To Love a Caring Gentleman – Extended Epilogue

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Emily remained in bed a week longer, her recuperation aided by the diligent attentions of Kitty and Victoria. They brought her an easel and paints, along with books she requested on botany, and from which she spent many hours copying and annotating.

“A study in ferns,” she told Tristan, handing him a neatly bound set of prints when he visited on the final day of her imposed bed rest.

Tristan had been diligent in his ministrations—no longer that of a physician visiting his patient, but of a man visiting his betrothed. They spent many long hours together, and the set of prints was a surprise for him by way of thanks for all he had done for her.

“Goodness me, these are remarkable, Emily. When you are well enough, you must turn your attentions to the human form. There is so much still to do in cataloging accurately the anatomy of the body. Together, we could produce a remarkable work, I am certain of it,” he said, and she smiled.

“I would like that. I would like it a great deal,” she replied, and soon, plans were afoot for a medical textbook consisting of Emily’s anatomical drawings and Tristan’s medical notes.

The two of them had found so many shared passions, but what they shared first and foremost was a love born, not out of a sense of duty or family ties, but of genuine, heartfelt affection. Theirs was to be a marriage to delight in, one which each was now looking forward to immensely.

***

“And let us say again, a hearty congratulations,” Marcus said, raising his glass in a toast.

After their marriage, Emily and Tristan had come to the resort house, accompanied by Tristan’s friends—now Emily’s, too. Marcus and Gemma were hosting, and they were joined by William, Robert, Nathanial, and Tristan’s mother, who was soon to return to Ireland, having stayed on for the nuptial celebrations.

“To the bride and groom,” Nathanial said, and the toast was passed.

“We were certainly fortunate in your discovery, Nathanial,” Tristan said, but the owner of Redfield’s only shook his head and waved his hand dismissively.

“It would have come out sooner or later. A man’s debts never truly leave him. One cannot keep avoiding the long arm of a creditor,” he said, laughing and shaking his head.

“I felt quite sorry for the marquess. He has had to sell two of his three estates,” Tristan’s mother said, and the others laughed.

“How could a man possibly only sleep in one bed a night?” William said, and there was much mirth at the marquess’ expense.

The wedding had been a quiet affair, and despite the shock of the ton at the news that Lady Emily Ashton was marrying a “commoner”—albeit a well-connected one—the couple had settled down comfortably and with the blessings of Emily’s mother and father. She had worn the cerulean blue dress, and her mother had wept tears of happiness at the sight of her daughter—so nearly lost—making her vows.

“I say things have worked out rather well, don’t you?” Nathanial said, and Emily and Tristan glanced at one another with a smile.

“It’s certainly been an adventure,” Emily replied, and the others laughed.

“But you do know you’ve cost Tristan dearly, Emily,” Robert said, raising his eyebrows.

Emily was confused, and she looked at Tristan, who blushed.

“Oh, really, Robert, do you have to?” he asked, rolling his eyes.

“You mean she doesn’t know?” William asked, and Tristan sighed.

“I am subject to an agreement, Emily,” he said, and he went on to explain how the five men there present, once five bachelors, had all made an agreement that the last one to remain unmarried would receive a substantial wager.

“It is locked in the safe at Redfield’s,” Nathanial said, and Emily shook her head and smiled, her eyes meeting those of Tristan’s mother.

“Do not listen to them,” she said, laughing, as Gemma slipped her arm into Emily’s and whispered in her ear.

“They all want to be married, really,” she said.

“Is that so?” William asked, making a face.

“Well, you were quick enough to go to the aid of Katherine and her mother. It was you who summoned me,” Tristan said, shaking his head and smiling.

“I was merely showing due concern in the matter. Katherine is a delightful woman,” he replied, and the others laughed.

“The last one standing will claim the prize,” Nathanial said, tapping his nose.

“And I suppose you think it will be you, do you?” Robert replied.

“Well, it won’t be me,” Marcus said, sounding pleased at the fact, and Tristan shrugged.

“I would gladly give up an entire fortune for the happy moment of marriage,” he said, slipping his hand into Emily’s.

It seemed a strange wager to her, for what man could possibly seek to avoid the happy accident of love and marriage? Why did the others seek to make themselves miserable on account of a wager?

“I am glad to hear it,” she remarked, raising her eyebrows.

“Will we ever understand the ways of men?” Gemma remarked, and Tristan’s mother shook her head.

“And we are not supposed to—our job is to keep them from their own foolish ways,” she said, and Emily and Gemma laughed.

But as she did so, Gemma clutched at her stomach, her face convulsed with pain. She gave a cry and sank into an armchair next to the fire. Tristan and Marcus rushed to her side, and she placed her hand on her stomach, gasping for breath.

“I think it’s time,” she replied as Marcus let out an exclamation of astonishment.

***

Emily closed the door gently behind her. Gemma was fast asleep, and the baby was being held by a maid, who held him gently in her arms.

