The Lady’s Christmas Secret – Extended Epilogue
May 1823
“Careful, Seton. A man your age should be mindful of breaking a tooth on that stuff,” Lord Oakham said as Owen Seton bit down on a jam tartlet. The baron was seated opposite Lord Derby on the large picnic blanket Caroline had set for them. Lady Oakham was at his side, holding her parasol in her delicate gloved hands and gently smiling at their childishness.
“Why don’t you mind your own business?” Adam’s father responded, stuffing his face with delicacy and wiping his mouth with his napkin. “A man my age,” he repeated incredulously under his breath, feigning annoyance.
“I cannot have a toothless old man in my family, it is bad luck,” the baron jested, and Owen Seton tossed his napkin in his direction.
Caroline broke into a laugh watching the two men bicker while Adam shook his head. He was helping her unload the basket she had assorted for their picnic.
It was a beautiful, warm day in late spring, and the air was filled with the heavy scent of flowers carrying the aroma of fresh freesias and lilies. Bees flew from the tops of trees, buzzing in the light breeze that shook their branches gently under the bright sun.
Adam looked at his wife affectionately as he whispered under his breath, “Can you believe these two have grown to be thick as thieves?”
Caroline smiled, thinking about how their parents had begun spending more and more time together since the previous year, meeting for dinners and social events, and even spending the holidays together while Caroline and Adam were away on their trip.
“There is no end to the things they might come up to tease each other with,” she replied, carrying a set of plates over to the rest of their family.
When all was set and ready with the help of the servants who had carried the supplies down to the blooming expanse of the baron’s property, Caroline took a seat next to her mother, Adam at her side.
“So, Caroline,” Lord Derby said. “I have yet to hear your impressions of Spain.”
Caroline smiled, looking at her husband. Adam was as breathtaking as always under the warm sunlight, the spring glow around them making his eyes a lighter blue than the sky itself.
Memories of their holiday flooded her mind as she thought about the hours they had spent walking along the coasts of the Mediterranean, dining under the stars, and making love intoxicatedly, drinking in the pleasure of each other’s bodies.
When his eyes met hers, she knew he was thinking exactly the same as he gave her a crooked smile that illuminated his features.
She blushed, so lost in the moment of his extraordinary beauty that she had forgotten how to form an answer.
“It was so beautiful,” she said, turning her gaze to her father-in-law. “I could easily get used to the warmth and the endless sunlight.”
“We have sunlight in England,” her father intervened. He was always eager to defend the beauty of his country, and even though Caroline could easily think of many arguments to prove him wrong in her retort, she did not need to do so.
The moment the baron finished his sentence, a set of clouds began to gather in the distance behind them, looking as if they were already carrying the rain that was soon to find them.
Caroline pointed at the clouds, raising an eyebrow. “Quite right, Father, these few moments we get to enjoy each year are indeed precious,” she laughed.
Her father followed her gaze along with the rest of them and shrugged. “A little rain never hurt anybody,” he said.
Lord Derby extended his arm to tap him on his shoulder. “Brilliant. I’m sure you can stay out here to enjoy the wonders of unpredictable weather as we take our tea inside then.”
When he saw that George pretended not to hear him, Lord Derby turned his attention to Caroline.
“I am glad to hear you enjoyed yourselves, my dear,” he said, raising his glass of wine to his lips. “I’m quite curious, though. How come you cut your visit short? We were not expecting you back at least until the end of next month. Isn’t that right, Katharine?”
Caroline’s mother nodded, eyeing them curiously. “Oh, you are absolutely right. I was about to ask you the same, Caroline,” she uttered.
Caroline took a sip from her glass of fresh lavender lemonade and dropped her eyes on her lap as she felt everyone’s gaze on her. Adam shifted next to her, taking her hand in his and lowering his face to look at her.
“What is it, love?”
She took a deep breath and smiled, not wanting to cause them a reason to worry. It was true that Caroline had asked her husband to return earlier than planned because she intended to visit her family physician. It had been a few months since she had started to notice a few changes in her appearance and her monthly feminine cycles, but she did not want to concern anyone until she knew what it was for certain.
Adam had not opposed to returning to England earlier, attributing her frequent queasiness to motion sickness from their travels.
Now, looking into her husband’s loving eyes, Caroline could no longer hold in the news she had received from the doctor the day before.
“The reason I asked you to leave early…the reason I arranged this gathering with all of you today is to say that…” she paused to look around at the expectant looks on the faces of her loved ones. “I am with child,” she announced, a smile spreading across her face.
Adam gasped, his eyes widening.
Caroline watched as Adam’s father joined the baron in an expression of thrilled astonishment.
“Heavens! That’s wonderful!” Lady Oakham exclaimed, dropping her parasol to raise her hands to her mouth in surprise.
The three of them took turns embracing them before Caroline could say or do anything.
“Congratulations, my dear!” her father called out, leaning forward to embrace them.
Without letting her and Adam out of his arms, he said, “My son, I am so proud!” before moving back to his seat to embrace Lord Derby, whose eyes had filled with tears.
“I’m going to be a grandfather!” Owen Seton said as the baron tapped his back genially. “You and I both, old man!”
Caroline laughed as she watched them, feeling Adam pulling her into his embrace. His hand had never left hers as their parents expressed their congratulations enthusiastically, and now he only had eyes for her.
“Mrs. Seton, ever so cryptic,” he whispered in her ear, his usually seductive tone now heavy with emotion.
Caroline moved her head back to look at him, unable to contain the smile on her face. “I’m sorry I did not tell you earlier. I wanted it to be a surprise,” she confessed.
Adam kissed her softly and said, “It is the best surprise in the world, my darling. I love you, Caroline.”
“As I love you,” she echoed, feeling her heart bursting with joy as she was surrounded by her loved ones and the man who held her heart.
“Forever,” he whispered, pulling her closer once again.
“Forever,” Caroline muttered, placing her head on his chest, excited to embark on another journey with him by her side.
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Wonderful Xmas story with a surprise turn at the end.Thank you for all the exceptional stories and keep them coming.Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year
Happy New Year, dear Pauline! Thank you so much for your positive review! ❤
A long standing feud between a Baron and a Duke is shattered when the Baron’s daughter and the Duke’s son rekindle an association from a childhood meeting as adults and fall hopelessly in love. A story of past heartache finally healed resulting in HEA for the young lovers. Touching story!
Thank you for your beautiful comment, dear Ann! I’m glad you enjoyed the story.
Wonderful story. It’s good that the two family did resolve their feud and the couple had a happy life together. Enjoy reading your books.
Thank you for your support, my dear Jasmin! I’m so happy to hear you like my books.
Fantastic
Thank you for your comment, dear Debbie!