Page 99 of The Duke's Second Bride
Christian smiled. It was time he returned home.
EPILOGUE
SIX MONTHS LATER
“Don’t run too fast, children!” Ava called after Sophia and Vincent’s daughter and son, Lucy and James, who were playing a rousing game of tag with Luke.
They were back at the country estate for a long week away from the hustle and bustle of London town.
Sophia smiled. “They will be quite all right,” she assured Ava. “Children are sturdy creatures at that age.”
“That is true for certain,” Edith agreed. “When I first married my late husband, the children from his first marriage were just a few years younger than Luke is now. How rowdy they were! And all boys, not even one girl. But they have grown up to be striking young gentlemen.”
Sophia nodded. “You know, Edith,” she remarked, “it seems to me that you have been thriving more than any young widow Iknow. The whole ton is awash with talk of another one of your balls next week, to raise money for the orphanage.”
Edith nodded. “Charity does help to pass the time,” she said. “Particularly with the boys all grown, and off traveling Europe besides, the house is quite empty with just me.”
Ava turned to look at her friend. “Why, Edith,” she exclaimed. “I believe that was the second time I have ever heard you admit such a thing.”
“You know,” Sophia said, looking at Ava conspiratorially, “I believe there are quite a few handsome and gentlemanly men about the ton who would be quite pleased to court an attractive and accomplished young widow.”
“I can vouch for as much myself,” Ava said teasingly.
Edith laughed, rolling her eyes. “Oh, don’t be ridiculous,” she said. “Just because you happened to find love and a happy marriage does not mean the fates are so aligned for everyone. I have plenty to do with my charity work and social outings.”
“Very well,” Ava said, though she could not help but exchange one more additional scheming look with Sophia.
In the past six months, since Christian and Ava’s reconciliation, they had spent even more time than usual with Sophia and Vincent, and in turn, Sophia had become closer to Edith. The three had become a trio of fast friends.
Edith was so warm and loving, it shouldn’t have been a surprise that she would one day long to feel the sort of love she saw her friends receiving.
Ava made a note to herself to keep an eye out for eligible bachelors who might be a good match for her beautiful, brilliant, headstrong friend.
“Ladies,” came a voice. “Not having too much fun and gossip without me, hm?”
It was the dowager duchess. They all rose to their feet to curtsy respectfully to the older woman, and Ava offered up her chair, which the dowager duchess took gratefully.
Just then, a cry was heard across the field.
“Mama!” Luke cried out, running over to them. “Look what James brought!” He had an armful of brightly colored paper squares with strings attached.
Ava took the kite from Luke. “How beautiful!” she exclaimed, then turned to Sophia. “That was very kind,” she said.
“Will you t-teach me how to use it, Mama?” Luke asked.
Ava smiled, then rose to her feet, and began to cross the field with Luke to where James, Lucy, Vincent, and Christian were standing.
Vincent was helping James and Lucy with their kite, while Christian stood with his hands behind his back, smiling at his wife and son as they walked towards him.
“Vincent is the expert,” Christian said, greeting his wife with a peck on the mouth, “but Luke was determined you should be the one to teach him.”
“I’m honored,” Ava said. She bent down to Luke. “You take this string, and give the paper part to your papa.”
Luke obediently handed the kite to Christian, who looked at it. Ava motioned for him to run down the field.
“Go on,” she said, waving at him. “Until the string is nearly pulled taut.”
Christian obeyed. Once the string had been pulled taut, she gestured for him to raise the kite high above his head.
