May 1818

And so, as is the way with all that is cherished in our lives, there comes an end.

Oh, yes. Yes!

Or could it be the commencement of yet another chapter in the tales of our protagonists?

Hasten!

As you are aware, we parted ways with our beloved Mina and Royston – or, as it would be more appropriate – the Viscountess and Viscount Sinclair, just as they embarked upon a leisurely stroll near their almost restored abode in Southampton.

Turn around, love.

But what occurred before and after the young pair slipped into their new roles? Naturally, they did not tarry long before fulfilling their marital duties, for indeed, it was among the most eagerly awaited tasks by the affectionate newlyweds. However, it would be disingenuous to claim that it unfolded without any initial awkwardness, as both harboured certain reservations on this matter.

Grasp my hair.

Nevertheless, they swiftly discovered the art of exploring each other's bodies and patience in deriving mutual pleasure. Thus, it was not altogether surprising when, a mere two months after their nuptials, the Viscountess discovered she was with child. Two years subsequent to the birth of their first son, another lad graced their growing family.

Are you finding pleasure now, you unscrupulous wench?
Always.

And as the rhythmic thud of furniture being shifted against the wall or perchance another piece of furniture reached Evie Finnegan's sensitive ears, she paused, taking a sip of her tea before turning to her husband.

"Alistair, I fear we pale in comparison to such lively antics," she murmured to him.

"Never have you voiced a desire for change!" he protested, his tone hushed yet earnest.

"Hm," Evie responded, her expression thoughtful before making a determined declaration, "Upon our return, our children shall be dispatched to your parents at the crack of dawn, and you shall exert yourself for my sake, my dear."

Their eyes met, brimming with the deep affection they shared.

The Duke of Eldridge cleared his throat, interjecting, "Ahem, where was I... Ah, yes... I must express my delight for our esteemed couple; their enduring passion is truly admirable. However, it appears they ought to escape the confines of their household and children more frequently. It is only fortunate that my lady has taken her grandchildren for a stroll, lest she witness such audacious and brazen behaviour. As for myself, well, I should—nay—I am quite appalled!"

The thuds clearly interrupted his thread of thought and that despite his own colourful past.

Mina cried at the height of her pleasurable crescendo and faltered, drawing in rapid breaths.

"Oh, Heavens... Oh, Roy! We ought to engage in this pastime more frequently," she murmured, leaning back into his embrace.

"In the duke's country retreat, within the very chamber that recalls our inaugural night together?" he teased, his touch lingering firmly upon her décolletage. "I fear I am disinclined to gain His Grace's approval for further inspections of the chambers, considering the renovations he would wish to undertake."

Laughter bubbled forth from their lips, as Mina's hand found and tenderly caressed her husband's cheek. As the ardour of their affection subsided, she turned to him, her gaze filled with adoration, and bestowed upon him a lingering kiss, tinted with the blush of their recent endeavour.

Pulling back, she met Roy's eyes, a playful glimmer dancing within her own, and spoke in a tone laced with teasing affection, "My dear Lord Vexation, permit me a moment to rectify my dishevelled appearance, that we may rejoin our company and feign ignorance of our private indulgences within these walls."

"Pray, do not delay overlong, lest you provoke further vexation," he replied, his smirk hinting at the promise of further intimate pleasures, accompanied by a subtle wink that spoke volumes of intended delights.

Upon their return to the drawing room, the duke, with a hint of playful admonishment in his tone, remarked, "I trust I shall find the furniture intact upon my arrival, lest you find yourselves burdened with the expense of its replacement."

"We were merely testing the resilience of the wood, Your Grace," Royston replied, a mischievous glint in his eye, while Mina struggled to suppress a giggle.

The duke exchanged an amused glance with Evie and Alistair before continuing, "Mayhaps today's escapade will lead to the anticipation of another little one in your midst, for such impertinence surely warrants another mouth to gnaw upon your insolent ears."

"The hour is tardy for such joyful wishes," Mina replied, her hand gently caressing her abdomen. Although not yet discernible, the gentle swell of her future child was beginning to form.

"Another Langdon on the horizon? A third little cherub on its way?!" Evie exclaimed with anticipation. "Heavens above, let us hope for a darling daughter this time!"

Leaping from the settee, she enveloped her elder sister in a warm embrace. "My heart is overflowing with joy for you, dearest sister!" As Mina withdrew, Evie's eyes were already brimming with tears.

"Oh, Evie, spare us the baptism again! We have a clergyman to attend to the christening for our last child!" Mina exclaimed, embracing her sister anew even as her own eyes grew misty.

The chamber suddenly resonated with the pitter-patter of tiny feet and the cheerful chatter of the Finnegans' and Langdons' progeny as they scampered towards their respective parents.

Lady Eldridge appeared both content and fatigued, for the children possessed a remarkable talent for exhausting one's vitality, particularly when there were four of them.

"What is the reason for such tears and embraces?" she inquired cautiously as she observed the sisters locked in an affectionate embrace.

"I bear tidings, Polly," Mina announced as she eased her filial embrace with Evie. "I'm expecting your third grandchild."

Her words prompted Polly to enfold her daughter-in-law in a maternal embrace as well.

"Mercy me!" Lady Eldridge exclaimed, then turned to her husband. "Ciarán, you must accompany me on the next promenade with our little cherubs. I fear I've gained more grey hairs in this past hour than in the entirety of last year!"

Yet there was no scolding, only affection in Polly's words, and Ciarán reached for her hand to tenderly kiss it.

"As you wish, my love," he replied.

