The Duke She Swore Never to Love – Extended Epilogue

4 Years Later

“Careful!” Lady Hartwood hurried over, scooping the small child away from the Christmas tree. “We don’t want you to end up underneath it, Eric.”

“I wanted to play!” he cried.

“Not with a pine tree. You’ve already stepped on several of the needles.” Lady Hartwood passed Eric to Alastair. “I’m beginning to wonder how I managed to cope with you and Helena when you were children. It’s like having eyes in the back of your head.”

Alastair laughed. “You did hire a nanny and governess to raise us, Mother.”

“And I’m starting to wish I’d been a bit more hands on. I have to admire you and Arabella. I don’t know how you do it.” The dowager duchess groaned and hurried away. “Mirabel, don’t do that! You don’t want to splash hot tea all over you.”

“I’ve got her, Marianne.” Arabella picked up Edmund and Helena’s daughter, tickling the little girl’s nose. “What did your parents tell you about reaching up onto a table taller than you?”

“I wasn’t to do it.”

“So why were you doing it now?”

Mirabel pouted, her expression saying she knew she’d been caught and she was about to sulk. Four years old and full of personality. Kissing her cheek, Arabella put her down and nudged her toward Edmund as he lounged by the fire.

“Go and sit with your father. And don’t go near the fire. We don’t want you going up into flames again.”

Lady Hartwood shuddered. “Don’t remind me. That was terrifying.”

“I’ve apologized for that, Marianne,” Edmund pointed out. “And she knows not to go near the fire again.”

“What about near trays of hot tea?” Lady Hartwood threw her hands up. “Honestly, I love my grandchildren, but this is just ridiculous. Am I the grandmother or the governess?”

“Mother, maybe you should calm down,” Alastair suggested. “You’re starting to get flustered.”

Sure enough, his mother did look hot and bothered. She’d been running around getting things ready for Christmas and making sure it was perfect for the other guests, and it was beginning to get to her. Arabella had tried to calm her down, but Lady Hartwood didn’t seem to want to calm down. She wanted Christmas to be perfect.

“Why don’t we go and sit with Helena and Clara?” Arabella suggested, slipping an arm through her mother-in-law’s. “It’ll be calmer in there, and I’ll get you a sweet cup of tea.”

She gave the older woman a wink, which made Alastair wonder what that was code for. It seemed to calm Lady Hartwood down, and she nodded in agreement. Eric wriggled off Alastair’s lap and trotted over to her, his little three-year-old face staring up at her.

“I apologize, Grandma,” he said. “I didn’t mean to be naughty.”

Lady Hartwood’s expression softened, and she knelt to give Eric a kiss and a hug. “I know. Grandma’s just tired, and she needs to rest. Be good for your father.” She stood up and nodded at Arabella. “Let’s go. I could go with that sweet tea.”

Smiling, Arabella led her from the room. She glanced back at Alastair, and he felt the warmth settle in his chest. She was glowing and happy, managing to move around well despite being so close to giving birth. The doctor had said she was going to give birth to twins, which had them in a state of excitement mixed with fear. With Eric, it was going to be a handful.

Mirabel clambered up onto Edmund’s lap, her father cuddling her against his chest.

“Is Mama coming back?” she asked.

“She’ll be right back.” Edmund kissed her head. “She’s just feeding your little sister and putting her down for a nap.”

“And Auntie Clara?”

“The same with her.”

Alastair went to the drinks cabinet and poured out three glasses, which he handed out to Edmund and Philip before he sat down with his own. Philip sat back and stretched out his legs.

“This feels strange,” he said.

“How do you mean?” Alastair asked.

“A few years ago, I was beginning to think that I would be alone, and I wouldn’t have anyone around me, especially at Christmas. Now I’m married and a father, and this is my favorite time of the year.”

Alastair grinned. “You’ve managed to turn things around well for yourself, Philip.”

“All because of you. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

There was that, but Alastair liked to think he’d only given Philip a nudge to make it do the changes himself. After he proposed to Arabella, he’d taken his brother-in-law aside and gone over his debts with a fine-tooth comb, seeing how much he actually owed. Once that was done, and Alastair had helped to pay it off completely, Philip was free to make a fresh start. It had taken a few bumps in the road, but then it seemed to come together for him.

