unpredictable Kat and he loved her all the more for it. Even now just looking at her sitting there, a rosy flush on her cheeks, her belly swollen with his child, brought a rush of satisfaction and true happiness to him. He’d never so enjoyed being a husband before, as he enjoyed being Kat’s husband. “Well, I’ll get Lucas to keep an eye on her, then. Will that make you happy?”

“She can’t stand the man, but yes he has the skills to protect her,” she reluctantly conceded. “Though you’ll have to warn him to behave himself around her, and bite his tongue. I don’t want Etta’s feelings hurt with his wit.”

“Etta can hold her own around Lucas,” Marcus felt he had to point out. “She gives as good as she gets.”

Kat sighed. “Yes, I suppose she does. You’ll also have to warn Lucas he’ll need to attend all of the events she does and keep her safe, or he’ll have me to answer to, or at least he will after I’m not so physically clumsy.” She glanced down at her belly with the usual look of surprise at how big she was getting.

“Oh, and tell him to keep his hands to himself,” Kat added. “If he so much as flirts with, let alone seduces and compromises my dear friend, I will make him a eunuch. And you know I’m serious with that threat.”

“All too well, my darling. But you do know he can’t stand her, either.” Although, Marcus rather suspected that Etta and Lucas hating each other so much, perhaps was a disguise for an attraction neither of them wished to admit.

“He might not be able to stand her, but he’s certainly attracted to her,” Kat added. “I’ve seen how he looks at her, and her bosom, when he thinks no one is watching.”

“That’s rather observant of you.”

“I’m always observant, Marcus Black!”

“In situations, yes you are. But when it comes to people and their emotions? Not usually.” Marcus winced at the offended look on his wife’s face.

“All right, my love.” He held up a hand to placate her. “I will suitably warn Lucas that he will have you to deal with if he so much as hurts a hair on Etta’s head or allows anyone else to. Acceptable? Now, can you please stop worrying about the situation? It will all be fine.”

“Perhaps it will. But we should return to London to make certain Etta is safe.”

“Kaitlyn Montrose, we are not going back to London.” He must have said the same thing a thousand times since they’d arrived a fortnight ago. An idle lifestyle was not something that suited his wife at all, though she was reluctantly prepared to endure it to ensure the safety of their unborn child. At least most of the time.

“Morning!” Sam yelled in greeting as he raced into the room with D’Artagnan in tow. He skidded to a halt in front of the bacon and bread rolls and grabbed a handful. “Sorry, I can’t stay,” the boy apologized as he stuffed some food into his pockets. “Mr. Jenkins reckons the mare’s going to birth her foal this morning.” He grinned at them both. “Bit like you will be soon, Kat.” The lad winked at her before scampering from the room. “Gotta get to the stables to help him.” His voice echoed from the hallway as he dashed down the corridor.

“Well, at least Sam’s loving the country,” Marcus remarked as he took a sip of his coffee.

Sighing, she picked up her teacup and sipped. “He does, doesn’t he? I don’t know how he’s my brother sometimes.” Suddenly, Kat rubbed her belly. “Your son is kicking me soundly right now, clearly displeased about something. Perhaps he doesn’t like being sequestered in the country with nothing to do, either…”

Marcus laughed. “If our child is kicking you and not enjoying the country, then our baby is a girl, and will be just like her mother.”

“Would that be such a bad thing?” she pertly replied, her chin raised.

“Most definitely.”

“What?” There was outrage in her voice as she threw a bread roll at him, which he caught deftly, noting the roaring fire in her eyes. God, the woman was bloody gorgeous when she was mad.

“It’s a bad thing, because if she’s even as half as beautiful as you, I’ll have to follow her around with a rifle and warn off any would-be suitors.”

Instantly, her ire vanished, and a smile spread over her gorgeous face. “Oh, my darling, you can be quite charming in amongst your goading. I do love you.”

Marcus stood up and walked across to Kat. He crouched down next to her and kissed her cheek. “As I love you, my darling.” He placed a protective hand on Kat’s belly and was thrilled when his baby kicked underneath his hand from inside Kat’s womb. “Yes, definitely a girl, who I will love with every part of me, as I love her most amazing mother.”

“Oh, Marcus,” Kat gushed. “I love you with every part of me, too. Even when you vex me so and refuse to take us back to London.”

“I know, my darling. I feel the same way.” Marcus leaned in and inhaled the fresh scent of her hair. She smelled of soap and roses, and so delicious he felt like scooping her up in his arms and striding with her to the bed. This woman had become his heart and soul, banishing away the dark memories of a horrendous marriage that had been Elizabeth’s legacy to him for years.

Thank God they’d both found the courage to give love a chance.

Because with Kat by his side, he was home and finally at peace.

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