"Indeed, how fares our sweet Eleanor?" Evie inquired, smoothly diverting the conversation as she returned to the settee. "I haven't beheld our dear friend for quite some time!"

Mina's countenance brightened with a smile, betraying delightful news. "It appears that she and her husband, Jeremy, may presently be journeying towards Southampton, intent upon a month's sojourn at her parents' estate. You may recall, it required a span of two full years for their reconciliation to transpire, much attributed to dear Polly's influence," she remarked, inclining her head towards her mother-in-law, who reciprocated the gesture. "The arrival of their grandchild also played a significant role. The little one is lavished with indulgence at every turn, and the Whitcombe family is currently contemplating the acquisition of a residence in Dover or its proximate environs."

"How splendid," Evie exclaimed, her hands clasped together in appreciation. "Maintaining harmony within the familial sphere is always a commendable pursuit."

She then found herself obliged to divert her attention to her daughter, who insisted on being nestled in her lap. Roy, too, was beset by his two sons, who eagerly recounted their sighting of grey cranes during their recent stroll with their grandmother.

"I have news to share as well," Evie interjected, her fingers gently tracing the curls of her daughter's hair. "Lord and Lady Westhaven welcomed their first child last month."

"Oh, my!" Mina exclaimed with genuine delight. "What a fortunate woman! First, she bestows an heir upon Lord Carrington, then bears an illegitimate daughter, and secures a divorce, only to wed Lord Victor and bless him with yet another heir. She seems to amass titles for her offspring with ease, but I must say, good fortune smiles upon her!"

Evie inclined her head in agreement. "It is commendable that she has risen from her pitfall, yet let us not overlook that it was of her own making. There are whispers, however, that the daughter is indeed Lord Westhaven's, which undoubtedly contributed to the remarriage scandal's magnitude," she gently reminded, cradling her daughter as she reached for Alistair, who was eager for his papa's embrace.

"Not a leaf stirs without a breeze," Polly interjected, a genteel smile gracing her countenance. "Nevertheless, we must refrain from passing judgment on others, for we cannot predict where the currents of fate may carry us. If the Westhavens find solace in their union, then let us offer them our blessings, indeed."

Seated gracefully beside Ciarán, Mina beheld a heartwarming scene as they both reached out to one another with tender affection. Truly, they were a splendid pair, and Mina felt gratitude towards Providence for granting Polly, who possessed a kind heart as vast as the world, a second chance at love.

It must be noted, however, that Lord and Lady Eldridge did not formalize their union until much later – their marriage took place in March of 1813 in Dublin. Prior to this, Polly had the pleasure of meeting Ciarán's family and sharing in the Christmas season with his children, including those illegitimate. She navigated the delicate family dynamics with care, finding reassurance in the words of the heir to the title himself. A man of integrity, much like his father, he expressed relief that Lord Eldridge had chosen a lady of inner and outer beauty and life experience, rather than succumbing to marry a young debutante, as was often seen in elder, widowed titled gentlemen.

Despite their union, Ciarán had always been remarkably understanding and supportive of her desire to remain close to Mina and Roy, particularly when her daughter-in-law welcomed her first child into the world. Consequently, she regularly found herself journeying without her husband's company. However, with the delegation of part of his responsibilities to his heir, Ciarán found himself more liberated, able to accompany his lawful wife more frequently, thereby becoming an active and devoted grandfather both in Southampton and Dublin.

The brief tranquillity of the drawing room was soon interrupted by the arrival of a servant, announcing the dinner hour. The first to respond were, predictably, the children, who darted through the door with unrestrained enthusiasm, prompting an affectionate exclamation from Mina.

"Oh, pray, temper your haste, you spirited ducklings!"

She then felt a gentle touch upon her hand, prompting her to glance fondly at Royston who accompanied her to the dining hall.

It was nothing short of idyllic, truly—a life she had never imagined possible with a man she had once found too vexing for her taste. Yet, if questioned, she would not alter a single thread of their narrative.

True, there were days, particularly on certain anniversaries, when thoughts of her dear Miles—once the embodiment of her dreams and desires—inevitably crossed her mind. Yet, reminiscing about him now brought her solace and a quiet assurance that they would reunite in the Heavens in due time. Until then, she fancied he might be watching over her from above, his boyish smile gracing his kind countenance as he nodded in approval of her pursuit of happiness.

In the dim hours of the evening, following a tender passion with Roy, Mina felt his curious fingers gently exploring the swell of her abdomen.

"A son or a daughter?" he murmured softly.

"Mm, a daughter, I am convinced."

"You were equally convinced the previous two times," he chuckled.

"Perhaps my skill in divination is not as sharp as I imagined," she retorted playfully.

He nodded, his hand drifting to delicately caress her cheek. "Indeed, it may not. However, I am acutely aware of your true essence, of where your brilliance truly lies."

"And where might that be?"

"You are the love of my life, Mina. And an unparalleled mother to our offspring. Though my words may not always convey it during our waking hours, I wish to assure you of your paramount importance in my life."

"Oh," she murmured, taken aback by his sudden declaration, yet feeling a profound warmth envelop her being.

The confession certainly brought a glisten to her eyes! Mina reciprocated by delicately tracing her husband's cheek with her fingertips, revelling in the sensation of his slight stubble beneath her touch.

"I have never regretted our union," she murmured after a delicate sniffle. "Nor did I anticipate our marriage to flow so freely, given our spirited natures. But each day, Roy, I am filled with wonder at the depth of love and kindness between us."

Mina could have sworn she heard a sniffle from him as well. His lips lingered upon hers in a tender kiss, before he withdrew and whispered, "Rest well, my darling."

"Rest well, my love," she replied softly.