Page 42 of The Duke's Treasure
He turned to her when they were out of sight, lifting her hand to his lips and kissing it before pulling out the necklace that had been in such question.
“I bought this for you while we were still in Spain. I was going to give it to you as a farewell gift, but when you agreed to accompany me – tomarryme – I decided it would be a wedding gift instead.”
“It’s beautiful,” Mariana said, her heart warming that he had been thinking of her even then. “And the sentiment is lovely.”
He rounded behind Mariana and fastened the clasp around her neck.
“There we are,” he said. “Perfect.”
She lifted a hand, her fingers stroking the brilliant jewels. “This feels nearly too ostentatious to wear.”
“It suits you beautifully,” he said with a smile. “A piece of home to wear here in England.”
“My home is with you,” she said. “Now, and always.”
“We will set our roots here together, at Castleton,” he said. “But our home is so much more than that.”
“It is the family that we will begin,” she said, looking up at him. “Which, I have a feeling, will be very soon.”
Her dreams had been answered. And they couldn’t come true quickly enough.
EPILOGUE
Mariana closed her eyes, collapsing her head back on the pillow behind her.
Edward ran a hand over her forehead, pushing her hair back. “You did it,” he whispered in her ear.
“Wedid it,” she said, turning her head toward him, not caring that sweat covered her brow. “Can I see him?”
“Of course,” he said, gesturing to one of the midwives to bring the baby over. She placed the tiny bundle in Mariana’s arms, and tears filled Mariana’s eyes as she stared down at her son. Finally, she looked at Edward, although she could barely see him through her blurry eyes.
“He is beautiful,” she choked out. “I can hardly believe he is here.”
“I know,” he said, shocking her by the tears that stained his own face. “Oh, Mariana, I cannot believe how strong you are.”
“Thank you for being here,” she said, gripping his hand.
“Of course,” he said, before stealing a glance over at Mariana’s midwife. “Even though I nearly wasn’t allowed in.”
“You were helpful after all,” the midwife acknowledged. “More so than most men would be.”
“You hear that?” he said to Mariana with a grin. “I am better than most men.”
She couldn’t help a small chuckle. “I already knew that.”
“What shall we call him?” she asked. “Must he also be Edward?”
“No,” Edward said, shaking his head. “How about Luis?”
“My father’s name?” she said, shocked.
“Why not?’ Edward said. “He will be carrying on both of our family’s legacies. Might as well have names from both of us.”
“I would love that,” she said with a small smile, looking down at him.
“Oh, little Luis,” she said. “Just what will you become?”
He was so tiny and innocent, yet she knew that he was destined for great things one day. He was the beginning of a long line of ancestors, who she knew would do her proud. She wouldn’t see it all, of course, but she knew that if the love she and Edward shared was any indication, they would be well served.
