When the Duke Met his Match – Extended Epilogue
The journey to France several months after the wedding was more enjoyable with their freedom, no longer having to worry about who might see them or a bounty on their heads. They traveled comfortably, able to enjoy the passing of the scenery and one another’s company.
As they drew closer to her home country, Odette wasted no time pointing out various things to Theophilus. She found herself trailing off and rambling about her childhood, overwhelmed by the idea of returning once again.
When she caught herself on another tangent, she would blush, yet his reassuring smiles would remind her that he cared and listened to every word of it.
Odette could hardly contain her excitement the moment they reached the countryside, and all the familiar places brought back her delicate memories. Her heart was full, knowing she had the opportunity to show him everything she loved so dearly about where she grew up.
The wagon slowed to a stop at the end of a winding lane, and her chest thrummed with anticipation.
The driver propped the door open, and Theophilus went out first, offering her a hand. Smiling with emotions present in her eyes, she stepped out and tried her hardest not to cry.
“Are you certain I can’t take you further down the lane? It seems to be a fair walk,” the footman asked, sincere in his worry.
With a hand supporting her swollen belly, she grinned. “That won’t be necessary, although I do appreciate the concern.”
Nodding obediently, he fetched a wicker basket from within the carriage and handed it to Theophilus. “I will be waiting at your disposal.”
“Thank you,” he murmured, already lacing his arm through Odette’s.
They began down the lane at a careful pace beneath the warm sun as the long grass around them swayed. Birds took wing and sang their beautiful songs, and she couldn’t have imagined a better day.
“I don’t wish to alter your plans, but is it necessary to walk all this way when we have a perfectly fine carriage that could take us there much faster? Is this safe for the baby?” he asked her, worriedly stitching his brows together.
“I am perfectly capable of walking in my condition,” she said, brushing off his hovering. “Besides, it is a beautiful day, and I wish for you to feel what I did growing up.”
Theophilus softened. “What about—”
“The baby told me they would enjoy nothing better than a walk down this old lane,” she mused with a playful expression. “You needn’t worry yourself.”
Sighing, surely aware he couldn’t say anything that could change her mind, he walked alongside her in peace, letting go of a chuckle at his wife.
Looking out across the land, Odette felt a pulse of emotion in her heart, recalling the many days she had once spent there. Many mornings, she would run out in her morning dress despite her mother’s protests to tromp through the dew drops and listen to the birds while the quiet world around them awoke for the day.
“This was where my parents raised me before we moved to London,” she began as they moved in between the trees, further onto the property.
When he found it within himself to let go of his worry, Theophilus gazed around quietly as he seemed to appreciate it all the same.
The lane was worn from the past, yet the grass had grown in from many years of vacancy. The garden was long untouched with unruly weeds and various plants left to grow on their own.
They passed by an old wooden swing tied to the strong bough of a great tree, tall and mighty with age. Odette giggled to herself and approached it, pulling it back before letting it go.
“I spent many hours on this swing. Whether I was angry with my parents at something they wanted me to do or if I simply had nothing better to occupy my time, I always found my way back to it.”
“And that is the house?” Theophilus asked, pointing to an old stone building.
Bringing it to her attention, her smile grew. “Yes, indeed. I never thought I’d see it again.”
The two of them approached the building and peered in through the old windows, cracked and damaged with time. Some of the old furniture they left behind remained, covered in thick layers of dust. The structure itself looked sound, yet they didn’t want to risk going inside.
“I was so terribly angry when my parents told me we had to leave this place,” Odette began, guiding him toward the back of the house with their fingers laced together. “I cried, I shouted, and I protested in silence. But of course, I couldn’t do anything to change it. I despised them for a time, not understanding why we needed to leave.”
“You loved this place dearly,” he murmured, gently squeezing her hand.
“I did, more than anything at the time. It wasn’t until I realized the damage that had been done and the lives that were lost due to the war that I became grateful for the choice my parents made. They moved us away to keep our family safe, and I only wish I hadn’t spent my last days here being so angry,” she said, pulling a sad smile. “My life in London wasn’t as horrible as I imagined it would be, yet I didn’t appreciate it at the time. I spent most of it wishing I could return here to help free my country. I couldn’t let go of my love for this place, which made me determined to get vengeance against the English crown.”
