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Two Years Later
“I’ve just gotten a letter from Lily.”
Chloe looked up. Florian was coming across the grass towards them, holding a letter in his hand. She straightened up, which caused their daughter to make a noise saying she didn’t like that.
“Is she being fussy again?” Florian asked, settling onto the grass beside the baby and kissing her head. “She’s being very clingy right now.”
“I think she senses that we’re having another baby soon, and she’s not happy she won’t have our undivided attention.” Chloe laughed. “Babies are good at sensing things, after all.”
“Just as long as you take it easy,” Florian said as he kissed her. “Be careful when you’re playing with Elizabeth like this. I don’t want you to squash our second baby.”
“Don’t worry. I’m very careful.” Chloe shifted to sit on the other side of Elizabeth, putting her finger across her daughter’s palm and watching as Elizabeth curled her fingers and grabbed onto it. “What did Lily say? Are she and Cecil settling in well?”
“They are. Her parents just came to visit, and they came away happy and satisfied that their daughter is content with what she’s got.” Florian glanced through the letter. “Also, she’s going to be having their first child in the winter. A Christmas baby, she hopes.”
“That’s wonderful.”
Chloe was glad that Lily finally had her own happy ending. It felt like she was fighting a losing battle with her parents, but with Florian’s help and not wavering on what she wanted, her parents had relented and allowed her to marry her barrister. It sounded like things were getting even better for her.
Lily was a sweet woman once she and Chloe actually had a chance to talk. She deserved that.
“She also said she was going to make a visit to this part of the country to see her family in a few weeks, and asked if she could come and visit.” Florian stroked Elizabeth’s head, causing her to laugh. “Are you alright with that?”
“Of course. I’d be happy to do that.” Chloe grinned. “Actually, I received word from Richard. He was planning on visiting Mother and Father this week. He wants to introduce the woman he’s been courting to them.”
“Richard? Courting?” Florian frowned. “Since when did this happen?”
“I think he said they’ve been seeing each other for about three weeks now. He kept it quiet because he didn’t want a lot of scrutiny about them.”
“Then why didn’t Isabel say anything? She doesn’t keep something like that quiet.”
Chloe burst out laughing, which just made Florian look even more confused.
“What? What did I say?”
“You do realise that Isabel is courting the Earl of Leeds, don’t you?”
Florian’s eyes widened.
“What? Since when did that happen?”
“They’ve been spending a lot of time together this Season. Isabel told me that their courtship was made official about two months ago.” Chloe couldn’t stop laughing. “I think you’ve been spending too much time searching for Atlantis in those texts. You’ve really not been paying attention to anything around us.”
“If it’s outside the grounds of our estate, I’ve not really bothered.” Florian winced. “Now I feel like an awful brother not knowing about this.”
“Well, we have been living here since we came close to Elizabeth’s birth, and we have been looking after a baby.” Chloe leaned over and kissed her daughter’s nose, which resulted in another squeal of laughter. “But I’ve managed to keep up with everything, unlike you.”
“Why should I keep up with it all when you can do it for me?”
Chloe swatted his arm, causing Florian to laugh. Elizabeth joined in, her laughter getting louder when Chloe tickled her belly. Five months old, and she was such a happy baby. It was a wonder that she had such a wonderful child. Chloe felt blessed about it.
“So, tell me about Richard.” Florian shifted to cross his legs under him. “Who is he courting? I thought he and Isabel were going to end up getting married sooner or later, given the way they are together.”
“Well, there was a spark between them before, but they decided it was better to remain as friends. They see each other as close brother and sister, so to ruin that would make it worse. Besides.” Chloe grinned. “Richard’s had his eye on someone for a while. He didn’t want to say anything, especially with everything hanging around her, but now he’s finally made that step to be with her properly.”
“Now you’re intriguing me. I didn’t know this about my friend.”
“Richard told me not to say anything just yet, and Isabel wanted to see how long it would take before you actually noticed. You can be oblivious when you want to be.”
“I’m not!”
“Oh, you are.” Chloe picked up Elizabeth and sat her on her lap. “Anyway, Richard is coming with Helen Knott.”
Florian’s eyes widened, his mouth dropping open.
“Did you … did you just say Helen Knott? Richard is courting her?”
“Yes. Helen never paid him any attention because she was so focused on you, but Richard was attracted to her.”
“I never thought …”
“It was Isabel who noticed it. She questioned him about it, and Richard confessed.” Chloe smiled. “And it was Isabel who urged him to actually say something to her. That it was not fair for him to sit back and not do anything. Even after what Helen did, she still deserves love.”
“So, your brother and Helen … they’re courting?”
Florian still looked dazed. It was quite comical seeing his expression.
“Richard said in his letter that they were happy, and he would like to marry her in the future.”
“And he’s going to introduce her to your parents? Do you think they’re going to be happy?”
“If they see how happy Richard is, I know they will. They’ve been pestering him to get married soon, so this is perfect for them.” Chloe adjusted Elizabeth as she wriggled. “You can ask all the questions you want about it when they arrive. We’ll be going over tomorrow night for dinner.”
Florian sighed and shook his head.
