Untangling the Baron’s Love – Extended Epilogue

Christmas Eve, 1812

Although the snow was falling outside and coating the world in a white blanket, Heather and her family were cosy inside the country estate and enjoying the festivities. Hetfield had likely never had a more decorated and happy house as the Waterford Manor as her family bustled about the place getting everything ready for Christmas. As Heather stood in the corner and gazed at most of her family members – her parents, Jasmine, little Sky, Coralline, Susanna, and her husband – she realised she did not need any more. Well, besides a child.

“My dear, I think that you should get involved before Mother takes over,” her husband suggested.

He handed her some tea, having declined the mulled wine that everyone else was enjoying.

“I am loathe to spoil her fun, Adam. See how happy she is?”
“I see what you are saying, but see how frustrated everyone is? They also wish to have a say in decorating the tree, and you are the only one who knows how to handle Mother.”

“Very well, but if your mother becomes upset, then ’tis all your fault.”
He nodded. “I shall gladly take the blame because I know that it shall not come to pass.”

Heather stood on her toes, kissing his cheek. “How crafty you are, oh dear husband of mine.”

She left him chuckling, picking her way across the decorations that littered the floor to the tree that looked no less done than an hour ago.

“May I be of some assistance?” she asked.

Jasmine looked at her imploringly. “Would you? I fear that Sky is taking everything down rather than putting it on.”

Laughing, Heather picked up her niece, tickling her belly. “I see that you are taking after your mother, Sky. Your grandmother and grandfather have told me that your mama used to do the very same thing.”

“Now, that is a lie!” her sister protested.

“Indeed? Perhaps you should ask Mama and Papa, they will tell you all you need to know.”

Jasmine stuck out her tongue and roared with laughter when Sky mimicked her.

“It seems I shall have to be careful around my daughter now, or she may pick up all of my terrible habits.”

“You two are giggling and laughing instead of helping me decorate this tree!” Coralline complained. “And do not blame Sky for your lapse in responsibilities. My little darling is as innocent as this angel to go on our tree.”

“The angel?” Jasmine questioned. “Had we not already decided on the star? Whoever heard of an angel on a tree?”

Coralline bristled. “Well, in my house we always used an angel.”
Heather shot Jasmine a look, prompting her sister to roll her eyes with a sigh.

“Very well, an angel it is.”

“Wonderful! I knew that you would see it my way, dear. After all, I have done many a tree in my day, and not just Christmas trees, you know. That being said, we simply must organise each décor piece in such a way as to maximise the beauty of the tree. And not too much, mind you, we would not want the tree to look as though a forest and the Prince Regent’s bedchamber had had a baby.”

Everyone roared with laughter at the description, everyone but Coralline.

“Do you suppose that I jest? No, I tell you, I am quite serious. I am told that the Regent’s bedchamber is far too ornate and opulent for anyone’s peace of mind. How can anyone sleep in such a room? I fear that I would get quite a headache were I to stay in that room for above ten minutes.”

Coralline proceeded to arrange every décor piece in order before placing it on the tree, but the scene was all too comical as Sky had insisted on being put down and was currently pushing all the items around. Coralline was far too engrossed in what she was doing to notice, but when she picked up a silver piece rather than a gold one, she realised that her order had been mixed up. Placing her hands on her hips, she gave Sky a stern look. The baby only giggled, holding her hands out for Coralline to take her. For a second, Heather thought that Coralline would scold the child as she was a stickler for having things in order, but her features softened until a laugh escaped her. Coralline bent down to pick Sky up, allowing Heather to release the breath she had been holding.

“Oh, you naughty little girl!” she heard Coralline coo. “What a cute baby you are. I could not possibly remain angry with you, and you know it.”

Heather watched as the dowager held Sky close, cuddling her while laying kisses all over her face and declaring her a beautiful angel. Jasmine came to stand next to her, whispering into Heather’s ear.
“It seems that my daughter has saved us the trouble of kicking Coralline off tree duty. Come, let us decorate before she changes her mind and returns to ‘help us’.”

Heather agreed, quickly picking up ornaments and placing them on the tree. They were not halfway done with the tree when a servant came to tell them that they had a visitor.

“A visitor?” Coralline questioned. “I do not know of other visitors to come, Blake. Besides, the snow is falling rather heavily outside – who would brave the snow to come here? Do you perhaps know, Heather?”
She shook her head. “No, I am as puzzled as you are. Did he say who he was?”

“No, my lady. He said that he wishes it to be a surprise.”

“A surprise?” echoed Adam. “Could it be Mason? He did say that he would try to stop by.”

“No,” came a voice behind Blake. “’Tis I.”

Heather heard an ornament drop to the floor behind her, turning her head to see what had happened. Her sister stood with her hands at her sides, tears streaming down her face.

