An Earl’s Path to Passion – Extended Epilogue

---

OFFER: A BRAND NEW SERIES AND 2 FREEBIES FOR YOU!

Grab my new series, "Lust and Longing of the Ton", and get 2 FREE novels as a gift! Have a look here!

---

Essington Manor, Kent, five years later

“There you are!” Emma’s voice rang out as clear as a bell in the crisp winter air. “I thought you would never arrive!”

Olivia laughed, pulling in the reins of her horse. Dear old Pem, her favourite, had died a year ago. Now she was riding Pem’s daughter, a spirited black mare named Belle. And she had snuck away from Essington Manor to do it, just like she had always done when she was a girl. Well, not quite. She had told Alexander, but she had not waited to hear his reply before fleeing to the stables.

Emma laughed, her eyes glowing. “Still dressing like you always did for a ride, Olivia? Men’s britches and a cap?”

Olivia gazed down at her riding apparel. “I always said it then and I shall say it again now,” she said, in a mockingly grave voice. “Men’s clothing is just so much more comfortable to ride in. I do not see why that should change just because I am an old married woman now.”

Emma rolled her eyes. “You are six and twenty, Olivia, hardly an old lady!” She laughed. “Come on, let us get this ride, before we must return to our regular lives.”

Olivia did not need to be told twice. They rarely got the chance to do this anymore. They were both so busy in their separate lives that going for a ride together, just the two of them, was low on their priorities. But as they headed out over the rolling green hills that were just starting to become speckled with white snow, she vowed that she would make sure they did it more often.

They rode hard, galloping swiftly across meadows, heading down into valleys and crevasses. It was early winter. The trees were bare, with hardly a leaf hanging off any branches. They looked like stark skeletons against the pale blue sky. The flowers were almost gone, as well. When they reached the top of the highest hill, they gazed down at the view, extending for miles in all directions.

Olivia breathed deeply, gazing out, her heart flipping over. She so rarely got to see her beloved home from this vantage point any longer. There was Essington Manor, sprawling majestically, the grandest house in the county by far. In the other direction, she spotted the village of Kirkwell, where Alexander’s Aunt Edwina still lived. Lucy was not living there anymore. Not since she had moved to London permanently after marrying Mr Ambrose Vale, a handsome and wealthy merchant. And to Olivia’s delight, it was a love match, just like her dear sister-in-law had always wanted.

She frowned. She had not seen Lucy and her new husband in over three months. She missed her. Lucy had become so much a part of their lives, always staying at Essington. She really must talk to Alexander about a trip to London to visit them very soon.

Lastly, her eyes settled upon the graveyard. The final resting place of her father and brother. Even after all these years, it still made her feel sad. She took a deep, ragged breath. At least Mama was still able to visit them regularly. Her mother’s home was at Essington Manor and always would be. That was something.

“Oh, Lord!” exclaimed Emma suddenly, biting her lip. “We should head back. We have been gone for at least an hour or more.”

Olivia jumped guiltily, thinking of Alexander. She had lost track of the time entirely. “Oh, has it been that long?”

Emma nodded. They did not say another word. They simply headed back down the hill, galloping as fast as they could. For today of all days, she should not tarry. The ride had been lovely but today was special. There was so much to do.

Alexander would really be wondering where she had vanished. 

For today was her grandfather’s seventieth birthday. A wonderful milestone for a wonderful man who had lived such a rich, colourful life. They were having an afternoon garden party for him. A magnificent cake had been baked. An assortment of games had been planned. Two dozen guests had been invited. Her mother would be tearing her hair out by now, wondering where she was, needing help with the arrangements.

She was needed at home. Probably at least a quarter of an hour ago.

But as they galloped back over the meadows, she did not regret this time she and her best friend had spent together by themselves. For it reminded her of the girls they had been. A whole other life, before becoming adults, their lives veering in differing directions. The memory of a life she would always cherish.

                                                                               ***

Alexander was waiting for her at the front gates. His blue eyes were snapping with impatience.

“Olivia,” he said, in a curt tone. “Why must you go gallivanting off on a day like this?”

She smiled down at him from the horse, dismounting in one swift move. Then she ran up to him, throwing her arms around his neck, planting a kiss on his cheek.

“Do not be mad with me, darling,” she said in a low whisper. “I was only riding with Emma. We so rarely get a chance to do it anymore.”

His face softened. He pulled back, staring at her, his eyes raking over her from head to toe. His mouth started twitching with amusement. “I see some things never change! Still heading out dressed as a boy?”

“Always.” She laughed, glad to see that he was not mad with her now.

He leaned forward suddenly, reefing the cap off her head so that her dark curls tumbled down her back. He reached out, taking one long tress in his hand, stroking it gently. His eyes were full of fire.