“Maybe I should come out from my little cave in the library if I’m missing this much.”
“It is quite amusing.”
“That’s not helping, Chloe.”
“I wasn’t meant to be helping. I’m just making an observation.” Chloe reached over and touched her husband’s cheek. “Just bring yourself into the real world occasionally, that’s all. I don’t mind you digging into your passion as long as you remember that you have a family.”
“How could I forget my family?” Florian smiled. “I would never be able to forget my wife and daughter, and our impending arrival.”
“Are you able to prove that?”
“Absolutely.” Florian leaned over and kissed her. “I love you, and I wouldn’t be able to forget you if I tried.”
“I’ll take that as a good thing.” Chloe kissed him back. “By the way, don’t be too hard on Helen. It’s not fair on her if you can’t forgive her for what she did. What’s done is done. And she’s trying to make amends.”
“You really have forgiven her, haven’t you?”
“I was in her shoes at some point. I just reacted differently.”
Florian sighed, resting his forehead against hers.
“I was a fool back then. And I almost let it get the better of me two years ago. I’m glad I finally made a decision.”
“No regrets about it, then?”
“No. No regrets.” Florian kissed her cheek. “None at all.”
Chloe smiled. She had no regrets, either. They were in agreement on that.
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OFFER: A BRAND NEW SERIES AND 2 FREEBIES FOR YOU!
Grab my new series, "Delightful Dukes and Damsels", and get 2 FREE novels as a gift! Have a look here!
Hello, my beloved readers. I hope you had a great time reading my book and the extended epilogue. I can’t wait to read your comments! 😊
This was quite an unusual love story between Florian and Chloe , yet there are such romances not only in England, but also around the world.
I’m glad that both Chloe and Florian
finally found the love hat they hid for each other for so long a period of time.
Thank you dear!
Stay tuned there is more coming!
I am flabbergasted about Richard and Helen! That came out of left field.
🥰✨
Wow! There are definitely some surprises in this story. Lots of stuff to keep the pages turning. I
Loved Chloe and Isabelle’s characters but didn’t like Helen or Stallard. Definitely one to read.
Thank you for your comment dear!
This is a wonderful read
Thank you for your comment dear!
I have really enjoyed this book, the characters ( both good and bad), the plot with its twists and turns.
One or two missed edits and one patch where there were miss placed pronouns caused me to have to reread to be sure which person was being referred to. Apologies for the pedant in me!
It won’t prevent a good review though!
Thank you for your feedback dear! I will be looking this with my editor! Have a lovely day!
I enjoyed this story and the main characters of Chloe, Florian, Isabel. and Richard. But I didn’t like Helen and didn’t like the outcome of her and Richard
Thank you for your feedback dear! It helps me to become better! Have a lovely day!
BRILLIANT CHARACTERS AND STORYLINE.
I REALLY ENJOYED IT.
WAS NOT SURE ABOUT THE EXTENDED EPILOGUE IT SEEMED TO LACK THE PULL OF THE STORY JUST SITTING ON THE GRASS MENTIONING THE OTHER CHARACTERS EXAMPLE (he’s marrying her ) she’s marrying him)
Thank you for your comment and feedback dear! It helps me become better! Stay tuned there is more coming!
A very good read. Loved the characters. Sometimes people aren’t always truthful about who they are and others are too trusting. Wasn’t sure if I liked Richard being with Helen at the end – I think Isabel would have been a better fit.
Thank you for your comment dear!
I enjoyed the read, the characters are good and the women strong . I must admit though that I thought Richard and Isabel would become an item. Don’t like the idea of Helen getting anything good especially after being so cruel and meddling in others affairs. Good story line though.
Thank you so much dear Patricia! I am glad you enjoyed the story! I think forgiving but not forgetting was how I wanted to approach Helen’s ending!
Loved this romance. Lots of intriguing challenges before everything got sorted out. Fun to read.
Thank you so much dear Toni! I am so glad you liked it as much! 🌺
Lovely story. A few minor editing issues such as when Florian and Isabel came to visit, the maid asked if she should show them out, instead of showing them in. Besides isn’t that the butlers job? In the extended epilogue Richard and Helen were a misfit. Richard with Isabel or even someone else would have been better. Helen and Stallard were nasty characters and deserved to be miserable with each other. I liked the actual story, the extended epilogue not as much.
A story with lots of twists and turns before finally coming to a happy conclusion. I thought all the charactets took their places well even Stallard, evil though he was. While Helen was manipultive and cunning Im glad Chloe understood why and forgave her, she had also once been rejected by the man she loved, Florian. I was surprised that Richard and Isobel didnt become a couple, but the bigger surprise was Richard having feelings for Helen, I would never have thought about that happening but love works in mysterious ways. The extended epiouge completed everyones story well, leaving no loose ends. A good story I enjoyed reading. Thank you.
I am glad the story and its conclusion resonated with you dear Nora! Thank you for your feedback! ♥️
The story was great until Richard and Helen. That ruined it for me. Hope you don’t do that again.
I am sorry that ruined the story for you dear! I appreciate the feedback!
Well written!
Thank you so much dear ♥️