Two Years Later

Persephone looked across the lawn at the flowers blooming brightly in the sun. From her writing desk, she could enjoy not only the colorful garden, but the breathtaking sloping hills behind it. It was unquestionably her favorite view in the world.

She had been nervous to ask Nathaniel if they could purchase a small place of their own. Of course, Ravensmere included several grand estates, but she craved a cottage without a household staff, where they could spend their days unbothered. But her husband had understood immediately and set out to find them the ideal hideaway.

Nearly a year ago, he’d purchased the cottage in Matlock Bath, and they spent several weeks there at a time. The town nearby was stunning, the walks were incredible, and Persephone found herself inspired to write every day.

Persephone suddenly heard her favorite sound and looked out to see Nathaniel running among the flower beds with their son. Having just celebrated his first birthday, Christian was a handful, but so adorable, it was impossible to fault him. Before he was born, she did not think she would ever love another person as she did her husband, but when they placed her screaming son into her arms, she realized her capacity to love had simply doubled in size.

Persephone also never thought she could be this happy. This life was not meant for her, and she’d accepted that, but she had been wrong. Nathaniel had commented only a few days before just how much their lives differed from when they first met, and she had agreed.

Perhaps they were always meant to change. They only needed someone to make them change for the better.

Christian’s arrival offered another happiness: the earldom was finally secured. Nathaniel, of course, was thrilled to officially begin his life as the Earl of Ravensmere. Though he had found a way to balance both his responsibilities and his studies. He had even found a publisher for his finished manuscript on the history of the British Isles.

“Darling!”

Persephone looked up, her spirits lifting even more as she saw her mother and father walk around the side of the cottage. Putting her pen aside, she jumped up and hurried over to them.

“You came!” She embraced her mother before turning to her father. “I thought you would not arrive until tomorrow.”

“We thought we would surprise you.” Lord Aldridge smiled, his expression warm. “We could not wait to see this cottage you constantly speak of.”

“And it is exactly as you described,” Lady Aldridge sighed. “It may be the most beautiful home I have yet seen.”

Persephone smiled. 

“Now, most importantly, where is that grandson of mine?” Her mother looked around the cottage. 

“He and Nathaniel are in the garden, we can join them if you would like?”

“Of course I would! You are lovely dear, but we all know who I am most excited to see.”

Lord Aldridge laughed, offering his arm to his wife as they followed Persephone outside. 

They found Nathaniel and Christian playing in the grass, but when his grandmother reached for him, the poor child let out a terrible wail. Persephone laughed at her mother’s shocked expression before taking her son into her arms. 

“It has nothing to do with you, Mother. You know he adores you. It is simply time for his nap.”

As if on cue, Christian rested his head against Persephone’s chest and closed his eyes. 

“You take him to his bassinet, my dear, I will settle your parents at the table and find us some lemonade.” Nathaniel smiled at her, and even though he had done so thousands of times over the past two years, it still made Persephone’s heart skip a beat. 

When she returned from putting Christian to bed, she could not wait another moment to tell them the exciting news she had received just that morning..

“I got a letter this morning…” She smiled at her mother, “Rose is pregnant. She is absolutely delighted.”

“She told us just yesterday when we visited for tea!” Lady Aldridge declared excitedly. “She has been so desperate to start a family, and she was quite worried it was not to be. Now there is a baby coming, and Charles is hanging around her as if she is going to collapse.”

“I am not surprised,” Persephone smiled, glancing at her husband. “Nate was the same. He kept hovering over me, worried that something was going to happen.”

Lady Aldridge chuckled and laid a hand on her husband’s arm.

“Your father, too. I think it is something men do because they cannot admit they feel useless.”

“I would not use the world useless,” Lord Aldridge muttered, his cheeks going red.

“Oh, but you were, dear.”

“We have news from London as well,” her mother looked quite nervous. “It is regarding Lady Isabel Deverux.”

Persephone frowned and exchanged glances with Nathaniel. They hadn’t thought, or spoken, about Isabel for a long time. 

“What has she done now?” Nathaniel asked.

“She was married to the Earl of Cardiff last month.”

Persephone blinked. She hadn’t thought that would be the news.

“I believe I know the Earl of Cardiff. Is he not a man in his sixties with a bald head and a large gut?”

“Persephone!” Lady Aldridge swatted her arm. “He did not have a large gut.”

“Anyway, it does not matter now,” her father added. “He passed away last year. Died in his sleep. The official cause of death was hearty eating.”

Nathaniel scratched his head as he clearly tried not to laugh. “I should not find that cause of death amusing. Who is the Earl of Cardiff now?”

“His grandson, Gerald. I believe you met him, Percy?”

Persephone stared as an image came to mind. “Yes, I did. He followed Rose around for a time, staring at her but not saying anything. When Rose did try to talk to him, he was incredibly dull and she said she had to leave before she yawned in his face.”

“That is him,” Lady Aldridge nodded. “He is now Lady Isabel’s husband. He has a comfortable income, but he barely ventures far from the estate.”

Persephone smiled. She thought of Lady Isabel living on a rural estate, bored by her husband’s lack of personality, and quietly becoming utterly irrelevant. It was quite a nice thought.

A giggle came from the door, and Persephone saw Christian tottering out, his nanny Ursula just behind him. “I’m sorry to interrupt Lady Ravensmere, he did not want to sleep.”

“Do not fret, Ursula. There is too much excitement to rest.”

Lady Aldridge beamed and raced toward her grandson. “Oh, my dear boy! Let’s have a look at you now that you are rested and happy once more!”

Christian laughed and ran over, flinging his arms around his grandmother’s neck as she lifted him. Lord Aldridge smiled and stood up.

“I will never tire of it,” he said. “Having some delighted to see us.”

“I am delighted to see you, Father,” Persephone pointed out.

The baron’s expression softened and touched her shoulder. Then he walked over to his wife and grandson, the little boy still giggling as Lady Aldridge kissed his cheek.

Nathaniel moved to sit down beside Persephone, leaning over to kiss her softly before settling down, linking her fingers with his.

“This is how I wanted life to be,” he said, stretching his legs out. “I wanted it to be quiet and peaceful. Full of family and love.”

“Possibly too much family today,” Persephone teased.

“Certainly not.” His face was warm and affectionate as he looked at her. “I never expected this two years ago. I did not think it would ever happen. But I am very glad it did.”

“Life is full of surprises,” Persephone agreed, squeezing his hand. “And I am very glad as well.”

Being at home, in a garden of her own with her son and a man she loved, she couldn’t think of anything better.

THE END