“I can still remember when I realised you were a girl that day in Hyde Park,” he said, his eyes full of tender fervour. “Your cap fell off and your glorious hair tumbled down. I was so shocked.” He chuckled. “And aroused. You were simply the most gorgeous thing I had ever laid eyes on.”

Olivia sighed, pressing herself against him, tingling all over. He was still the most handsome man she had ever seen. They had been married for seven years now and she still desired him as much as ever. Maybe even more. And the love just deepened with every passing year. 

He still teased her, infuriating her often. Sometimes they fought. But it never lasted long. They always found their way back to each other. And the making up was sometimes so much fun that it was almost worth it.

Her sea captain had hung up his own hat. He did not captain his fleet of ships any longer. He insisted that he could not spend so much time away from England. But he still owned the business and went to London to take care of it. Olivia did not resent it. She knew it made him happy and that was all she wanted. He still had enough time left over to see to the duties of the estate. Her grandfather had handed over the reins to him more and more as he aged. Now that Grandpapa was turning seventy, he said he just wanted to enjoy what little time he had left with his family.

She wound her arms around her husband’s neck. She was the luckiest woman alive and she knew it. She did not like to think about how different it could all have been—how she might have married someone else, out of sheer obstinacy, because she could not admit she was falling in love with him.

They kissed, surrendering themselves to each other. Olivia almost lost sense of time and place once again until they were knocked sideways and two pairs of little arms wound themselves around their legs, clinging to them for dear life.

“Stop kissing!” said a little voice. “Grandmama needs you!”

They laughed, springing apart. Bridget, their oldest child, had an imperious way of speaking to her parents. The four-year-old was spirited, bossy, and did not like to be told no to anything. Olivia often thought her daughter could rule the world one day. 

Alexander leant down, scooping up his daughter, tickling her under the chin. “My, you are a saucy little miss today, Bridie!”

The little girl scowled at her father, then giggled. Soon she was roaring with laughter.

Olivia bent down to pick up her younger child, placing him on her hip. Samuel was golden-haired and grey-eyed and the most adorable little creature in the world. He had just turned three and still sucked his thumb from time to time. Now, he had the digit firmly implanted in his mouth, staring at her with huge eyes, before curling into her like a little bear cub.

Olivia’s heart melted as she rocked her baby. Their children were the most precious things in the world. She appreciated them more because they had taken so long coming. But eventually, she had gotten her fervent wish and been blessed.

She smiled, thinking of that day long ago, when Alexander had made love to her against the tree in the gardens here. He had told her afterwards, in the manner of a prophecy, that he thought her wish to have a child was about to happen. 

And he had been right. Two weeks later she had started to feel sick. Her courses did not arrive. She had barely dared hope it was true, but it was. She was finally with child. Nine months later their beautiful Bridie had arrived, howling into the world. A girl with black hair just like her own and her father’s deep, intense blue eyes. 

Sam had arrived barely a year after his older sister. It seemed once the Lord had decided to bless them with children, he was being serious. Now she could not imagine life without them. It was very busy, often chaotic, always exhausting, but she would not have it any other way.

“There you are!” cried her mother, walking towards them. “The children and I were getting worried about you, Olivia. Where did you disappear to?”

Olivia laughed. “Just a quick ride with Emma, Mama. But I am ready to help with the party now. What do you need me to do?”

They all walked back into the house together. Olivia felt another wave of deep contentment wash over her. How beautiful life was. She had her family and her home. And now, they were ready to celebrate the patriarch of it all, in a manner deserving of him.

                                                                                  ***

The garden party turned out to be even better than they had anticipated. The weather held off and the sun shone brightly, as if smiling down upon her grandfather. There was croquet and sack races. The children ran around like dizzy starlings, stuffing themselves with cake, until Nanny dragged them into the house for their afternoon naps.

After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, and the games were over, Alexander hushed the guests, raising his glass of champagne in the air.

“I want to drink a toast to a wonderful man,” he said, his eyes shining with tears. “Reginald Oakley, the Earl of Weaver, took me in almost eight years ago, naming me his heir.” He paused. “But it became much more than that. Reginald has become a second father to me. He has mentored me and guided me. He has always been generous and kind to me—because that is the man he is. Please raise your glasses.  Happy birthday. To Reginald!”

The guests echoed the toast, raising their own glasses, before drinking deeply. Olivia felt a tear trickle down her face as she gazed at her grandfather, standing to attention, his snow-white hair getting thinner with every year.

He had been a father to her, as well. He had done everything for her. He had raised her when her own father died. He had looked after her mother, as well.  He had protected Olivia and given her everything. And the greatest gift he had given to her was standing right there. He had given her the love of her life. For if he had not gone searching for an heir to the Weaver earldom all those years ago, she would never have met Alexander. 