“Jasmine, are you all right?”

“Perfectly. David has come home.”

“David?” Heather’s mother asked. “But where?”

They turned to the doorway, still confused until Blake stood aside and allowed them to see just who the visitor was. Sure enough, a man walking with crutches, and a sling over his arm stood at the doorway, tears running down his face.

“Jasmine,” he said, his voice raspy. “I am home.”

“David!” Jasmine cried, running to him.

Everyone watched in amazement as Jasmine and David were reunited, Jasmine taking care not to hurt her husband.

“I have missed you so much! Why did you disappear like that? But I never gave up hope, not once. Oh, David, you are home again! Now we can be a family.”

“It is good to see your beautiful face again, my love,” said David, planting a kiss on Jasmine’s head. “Lord knows how much I have missed you. I never wish to be apart from you again. You will never be rid of me, that I promise you.”

If there had ever been any doubt about David’s love for her sister, it was gone now. Here was a man head over heels in love with Jasmine, that was an undeniable truth.

“Oh, David, you have missed so much! Listen, I have a surprise for you.”
“You are all the surprise I need, my love.”

“You say this now, but you shall soon forget your words once you see what I am talking about.”

Jasmine helped her husband into the room, giving him time to greet everyone. He even apologised to her parents with tears in his eyes.
“Mr and Mrs Bailey, I know that by taking your daughter away in the way that I did was unforgivable but trust me when I say that no man will love her as much as I do. She is my heart and soul, the reason I was able to come home.”

Heather’s father placed his hand on David’s shoulder. “Son, what’s done is done, and it is all in the past. We have long since forgiven you both for the choices you made, you need no longer feel remorse. Welcome to the family.”

Her father shook his hand, while her mother lightly embraced him, making sure to avoid his injured arm.

“Come, my love, there is someone else you need to meet.”

Jasmine led him to where Coralline stood with Sky. Heather watched with tears in her eyes as her sister took the child into her arms, turning her to face her father. David looked confused, but he still stroked the little girl’s hair with his uninjured arm.

“Who is she? She looks a lot like you and your sister, but she has blue eyes like …” A frown creased his brow. “No one in your family has blue eyes, do they?”

Jasmine laughed. “You silly man! Say hello to your daughter.”

“My, my daughter? But I never – how? When did this happen?”

“After you left for war, I found out that I was pregnant. I had no way of sending a letter to you, so I could not share the wonderful news with you.” Fresh tears appeared in her eyes. “I was so scared without you, David. My family was here to support me, but I desperately needed you.”

“I am so sorry, Jasmine. Words cannot express the pain I feel at what you must have gone through, but you have managed to give me such a beautiful daughter. Will you help me hold her? I think I can manage it with my good arm.”

Heather could see that David was eager to carry his daughter.

“Let him sit down, Jas,” she said. “That should give him more balance and stability.”

“You are perfectly right, Heather. Come, my love, take a seat here. I shall help you hold her, do not be afraid.”

As Heather watched mother, father, and baby bond after being away from each other for so long, she could not help but be thankful for all the blessings in her life. Her family was finally complete and happy with the arrival of David, and everyone got along just fine. What made this all the more sweeter was that no one had to struggle or worry about money. Both the fortunes of the Baileys and the Richardsons had improved immensely, and her father had once again become one of the most powerful merchants in all of England and the known world. He had become so powerful that the Prince Regent had invited him to be knighted in the new year. Heather was proud of her father, knowing that this had been his life’s dream. He would soon become Sir Albert Bailey which she knew excited him to no end. She walked over to him, planting a kiss on his balding head.

“Papa, do you know what you will wear at your knighting service?”
“No, I am still undecided. Adam has told me of a tailor who creates the most magnificent attire for such special occasions. I think that I speak with him.”

“As long as it is nothing too ostentatious, my love,” her mother cautioned. “You would not want the Prince Regent to think that you are trying to show him up in his own court.”

Her father paled. “Do you suppose he would be vexed with me? I wish to dress appropriately, but I do not intend to out dress him.”

“Do not fret, Papa. I am certain that the tailor Adam has suggested will make sure that you do no such thing.”

Her father looked visibly relieved. “Oh, good. I would hate for my knighthood to be taken away before I have even had it for a day.”
“Did I hear that you will soon be knighted, Bert?” Coralline asked. “Why, that is excellent news! Whatever did you do to receive such a favour from our Regent?”

Heather answered for her father as she knew he was still a little ashamed for taking all the credit. The truth was that both he and Adam had worked on a model of a ship that had proven to be successful. It was strong, more weather resilient, and the only one of its kind in all the world. Her father had insisted that Adam take some of the credit, but her husband had declined, saying that it was time that others stepped into the limelight. He was happier in the background, doing what he loved.

