The Art of Tempting a Marquess – Extended Epilogue

James

‘How agreeable it is to see Saint Paul’s again,’ James remarked as he assisted Kate up the stairs and between the stately columns of the cathedral. She was heavy with child, but true to her eccentric nature had refused to remain in seclusion if it meant missing Betty’s wedding day.

We shall once again cause a great deal of talk, James mused without any great distress.

‘Has it really only been a year?’ Kate huffed as they entered through the grand doorway.

‘The finest year of my entire existence,’ James said fondly.

’Twas summer again, and the flowers were plentiful, as evidenced by the multiple extravagant bouquets scattered about the nave and around the altar.

Viscount Harland was already there, waiting for his bride. James noticed the look of pleased satisfaction on Kate’s face as she gazed at the husband-to-be.

‘You approve of the match,’ he commented.

Kate gave him a quick grin. ‘I am very pleased for Betty. She had a difficult first season, and some say that if one is not married in the first year, all is lost. Instead she dusted herself off and tried again, and look how it turned out! The very young gentleman she liked from the beginning. I am very glad.’

They settled in the pew beside Lord and Lady Thorburn, exchanging bows, curtseys, and greetings. As Kate sat, James, even attentive, noticed she winced.

‘Dearest, are you unwell?’ he asked.

‘My heavens, no. I am fine, my dear.’

Still, he watched her closely, anxious to any sign of concern. She appeared untroubled, however.

Kate

He will insist on hovering like a mother hen, Kate thought with fond annoyance.

Then the bride arrived and began her procession down the aisle.

Kate sighed happily. Betty looked magnificent. A year had changed her somewhat. Gone was the childish chubbiness. She had a sleekness now that resembled a graceful ermine. Her dark hair was swept into a crown of sapphires and silver filigree. Her gown was silver and blue, as well, cut with a fashionably low back. She held a bouquet of blue delphinium and sage. But ’twas the radiant expression on her face that moved Kate near to tears. Betty was as full of joy as Kate had been on her own wedding day, and she could have hoped for nothing better.

As the service got underway Kate felt a tightening around her middle. Anxiety fluttered, but ’twas not a new sensation; indeed, she had felt it many times in the last month, so she pushed aside her misgivings. Still, she guarded against letting the discomfort show on her face, for James was as attentive as ever.

The tightening eased but returned again a few moments later. By the end of the service, the intensity of the sensation had begun to increase. A thrill of fear rippled through Kate at the thought that this could indicate that her time had come.

The bells rang out and Betty and her new husband laughed and smiled as they exited the cathedral. Everyone stood, following them out. James supported Kate’s arm as he always did these days, and she was quietly grateful. The muscles in her abdomen were cramping and her back ached.

Then as they left the church to wave to the bride and groom in their phaeton, a sensation of liquid bursting startled her. She clutched James’s arm in surprise.

‘What is it, Kate?’ he asked, alarmed.

She met his eyes. ‘I do believe the baby is coming.’

James acted at once, sweeping her into his arms and hastening to carry her to where their landau waited. The carriage was penned in, however, for they were not the only ones leaving.

‘I should never have allowed you to leave Thorburn!’ James exclaimed, panicked.

‘Nonsense; I should have had your head if you prevented me from attending the wedding,’ Kate said, then grit her teeth against a contraction that spread through her whole body. ‘Oh.’

‘Gerard! You must get us home at once!’ James bellowed.

‘You mustn’t fret, James,’ Kate said as the pain subsided. ‘I am only experiencing what is normal in a lying-in.’

But James would not be so easily appeased. He harassed the coachman, who understood well his master’s anxiety and took the abuse in stride. After a quarter of an hour, which seemed to Kate to be a good deal longer, they at last moved out of the crowd and could increase the landau’s speed. Later, thinking of it, Kate marvelled that Gerard had accomplished their escape so quickly, although it did not feel quick at the time.

When they reached the Thorburn townhouse James lifted her in his arms again and moved with all speed inside, up the staircase, and into her bedchamber, shouting all the while to every servant within earshot to summon the doctor and prepare for a birth. He laid her gingerly on her bed, then stroked the hair back from her forehead. The chignon she wore had already become mussed. James tenderly removed the pins and combs and loosed her locks. She met his eyes as he did, and smiled at him.

