The Duke’s Imperfect Match – Extended Epilogue

“Do hurry, Simon, or the orchards will wither before you get there!” Everett called out with a teasing smile, watching the younger man race ahead toward the sprawling greenery of the estate.

Simon turned briefly, grinning. “You’d best keep up, Your Grace! These orchards won’t wait for you either.”

Cordelia laughed softly as she stepped down from the carriage with Everett’s help. His hand lingered on hers a moment too long, and she tilted her head at him, amusement sparkling in her eyes. “You do know I’m not made of porcelain, don’t you?”

Everett smirked but kept a firm grip on her hand. “Perhaps not, but until spring arrives and this baby is in our arms, you’ll forgive me if I’m excessively careful.”

Cordelia placed a hand on her slightly rounded belly. “Three months along and you’ve already declared me a delicate flower. By the time I’m waddling, you’ll insist I be carried everywhere!”

“Only if you’re agreeable,” Everett said, his tone laced with mock seriousness.

The carriage rolled away as Cordelia took in the landscape around them. The autumn breeze carried the crisp scent of apples and freshly turned earth. Vibrant leaves carpeted the path leading to the estate, a smaller but still grand country home nestled in the heart of fertile orchards and rolling hills.

“Thank you for letting Simon come with us,” Cordelia said as they began their walk toward the house. “He’s been so eager to learn from you, and with Father traveling again, it’s good for him to be here.”

Everett nodded, glancing at Simon, now far ahead and examining the nearest rows of trees. “He’s a quick study. In no time, he’ll understand this estate better than I do.”

Cordelia looped her arm through his. “Not likely,” she said. “No one has the patience or care for detail that you do.”

He chuckled. “That sounds like a veiled compliment.”

“It is,” she admitted with a grin.

They reached the grand entrance of the house, and servants opened the doors, bowing low. Cordelia stepped into the cool, airy foyer and sighed contentedly. “It’s so peaceful here,” she said. “After another exhausting London season, I’ve never been happier to escape all those crowded rooms and insufferable social obligations.”

“You handled it beautifully,” Everett said, pressing a kiss to her temple. “Although I won’t deny that I prefer this view to a ballroom full of peacocks.”

Cordelia gave him a playful nudge. “I’m just relieved to be back in the countryside. The baby will love it here. And so will I.”

They climbed the sweeping staircase to their bedroom, which overlooked the orchards stretching far into the horizon. Cordelia paused by the window, gazing out at Simon as he gestured animatedly to one of the orchard workers.

“Look at him,” she murmured. “He’s already at home.”

“And so are we,” Everett said, coming up behind her and placing his hands gently on her shoulders.

Cordelia leaned back against him, the warmth of his presence wrapping around her like a blanket. “Yes,” she said softly. “Home.”

Everett turned her gently by the shoulders to face him, his gaze warm. “Speaking of home, we ought to discuss the most important detail of the next few months.”

Cordelia raised a curious brow. “And what might that be?”

“Where you would like to have the baby,” he replied, his tone light but his expression serious.

She didn’t hesitate. “Here, of course. It’s peaceful, and the air is clean. The thought of enduring childbirth surrounded by the chaos of London… I couldn’t imagine anything worse.”

Everett nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Then here it shall be. Whatever you wish, Cordelia, you shall have.”

She smiled up at him. “You spoil me terribly, you know.”

“Isn’t that my duty as your husband?” he teased, brushing a stray curl from her face.

Cordelia laughed, her cheeks coloring. “Well, since you’re offering, I do have one other wish.”

“Oh? Do tell,” he said, leading her to the comfortable chaise near the window.

She perched on the edge, her eyes lighting up as she spoke. “Once the baby is old enough, I want us to travel. A proper adventure—a culinary tour across Europe. I’ve been thinking about it for months, and it’s the perfect excuse to eat my way through Paris, Rome, and Vienna.”

Everett chuckled, sitting beside her. “And leave Simon in charge of the estate while we indulge in this escapade?”

“Precisely,” she said, grinning. “He’ll manage wonderfully, and we’ll bring him back the finest culinary knowledge we can gather.”

