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“Papa, look! I found a frog!”
The boy’s exuberant voice rang out across the lush garden as Alexander Robert Turner bounded toward his father, cradling his treasure in dirt-streaked hands. Robert, standing at the edge of the lake, turned with a bemused smile, his sharp features softening as he crouched to meet his son at eye level.
“Well, Alex, he is a fine fellow,” Robert said, inspecting the small amphibian with a practiced eye. “But I suspect he’d much prefer the company of his friends by the water than your pocket.”
Alexander’s lips turned down into a thoughtful pout before he glanced back at the lake. “But I wanted to show Mama,” he said earnestly, his green eyes—the spitting image of his mother’s—wide with innocence.
From the shaded veranda of Dayton Manor, Charlotte watched the exchange with a smile, her heart swelling with pride. Emilia Grace Turner, their quieter but no less spirited child, sat beside her mother, diligently stringing daisies into a chain. The sunlight caught in the soft curls of her hair, giving her an angelic glow.
“Alex has found another unfortunate creature to torment, I see,” Charlotte remarked lightly, her voice carrying just enough to reach Robert’s ears.
Robert turned, raising a hand in mock surrender. “You’ll be pleased to know I’ve spared this one from the boy’s clutches. He’ll return it to the lake shortly.”
Charlotte chuckled, the sound warm and melodic. “See that he does, or I shall have to teach him a lesson in respecting nature.” She glanced down at Emilia, who was now holding up her daisy chain with a triumphant smile. “Oh, my darling, that’s beautiful! Shall we crown you the queen of the meadow?”
Emilia giggled and nodded eagerly, climbing into her mother’s lap as Charlotte placed the daisy chain gently on her head. “Now, you must give your royal commands,” Charlotte teased.
Emilia’s tiny brow furrowed in concentration. “Alex must be nicer to frogs!” she declared, her sweet voice carrying with surprising authority.
“I heard that!” Alex shouted, sprinting back toward them, his small boots kicking up flecks of dirt. He skidded to a stop before his mother and sister, the frog now gone. “I was nice to the frog! Papa said I could let him go.”
Charlotte raised a playful eyebrow. “Then it seems you’ve followed Her Majesty’s orders without knowing it. Well done, Sir Alexander.”
The boy puffed out his chest proudly, and Robert joined them on the veranda, standing behind Charlotte and resting a hand on her shoulder. “You have a way with decrees, my dear,” he said with a wry smile.
Charlotte leaned her head back to look up at him, her eyes sparkling. “It’s easy when one has such agreeable subjects.”
Robert chuckled softly, his hand brushing against hers. The children, oblivious to the tender moment between their parents, resumed their play—Alex dashing back toward the garden paths and Emilia rearranging her daisies.
“You’ve given them a wonderful life,” Charlotte said quietly, her gaze lingering on their children. “A life filled with love and freedom.”
Robert’s thumb grazed her knuckles as he replied, his voice low and steady. “We’ve given them that together, Charlotte. None of this would exist without you.”
As the sun began its descent, casting a golden hue over the gardens, Charlotte felt a profound sense of peace. They had overcome so much, and here, at Dayton Manor, they had created something beautiful—a sanctuary built on love, respect, and shared dreams.
“Let’s walk,” Robert said suddenly, extending his hand to her.
Charlotte smiled, slipping her hand into his as they descended the veranda steps. Behind them, the laughter of their children filled the air, a reminder of all they had gained and all that awaited them in the years to come.
The path that wound through Dayton Manor’s gardens was dappled with sunlight, the tall oaks and elms casting shifting patterns across the ground. Robert and Charlotte walked side by side, their steps unhurried, the tranquility of the evening wrapping around them like a warm embrace.
“Do you think Alex will ever grow out of his fascination with frogs?” Charlotte asked with a smile, glancing up at Robert.
“I doubt it,” Robert replied with a chuckle. “He’s as curious as you were when you climbed that oak tree in Ashford to see a bird’s nest, only to be too frightened to come down.”
Charlotte laughed, nudging him lightly with her shoulder. “I wasn’t frightened—I was cautious. There’s a difference, my dear husband.”
“Ah, of course,” Robert teased, his eyes glinting with humor. “Caution. That explains why you insisted on climbing even higher when I offered to help you down.”
Charlotte tilted her head, pretending to consider his words. “Perhaps Alex gets his adventurous streak from both of us. And Emilia, her practicality—she certainly didn’t inherit that from me.”
“True,” Robert agreed, his tone affectionate. “She’s the steadying force of the family. Though I suspect that, like her mother, she’ll surprise us all one day with how bold she can be.”
They strolled in comfortable silence for a while, the only sounds the soft rustle of leaves and the distant laughter of their children. The path curved gently, leading to a small, serene lake nestled within the grounds. The surface gleamed like glass, reflecting the colors of the evening sky.
