Page 99 of Never Deny a Duke

“Thank you, Eric,” Davina said before stretching up to kiss him. “Thank you, my love.”

Epilogue

The garden flowers perfumed the air. Somewhere, birds sang, but they could not be heard. Rather, the children’s squeals and cries filled the space. Servants ran this way and that, trying to keep them corralled in one section of the garden.

From the terrace, Langford watched a boy with dark, unruly curls and dark eyes. Davina doubted any other person except Amanda could bring such warmth to that duke’s smile.

“Your heir is full of the devil,” she said as the boy escaped a footman and ran for a tree. “He’ll be up that trunk in two blinks from the look of him.”

“He is a fine boy, isn’t he?” Langford said, as if being a devil were a very good thing.

“He looks to be healthy and strong,” Eric said. “And full of trouble.”

“Not too much trouble. Nothing I can’t manage.” Langford turned his attention to the other children, and the adults in their midst. “Stratton and Clara are like children again themselves, guiding the play, although Amanda seems to be fomenting rebellion against their authority. His twins seem to get along well with your son, Brentworth.”

Davina saw the gleam in Eric’s own eyes while he watched their son play with the others. Benjamin was not a devil, but he knew more freedom than his father had.Not too many rules. It had been one of the first things Eric had said when the boy was born. She knew he had laid down the law for himself more than for her.

The baby in his arms began fussing. She let Eric try to sooth matters, but his own consternation only made it worse. He could not bear to hear this one cry.

She took the baby from him, gave a few bounces and cooed at the pudgy face. “You will get to play soon enough. You have to grow first.”

Langford rested his hip against the terrace balustrade. “It is done, then? The title is settled?”

Eric nodded. “Word arrived yesterday. Isn’t that so, Baroness? She prefers that address now, Langford. Don’t you, darling?”

She laughed. “I can be forgiven, I think. Scotland recognizes me.”

The decision of the Lord Lyon in Edinburgh had come by messenger sent by Brentworth to await the decision. Because the lands had been returned to her by Parliament, and because with baronies like Teyhill the baron was whoever held the lands, the conclusion had been a foregone one. The College of Arms would accept it, most likely.

“So we are all domesticated and appropriate now,” Langford said. “The next time we meet at the club we should go out on the town and raise some hell, though. It doesn’t do to be all about duty and responsibility, and we deserve a night of trouble. You in particular, Brentworth. It will be like old times. We can be the Decadent Dukes again.”

“I’m not sure I remember how,” he replied with a slow smile. His gaze slid to her, and she felt herself blushing. Last night he had invited her into the fifth circle of acts not typical and astonished her anew.

“I’ll remind you,” Langford said with a laugh. He looked out at the children again. “Who would believe it? Married all of us, and each with his heir.”

The baby in her arms began fussing again. A strong hand reached over and a masculine finger stroked the infant’s cheek. “We have been fortunate. We should be forever grateful for our wives and heirs.”

Yes, it had all worked out splendidly for them, and for those wives, Davina thought. Clara’s journal and club flourished, and Teyhill now offered medical help to farmers and crofters for miles around. When she and Eric visited, she donned an apron and entered that wing to assist. Amanda had taken up the anti-slavery cause along with the dukes. The last effort had not succeeded, but new ones were coming and would continue to come until it was done.

Most importantly, the children were all healthy and full of love and joy. They filled the houses with chaos when they all played together like this.

There was much for everyone in this garden to be thankful for. Especially her.

She smiled down at her son, the next duke, then at the new daughter in her arms. The world was changing quickly in ways that would not be denied. Who knew, perhaps little Godania could even one day become a physician, if she chose?