Page 117 of Duke with a Deception
She was his forever now, and he had never loved her more.
He would happily spend the rest of his life proving it to her.
EPILOGUE
THREE MONTHS LATER
“Another bite?” King asked, holding up a tart for her delectation.
They were seated on a picnic blanket in the summer sunshine at Wingfield Hall, Emma and Samuel delightedly racing about in the swaying grasses not far from them. Giggles and excited puppy barks floated to them, mingling with the sound of birds calling and the peaceful rushing of a nearby stream.
Verity laughed at King’s coaxing and rubbed a hand over the gentle swell of her belly where their child grew more each day. “I think it has become your sole mission in life to feed me. But I assure you I couldn’t eat so much as another crumb.”
He frowned, dangling the tart from his long fingers. “You must keep up your strength, angel.”
Her stomach rebelled at the notion, for these days, there was far less room. “I shall explode.”
King, who was forever fretting over her and tending to her every need, replaced the pastry on its plate. “That shall never do. There is only one way I want you to explode, my love, and it doesn’t involve tarts.”
Warmth spread over her. “It is most indecent of you to make me think of that whilst we are here in the midst of the outdoors, our daughter and our puppy playing mere feet away.”
He gave her a wicked look that only served to make the blossoming heat spread. “I’m an indecent sort of man, if you will but recall.”
“Considering that I experienced it just this morning and it’s also the reason I find myself in my present condition, I do indeed recall,” she told him with a smile.
“Do you mind, wife?” he asked.
“Not at all, husband.” She cast a glance in Emma’s direction before leaning toward King and giving him a quick kiss.
He tasted of strawberry tarts and fresh lemonade, and she wanted nothing more than to steal back to the manor house with him and spend the rest of the day in bed. But they had promised their daughter a picnic, so that would have to wait.
“Mama, Papa!”
Verity hastily ended the kiss as Emma came bounding up to them, Samuel at her heels. Samuel instantly attempted to eat the last tart, with only King’s swift reaction of holding the plate aloft saving it from the pup’s ready jaws.
“What is it, dearest?” Verity asked, straightening her spine and rearranging her skirts.
No matter how many times Emma called her Mama, it would never grow old. Verity was thankful every day, not just that Emma had survived the fire, but also that she had become their daughter as an indirect result. The day Emma had asked if she might call them Mama and Papa would forever hold a special place in Verity’s heart. Life was mysterious sometimes. The fire had wrought so much destruction, and it had almost taken Emma’s and Verity’s lives. It had even robbed Verity of parts of her past for a time.
But it had also led her to King. It had led her back to love. And she had never been more content.
“I teached Samuel a new trick,” Emma declared, her voice laden with pride.
“Taught, dearest,” Verity corrected. “What is the trick?”
“Watch!” Emma pointed at Samuel, who was nosing along the empty plates, eagerly seeking crumbs. “Samuel, come here.”
The pup snuffled along a saucer, ignoring her.
“Samuel,” Emma scolded. “Naughty lad. Stop trying to eat our picnic and come here.”
At that, the puppy finally bounded back to her side, gazing up at her adoringly, his tongue lolling.
“Blink, Samuel,” Emma commanded.
The pup stared at her, then blinked.
“You see?” she exclaimed. “I taughted him to blink.”