Robert paused, turning to face Charlotte. “There’s something I wanted to show you.”
Charlotte raised an intrigued eyebrow as Robert gestured to a small wooden bench under the shade of a willow tree. On the bench lay a leather-bound journal, its edges worn but its cover meticulously kept.
“What is this?” she asked, picking it up and running her fingers over the embossed initials: CRT.
“It’s yours,” Robert said, a small smile tugging at his lips. “I’ve been working on it for the past few years—adding little notes and sketches about the family, our home, the moments that have shaped us. It seemed only fitting for it to belong to you.”
Charlotte opened the journal, her breath catching as she turned the pages. Inside were delicate illustrations of Dayton Manor, the children, and even her favorite wildflowers. Between the sketches were entries written in Robert’s neat hand, recounting memories both profound and whimsical.
“This…” Charlotte began, her voice trembling. “This is incredible, Robert.”
“I wanted you to have something tangible,” Robert said softly. “Something to hold onto, even when the years take us far from these days. A reminder of what we’ve built together.”
Tears pricked at Charlotte’s eyes as she closed the journal carefully, holding it to her chest. “You always know exactly what to say. What to do.”
Robert stepped closer, brushing a stray curl from her face. “Only because you inspire me, Charlotte. You’ve taught me that life is not just about duty but about finding joy in the smallest things—in laughter, in love, in moments like these.”
Charlotte leaned into him, their foreheads touching as they shared a quiet moment. The journal felt like a testament to their journey—a story written not only with ink and paper but with the choices and sacrifices that had brought them here.
“I love you,” Charlotte whispered, her voice steady despite the emotion behind it.
“And I love you,” Robert replied, his arms encircling her.
As the first stars began to appear in the twilight sky, they sat together on the bench, the journal resting between them like a bridge to the past and a promise for the future.
The glow of the manor’s windows shone warmly against the encroaching darkness as Charlotte and Robert made their way back from the lake. The air was cool and carried the faint fragrance of blooming roses from the nearby garden. As they reached the veranda steps, they were greeted by the sight of Mary and Marc arriving in their carriage, their laughter carrying over the quiet evening.
“Charlotte! Robert!” Mary called, her face alight with excitement as she descended from the carriage. “I hope you’ve saved some supper for us. Marc’s appetite is insatiable after a long ride.”
Marc feigned indignation, placing a hand over his chest. “It’s true, but you hardly need to announce it to the entire countryside.”
Charlotte laughed, moving to embrace her dearest friend. “You’re both just in time. The children will be thrilled to see you. Alex has been desperate to show off his new ‘frog sanctuary.’”
“And Emilia?” Mary asked, her eyes sparkling with affection.
“Likely sketching flowers or organizing her dolls,” Charlotte said with a fond smile. “She’s far too sensible to indulge Alex’s antics for long.”
As they all moved inside, the lively hum of the household grew warmer. The dining room had been prepared for their impromptu gathering, the long table adorned with a simple but elegant arrangement of candles and fresh wildflowers.
The children, having been alerted to their visitors, came racing down the hall. Alex barreled into Marc with unbridled enthusiasm. “Uncle Marc! Did you bring the cricket set you promised?”
“I most certainly did,” Marc replied, lifting Alex with ease and spinning him around. “But you’ll have to wait until morning to test it out.”
Emilia, ever the calm and collected one, walked over to Mary and curtsied before giving her a shy hug. “It’s lovely to see you, Aunt Mary,” she said softly, her words far too composed for her age.
“My little lady,” Mary said with an exaggerated air of pride. “You grow more graceful every time I see you.”
As the children scampered off to share their excitement, the adults settled into the dining room. Laughter flowed freely as they dined on roast chicken, fresh vegetables, and warm bread, all accompanied by robust wine.
“Charlotte,” Mary said as the conversation drifted toward lighter topics, “do you remember the summer we tried to sneak into your father’s library to find that forbidden book?”
Charlotte nearly choked on her wine, her eyes widening with mock horror. “Mary! I was hoping you’d forgotten about that.”
Marc leaned forward, grinning. “Oh, this sounds promising. Do tell.”
“She dragged me into that mischief,” Charlotte protested, though her smile betrayed her amusement. “Father caught us before we could even open the cover. I think it was the one and only time he truly raised his voice at me.”
“And it was worth every moment,” Mary added, laughing. “I think we were grounded for weeks. Your poor governess.”
Robert leaned back in his chair, watching the women’s playful banter with quiet fondness. The bonds of friendship that had endured years of trials and separation were now stronger than ever, and it filled him with gratitude to see Charlotte surrounded by such joy.
As the evening wore on, the conversation turned toward the future.
