A Race For The Duke’s Heart – Extended Epilogue

The months after the wedding were filled with perfect bliss. The happiness that Lady Laura and Lord Owen experienced was like none other. Everyone was far more accepting of their union than they’d anticipated, though a few still scoffed when seeing them together.

Laura had become perhaps one of the best female rules over the Blackmore Manor once Lady Phoebe had stepped aside and handed over the reins.

With Owen by her side, she felt as though they could do anything—and even more than that, she was pleased that the entire manor’s worth of staff and inhabitants seemed even more happy than they had before Duke Owen Ellis’ rule, if that could even be possible.

Laura knew that without her husband’s kindness and her genteel touch, the entire thing would come crashing down, but that wasn’t going to happen. If she had anything to do about it, she would have them be the example of what gracious rule would look like and how people should be treated.

More than anything, they couldn’t wait to have children to pass on their love for horses to and their general love and respect for those around them. At first, before finding Laura, Owen had wished for only a single child to carry on the name. Laura had briefly wondered what would have happened if his firstborn with Lady Marjorie had been a girl, but it didn’t matter now.

They wanted as many children as God would allow them… more, even. Together, they wanted to have a home full of examples of their love and humanity.

One balmy winter’s day in January—the first warmer day since the snow, and the first day in months since she could visit her father—Lady Laura Ellis sat in a carriage in the courtyard of the manor. She was on her way to her father’s cottage with a late Christmas gift for him: the deed to the land that he lived on. Harry Pike was a proud man, but he was certainly going to be pleased when he didn’t have to worry about Lord Gundry any longer.

“Are you ready, your gracious lady?” the footman of the carriage asked as he looked within the covered confines of the vehicle.

“Yes, please,” Laura said as she was bundled underneath a pile of furs to keep warm; though it was getting warmer in those parts, it could be blistering should the wind catch just right.

The footman glanced to the driver and they began down the road. Laura was being driven by a coach rather than riding Patience for circumstances that were months out of her control. 

After nine months of negotiation, Gundry finally had sold the land to Owen. Laura imagined he’d had to pay a nice price for it, but Owen had told her he would pay anything to make sure her father was taken care of. She hadn’t had the nerve to ask exactly what that had been, nor did she think it was her place to know so.

Laura’s heart was full as she made her way over the hills and through the small town she’d once lived in. She no longer felt like she belonged there—not that she ever really did, but she was happy to be seeing the one reason she had for being there… well, two.

Owen had said that it took a lot of bargaining and threats to get Gundry to give in, but in the end, Laura knew that Owen could be a persuasive person, and Gundry would give up—particularly once he learned what an oaf his new daughter-in-law was: Lady Marjorie.

It had saddened Laura a little that after being offered a home on the property of the manor that her father, Harry had still chosen to remain at the cottage. It honestly didn’t surprise her in the least, but she hated that he was so far away.

She would be able to visit him often, though, and that was where her father felt the most at home. Laura would have felt worse about it if he were all alone, but he wasn’t any longer.

Old Jack had retired from his duties at the manor and had chosen to move into the cottage with Harry. They had been friends in their youth, and since the two of them were father figures to both her and Owen, it seemed a perfect fit, especially since her old room would have just sat there empty.

Laura laughed a little at thinking about the odd couple living in that tiny place together, all the jokes that would be cracked, and the hours of sleep they would catch up on, and it warmed her heart. If her mother couldn’t be with him, then Old Jack was the best substitute.

It also calmed her to know that her father wouldn’t have time to miss her that much with him around. He wasn’t too feeble to manage being alone, but this way, they were all happy… including Old Jack.

Laura had also heard news around the manor that after the insults cast by Lady Marjorie towards the vicar, he had made his way to another village far away to wreak havoc on other poor, unsuspecting folks. It made Laura happy to know that neither her nor her father would ever have to see that small man again.

She sat up and tossed the skins to the side when the little cabin came into view. It looked much better than it had nine months back. Repairs had been made to the fence and property, the stables had been fixed, and Old Jack had added his horse alongside Harry’s… all of which made it look like a whole new place.