Everett took her hand in his, his thumb grazing over her knuckles. “If it makes you this happy, then consider it a promise.”

A soft knock at the door interrupted them, and a maid entered with a tray holding a delicate soufflé. “Your Grace, Cook thought you might enjoy this,” the maid said, placing the tray on a small table near them.

Cordelia’s face shifted immediately as she caught the aroma wafting from the dish. She wrinkled her nose and placed a hand on her stomach. “Oh dear, not today.”

Everett stifled a laugh. “Your famous soufflé—rejected? I thought you loved it.”

“I did,” Cordelia said, pulling a face. “But this little one has strange opinions about what I can tolerate these days. It’s entirely their fault, I assure you.”

Everett couldn’t help but laugh. “Perhaps I should thank them. They’ve done what I never could—taken the legendary Cordelia out of the kitchen.”

Cordelia swatted his arm playfully, though she was laughing too. “For now, at least. I do miss cooking, but I must admit, our cook has been marvelous about indulging my cravings. The pear tarts she made last week were divine.”

“She’s been duly instructed to provide whatever you desire,” Everett said, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “I did warn her about the ever-changing whims of a duchess.”

“Very wise of you,” Cordelia said, leaning back against the chaise with a contented sigh.

They sat in companionable silence for a moment, the soft rustling of the leaves outside filling the room. From the window, they could see Simon walking the orchards below, gesturing animatedly to a worker.

Cordelia watched him with a fond smile. “He looks so at ease, doesn’t he?”

Everett nodded, his arm draped comfortably around her shoulders. “He does. It seems we’ve both found a bit of peace here.”

“And a new adventure to look forward to,” she added, her hand resting on her stomach.

Everett leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her temple. “Always.”

Cordelia turned her gaze back to the window, her expression thoughtful. “Everett,” she said hesitantly, her fingers toying with the folds of her gown.

“Hmm?” he murmured, still holding her close.

“Have you heard anything… about Percy?”

Everett stilled for a moment before exhaling deeply. “I was wondering when you might ask.”

Cordelia looked up at him, her green eyes searching his face. “And?”

“Sybil wrote me a letter a few weeks ago,” Everett said, leaning back against the chaise. “It seems Percy is still in Scotland, staying with the family of a young woman he’s been courting. She’s from a wealthy background, and I suspect that’s his main interest.”

Cordelia frowned slightly. “Still chasing money, then?”

“Indeed,” Everett replied. “But as far as I know, he’s keeping himself out of trouble—for now. It’s easier for all of us this way, Cordelia. He’s no longer a concern, and I’m content to keep him at arm’s length.”

Cordelia nodded slowly. “I suppose that’s for the best.”

“It is,” Everett assured her, gently stroking her hand. “And speaking of family, Sybil will be joining us in a month. She’s closing up the London house for the season.”

Cordelia brightened at the news. “That will be lovely. I’ve grown so fond of her, and it will be good to have her here when the baby arrives.”

Everett smiled. “She’s looking forward to it as well. Though I’ll admit, the house may feel a bit lively with more guests arriving.”

“Otto and Mabel are coming too, aren’t they?” Cordelia asked eagerly.

“They are,” Everett confirmed. “And they’re bringing little Cherie. I believe she’s already toddling about.”

Cordelia clapped her hands together, her excitement palpable. “Oh, how wonderful! It will be so nice to have a woman who’s gone through pregnancy here. Mabel has been such a support in her letters.”

“She’ll be just as supportive in person,” Everett said warmly.

“And Cherie! I can’t wait to bake something special for her,” Cordelia added with a glint of mischief.

Everett chuckled, shaking his head. “Cordelia, you promised to take things easy.”

“I will,” she said, waving a hand dismissively. “But cooking isn’t work—it’s joy.”

He gave her a mock-stern look. “Then I’ll have the staff watching you like hawks. No overexerting yourself.”

She laughed, leaning against him. “You’re insufferable, you know.”

“And yet you love me,” he teased.

