Page 63 of The Wicked Duke's Convenient Bride
“Then, she will need a mother, will she not? Or at least, she deserves a feminine presence in her life,” Tabitha said. “She has Lady Haywood, of course, but perhaps it would be best for her to have another lady. Someone who can teach her how to be a lady and interact with the ton.”
“Would you like that to be you?” Matthew asked.
In truth, he had not thought much about that particular aspect of his future. Matthew thought he would be happy if he had Tabitha and his daughter in his life. He had not imagined that the two of them might meet, though, or that they might grow to love one another as he and Tabitha had.
“I should like it very much,” Tabitha said. “She is your daughter, and I am certain that you wish to meet her and show her what a father’s love is. If she is your daughter, she is mine, also.”
“And I did not think I could love you any more than I already do,” Matthew replied.
Tabitha only smiled. He lowered his head and moved in close, slowly so that Tabitha could turn her head if she truly wished to refuse his kisses. She did not move, and his lips pressed gently against hers. She smelled like springtime, like fresh flowers and new beginnings. He kissed her slowly and lightly, and when the kiss ended, he wrapped his arms around her waist and held her for a very long time.
“You came after me,” Tabitha noted.
“I did,” he agreed. “Miriam received word from a friend of hers.”
Tabitha arched an eyebrow, and Matthew smiled. “On the ride to St James, Miriam admitted she has a secret suitor. She did not tell me about him for fear that I might be embarrassed to find my own sister having a dalliance with a commoner.”
“Are you?” Tabitha asked.
“No,” Matthew replied. “No, I am pleased that she has found a man she loves.”
Admittedly, he would have to become accustomed to the idea. He had thought his sister was bound for spinsterdom and learning that she had a beloved was a surprise. The most embarrassing aspect of the situation was not that the man was common, however. Matthew had simply not noticed that his sister had any romantic interest in someone. That seemed like the sort of thing a man should readily observe.
“Have you met him?”
“Not yet, but I should like to.” Matthew paused. “It occurs to me that our family will become quite larger very soon.”
“I have always liked the thought of having a large family,” Tabitha mused. “Have you?”
After Rosemary left him, that reality had seemed out of reach. With Tabitha in his life, though, he realized that his dream could become a reality. Even better, she wanted the same thing that he did. Rosemary had not wanted a large family, and Matthew had been willing to sacrifice that dream for her because he loved her so much.
Now, he realized that he had not really loved her at all. Rather, he had loved an imaginary version of Rosemary, who was kinder and more faithful than she truly was. He realized that the version of Rosemary whom he had imagined for himself, was like Tabitha.
“I would like that very much,” he said. “It sounds divine.”
Tabitha smiled and glanced upwards, the colours of the setting sun casting a warm glow over her face and elegant shadows along her high cheekbones.
“Especially if I am having that family with you,” Matthew added. “I adore everything about you.”
“Just as I adore you,” Tabitha said. “It looks as though the hour is growing late, Matthew. We should return to the modiste before Bridgette and Lady Miriam suspect that we have met with some terrible fate.”
“But what if I want to keep you all to myself for just a little longer?"
“Then, you will have to wait until we return home,” Tabitha said, smiling. “After we do, you may have me all to yourself for the rest of the night.”
“I am already home,” Matthew countered, feeling his face warm. It had been some time since he was so openly romantic with a woman, and he found himself savouring the awkwardness of it. The anxiety he felt reminded him of those early, exciting days of courting Rosemary. “You are my home, Tabitha. I do not need to go anywhere to find you.”
She did not laugh. Instead, she gazed shyly at him from beneath her lashes, her face so warm and soft that Matthew never wanted to even gaze upon another woman. The heat in Tabitha’s gaze seemed to burn away all memories of Rosemary until not even the ashes remained. He pulled her for another kiss, framed by the gathering twilight, and he did not care who saw.
Epilogue
The carriage bounded roughly over the uneven road. When Lady Haywood said she lived in the country, she had not exaggerated. It was apparent that these roads were seldom used by anyone. Tabitha did not mind, though, for the long journey from London provided her time alone with her husband.
Although the start of their marriage had been unusual, the past few months had been deliriously happy. She could scarcely believe that she was so lucky, and a small part of her suspected that this was all too wonderful to be anything but a dream. Someday, she would wake, and everything would be ordinary. But she had not awakened yet.
Matthew’s solicitor had done his work well, ensuring there were no legal obligations regarding Rosemary, the former Duchess of Hillsburgh, and they had not seen her since. She had returned to the Continent, likely to find another nobleman to seduce. Rosemary had not even thought to bid Elaine farewell before vanishing again. Cassius had also vanished, but it remained unknown if he had decided to join Rosemary in her exile or if he had gone elsewhere. But not all was happy. Colin, Lady Miriam’s suitor, had not been the good man they had all thought he was.
A little looking into the man’s character had revealed him to be a snake in the grass who had only feigned interest in Lady Miriam in the hopes of receiving her sizeable fortune. Fortunately, the plot had been revealed before he could enact his plan. Lady Miriam was upset but was a strong woman and managing well enough, given the circumstances. With everything revealed, it seemed to Tabitha as if they could breathe again.