The footman helped her down off the carriage and her back twinged a little. She looked up to the sky and then back down to the cottage, attempting to rid her body of the pain. She gave up and walked to the door, nonetheless.

Knock, knock, knock, she rapped at the door of the cottage and stepped back in anticipation.

Her father opened the door and smiled. They hadn’t been expecting her since she had insisted on leaving for the visit right after the snow melted and there simply hadn’t been time to send a missive in advance. She knew her father wouldn’t care about such proprieties, and to her delight he welcomed her in. The smile on his face said everything as it widened at seeing her condition. The last time Harry had laid eyes on her was in the fall—nearly five months had passed in that time.

“Do you want anything, Lady Ellis?” Old Jack asked, as she sat down at the kitchen table. “We don’t have much, but some water should do you lovely.”

“Jack, you can call me Laura, you know that… I used to muck stalls with you.”

“I know that,” he grumbled. “I just like the sound of it. And it’s befitting a woman in your condition. I’m so proud of you,” he said, as he leaned down and kissed her on top of her head.

“I’m not ill or anything,” Laura said. “Just huge.” She giggled. “Yes, I would like some water thank you, I’m parched after the trip.”

“Well, that’s to be expected, you are with child,” her father said. “A lady like you should let two old men dote after ye, after all, so don’t make issue with it.”

“Fine, fine.” She smiled as she touched her swollen stomach. “I can allow you to pay me some attention, I suppose.”

“You know I don’t want nothing to happen to that grandchild of mine until he’s ready to come out. He needs to stay put.” Harry laughed. “What’s left for timing?”

“Yes, sir,” she said, as she took the glass of water that Old Jack had insisted, she have. “I have three weeks left.” She took a big drink and then added, “Just about that, anyway.”

“You shouldn’t have risked the voyage,” her father told her.

“I knew it would be the last time to see you both before the baby, and I wasn’t giving that up,” Laura reminded him.

Laura was heavy with child, and it would be her first. She felt like her father and Old Jack were more nervous than she was about the fast-approaching arrival of hers and Owen’s baby. 

At that moment, she felt the baby kick and jumped a little at the movement. It was much harder than the last few times she had felt the sensation, which made her wonder what was going on, but she pushed the thought to the back of her mind so as not to ruin her visit with her father and Old Jack.

However, it didn’t look like it was going to be that easy when Laura realized that both men had jumped in the air as they waited for what was to come.

“It’s alright, it’s alright,” she assured them as they both looked at her, awaiting an explanation. “I just have the collywobbles is all.” She smiled at both men as she sipped her water. “It’s not uncommon for mothers-in-waiting to jump every now and then.”

“How long are you staying?” Old Jack asked, most likely to change the subject.

Laura saw them relax a little, which made her feel a bit better.

“Owen is in town today on business, so I have a few more hours with you two. Let’s get off the topic of this baby and talk about other things.”

“What other things?” Harry asked his daughter. “Like names?”

“Father,” she playfully scolded him. “No, I was thinking about Charles and Sophia—I got a parcel from them. She’s coming back to stay at the manor while Charles goes back on active duty for a bit. Their baby is due in five or so months, and he doesn’t want her taking the chance of having it by herself it he should be delayed.”

“I can’t blame him for that,” Old Jack said.

“Yes,” Harry added. “I wouldn’t want you all alone in that manor having a baby by yourself.”

“Father, there’s no way I could ever be alone there, but that’s not the point.” She smiled, but as soon as she did, she felt another bump. With this one came a small shock of pain, which she tried to ignore while trying to think of something else to distract her. “Oh, Father, I have this for you.” She had nearly forgotten the letter and deed that she had in her skirt pocket.

She pulled it out and handed it to Harry, who then handed it back to her.

“I can’t read this all, you know that.” He smiled at his daughter. “You’re the reader in this family.” He winked at her as she unfolded it and began to read. 

