Five months later
The vicarage
As Devan played with the loose locks of Avalon’s hair that had blown free of her chignon, his gaze held a remarkable sight. Across the way in the courtyard, Thane sat at a table playing chess with Richard Bolen.
His beautiful and brilliant wife had decided that the boys needed to spend time with each other before Thane entered Eton next term. Richard already had two terms behind him. Not surprisingly, they’d delighted in meeting each other as brothers and had become fast friends.
“It’s amazing that Thane is teaching Richard to play chess,” Avalon said as she turned her gaze to him.
“It’ll give them something to occupy their free time during the school term.” He trailed a finger across her cheek, enchanted by the heat of her skin.
“What free time? You said that Thane’s studies would be onerous.”
He tilted his head toward her as if sharing a secret. “I may have exaggerated slightly.”
“Do tell.” Her eyes widened, and she laughed. “A naughty vicar who twists the truth. Who could ever imagine?”
He humphed, then stole a kiss. When he pulled away, the sweetest smile crossed her lips. Eventually, her gaze drifted back to Thane. “He adores you, and so do I.”
“I adore him. But you, Lady Warlock, have stolen my heart.”
“Do you want it back?” She bit her bottom lip in an effort to keep from laughing, but the grin on her face betrayed her amusement.
“Never.” He pressed a kiss to the tip of her nose as he placed his palm against the small mound of her stomach. “It’s yours forever.” Just then, the baby kicked against his hand.
The warmth in Avalon’s eyes almost undid him. Everything he wanted in life was here in this park. His lovely wife and their children.
“Tomorrow, I’m going to help Sophia plan her wedding with Marcus. They want to marry in London,” she said. “I can’t believe they fell in love so quickly.”
“We made an excellent example for them to follow,” he said smugly. “When I took you to Mary’s to find Sophia, that set their courtship on a proper course, so I take all the credit for their betrothal.”
“Of course you do,” she playfully argued.
He raised her hand to his lips. “There I go again telling a small tale. The truth is, darling wife, you keep me honest.”
“And you keep me happy,” Avalon said. She stole a glance at the two boys, then turned her beautiful head his way.
He pressed another kiss to her hand. “I still can’t believe that you established a scholarship in my honor for poor third and fourth sons of peers who want to buy a commission in the military. That was the most wonderful birthday gift I’ve ever received.”
“Only the best for my husband,” she said, then leaned close. “But I hope some of the men will still seek positions in the clergy. We need more naughty vicars.”
The boys stood and shook hands. Across the park at another bench, Sophia waited for them. When they reached her side, she waved to Avalon and Devan, then they all three left.
“Where are they going?” Devan looked around the courtyard. “I thought Mary was going to join us for a while before she and Richard left for London.”
“We’ve had a change of plans so you and I could stay here alone for a bit longer.” Avalon winked. “Sophia is taking them back to Warwyk Hall. Mary is picking up Richard there.” Avalon stood, and Devan followed.
Together they walked back to the vicarage.
“I owe Mary everything,” Avalon said.
“How so?” Devan wrapped an arm around her waist.
“For without Mary, I’d have never brought the women in need to Thistledown. Without them, Larkton would have never sent you to me.”
“Hmm, I never thought of it that way. Devan tilted his head to the sky. “Perhaps it was divine providence.”
“There’s one undeniable fact. I’m thankful you’re my husband.” She leaned and kissed him on the cheek.
“I feel the same about you. By and by, I thought of a name for the baby,” he said. “Morgana.”
“No.” She shook her head vehemently. “That’s the witch from Camelot. Absolutely not.”
“It’s the perfect name for our baby. Since Avalon was the island where Arthur found Excalibur.” He waggled his eyebrows.
She shook her head.
“I have another idea,” Devan said. “Let’s sneak back out here this evening. I’d like to make love to my wife under the stars while we think of more names.”
Avalon shook her head again. Then she leaned in and whispered, “If we come back to the vicarage tonight, it proves what I’ve always thought.”
“What’s that, Lady Warlock?”
“Once a wild rake, always a wild rake.” She pressed her lips to his. “But you’re mine.”
“Always and forever, my love.” Devan chuckled.
“I have a better idea.” The most wicked smile broke across her lips. “Let’s go to your old bedroom inside the vicarage right now and read the Song of Solomon together.”
He matched her wicked smile with his own. “Shall we read the parts about how he pleasured his wife?”
“Hmm, perhaps. But I wanted to read the parts where his wife pleasured him.” Avalon took his hand in hers, and they walked toward the back entrance of the vicarage.
Devan’s brow creased. “I don’t think that’s part of the poem.”
“Oh ye of little faith,” Avalon answered.