They continued to walk silently while the trees began to thin, and more meadows continued before them. A field of violet flowers tousled in the breeze, and she smiled, finally feeling at home once again.
Theophilus gazed at the wild land around them. He seemed to be in awe. “I see why you fought so hard for this place.”
“I missed this view every day,” she hummed, releasing his hand to wipe away the few tears that gathered in her eyes. “And now I’m back with my husband and our growing family.”
He smiled warmly at her and reached inside the closed basket to retrieve a quilt. They unfolded it and spread it out in the grass together to make a comfortable place to sit. Theophilus guided her to the ground, careful of the precious life growing inside her.
Sat together on the quilt, they watched as white clouds moved across the brilliant blue sky and how the trees and grass moved with the gentle wind. The landscape was just as she had remembered it, tied together with the lavender swaying beautifully.
“Our home may be back in London, but surely we will have the opportunity to bring our family here from time to time,” he stated, leaning against his palms. “They can experience the French countryside for themselves.”
“I would love nothing more,” Odette returned softly, eyes softened by the idea. She gently rubbed her hand over her belly, so wonderfully full of life.
“Before I forget,” Theophilus began with glee in his eyes, reaching for the wicker basket. “I brought you something I thought you’d enjoy.”
Curiously, Odette eyed him as he pulled out something wrapped in parchment. She gasped the moment he held up two caramelized apples.
“You remembered!” she exclaimed, tearing up even more at the kindness of his gesture. Overjoyed, she leaned in and planted a warm kiss against his lips. Theophilus chuckled into the embrace, draping an arm across her back while carefully not dropping the treat.
When they pulled apart, she could hardly contain herself. He handed her one and smiled.
“Thank you,” she said, her cheeks sore from smiling, “for everything.”
Mirroring her contentment, he reached for her hand and gently stroked her skin with his thumb. “Seeing your happiness makes everything worthwhile.”
Overwhelmingly happy, they ate their apples, surrounded by warmth and light and blessed by the sun’s hopeful rays.
After a moment of content silence, Theophilus glanced over at her. “What do you think the baby will be?”
Odette hummed to herself in thought while she chewed and swallowed some of the sticky sweet apple. “I don’t mind either way, yet a part of me is hopeful for a little girl. I can picture us doing so much together.”
“If the baby is a girl and she takes after her rebel of a mother, we are in big trouble.”
The two of them shared their amused expressions as they laughed, taking in the palpable joy that blossomed between them.
While they joked and found it humorous, some of her knew he was right.
Once the apples were gone and they had their fill of the beauty around them, the two of them rose from their places, and Odette wandered over to the field of lavender. Carefully, she bent down and plucked a bountiful sprig, bringing it to her nose to take in the fresh fragrance.
At once, she thought about all the times she ran through the meadow as a child, blissfully unaware of the future ahead of her, full of twists, turns, and turmoil. But above all, she felt the happiness that made her feel complete.
She had never experienced such raw contentment before. She knew her journey with Theophilus wouldn’t be easy, and she never counted on a simple life full of balls, the marriage market, and meeting the demands of society. Yet, with her unwillingness to conform came the peaceful existence she had always hoped for. It only made the rest feel that much easier to bear.
With a handful of lavender, she carefully approached Theophilus and placed them in the basket on top of the quilt to keep it safe.
He smiled down at her and leaned in for a kiss. The familiar pressure of his lips on hers set her mind at ease and reminded her of how easily he could sweep her off her feet. His hand rested against her belly as a sign of his promise to be the best husband and father he could be.
Despite not being born yet, their child was already so incredibly loved.
Odette knew they were meant to be together, and nothing could possibly keep them apart—not war, exile, or an assassination attempt.
Regardless of future challenges, they could face each one with courage, love, and faith.
She couldn’t ask for anything more.
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Interesting story. Once I started to read it I had to go finish it right away. It was well paced and moved well.
Hello my dear, thank you so much for your comment! I am so happy you enjoyed the story!
One of the best book that I read. Always looked forward to the extended epilogue. Thank you for sharing your talent thru your books. Keep writing ????
Hello my dear Marita, thank you so much for your sweet comment! I am so happy you enjoyed the book, it was such a pleasure to write it! Stick around there are more exciting stories to come!