Philip was like a changed man. He’d given up gambling, he drank sparingly, and he’d taken up painting again. His talent was obvious, and Alastair had a feeling he’d be able to make some money off some of them. But it seemed to be something to pass the time, and Philip was more than happy to indulge in his hobby.

He’d also had Clara supporting him and urging him on. She was an avid painter as well, and she’d gone out with him every time he went to paint to support him. Even if she didn’t do any painting, she sat nearby and read a book, content to be around him. It took six months before the two of them finally confessed their feelings and another four months before they were married, but having a wife who loved him for who he was really had made Philip settle down. He seemed to be calmer, more laidback. The only exception was when Clara was giving birth five months before, and Philip had been pacing back and forth, terrified that something was going to happen. Thankfully, both mother and son were fine, but Philip did have to force himself not to hover over Clara and little Benny.

Edmund seemed to have calmed himself down as well. Being with Helena had been a positive experience for him as well, and now he and Helena had two beautiful daughters, and their devotion to each other was evident. Alastair couldn’t be more happy for his sister and brother-in-law. There had been times when he worried that Edmund would slip into his old ways, especially with playing cards as he used to, but he needn’t have been concerned; Helena was a steady force in his life, and Alastair knew he could trust her to keep Edmund as he was.

He wouldn’t want to mess that up when he had a woman like Helena by his side.

“Clara and Helena are taking a long time,” Philip remarked, glancing toward the door. “I wonder what’s keeping them.”

“Two hungry babies, that’s what,” Edmund said with a laugh.

Philip rolled his eyes.

Alastair nudged his leg. “Don’t fret so much. They’ll be fine. Arabella will be looking after the pair of them. Mother will as well. She’s been like a mother hen with those three, looking after them.”

“I have a feeling she’s enjoying it now,” Philip remarked.

“She loves children. She just didn’t want to be around for the… more difficult parts.” Alastair shrugged. “Then again, that might’ve been because of Father. He didn’t like children being around, full stop.”

“I’m surprised he had children given his dislike of them,” Edmund said. Mirabel looked up at him.

“Was Grandpa not very nice?” she asked.

“Not really,” Alastair replied. “He was very scary. Especially when we were your age.”

Mirabel chewed her bottom lip and stuck her finger in her mouth. “Then I’m glad I don’t have to meet him,” she said. “I don’t like scary people.”

Edmund laughed and kissed her head. “You don’t have to worry about any of that, darling. Why don’t you go and find your mother and sister? They’ll want to see you.”

“Can I go and see them?”

“Just as long as you’re calm and you don’t be too rough with your sister.”

“I won’t. I promise.”

Mirabel jumped off her father’s lap and trotted toward the door, reaching up to tiptoe to grab onto the handle. She gave them a wave before she disappeared. Philip finished his drink in one go, belching loudly a moment later. Edmund groaned.

“Philip! That’s disgusting!”

“There’s nobody here to tell me otherwise. And it seems to be a side effect from cutting down on my drinking to every now and then.” Philip shrugged. “You’re going to have to put up with it, I’m afraid.”

Alastair chuckled. “I’m sure we can forgive. Although I don’t think Mother will if she was in here.”

“I’ve done it in front of her already.”

“What?”

Philip grinned. “She thought it was amusing. She’s loosening up more than you think.”

Alastair sat and considered that. It was surprising to see the way his mother had changed in the last few years. She’d worked really hard to shake off the persona she’d had for years after being married to a bully of a husband, and now it was like a different person completely. Lady Hartwood was more outgoing, more relaxed, and seemed to be happier than ever. Alastair liked this new side of her. He wished that it hadn’t taken him and Helena putting her in her place and finding love for her to change, but he would take any small victory.

And she was great with her children’s spouses, not to mention she was a doting grandmother. When both Arabella and Helena were recovering from childbirth, Lady Hartwood was there to help with the children, to give her daughters a rest and make sure they got their nutrients in. She even offered to help out instead of going out, much to everyone’s surprise. Arabella had wondered that she was reliving being a young mother again, and it would make sense. Lady Hartwood was showing she really did love children, even if they drove her mad.

She was also starting to find new love of her own. While she wouldn’t openly admit it, Alastair had noticed a widowed gentleman coming over every few days to either take his mother out or sit in and talk. They got along really well, and there was something relaxed about the two of them that suggested feelings were building. In fact, Lady Hartwood’s gentleman was coming over on Boxing Day to visit.