“Have you given any thought to taking the children to Ireland, Charlotte?” Mary asked, sipping her wine.
Charlotte nodded. “We’ve spoken of it often. Grandmama visits regularly, but I’d love for the children to see the fields and cliffs I grew up with. They’ve heard so many stories, but nothing compares to experiencing it for themselves.”
“And you, Robert?” Marc asked. “What adventures await you?”
Robert smiled, glancing at Charlotte before answering. “My adventures are here now. Raising Alex and Emilia. Supporting Charlotte’s work in the arts. And perhaps… enjoying a bit of peace after years of turmoil.”
Charlotte reached for his hand beneath the table, their fingers intertwining. “Peace suits you, my love,” she said softly.
The evening ended with promises of future visits and laughter still echoing in the halls. As Robert and Charlotte escorted their friends to the door, the bond they shared felt as unbreakable as ever.
The following morning dawned crisp and bright, the golden sunlight streaming through the tall windows of Dayton Manor. Charlotte stood by the nursery window, watching Alex and Emilia chase each other across the dewy lawn. Their laughter rang out, a sound so pure it tugged at her heart.
Behind her, Robert entered the room quietly, his presence as steady and reassuring as ever. He wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder.
“They’re getting faster,” Robert said with a chuckle. “Alex nearly outran me yesterday. I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be able to keep up.”
Charlotte leaned back against him, her smile soft. “Emilia will be the one to outrun us all. She’s clever enough to lead us in circles.”
They stood in silence for a moment, watching their children. The future felt as boundless as the sky above them, filled with the promise of days yet to come.
“You’ve given us a beautiful life, Robert,” Charlotte said quietly.
Robert turned her gently to face him, his expression earnest. “We’ve built it together, Charlotte. None of this would mean anything without you.”
He kissed her forehead, a gesture filled with tenderness and gratitude.
Later that afternoon, Grandmother Georgia arrived, her carriage pulling up to the manor with its usual fanfare. Alex and Emilia were the first to greet her, their voices a chorus of excitement as they helped her down.
“Grandmama, I made you a drawing!” Emilia exclaimed, tugging at Georgia’s hand.
“And I caught a frog, but Papa said I couldn’t keep it,” Alex added, his tone slightly mournful.
“Wise advice,” Georgia said with a chuckle, her sharp eyes softening as she knelt to hug them both. “Now, show me everything you’ve been up to, and don’t spare a single detail.”
Charlotte and Robert joined them outside, Charlotte’s face lighting up at the sight of her grandmother.
“Grandmama,” she said warmly, embracing the older woman. “It’s so good to have you here again.”
Georgia patted Charlotte’s cheek affectionately. “And it’s always a joy to see how well you’re doing, my dear. You’ve built something extraordinary here.”
As the family gathered in the drawing room for tea, the conversation flowed with ease, filled with shared memories and laughter. Georgia recounted stories of Charlotte’s childhood, much to Alex and Emilia’s delight.
“She was always the spirited one,” Georgia said with a wink. “I could never keep her in one place for long.”
“Still true,” Robert teased, earning a playful swat from Charlotte.
As the day waned, the family found themselves once more on the veranda, the setting sun casting its golden light over the gardens. The children ran through the grass, their voices echoing in the stillness, while Charlotte and Robert stood hand in hand, watching them with quiet pride.
“You know,” Charlotte said softly, “I never imagined life could be this perfect. After everything we’ve been through, I sometimes wonder if it’s all a dream.”
Robert turned to her, his eyes filled with love. “If it is, it’s a dream I never want to wake from.”
They stood together as the first stars began to appear, the night sky stretching endlessly above them. Around them was the home they had built, the family they had created, and the love that had carried them through every trial.
In that moment, Charlotte rested her head on Robert’s shoulder, a smile on her lips and contentment in her heart. The road ahead would bring new challenges and new joys, but whatever came, they would face it together—secure in the knowledge that they had truly found their happily ever after.
OFFER: A BRAND NEW SERIES AND 2 FREEBIES FOR YOU!
Grab my new series, "Love and Yearning in the Ton ", and get 2 FREE novels as a gift! Have a look here!
Hello there, my dear readers. I hope you enjoyed the book and this Extended Epilogue! I will be waiting for your comments. Thank you! 🙂 💕📖
Wonderful read
Awesome, thank you so much!
Happy Christmas!
A good story that I enjoyed very much. Victor was totally irritating – I thought Charlotte showed great restrain with him constantly hovering around her. I wish you would have told us what happened to Charlotte’s brother Alexander. How did her mother stop Robert’s letters? Wouldn’t he have sent them directly to Charlotte in Ireland, like the previous letters? Just some questions that I pondered as I read the story.
Thank you so much dear Terry! You are raising some valid points and I will keep them in mind to discuss them with my editor!