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In the years that passed, Ravencrest Abbey continued to come alive.
Eleanor smiled as she looked upon the three greatest blessings she had ever received as they played with one another.
Their first had been a boy, their heir. James was a headstrong little boy, already filled with a sense of duty. When little Charlotte had been born three years after him, he instinctively protected her. It was just as well that the child had three people protecting her; she was too curious for her own good at times and required both parents keeping a watchful eye over her as well as her older brother.
There had been fleeting concerns for Eleanor when they were having their third child. They would have three children, aged six, three and newborn, and she feared that the older children would feel as though all of the attention was on the baby, but the arrival of Thomas only proved how loving her little ones were. They insisted on holding him, and they were so gentle that it brought a tear to her eye.
“They are so much like you,” Alexander smiled one day, “that I sometimes wonder if there is anything of me in them at all.”
“They are your mirror images,” she laughed gently. “I have not known children who look so much like their father since my sister.”
She had said it with a smile, but it faded as she spoke. Her father had remained in Scotland, and though she was pleased that he was away from them all, she wished that they could have reconciled. It never would have been possible, and she was grateful that she had at least built relationships with her mother and sister, but there was still a slight sense of longing that remained in her heart.
“I can have him brought back, if you wish,” Alexander suggested, noticing her change. “If only for a short while.”
“No, no it is perfectly fine. It would not achieve anything, even if we did try.”
“As you wish. Now, might we discuss tomorrow’s visitor?”
“Lord Pembroke? I cannot believe how interested people have been in the Abbey. I never would have expected so many people to want to visit us.”
“Then you clearly do not realize just how wonderful you did. It is truly incredible.”
She smiled, shaking her head, but she had to admit that she had indeed done marvelous work. Lord Pembroke was an art enthusiast, one of several that would make the journey to Ravencrest Abbey to visit and admire everything. Eleanor took great pride in showing her home to others, but each time she felt a wave of uncertainty that they might not be as impressed as they expected to be.
“He shall arrive in the afternoon,” Alexander explained. “He is particularly interested in the frescoes, as most of our guests tend to be.”
Eleanor nodded as he explained what Lord Pembroke’s expectations were, and she was at least pleased that he wanted to see the frescoes. Everyone that saw them marveled at them, and she was certain that he would be no exception.
The following day, Eleanor steadied herself in preparation for the visit. As soon as Lord Pembroke arrived, he began looking around their home in amazement. It eased her mind to know that he truly was there to enjoy himself, and that only continued during their time together.
“My word,” he commented as they made their way through the Abbey, “this is some of the most beautiful architecture I have ever seen. However did you do it?”
“Well, I had help.”
“Of course. One could never have done this alone, after all, but it was your vision that brought it to life. Any fool could replace bricks and fix windows, but it takes a true artist to do something like this. A historian, too.”
“I do enjoy history. My son, James, seems to take after me in that respect. You know, he can name every figure in these frescoes.”
“It is wonderful that you are sharing such expertise. That is something I wished to speak to you about.”
Eleanor turned to him with as much curiosity as her daughter when she saw a new flower.
“Yes, My Lord?”
“Well, Your Grace, I was wondering if you might like to share the techniques that you have used here with some other estates that I know of. I know of a few members of the ton that wish to do some renovations of their own, but they do not know where to begin.”
Eleanor felt her cheeks flush. It was an honor to be chosen to do such a thing, and she never would have thought that she would be sought after as an expert. The workers had been asked after over and over, but she had never been asked for her expertise.
“I– of course, My Lord! I should like that very much.”
Alexander lifted her in his arms that evening, twirling her around and kissing her when he heard the news.
“You are brilliant,” he beamed. “My brilliant and wonderful wife.”
“It has only been a small discussion thus far.”
“But it is the beginning of something excellent. I am so proud of you.”
“Then I am pleased to know that you are in good spirits. Victoria is visiting us next week, and I hope that you will join us.”
In the years that had passed, she had made amends with her sister and their relationship was blossoming, but Alexander continued to have his reservations. They had lessened, especially when Victoria married Theodore, but he still behaved slightly differently when he was in her presence. It was the same with her mother.
“I presume Theodore will be accompanying her, and that he will wish to speak with me, but I would be more than happy to join you both for a while.”
Eleanor nodded, and then they began their nightly routine with the children. A historical story for James, a story about an adventurer for Charlotte, and then a lullaby for Thomas, and then they each went to sleep.
The day of Victoria’s visit came, and as Alexander had expected, Theodore accompanied her and wished to speak to him. The two gentlemen left quickly, leaving Victoria with Eleanor. Granted, they were not alone, for Victoria and Theodore had a daughter, Annabelle, at the same time that Eleanor and Alexander had welcomed Charlotte. James beamed when he saw the little one, and immediately took her hand to lead her into their group to play.