Alastair was half-expecting her mother to announce her own engagement by Easter.

“By the way,” Edmund sat forward, his elbows on his knees as he lowered his voice. “Have you heard about Sebastian? I received news from a friend who’s just come back from the Americas. He ended up seeing Sebastian and recognized him.”

Alastair sat up. He hadn’t heard anything about it. Then again, he’d chosen to ignore anything about his cousin, wanting to concentrate on his wife and making sure she was happy. That was his priority.

“Who was it?” he asked. “And how did they see Sebastian?”

“Simon Tope. The Earl of Ipswich’s younger son? We were friends at school.”

“Oh, Simon! I haven’t heard from him in years!”

“He’s only just come back from Baltimore to introduce his wife and children to his family. I bumped into him in the park and our children played together while he told me about Sebastian.”

“What’s happened?” Philip asked, curiosity clearly getting the better of him.

“Well, he went to dinner at a friend’s house, and they had a new butler. Apparently, he was rather sullen, but he did as he was told, and he didn’t cause any trouble for them, so they decided to keep him on for a while longer to see if he could adapt.”

Alastair could see where this was going. He exchanged looks with Philip, who appeared to have come from the same conclusion.

“Are you telling me that Sebastian was the new butler?”

Edmund nodded. “Yes! Simon couldn’t believe it when he saw him. He was thinner and looked like he’d aged a bit, but it was him. He didn’t say anything in his friend’s presence, but he managed to get Sebastian into a corner and asked him what happened. Apparently, Sebastian tried to set up home here with the money you gave him, Alastair, but he spent it all far too quickly. Then he tried to get it back gambling in their card halls, but it didn’t work. They’re a lot cannier than we are, and Sebastian lost everything. He had to swallow his pride and do something to keep his head above water…”

“And he became a servant,” Alastair murmured.

“Exactly. He was embarrassed that Simon recognized him, but was grateful nothing was said. He was already teased in the servants’ quarters for being a duke’s cousin and now he was a butler, and he didn’t want it to get worse.”

Alastair let this sink in. He had thought that Sebastian would take the money Alastair gave him as an incentive never to come back to England and make something of himself. He was a resourceful man. And it looked like he’d made a lot of bad choices.

At least he was trying to make something of himself. Even if it was humiliating for him. Maybe humbling himself would help out.

“Does Arabella know about this?” he asked.

“No, I haven’t said anything. And Helena doesn’t know either, and I know she would say something.” Edmund shrugged. “I thought it was best to leave it unless we’re specifically asked.”

“I think that’s wise.” Alastair sat back. “She’s going to give birth to our twins soon. I don’t want her to go through extra stress like she does every time she hears Sebastian’s name.”

Philip grimaced. “She’s not the only one. It’s one of the few times I feel humiliated at what I did and almost cost her everything.”

Alastair squeezed his brother-in-law’s shoulder. “You don’t need to worry about that. He’s never coming back. Wait, Eric!”

His son, who had clambered back onto the settee between him and Philip after hugging Lady Hartwood, had clambered back down again and was once more playing with one of the baubles on the tree. Alastair jumped up and scooped him away, but it was too late. The tree wobbled, and then toppled over, very nearly hitting Alastair and Eric as they moved out of the way.

Edmund burst out laughing. “It was only a matter of time. Serves you right.”

Groaning, Alastair put Eric on the floor and crouched before him. Eric looked embarrassed.

“I apologize, Papa.”

“You can make it better by helping me pick up the tree and decorating it again. And make sure you’re extra nice to Grandma when she comes back in.”

Looking at his little boy, who started to pick up the errant baubles, Alastair knew he couldn’t bring himself to be cross with him. He was just curious, making his own adventures.

Hopefully, his future adventures wouldn’t be as taxing as Alastair’s own.4 Years Later

“Careful!” Lady Hartwood hurried over, scooping the small child away from the Christmas tree. “We don’t want you to end up underneath it, Eric.”

“I wanted to play!” he cried.

“Not with a pine tree. You’ve already stepped on several of the needles.” Lady Hartwood passed Eric to Alastair. “I’m beginning to wonder how I managed to cope with you and Helena when you were children. It’s like having eyes in the back of your head.”

