"I do love you, Gabriel."
"And I love you, Elizabeth. Only you. Forever."
EPILOGUE
A YEAR LATER
Gabriel smiled contentedly as Elizabeth walked through the door of the drawing room. He could tell she had rushed in, likely hearing the sounds of the baby, little Justine, chattering away in her own language, one that Gabriel couldn't help but laugh at himself. Before saying anything to him, Elizabeth descended upon the two of them, kissing the little girl on Gabriel's lap before picking up the baby boy who began clamoring for her attention in the bassinet beside them once he had sensed her presence.
"Hello, husband," she said with a smile and a kiss for Gabriel.
"Wife," he acknowledged. "How was your day?"
"Perfect," she said, sitting beside him on the sofa. "I spent most of it with the children and then visited the bank for but an hour or so."
Her time at the bank had considerably lessened since she had given birth a few months ago, but Gabriel admired the fact that she was still keen on attending to her responsibilities there. As she had settled into her role, however, the work had somewhat lessened, especially as both employees and clients became aware of just how capable she was, and that nothing would change upon the passing of the bank from Thomas Clarke to his granddaughter.
Gabriel stared fondly at his wife now, appreciating the fact that motherhood had, in a way, softened her. Her desire for perfection had somewhat relaxed, though she maintained her calm control. In those moments when she needed someone to lean on, someone to help her, then he was pleased to be there for her to provide a word of advice — or not, as he had come to realize that sometimes she simply needed to talk through the situation before her own brilliant mind would find the solution.
He had been more fearful than any other time in his life when she gave birth, but if there was ever a woman who could do so in such a capable manner, it was his Elizabeth. That there were two babies had been something of a shock, but they were a blessing. The physician had been concerned at first, once the first baby arrived, why Elizabeth continued to be in such pain. Gabriel had been outside of the door, pacing, as one of the maids within had continued to provide him with updates as he had requested of her — every ten minutes, he had told her, and not a minute more between.
When she questioned how she would know the time, he told her to count the seconds if she had to, and that was the last she had protested.
When he had heard the baby cry, he had knocked on the door, but all was silent except for the baby and his wife’s own cries of pain. When they continued, he had pounded on the door so hard, he had nearly knocked it down.
Then the maid opened the door a crack to tell him another baby was beginning to come out, and he had nearly fainted in shock.
"I have some news," he said now, coming back to the present, and Elizabeth looked up from baby Thomas to Gabriel.
"Good news or bad news?"
"Good for us, I believe. Somewhat bad for those in America."
She waited for him to continue.
"It seems a Mr. Henry Clarke recently boarded a ship that will take him west, with the intention of eventually ending up in to New York. He is intent on opening a bank there and finding his way in a place where he is unknown."
"Oh dear," she said, raising a hand to her cheek. "Those poor people."
"Who knows?" Gabriel said with a shrug. "Perhaps away from everything here, he might find a place for himself. We can only hope. At the very least, he is no longer a part of our lives, and that is something for which to be grateful, is it not?"
"I suppose," said Elizabeth, though with some hesitation. “I can hardly believe how intent he was on removing me from the bank, destroying my life.”
"More than that," said Gabriel. "But it only brought about his downfall, with his debt beginning to increase, and no friends to be found in all of London. Interestingly, Mr. Lang has accompanied him."
"Really?" Elizabeth said, surprised. “He is of a rather advanced age to do so, but then, he never married, and was no longer welcome at the horse track with no money in his pockets for a bet. It’s interesting to think of — our two former partners, beginning a bank of their own. I do hope they do not pretend any connection to Clarke & Co."
"Their actions at Clarke & Co. would have been an embarrassment more than anything," said Gabriel. "I am sure they will leave it all behind them."
"And we can move on," she said.
"We can."
They smiled at one another, at the babies on their laps, and Gabriel could hardly believe the contentment that filled him. He hadn't needed another scheme, another estate, another project. He had only needed a woman — this woman — to make his life complete.
THE END