“That I do,” she admitted with a soft smile.

The two of them sat quietly for a moment, their attention drawn back to the window. Simon was now deep in conversation with one of the orchard workers, gesturing animatedly toward the trees.

“He’s found his place here,” Cordelia said softly.

“He has,” Everett agreed. “I couldn’t have asked for a better protégé.”

Cordelia tilted her head thoughtfully. “It’s funny how life has settled, isn’t it? After all the chaos and uncertainty.”

Everett kissed the top of her head. “Settled—and better than I ever imagined.”

Cordelia smiled, resting her hand on her growing belly. “Better indeed.”

Cordelia leaned back into Everett’s embrace, her voice soft. “I had a letter from Mabel recently,” she began, tracing idle patterns on his sleeve.

“Oh? How is she?” Everett asked, his tone warm.

“Very well,” Cordelia replied. “She’s excited about visiting, of course, and she had the most amusing news. Do you remember Daisy?”

Everett stiffened slightly, then chuckled. “How could I forget? What mischief is she causing now?”

Cordelia grinned. “She’s engaged.”

Everett blinked in surprise. “Engaged? To whom?”

“An older gentleman,” Cordelia said, her voice tinged with amusement. “A business arrangement, it seems, more than a love match. Apparently, her family pushed for it after her widowhood left them in need of better connections. It’s quite a step down for her in society.”

Everett raised an eyebrow. “It sounds as though fate has dealt her the hand she earned.”

“Indeed,” Cordelia said, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Although part of me wonders if we should invite her to one of our gatherings—just for amusement’s sake.”

Everett laughed, shaking his head. “Tempting, but no. We’re free to choose our company now, remember? No need to clutter our lives with the likes of Daisy.”

Cordelia smiled at him, a softness in her expression. “You’re right. We can create the life we want, can’t we? Without worrying about society’s endless rules and expectations.”

“Exactly,” Everett said firmly. “Our home, our family, our friends—that’s all that matters.”

Cordelia tilted her head back to look at him, her green eyes sparkling. “And what a family we’ll have. I can’t wait for this little one to join us.”

Everett’s hand rested over hers, warm and steady. “Neither can I,” he murmured.

They stood together for a moment, gazing out over the orchards. The sun was beginning its descent, casting golden light over the trees and fields. Simon was still outside, his voice carrying faintly on the breeze as he spoke with the workers.

Cordelia sighed contentedly. “It’s so peaceful here. I wish we could freeze this moment forever.”

“Why freeze it when we can live it?” Everett said, his voice low. “This is only the beginning, Cordelia. There’s so much more to come.”

She turned in his arms, her hands resting on his chest. “Everett Coldwell, Duke of Ridgewood, when did you become so wise?”

He smiled down at her, his blue eyes filled with affection. “Perhaps I’ve always been wise. It just took meeting you to bring it out.”

Cordelia laughed, rising on her toes to kiss him gently. “Flatterer.”

“Honest,” he replied, leaning in to kiss her again.

The soft knock of a servant at the door interrupted their moment, and they both turned to see a maid carrying a letter.

“A missive, Your Grace,” the maid said, curtsying.

Everett took it with a nod, glancing at the seal. “From Otto,” he said, breaking it open.

Cordelia waited as he read, a smile spreading across his face.

“They’ll arrive next week,” Everett said. “Otto, Mabel, and Cherie are coming early. It seems Mabel couldn’t wait to leave London.”

Cordelia clapped her hands together in delight. “What wonderful news! I’ll make sure everything is perfect for their arrival.”

“You’ll do no such thing,” Everett said with a mock-stern look. “You’ll rest, and I’ll ensure the staff has everything handled.”

Cordelia laughed, her heart full. “I suppose I’ll allow it. For now.”

Everett pulled her close, his voice low. “You’ve already made everything perfect, Cordelia. This life, this home—us. It’s all I could ever want.”

She smiled up at him, her heart swelling with love. “And it’s only just begun.”

As the sun dipped below the horizon, they stood together, wrapped in the warmth of their love and the promise of the life they were building.

THE END