Page 92 of To Steal a Duchess

Epilogue

ONE YEAR LATER

The Lady Eloise rocked against the harbor of Oldcliff’s docks as Dorian led Eloise back up the cliffs.

She turned just as the harbor went out of sight, smiling at the boat that had once been a small model, evolved over time into a true sailing vessel. The sails were white, still billowing before the crew began to roll them up.

The boat being built, and existing from the model’s inspiration, had become Eloise’s belated honeymoon gift: a boat of her own, a way to travel at Dorian’s side, a way to have command of herself. They had visited Greece first—to buy you more form-fitting gowns, Dorian had purred into her ear as he held her—and then went onto every other country in Europe.

Since that picnic in the lighthouse, they had spent a year traveling—traveling, and reconnecting with one another. There had been nights where the Lady Eloise had swayed beneath them as they slept on it beneath the stars, but both of them more interested in one another, and there had been nights when the European heat made them find shade as they fell against one another, complaining, wishing they were back on the open sea.

The world had opened up to them, and Eloise could not be more delighted, even as she stepped back onto the grounds of Oldcliff Hall.

“I wonder what Gideon and Nancy will think of our honeymoon.” Eloise sighed happily as they reentered their mansion for the first time in months.

“He will go green in the face,” Dorian laughed. That was a more frequent thing now: his smiles, his laughter, and Eloise could not get enough of them. “He is a brave man, but sailing? Heavens, no. Do not speak too hard about how the current feels.”

Eloise giggled, falling into Dorian’s side as he wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer.

“And our other news shall be announced,” she whispered into his neck, on her tiptoes. In a swift movement, Dorian had her scooped up in his arms and began to carry her back outside to where their carriage waited for them to take them to Langford village.

“I cannot wait,” he promised, his face handsome and rugged from their travels, but his smile was beautiful. Eloise never wanted to stop seeing such a sight.

Langford Hall was lovely, a cozy, brown building set amongst fields and bordering woodlands.

Before Eloise could even step out of her carriage, Nancy was at the door, racing ahead toward her. The two collided, their laughter ringing through the estate’s courtyard.

“Heavens, I have missed you,” Nancy said into Eloise’s shoulder. “And you look lovely. The sun has done you well.”

“Sailing has done me well.” Eloise grinned. “I do not think I have ever felt as alive as I do on the water with Dorian. Though I truly have missed you as well—and I believe there is someone I want to meet.” Her smile widened, thinking of the letter Nancy had sent to one of the places they had stayed in Italy only a month ago.

Nancy’s face thoroughly lit up as she beckoned Eloise toward the house, but Dorian had already beaten them to it.

In the doorway of the estate, Gideon stood proudly, for in his arms was a bundle of pink and tiny hands reaching out.

“Oldcliff,” Gideon called out, his smile bright. “The allure of the European countries has released its hold on you, I see.”

Dorian chuckled as he approached, and Eloise and Nancy followed him toward Gideon.

“Of course. We could not stay out on the sea forever,” Dorian joked. “Especially as I believe Eloise and I have someone to meet.”

“Indeed you do.” And then Gideon held the pink bundle further outward, and Eloise’s chest tightened as she beheld the newborn in his arms.

“Meet Annalise,” Nancy said softly, brushing her fingers over the fair, wispy hair on her baby girl’s head.

Annalise was curled up in Gideon’s arms, her tiny hands loose at her sides, her eyes closed. Her chest rose and fell in peaceful slumber, not once disturbed by the noise.

“She is beautiful,” Eloise whispered. “Nancy, she shall have your hair coloring, it seems.”

“I do hope so.” Nancy laughed softly as she took the baby from Gideon’s arms. He looked reluctant to even let go in such a way, but gazed at his wife and daughter. “For if she has my coloring, she will have a most lovely time on the marriage mart. I do believe Gideon’s attention was caught by my hair.”

“And your dancing,” he noted, but laughed quietly as he slipped an arm around Nancy’s waist. “Now, let us go inside. Dorian wrote back to my letter, saying you have news of your own.”

“We do.” Eloise linked her fingers with Dorian’s, and they followed their friends into Langford Hall.

Once refreshments had been brought into the parlor, and Annalise was given to her nursemaid to be swaddled into further sleep, Eloise could not contain her news any longer.

“I am with child.” And this time, unlike the instance just over a year ago, she said it pridefully.