She did not want him to know how very afraid she was.

Her mother had died in childbirth. Secretly, she had feared since her pregnancy was confirmed that she would follow where her mother had led. ’Twas perhaps because of some flaw in her mother’s body, after all, which she could have inherited. She had told no one of these thoughts, but now they filled her with mounting terror.

What if this is the last time I shall hold James’s hand in mine?

What if I shan’t live to see my own baby?

‘Might I bring you something, my love?’ James asked, kissing her fingers. ‘Water? A cushion?’

‘Now, I want for nothing. Only, pray, do not leave me, James.’

‘I shan’t be parted from your side, my dearest.’

Moments later the door opened, and Aunt Mary bustled in. Kate was deeply thankful that her aunt had come to stay these last weeks, in anticipation of the birth. Aunt Mary had assisted in many births as an informal midwife. Kate thought privately that her aunt knew more on the subject than the doctor himself.

Aunt Mary was business-like and unruffled. She ordered about several chambermaids and Pascal, preparing linens and a tub of boiled water, as well as herbal concoctions Kate had little knowledge of.

‘There now, my dear, we shall see to you until the doctor comes, shan’t we,’ Aunt Mary said soothingly. ‘Lord Thorburn, ’tisn’t done for the father to remain in the birthing room.’

‘Poppycock. I shall not be moved.’

‘I expected you might say something like that,’ Aunt Mary said. ‘Very well, but I advise you to remain at the head of the bed. I’ve known a fellow or two who wandered lower, that fainted dead away at the worst possible moment.’

James blanched but tightened his grip on Kate’s hand.

The contractions were coming closer together. A muscle jumped in James’s cheek but he said nothing. Kate knew he wanted the doctor, but she felt confident in Aunt Mary.

The older woman examined Kate with firm, skilled hands. ‘Not long now,’ she said. ‘I shall tell you when it is time to push, my dear.’

Kate’s reality was now split into two: the minutes of agony that engulfed her, and then the minutes of relief when the pain abated. When the powerful labour pains took her she writhed with suffering, wishing she might escape her own body. They subsided and she panted, weak with gratitude. All the while, James held her hand.

‘Time to push, Kate,’ she heard Aunt Mary say after an eternity that James later told her was actually only an hour. ‘The next pain shall signal to begin.’

As her muscles hardened, Kate pushed.

‘That’s the way, my girl! Well done,’ Aunt Mary encouraged her.

Kate closed her eyes, waiting for the next contraction, and thought of her mother, whom she had never known. The pain came, and she pushed, the encouraging words of her aunt distant as she cried out. As the contraction eased, she then thought of her adoptive mother, whose baby had died. Fear and agony mixed, and her eyes flew open, meeting James’s green. He held her hand close to his chin, then kissed the fingers. ‘You are a goddess,’ he whispered to her.

A smile came to her lips.

I will have this baby, and I will live, and nothing and no one will stop me.

I will have the life I fought for, with my love and my child. I will!

‘Alright, my girl, you have to give the little one out now, for I daresay it’s caught in the birth canal and may be having some difficulty,’ Aunt Mary warned.

No.

I WILL have this baby.

As the pain started again, Kate grit her teeth, and pushed with everything she had.

The pain was unthinkable, and then came a sensation of slipping, and overwhelming relief.

‘Oh! My dearest Kate! You’ve done it!’ Aunt Mary exclaimed. A moment later, the air was filled with the lusty cry of her baby.

Aunt Mary held up the infant for the mother and father to see.

‘A beautiful girl!’ she said, laughing with tears in her eyes. ‘You did it, my dear Kate!’

Aunt Mary wiped the baby clean and wrapped her in some of the linen, then placed her in Kate’s arms.

James leaned in close, admiring his daughter with shining eyes. Kate looked from one to the other, feeling fatigued but full of joy and love.

‘I should like to name her Mary,’ she said.

‘A very fine name,’ James agreed.

