Epilogue

Sunlight filtered through the wide-open windows of one of the largest guest bedchambers that Seldon Park had to offer.  Marcus had not planned on attending his friend's house party - even though part of the celebration was a wedding breakfast in his and Caroline's honor - but since Caroline was still feeling rather well, he had decided that it would be acceptable to attend, perhaps even to the end of the party.  After all, given the way his wife had practically glowed with health the previous night as he made love to her, he doubted that their babe was in any danger if they stayed on a few more days.

Looking over at his still-sleeping wife, Marcus could not believe how completely his life had changed in the last few weeks.  Even now, it seemed like a story out of one of those Gothic novels that he had come to learn Caroline still loved.

The morning after they had confessed their love for each other at The Stuck Pig, Marcus had hired a coach and four, taking Caroline to Gretna with all haste so that they might wed without any further delay.  He wanted her to be his wife in all ways and he did not want to wait for the banns to be called or even to procure a special license.  Even a small delay was too long in his opinion.

Upon their return to town, there was some talk about them, as was to be expected, but not so much as he would have thought.  That might have been because there was a new gossip columnist in town, one hell bent on replacing Lady X but lacking her finesse.  It was all society could talk about, well, other than the Duke of Enwright's end-of-season masquerade.  That had been a scandalous affair in its own right, and even now, with much of summer long behind them and the first hint of autumn touching the air, the events of that night were still on everyone's lips - including the people who had gathered at Seldon Park.

Though, given the information Nicholas had imparted the night before - which also included rather explicit instructions for Marcus to stay away from the old summerhouse on the far side of the estate - there would be a good deal more for the ton to wag their tongues about if people discovered the truth about what had occurred at Enwright's affair.  

The part about the summerhouse was puzzling, however, but Marcus had eventually felt it prudent that he not know all of the details, having developed a rather bad feeling about the entire situation.  However, Nicholas had also felt it important to mention that something was afoot there, especially since Marcus had developed a rather bad habit of absconding with his new wife and sneaking off for assignations in the most unlikely of places.  When Marcus had mentioned his fondness for the summerhouse, his friend had thought it best to mention that it might be otherwise occupied, lest Marcus see something that he ought not.

Not that it had stopped Marcus from sneaking off with Caroline.  He could not help it if he desired his wife as much as she desired him.  He had thought that nothing could match the need he had felt for her that night at The Stuck Pig.  He had been wrong.  That most perfect stretch of hours had only been the beginning of what he hoped would be a fire likely to consume him for the rest of his days.

Since that moment, Marcus and Caroline had been inseparable, especially once Marcus discovered that she was in fact carrying his babe, much to his surprise.  He suspected that the miracle had occurred that first night they had spent together, though given his wife's insatiable needs, he could have been wrong.  No matter when the child had been conceived, however, one thing was for certain, Marcus could not love Caroline more than he did at this very moment.  Then again, he had thought that several mornings ago and today he was certain he loved her more than he had then.

"Enjoying watching me slumber, are you?"  Caroline slowly opened one eye to gaze up at her husband.

He should have been ashamed but he was far from it.  "How long have you been awake?"  Not that he cared that she had been feigning sleep, but really, she could have given them both more time to put to better use - such as allowing him to worship her body that was growing round with his child.

"Long enough."  She was still a bit impertinent and he was glad of it.  The last thing he wanted to do was to change her.  She was part Caroline, part Lady X, and part someone he had never known before - the woman who had endured much in Northumbria.  He was now getting to know that part of her and, though difficult at times, he was happy she had finally allowed him to see all of her, even the damaged parts.

God knew, the ton saw his damaged parts every bloody day of the week.  Marcus was still often in an ill humor, but he was working on improving that as well.

"You are not still brooding about last night are you?" she asked.  "It was an accident, my love, and no harm was done."

"It was not you who bumped into a table and sent trays of desserts crashing to the floor," he grumbled, but as she began to stroke his chest, she knew that he was quickly losing his anger.  "We should have departed for Heatherton Abby as soon as it occurred.  The last thing I want is to remind people of this blasted leg."

The incident had been bad, but it had not been socially fatal.  Caroline had made certain of it, as had their host.  In fact, Nicholas had made a great joke of the incident, as had several others in their intimate circle.  Thankfully, Marcus had taken the teasing in stride and by the time the dancing had begun, the entire incident was all but forgotten, save for a small smudge of pink frosting that stubbornly clung to the hem of Lady Ursula Saintwood's gown - not that anyone had been brave enough to inform her.

"That would have caused more than a little talk and really, Nick handled it beautifully." Caroline slid her hand a little further up Marcus' bare chest.  "I think the fact that another season has passed and Nicholas has not yet selected a bride of his own might be the bigger scandal that is brewing, at least according to what I heard yesterday while out with Lady Radcliffe and your sister.  Not a table of overturned tea cakes."  

During the last few months, Caroline had become rather skilled at diffusing Marcus' anger.  Though not nearly as hostile as he had been upon his return to town, he did on occasion, become enraged over the slightest of things, incidents that, in the past, he might well have joked about on his own.

She had learned any number of ways to calm him, some more effective than others.  The tactic she was using now, though not suitable for a public display, worked rather nicely when they were alone.

"Oh really?"  He asked the question but Caroline could tell that Marcus had lost interest in the previous thread of conversation, and most likely, had forgotten about the tea cakes as well.  Instead, given the direction his eyes were straying, she though that perhaps her bare breasts had captured his attention instead.  So much the better.  She did so enjoy making love in the light.

"Really."  She smiled up at him for he had shifted his position to loom over her, caging her beneath his strong arms.  "But first, I can think of something else I'd much rather discuss."  Then she reached for the man she had promised to love and cherish until the end of her days.  She knew that those vows were as true for her as they were for Marcus.  His love for her was there each time she looked at him, shining in his eyes and written in every line of his face.

There had been a time when Caroline believed she would never know love, never have the pleasure of sharing her life with the man she had loved and desired since childhood.  That she was now his wife was something of a miracle, one she dared not take for granted.  And she would spend all of her remaining days making certain that Marcus felt that same love in return.  Given how much they had already sacrificed for each other, she knew it could be no other way.