“He is such a little gentleman,” Victoria chuckled. “He shall be swarmed by young ladies one day.”
“I know. It is almost as frightening a prospect as Charlotte’s debut. I do not know what we will do about that.”
“It shall be an easy time,” Victoria stated. “She shall have her choice of man, and she will know that yourself and your husband will allow her to decide for herself.”
“She is far more likely to go and explore the world, and end up as an adventurer in the Americas.”
“And you shall be proud of her should that be her decision too.” Victoria sighed wistfully, sipping her tea.
“You are very pensive today, Sister. Are you alright?”
“I feel strange. I hope that… I hope that we are good parents to our children. I have this fear inside me that we will become like Father.”
“That will never happen. You are a wonderful mother, and that will never change. Why are you thinking about this all of a sudden?”
Victoria looked away for a moment in thought, and then looked back at her. Her face had returned to normal, and the fear left her eyes.
“Because,” she explained, smiling again, “Theodore and I are expecting again.”
“Oh, Victoria, how wonderful!”
“And I did not ask last time, as we were both with child at the same time, but I was wondering if you would be this child’s godmother?”
Eleanor could not stop smiling. The little sister that she had always longed to connect with was doing everything that she could do to mend what was broken, and there was nothing she had wanted more.
“Of course,” she beamed. “It would be an honor.”
Theodore and Alexander joined them a while later, and Eleanor could tell by the look on Alexander’s face that he had also been told the joyous news. The conversation was easier than ever, and Eleanor could not believe that she finally felt as though she had a real family. She had always wanted it, but she had not truly expected that it could happen for her.
Victoria, Theodore, and Annabelle left late that night, and Eleanor had remained with them, while Alexander cared for the children alone. This meant that, rather than stories, they would be going on an adventure. Eleanor knew that her children would regale her with their tales in the morning.
She did not expect, however, to see Alexander waiting for her in their bedchambers, sitting at his desk with a smile on his face.
“Can you not sleep?” she asked. “Were the children difficult? That is unlike them.”
“I could not wait for them to tell you of tonight’s adventure. I must tell you myself.”
“Oh, is that so? Where did you take them tonight?”
He rose from his seat, taking her in his arms and placing her gently onto their bed.
“I decided that tonight was the night that they would learn about their mother and father.”
She turned scarlet.
“What did you teach them?”
“Well, I took them into a certain wine cellar of ours.”
Eleanor laughed softly, remembering the time they had been locked in it together, and how it had been the first time she truly opened herself to him, and how he had done the same in return. It had been so intimate, so beautiful, and she could not believe that he had felt the same about it as she had.
“James thought that it was brave of me to protect you,” he continued, to Eleanor’s delight, “and Charlotte proclaimed that she wanted to spend tonight in there by herself.”
“To prove her own bravery, I presume?”
“Indeed, though her brother refused. She shall be… entertaining when she is older.”
“She is a force, there is no doubting that, but she will have her two brothers to guard her too.”
“And guard her they shall. There will be no harm that will ever come to her, not when she is so protected.”
“I know the feeling,” she murmured, leaning into his chest, “for I have never felt so protected.”
“And I have never been so in love with you as I am now. Eleanor, seeing you as a mother has made me fall in love with you all over again each and every morning. I awaken before you every day, and I look at you as you stir and thank God that you and I met.”
Eleanor sighed happily against him, feeling herself falling asleep. She felt his fingers press against her chin, tilting her face upward so that he could kiss her. Her lips pressed gently against his, and when they broke apart, she hummed gently.
“I never would have expected an act of duty to lead to all of this,” she chuckled. “I still cannot believe that an arrangement has become this. It is a love that will be told throughout our family, one that our children will search for, and hope that their own children find.”
“And for good reason,” he agreed. “Now, are you ready to sleep?”
Eleanor did not want to sleep. She wished to stay awake all night and talk to her husband and tell him how much she loved him, and how he saved her from the most unimaginable life. However, she told him that more often than she dared to admit, and she truly was tired. He lowered her down onto her pillow, and she pressed herself into his chest again.
“I love you,” she whispered, as she slowly began to dream.
OFFER: A BRAND NEW SERIES AND 2 FREEBIES FOR YOU!
Grab my new series, "Regency Hearts Entwined", and get 2 FREE novels as a gift! Have a look here!
Hello my dears! I really hope you loved the book and the Extended Epilogue. Looking forward to reading all your wonderful comments. Thank you! 💕
I really enjoyed reading this story and the way Alexander and Eleanor lives developed from a arranged marriage to the love they shared. a great story to read !
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m thrilled you enjoyed Alexander and Eleanor’s journey!