***
Mary was a hale and hearty child. She was soon joined by two brothers, Frederick and John, and together they involved themselves in no end of mischief in the manor and grounds of the Thorburn estate. Their parents liked to travel, and more often than not went against the usual expectations and brought them along. Although so far, they had remained in the British Isles, everyone longed to sail to Greece and Italy, for the passion James had for ruins and ancient sites became a family interest. He read to them the old myths and spoke at length about architectural topics, managing by force of his own fascination to make the subject engaging for the children as well.

One summer day Kate sat with Betty in the gardens at Thorburn, watching her three play with Betty’s two. There was a squabble over skittles, which required some mediation, and Betty saw to it, then returned to take back up her tea with her sister.

‘You were saying, the cathedral in Kent?’ Betty prompted.

‘Yes, James is enamoured of the windows,’ Kate replied. ‘He has written another monograph.’

‘You visited it twice last year?’

‘Three times. I do adore the coastline there.’

‘I do wish you might spend a little more time in London,’ Betty complained. ‘I never see you at the dinners and balls we attend.’

‘Do you enjoy them?’

‘Usually. Harland is a delightful dancer, you know,’ Betty smiled. ‘And I have made friends over the years.’

‘I am glad for you,’ Kate said. ‘But I do not miss the high society of London. Lady Henrietta quite ruined it for me, I suspect.’

‘Did I hear you mention Lady Henrietta?’ Aunt Mary said, walking over to join them on Uncle John’s arm. The Norwoods often visited as they considered Kate’s daughter and sons their grandchildren, much to the dowager marchioness’s annoyance. Kate had come to see the elder Lady Thorburn’s snobbery as a welcome reminder not to let her own rise in station turn her head.

‘Yes,’ Kate replied to her aunt. ‘Have you news of Her Ladyship?’

‘Oh, yes, that I do,’ Uncle John said, sitting next to his wife on a white-painted bench. ‘They’ve gone bankrupt. Can you imagine? His man approached me just last week to sell me their farm!’

Kate’s mouth dropped open in shock.

‘Bankrupt? With her dowry? Can they have spent it all?’ Betty sputtered.

‘And after only eight years!’ Aunt Mary said.

‘Merciful heavens,’ Kate said. ‘And might you buy their farm, Uncle?’

‘I am tempted, I will own,’ he replied.

‘I do wonder what will become of them,’ Kate said.

‘I daresay they shall have to find work,’ Aunt Mary replied. ‘He shall become a farmhand, I daresay, and perhaps she’ll take in washing or the like.’

Lady Henrietta, a washwoman. Kate bit her lip to keep from smiling. ’Twas too hard to imagine.

A few minutes later James arrived, returning from a trip to oversee the canal he had invested in in Wiltshire. He kissed Kate’s hand tenderly after giving everyone a proper greeting. The children saw him and threw themselves in his arms. He spun each one around, provoking peals of laughter and shrieks of delight.

As he re-joined the adults, accepting a cup of tea from his wife, he sat down in a chair next to her.

‘Alden is returning from the continent,’ he announced. ‘I just received a letter. He intends to retire at last.’

‘Oh, how delightful!’ Kate said.

‘Uncle Frederick? What good news,’ Betty agreed.

They spoke of the end of the war and the death of Napoleon, and then James invited Kate to go for a walk with him.

Stepping lightly from the gardens into the rather wild woods of Thorburn, Kate smiled at her husband in happy contentment. He returned her gaze with adoration.

‘My darling, I fear I may have disappointing news,’ he said after a time.

Kate’s brow furrowed. ‘Oh? What is it?’

‘We shan’t see much of Alden at all, I think. At least for a time.’

Kate was bemused by this. ‘Why ever not? I am sure if we invite him, he shall call on us here at Thorburn. And we may spend a month in town if it means seeing more of him, as well. I know he is your dearest friend, James.’

‘Indeed, he is, as evidenced by the naming of our first son after him,’ James agreed. ‘However, our situation shall make visiting with him quite impossible.’

Kate frowned at him. ‘By heaven, you do speak mysteriously. Whatever scheme you have in mind, do make it clear.’

James laughed. ‘How well you know me, my dear. I do indeed have a scheme,’ he allowed. ‘We shan’t see Alden because we shan’t be in England at all.’

At this Kate stopped and faced him squarely, taking hold of his arms. ‘Lord Thorburn, cease this teasing at once! What can you mean by it?’

