A year later

“Now, open your eyes, Mama,” Bridget said from behind her mother, the broadest grin on her face.

Emma let her hands fall away from her face. Her eyes widened with disbelief when she beheld the structure in front of her. “Bridget, what is this?” she asked.

“It is your new home, Mama,” Bridget said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

“Oh!” Emma clapped a hand over her mouth, her eyes filling with tears. “Truly?”

Since Matthew had taken the management of Dorchester’s estates, their finances had greatly improved. He had invested in a venture, trading spices and fabrics from the East Indies, and it had been most lucrative. Now they had purchased Lord Hamilton’s manor and repaired some parts of it. It still required many improvements, which would be done in time, but it would make an excellent home for her mother.

“Yes, Mama. You deserve this and much more. This is the least Matthew and I can do for you.”

“Oh, my goodness!” she gasped, turning to fold Bridget into her arms. “You are such a precious child.”

Happy tears stung Bridget’s eyes, and she dabbed at her eyes with her gloved hand.

Emma straightened and held her hand out to Matthew, who had been standing quietly behind them. “Thank you, Matthew,” she said, clutching his hand.

“I did not know I was in want of a mother until I met you,” he said, smiling at her. “When we have children, I am sure they will have many adventures in their grandmother’s manor.”

“Oh, I am sure they will.” Emma laughed, giving Bridget a meaningful look.

“Come, let’s see inside.” Bridget preceded them, a spring in her step.

Eloise, Mrs. Potter, and Lizzy were already inside, waiting for them, and the foyer erupted in cheer. Matthew drew her to his side, whispering in her ear. “What do you say we sneak away?” An impish grin brightened his face.

Bridget playfully swatted him on the shoulder. “We shall have plenty of time for that tonight.” She was tempted to sneak away with him, but she wanted to see more of that lovely smile on her mother’s face. They had taken to stealing away when no one was watching to spend time with each other because Matthew traveled more frequently on business. He had just returned yesterday, and they’d had to wake up early to show her mother the manor.

She always missed him, and when he returned, they would spend long moments in seclusion, simply enjoying each other’s company.

“Would you like to name it?” Matthew asked Emma.

“Oh, I could?” Her eyes widened adorably. She was full of health now, and Dr. Burton was always looking after her.

Bridget laughed. “Certainly, you can. It is your home.”

She thought for a moment, the said, “Bridgevale Manor.”

Bridget’s mouth fell open. “What does that even mean?”

“It is your name, my dear.”

She smiled shyly when she realized her mother had named the manor after her. She went to hug her.

“Eloise promised to let us help her plan her wedding,” Lizzy said, smiling mischievously. “I think we could begin that in the large drawing room here. Plenty of space to argue over which flowers she should carry.,.”

Eloise smiled shyly as Emma and Mrs. Potter agreed with Lizzy. She was marrying the local parson, and she had stopped working as a nursemaid when she started sewing dresses at home. She was now a step closer to opening that shop she had always wanted.

When she had announced her engagement a few days ago, they all offered to help her plan the wedding, and she agreed. Bridget had never seen her friend happier and so in love. Both of their dreams were coming true.

“Well, that is my cue to leave,” Matthew said. “I shall see you all later.” Then he raised Bridget’s hand to his lips to kiss it before whispering. “Don’t get too carried away and be late for afternoon tea, darling. I have something special for you.”

Bridget’s body warmed, and she smiled slyly. “Oh?”

“See you soon,” he murmured, straightening and striding out of the house.

Their afternoon tea was not at all afternoon tea, because they could be doing several things at that hour. It was an expression they used to describe one of the precious times they spent together. Bridget thought of the special thing he had for her and wondered what it was. He always brought something for her when he traveled, and she was excited to see what it was.

******

Matthew rearranged the pillows in front of the fireplace for the fourth time, and they still did not look right. He wanted everything to be perfect for Bridget.

He had been absent for a good portion of their first years of marriage because he was working very hard to grow their fortune. He no longer needed to travel as much, and this was the start of compensating for his absence.

The library door opened, and his heart gave a delighted kick in his chest. When she walked in, his knees grew weak. He loved her more every day.

She smiled as she looked around the room. “Matthew, what are you doing?”

“Seducing you,” he said slyly, hiding the first gift he had for her behind him. When she was close enough, he presented the red chrysanthemum he had been hiding.

Her pretty mouth rounded with surprise. “This is lovely, Matthew.” She took it, then wrapped her arms around his neck, lifting herself onto the tips of her toes.

His arms came around her waist. “Did I tell you that the red ones symbolize passion?”

One of her brows rose. “What are you suggesting, my Lord?”

“I think you know.” He grinned, kissing her neck. “Come.” He guided her to the rug in front of the fire with the pillows arranged. He sat down and settled her between his legs in front of him, her head resting against his chest.

They watched the fire crackle behind the grate in silence, enjoying the quietness. She was the first to speak.

“Mama was so happy today.”

He kissed the top of her head. “I am glad.” Then he circled his arms around her. “I no longer have to travel as much, my love,” he announced.

She turned to look at his face. “Truly?”

“Yes. I am all yours now to do with as you please.”

She leaned her head against his chest and closed her eyes. “I have missed you.”

“I only had Tanner to keep me company, and I was miserable.”

She chuckled. “You coped well with Tanner when you were living in London.”

“That was before I had a wife.” He began to remove the pins holding her hair up.

“Francis wrote to us some days ago,” she said.

“Did you read it?”

“I wanted to wait for you, but I was too curious.” She turned in his arms, her eyes gleaming. “He is in Spain and said might be staying there for a while because the women are very diverting.”

Matthew started to laugh. He knew this would happen. After his and Bridget’s wedding, Francis had gone to Kent after his mother had written that she was ill. There, he met the woman that had been chosen for him, and he ran away from England altogether. That was how averse he was to the notion of marriage.

“Did he mention how long he would be staying there?” he asked.

“No, he did not. We should not expect him back for several months.” She came up to him, her arms around his neck. When she started kissing him, he decided it was time to give her the gift he had worked on for months. “Darling, wait. I have something for you.” He stood and quickly fetched a document from the bureau before rejoining her. “Here.”

“What is it?” she asked, taking the document, her eyes on his.

“Are you going to ask or are you going to find out?” He brushed wisps of hair away from her face.

She started to read the document, then she gasped. “You are building me a library?”

“Yes, my darling.” He kissed the tip of her nose.

Her eyes filled with tears, and he gently brushed her cheek when one tear streaked down.

She put away the paper and wrapped her arms around him. “I am glad I have something for you, too. I would have been ashamed if I had nothing to give you.”

Matthew’s heart warmed. “You do not have to give me anything. Having you in my life is enough.”

“Are you certain?” She looked up at him, a smile playing on her lips.

“Yes.”

“You don’t want a child, then?” Her brows rose in feigned surprise.

It was his turn to gape. “Are you?”

She nodded, grinning. “I confirmed it last week when I did not see my courses for the second time, and I have been feeling out of sorts. You are going to be a father, Matthew.”

Overcome, he crushed her to him, kissing her. This was the best gift anyone could ever give him. His hand moved to her belly. He already loved the little child that was growing there.

“I love you, Bridget,” he breathed, still filled with emotions.

“And we love you, Matthew.”

He had dreamed of happiness but never thought he would experience it. His life was full now.

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