“Dear Harry Pike, I would like to announce that you are the new and permanent owner of the property in which your cottage, stables, outhouse, and small barn reside. It is in the interest of Lord Gundry that he signed the documents needed to allow the land to be in the name of Harry Pike, to be transferred to his daughter, Lady Laura Ellis-Pike if and when he perishes.” She paused for a moment, then handed the deed back, allowing him to see the mapping of the property. “It’s all yours, Father—you get the land, the cottage, everything, Owen and I will pay the taxes on it each year, and other than that, you are here, free and clear, to do as you wish with your own property.”

Harry began to tear up and Laura thought she was going to reduce to a puddle of tears, as well.

“Oh, I can’t accept this, it’s too kind of you and Owen,” he said to her.

“Oh, hush, Father, it’s the only way I feel you can carry on living here,” she teased.

“Very well.” He smiled. “Please tell Owen thank you for me.” He paused again and then hugged her. “This is the best thing that’s ever been given to me Laura, I am so thankful,” he said, letting out a tear or two. “Do excuse an old man for crying in front of a lady.”

“I’m so glad you will accept it, you and Old Jack can live here forever, or as long as you wish.” She smiled, but then another wave of pain crashed through her system, worse than any of the others before. “Oh!” she said, perhaps a little louder than she should have in front of Old Jack and her father.

“What is it?” Old Jack asked as he sat up straight.

“Nothing,” she lied, as she felt another twinge of pain. “Oh, I think something’s wrong,” Laura finally admitted.

“Go tell the coachman that we need Lord Owen here now,” Harry said to Old Jack. “You might want to ride with them to bring him back quicker.”

“Owen will have made it home by now,” she said by the looks of the sun in the sky through the one window in the room. “You’ll be wanting to go to the manor to retrieve him.”

“Yes, Laura… Harry,” Old Jack said, as he put his hat on his head and headed to the door.

“Please do hurry,” she said softly.

Old Jack nodded then ran out the door to do as Harry and Laura had suggested. 

Laura got to her feet and knocked the glass of water over. She bent over to gather the papers they had laid there before they got ruined. That was all she needed was for her father’s deed to be ruined by her swollen stomach.

“Sorry, Father,” she said, as she tried to wipe it up with a cloth nearby.

“Stop, Laura. You need to get into your old bed and get comfortable, because ready or not, here this baby comes.”

Laura allowed her father to help her into bed and he sat beside her in a chair, holding her hand. He leaned over and loosened the bonnet she had on her head from the ride and allowed it to fall to the side of the bed. Then he took her hand and smiled over at her. Laura smiled back, but she was worried… this was a few weeks early, after all.

“I’m scared, Daddy,” she confessed, using a word she hadn’t used since she was a little girl.

“It’s going to be alright, sweetheart,” Harry said. “I was thinking that maybe this child will love horses as much as its mom and dad do.” He smiled at her, and she smiled back through the pain.

Every moment she waited for Owen to come, the pains got worse and closer together. Waves of pain and nausea hit her as the bed became damp. She was nervous that they wouldn’t be able to get to Owen in time and she would have the baby without him being there, and her father being the one to deliver it.

She knew Doc hadn’t made it back to the small town since the winter had just ended. She had hoped she would hold to term so Doctor Mills would be back before she delivered, but it didn’t look like that was going to happen.

There was no way Laura could go through any of this without Owen by her side.

As she winced through the pain, Owen, Sophia, and the Dowager Duchess of Blackmore arrived at the cottage along with Old Jack.

“Where is she?” Laura heard Owen say to Harry, who had gone to the door upon hearing the carriage arrive.

“She’s in the back bedroom,” he said. “It isn’t appropriate for the men to stay, so visit momentarily and perhaps the dowager and Miss Sophia can aid her delivery?”

Both Sophia and Lady Ellis nodded their heads as they began to roll up their sleeves and look around the house for things they would need for the delivery.

“Laura,” Owen said as he came into the room.

Laura hated that she looked a mess, but there wasn’t anything that could be done about it.

“I want to have the baby at home,” she said.