She walked up to her grandfather, placing a soft kiss upon his cheek, filled with love. “Thank you, Grandpapa,” she whispered. “I know my father and brother would have loved to be here to celebrate this milestone with you. And I know they would be as proud as I am.”

His eyes filled with tears. “Life turns full circle, Olivia. I have lived to see my great grandchildren. And now, I see that our family will survive, after years of despair.” He paused. “I want nothing more now. You and Alexander have made this old man very happy, indeed.”

                                                                                     ***

When the last of the guests had left, and the party over, Olivia and Alexander retired to their chambers at last. It had been a long, exhausting day but they were both still thrumming with the spirit of the occasion.

“Grandpapa was so happy,” said Olivia, taking off her earrings. “I do not think I have ever seen him happier. It was like he had achieved his life’s work.”

Alexander nodded. “Yes, he was very emotional. And proud. As he has every right to be.” He paused. “I meant what I said today. He is like a father to me. And he has given me everything—this home, the earldom…and you, Olivia.” His voice was pulsing with love. “A man could not ask for anything more.”

Her heart flipped over in her chest. She walked up to him, winding her arms around his neck, gazing up at him. “I was thinking the exact same thing today. That if it was not for Grandpapa, I would never have even met you.”

He grinned. “Well, we did first meet in the park that day. But we were not introduced.”

“How could I forget?” she said, rolling her eyes. “You were so rude to me. As you always were. You loved to get me fired up, did not you?”

“It was my favourite sport in the world,” he whispered, nibbling her neck. “I could not keep away from you. I still cannot.”

She sighed. “To think I might have married Bertie.” She shuddered at the thought. “What a disaster that would have been. A gambler, a kidnapper…why, the man is a degenerate.”

Alexander frowned. He still could not discuss Bertie without getting emotional. “He got his comeuppance in the end,” he said in a hard voice. “A year in gaol for abduction. Since his release he has gambled away everything. The last I heard is that his parents were forced to sell Langley Park to cover his debts.”

Olivia felt sad. “Those poor people. Imagine having a son like him.”

Alexander shrugged. “They should have tempered his indulgent nature from the start. Then he might not have become the monster he did.” He sighed heavily. “Let us not talk about him. You know even the thought of him infuriates me.”

Olivia nodded. She did not want to talk about Bertie either. He was a part of their past. She was in no danger of running into him as he would never enter good society again. Bertie was an outcast, a pariah, and he had done it all to himself. She was just grateful that her brush with him had ended so well.

“Are you tired?” he asked, in a soft voice, his blue eyes glowing.

Olivia shivered. “I should be, but I am quite awake,” she whispered. “Do you have something in mind?”

He grinned. “As a matter of fact, I do. Come with me.”

                                                                                       ***

The moon shed a pearlescent light as they walked down the garden path, hand in hand. The night seemed to have been made for them. Even though it was chilly, the sky was clear, studded with a thousand shining stars. Olivia felt like she could almost see all the way to heaven.

She sighed with contentment. They had looked in on the children in the nursery on their way out. Both were sound asleep. Watching their beautiful faces in slumber always moved her. How precious they were. And how lucky she was to have them.

Finally, he stopped, turning to her. He fumbled in his jacket pocket, taking out a letter. “I have something for you.” He handed it to her.

Olivia took it, reading it beneath the light of a lamp. A smile spread over her face. Small sparks of excitement were already shooting up her spine. 

Apparently, they were going to travel to the Americas.

“How?” she whispered. “Why?”

He grinned. “One of my former captains has emigrated there and has a house in New York,” he said. “We have kept in contact and now he has invited me, along with my family, for an extended stay there.”

Olivia laughed with sheer delight. “Really? Me and the children as well?”

He kissed the tip of her nose. “Of course. He knows that I would never go anywhere for a long period of time without you all. So, we shall set sail for the Americas together. A family adventure.”

She laughed again. “A Fletcher family adventure! Oh, you are brilliant!”

She threw her arms around him. She did not think she could love him more than she did in this moment, but then, she always thought that. Her husband was like a fine wine—he just seemed to get better with age. 

Life was never predictable with him. It was always full of adventure. And she would not want it any other way. 

They kissed. The kiss deepened. And the next thing she knew, he was taking her into the trees again. She shuddered with anticipation. Yes, life with him was always an adventure. And often in more ways than one.

Readers who read this book also liked

---

OFFER: A BRAND NEW SERIES AND 2 FREEBIES FOR YOU!

Grab my new series, "Lust and Longing of the Ton", and get 2 FREE novels as a gift! Have a look here!

---