‘Only that we have passage on a merchant ship bound for Athens, Lady Thorburn,’ he replied, looking very pleased with himself. ‘We sail in a fortnight’s time.’

‘No!’

‘I assure you, ’tis true.’

Kate squealed and threw her arms around his neck, and James lifted her and whirled her around. They were deep in the forest, with no one to scandalize, so he kissed her passionately, still holding her tightly.

When she pulled back she had to catch her breath before speaking. ‘Greece? Truly? And the children…?’

‘Coming as well, of course. Even Johnny, though I daresay we shall like to have Aunt Mary along if she’ll consent, to assist in caring for the three of them.’

‘Oh, James!’

‘Are you happy, my love?’

‘Happy? I am overjoyed!’

He laughed. ‘I am most gratified, then.’

They had come to a stop next to an old, moss-covered wall and a large patch of wild-growing lavender. Several butterflies of orange and black fluttered around it. Kate took James’s hand and admired the beauty of their surroundings as her heart soared with excitement for the voyage that lay ahead.

‘Oh, James, we shall see the Acropolis and the Parthenon!’

‘And the Ancient Agora and Hadrian’s Library,’ James said.

‘The Temple of Olympus!’

They beamed at each other in wonder.

James pulled her to him and kissed her again. Kate felt her body warm to his touch, and returned the kiss ardently. His hands stroked her hair and back, and she slipped her fingers into his locks.

The kiss deepened. He ran his hands over her bottom, squeezing the firm flesh through her skirts. She stroked his strong arms and broad chest. With a playful grin he lifted her and sat her on the wall. Pushing up her skirts, he pressed his lips to her throat. Delighted and aroused, Kate rocked back in his arms, offering herself to him. Her skirts bunched to reveal her naked legs, she revelled in the sensations of his hands sliding up her thighs.

Her fingers fumbled with the buttons of his waistcoat, and the ties of his breeches. Parting his shirt, she kissed and licked his chest, making him murmur in pleasure. His hands delved under her skirts now, fondling her hips and backside. When he moved one hand to the warm area of inner thighs, she sighed. He stroked the tender folds there, slipping a finger inside her. She gasped with each caress.

‘I shall have you here, now,’ he whispered in her ear. His voice made her wild with desire. Her body was aflame, yearning for more.

‘Yes,’ she said.

His breeches came loose in her hands, and he grasped her hips, lifting her a little so he could position himself. Then she felt him at her opening. Closing her eyes and letting herself relax against the arm he used to support her, she cried out as he penetrated her.

His mouth found her breast as she rocked back, her hips bucking against him as she thrust. HIs ardour was demanding. The excitement he provoked in her built with his urgency. He was breathing hard, and hearing him drove her to distraction.

He filled her, pushing deeper with every plunge. She felt she would split apart with pleasure soon.

‘Oh, James,’ she called out.

His movements increased in intensity, and she crested, her fingers clutching him as she peaked, the rapture engulfing her. She cried out with bliss, spasms of pleasure racking her. He held her tight, spilling as well.

As their fierce love making gave way to peaceful contentment, James held Kate in his arms. She nestled her head into the crook of his neck, relishing this moment.

‘Greece,’ she murmured against him gleefully.

‘And next year, Italy, perhaps?’

‘We simply must see Rome,’ Kate agreed.

‘And Pompeii!’

‘Oh yes,’ Kate said, rousing herself and straitening her dress. ‘And what of France?’

‘I should like to see the Pont du Gard. An aqueduct near Montpellier, you know.’ He pulled up his trousers.

‘Might we sail one day to Malta?’ she asked as she fiddled with her hair.

‘What a capital idea! They have some fascinating sites in Malta!’

They continued in this way after they had restored themselves to presentability, and all the way back to the manor.

‘I saw an illustration of an ancient castle in Poland,’ Kate said.

‘Now I must see it myself,’ James replied.

‘And I recall another illustration of ruins in Belgium.’

‘I daresay we shall have to study them as well.’

And so they continued, planning a life of travel and sightseeing for themselves and their children that was sure to bring them years upon years of joy.

THE END

---

Readers who read this book also liked