“May I?” Emily asked, and the maid nodded, holding up the baby for Emily to take.

It was a boy, a perfect little boy, and Emily could not help but fall in love with him the moment she laid eyes on him. As she cradled the child in her arms, Gemma stirred, opening her eyes and looking up.

“Emily, how long have I been asleep?” she asked, and Emily smiled and came to sit next to her on the bed.

“We have just finished dinner. The men have retired to the drawing room, though Marcus is eager to see you. I told him I would call him when you felt ready for a visitor,” she said, and Gemma nodded.

“He stayed with me throughout the birth. I must have squeezed his hand so hard it was fit to burst,” she said, and Emily laughed.

“He is a proud father—and this young man will be the finest of sons, I’m sure,” she said, gazing down at the sleeping baby in her arms.

“Sebastian. Did he tell you? That’s what we’ve named him, after his great-grandfather,” Gemma replied.

“He’s perfect, Gemma. Truly, he is,” Emily replied.

She and the others had waited patiently downstairs for news of the birth. No doctor was needed, given Tristan was on hand, and there had been no complications, only the joy of welcoming a new life into the world. Marcus had called for champagne to be opened, and the party had toasted the happy arrival with much joy and merrymaking.

“And perhaps you will be next,” Gemma remarked, smiling at Emily, who blushed.

“Perhaps, we shall see,” she said, and she handed Sebastian back to the maid, who placed him in a cot at the side of the bed.

Emily and Gemma talked a while longer, but Gemma was fatigued, and Tristan had given strict instructions she must rest. They bid one another goodnight, and Emily made her way back downstairs to the drawing room, where only Tristan and Marcus remained, the scent of pipe smoke lingering in the air and empty wine glasses littering the table in the center of the room.

“Is she resting?” Tristan asked as both men rose to their feet.

“She is under strict orders, I believe,” Emily replied, and the two men laughed.

“And quite rightly so. Come now, we should go to bed,” Tristan said, and Emily nodded.

They bid Marcus goodnight and stepped out into the hallway, but Tristan did not lead her toward the stairs. Instead, he beckoned her to follow him outside, opening the door and taking her by the hand. Emily felt bemused, but she followed him out into the cool spring night, the sounds of the waves crashing on the rocks below. Work on the resort was continuing at a pace, and several of the buildings were now almost complete. The moon was out, and the stars twinkled in the sky above, the layout of the gardens lit in an ethereal, silvery light as Tristan slipped his arm through Emily’s, and she rested her head on his shoulder.

“I wanted to be alone with you, if only for a moment,” he said, and she smiled, leading him along a path to the clifftops.

They could see right out to sea, the moonlight casting silvery ripples on the surface of the water, the rhythmic sound of the water like a lullaby. A row of benches had been placed there for visitors to the resort to sit and watch the waves. Emily and Tristan sat down, and Tristan put his arm around her and kissed her gently on her cheek.

“It’s certainly been a memorable day,” she replied, and he laughed.

“The celebration of a wedding, a birth, the happiness of friends, our whole lives laid out before us filled with possibility,” he replied, and she nodded.

“We have so much to look forward to, so much to do—the medical textbook, our work together, perhaps even time abroad—I would love to catalog the plants in some far-off place,” she said, turning to him with a smile.

They had discussed so many possibilities, and together, they had so many plans. It was quite overwhelming, but in the most delightful of ways. Emily had lived so much of her life in expectation of what had seemed, at the time, to be inevitable. She had believed she would marry a man like the marquess and be nothing but the bearer of an heir. Such was the lot of women like her, but suddenly, a new life had opened up—one filled with possibilities. She had already discarded the expectations of her class, and now such expectations seemed ripe for dispelling. She could be what she wanted to be, and with Tristan, it seemed anything was possible.

“And I would delight in learning more about the strange diseases which so many of our sailors speak of in returning to England. It could be a grand adventure,” he said, and she nodded, taking his hand in hers.

“I only wish to share it with you,” she replied, and he smiled.

“And I only wish to share it with you,” he said.

“Why did you join in with that foolish wager?” she asked, and even in the moonlight, Emily could tell he was blushing.

“Call it the foolishness of friends, but I am glad I have lost it. I thought I would never love anyone again, not after Maria. Perhaps that is why I agreed. But love has a way of finding one out, and once it is gifted, it is hard to take away,” he replied.

“Like a fever? A sickness?” she asked, and he nodded.

“But one I never wish to find a cure from, and even if I did, I would toss it away. I am sick with love, Emily, and I believe you are, too. Let us be patients together,” he said, and he put his arms around her and kissed her, the moonlight silhouetting them on the clifftops, and, in that moment, Emily knew that love was a sickness she would gladly endure all the rest of her days.

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Grab my new series, "Delightful Dukes and Damsels", and get 2 FREE novels as a gift! Have a look here!

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