“Papa has created a ship that has made the naval fleet a force to be reckoned with. Not even Bonaparte will be able to defeat us upon the waters, Papa’s design has made sure of that.”

“Indeed?” Coralline said, impressed. “Well, I applaud you, Bert! I think that we should all make a toast to you.”

“No, no, do not make a fuss, Coralline, please. More than enough will be made on the day I am knighted.”

“How modest and humble you are, Bert. Very well, at least allow me to give you a few pointers on how to address the Prince Regent, and what to say to him should he ask you some questions.”

“I am confident that I shall be fine, Coralline,” he said weakly.

Heather’s father was well aware of Coralline’s tendency to talk over everyone. Thus she saw no reason for him to argue when he knew it was futile.

“Nonsense, Bert,” the dowager insisted. “I have a wealth of information to bestow upon you. After all, I have been in such high circles before. Do you know that I met King George? Poor man, he is quite out of sorts now. Some do not think that he will recover, neither do I for that matter.”

Coralline went on to give an explanation of her meeting with the king, soon breaking into the topic of preferred behaviour for those called upon by the royal family. Heather took that opportunity to move away to search for her husband. She found him staring at her as he stood beside the fireplace, beckoning to her with the crook of his finger. Smiling, she went to him, giving a yelp of surprise when he drew her close and kissed her.

“Goodness,” she said once he let her go. “What on earth was that for?”
“Can a man not admire his own wife? I must say that you look fetching in this dress – you are positively glowing.”

Heather bit back a smile. If only he knew why she was glowing. She hugged his side, standing on tiptoe to whisper into his ear.
“I have something to tell you.”

“Ooh, it sounds devilishly wicked. Do you plan to give me my gift early?”

“Firstly, ’tis not what you are thinking, dear husband. And secondly, this gift is much better.”

“Better? I find that hard to believe.”

“Why don’t you come with me, and I shall reveal your gift to you.”
“To our bedchamber?” he asked hopefully.

What a wicked mind her husband had! But she would not trade him for all the world.

“Oh my goodness, Adam! Would you please focus? I assure you that it has nothing to do with our bedchamber.”

“All right, all right. I shall not mention anything about the BC.”
“BC? What on earth is that? Before Christ?”

“No, bedchamber.”

Heather covered her face, laughing. “What am I going to do with you?”
“Love me and give me all that I wish for,” he grinned.

“I shall fulfil one of your wishes today. Come along.”

She took his hand and pulled him, gaining amused expressions from her family.

“Where are you two off to?” her mother asked.

“Damned if I know,” said Adam. “She will not tell me a thing, but she says that she has a surprise and a gift for me, or perhaps it is the same thing.”

“We shall return soon, Mama. I am only borrowing my husband for a few minutes.”

“Very well. Have fun, children.”

“I shall do so once my husband stops asking so many questions and just follows my instructions,” Heather complained.

“Oh, my child,” her mother chuckled. “This is only the beginning. Wait until you have children.”

Her mother’s sweet-natured laughter followed them out of the door and into the hallway. Heather stopped just outside the library, suddenly both anxious and excited to give her husband the good news. The words would not come out of her mouth, so she took her husband’s hand and splayed his fingers on her abdomen.

“What do you think?” she managed to ask.

“Well, I’ll admit that you have become rounder in this section, but ’tis nothing to worry about. I would not mind it if you were to become pleasantly plump. I find that it suits women of your stature.”

She lifted an eyebrow. “Indeed? And which other women have you been looking at?”

“None, my dear. ‘Tis just an observation from my youth.”

“I certainly hope so, but I am not talking about whether I have grown rounder along my middle, I am talking about the child I am carrying.”

He visibly grew puzzled. “Where are you carrying this child?”

“Goodness! For the genius you are, you are amazingly obtuse. I am with child, Adam, our first child.”

Understanding dawned in his eyes. “You are pregnant with our child?”

“Yes.”

Adam surprised her by walking away, stopping by a wall to lean his head against it. Was he not happy with her news? She was confident that he would have been. Heather bit her lower lip, feeling out of sorts.
“I think that I shall give you a moment to digest this information,” she said before turning away.

She had not taken two steps before she was snatched from the ground and suspended in the air before being held against her husband’s chest.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!” he cried. “This is truly the best gift that you could have ever given me. How long have you known?”

“Not long, but I needed to be certain before I told you.”

“I am going to be a father!” he yelled.

“Hush! You will bring everyone here.”

“I do not care! Everyone should know that I will soon become a father. We have our very own home where we will make memories with our child, and hopefully children in time to come. Thank you, my love, thank you.”

He covered her face with kisses before ending with her lips. Swooning, Heather held onto him tightly although she knew that she did not have to. Adam would never let her go. Never.

THE END

---

Readers who read this book also liked