“You can’t.” Owen wiped her tear away. “You can’t be moved; it isn’t safe for you or the baby.” He gestured around. “Here is as good a place as any. Sophia and Mother are with me, and they will help you deliver… then, in a few days or a week at the most, you will be allowed to travel back to the manor. Is there anything I can do to make you more comfortable?”

“No,” Laura said, winded. “Only make your own self comfortable with father and Old Jack out in the main room. Will you please send your mother and Sophia back? I think I’m about to have another spasm.”

Owen nodded and leaned over her. He kissed her on top of the head and went out for his mother and cousin. In no time they arrived with pans of water, cloth, and a blanket for the baby, once he or she was born.

“How exciting,” Sophia said. Her own child was showing on her face and in her midsection.

“I’m so glad you made it home today, Sophia.” Laura smiled at her, she hadn’t seen her friend in nearly three months. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there to greet you.”

Sophia smiled down at her.

“No worries, my friend, I understood,” she said. “Now, let’s put another pillow behind your back and get some layers away from you.”

Lady Ellis and Sophia helped Laura get comfortable, making sure that she stayed cool enough and that she was ready to birth.

Laura knew that Owen and the two older men in the other room were likely worried, perhaps even pacing the floor. She was pleased Owen was there with her in a sense, and even more proud that her father was close by.

In the wee hours of the morning, Laura gave birth to a baby boy. He was wrapped in a cloth and placed on Laura’s bosom. She smiled down at him and couldn’t believe the tiny human had come from her.

She was exhausted and sore but was the happiest she could imagine being.

After things were cleaned up, Sophia and Lady Ellis left the room to retrieve Owen and Harry. Owen walked in while Laura’s father stood at the door, Old Jack just behind him.

“It’s a boy,” she said to Owen as he sat beside her on the bed. “He is handsome, just like his father.”

“An heir,” Owen said as he was handed his son, then he looked to the heavens. “Father,” he said, “you have an heir to the Ellis name.”

“He would be so proud,” Laura whispered as she looked over and saw the smile on her own father’s face.

“He would,” Owen said.

“What should we call him?” Laura asked.

They had talked over so many names but hadn’t settled on one. They had at least a dozen girls names ready and perhaps double the boys.

“His name is Sir Winston Ellis,” Owen said. “Named after my father.”

Laura exchanged a loving glance with Owen.

“It’s perfect,” she whispered as she reached over and stroked the top of Winston’s head. “With Harry as his middle?” She asked.

“With Harry as his middle,” Owen agreed. “Sir Winston Harry,” he looked at his father-in-law, “Ellis of Blackmore Manor.”

They all cheered as Lady Ellis rushed in delight to join her son and Laura with her new grandson. It meant a lot to Laura that they were all able to be there with her.

In the week that Laura and Winston were at the cottage, she was pleased with the attention Old Jack and her father paid to the infant. Things were great, but she couldn’t wait to get the baby home.

Owen had been to visit, and Sophia had been there more often than not, but it still wasn’t the same as being at home where she had things for the baby that she had been gathering for months.

Finally, when Winston was a week and a day old, mother and son returned home to the manor. It was a grand reunion as everyone welcomed them, even the staff, including the new stable hand, Joseph.

In the drawing room, Sophia sat admiring her little cousin and yearning to have her own child, but that would be soon enough. 

Laura loved her son, but what she wanted the most right then was to ride again. As Sophia held Winston, Laura looked out the window and saw Owen riding into the courtyard on a new stallion, one she had never seen before.

“I think it’s time for a breath of fresh air,” Laura said, as she took her baby and held him close to her.

Holding their son, Laura went outside to the courtyard to admire the beautiful horse her husband had just brough.

“Whose is he?” she asked Owen.

“This horse is for our son,” Owen said as he dismounted the creature and embraced his wife and son in his arms. “Winston will learn how to ride before he can walk,” he teased Laura.

Laura laughed at her husband’s enthusiasm.

“I agree,” she said to him. “I agree.”

 

THE END

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