Alastair laughed. “You did hire a nanny and governess to raise us, Mother.”

“And I’m starting to wish I’d been a bit more hands on. I have to admire you and Arabella. I don’t know how you do it.” The dowager duchess groaned and hurried away. “Mirabel, don’t do that! You don’t want to splash hot tea all over you.”

“I’ve got her, Marianne.” Arabella picked up Edmund and Helena’s daughter, tickling the little girl’s nose. “What did your parents tell you about reaching up onto a table taller than you?”

“I wasn’t to do it.”

“So why were you doing it now?”

Mirabel pouted, her expression saying she knew she’d been caught and she was about to sulk. Four years old and full of personality. Kissing her cheek, Arabella put her down and nudged her toward Edmund as he lounged by the fire.

“Go and sit with your father. And don’t go near the fire. We don’t want you going up into flames again.”

Lady Hartwood shuddered. “Don’t remind me. That was terrifying.”

“I’ve apologized for that, Marianne,” Edmund pointed out. “And she knows not to go near the fire again.”

“What about near trays of hot tea?” Lady Hartwood threw her hands up. “Honestly, I love my grandchildren, but this is just ridiculous. Am I the grandmother or the governess?”

“Mother, maybe you should calm down,” Alastair suggested. “You’re starting to get flustered.”

Sure enough, his mother did look hot and bothered. She’d been running around getting things ready for Christmas and making sure it was perfect for the other guests, and it was beginning to get to her. Arabella had tried to calm her down, but Lady Hartwood didn’t seem to want to calm down. She wanted Christmas to be perfect.

“Why don’t we go and sit with Helena and Clara?” Arabella suggested, slipping an arm through her mother-in-law’s. “It’ll be calmer in there, and I’ll get you a sweet cup of tea.”

She gave the older woman a wink, which made Alastair wonder what that was code for. It seemed to calm Lady Hartwood down, and she nodded in agreement. Eric wriggled off Alastair’s lap and trotted over to her, his little three-year-old face staring up at her.

“I apologize, Grandma,” he said. “I didn’t mean to be naughty.”

Lady Hartwood’s expression softened, and she knelt to give Eric a kiss and a hug. “I know. Grandma’s just tired, and she needs to rest. Be good for your father.” She stood up and nodded at Arabella. “Let’s go. I could go with that sweet tea.”

Smiling, Arabella led her from the room. She glanced back at Alastair, and he felt the warmth settle in his chest. She was glowing and happy, managing to move around well despite being so close to giving birth. The doctor had said she was going to give birth to twins, which had them in a state of excitement mixed with fear. With Eric, it was going to be a handful.

Mirabel clambered up onto Edmund’s lap, her father cuddling her against his chest.

“Is Mama coming back?” she asked.

“She’ll be right back.” Edmund kissed her head. “She’s just feeding your little sister and putting her down for a nap.”

“And Auntie Clara?”

“The same with her.”

Alastair went to the drinks cabinet and poured out three glasses, which he handed out to Edmund and Philip before he sat down with his own. Philip sat back and stretched out his legs.

“This feels strange,” he said.

“How do you mean?” Alastair asked.

“A few years ago, I was beginning to think that I would be alone, and I wouldn’t have anyone around me, especially at Christmas. Now I’m married and a father, and this is my favorite time of the year.”

Alastair grinned. “You’ve managed to turn things around well for yourself, Philip.”

“All because of you. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

There was that, but Alastair liked to think he’d only given Philip a nudge to make it do the changes himself. After he proposed to Arabella, he’d taken his brother-in-law aside and gone over his debts with a fine-tooth comb, seeing how much he actually owed. Once that was done, and Alastair had helped to pay it off completely, Philip was free to make a fresh start. It had taken a few bumps in the road, but then it seemed to come together for him.

Philip was like a changed man. He’d given up gambling, he drank sparingly, and he’d taken up painting again. His talent was obvious, and Alastair had a feeling he’d be able to make some money off some of them. But it seemed to be something to pass the time, and Philip was more than happy to indulge in his hobby.

He’d also had Clara supporting him and urging him on. She was an avid painter as well, and she’d gone out with him every time he went to paint to support him. Even if she didn’t do any painting, she sat nearby and read a book, content to be around him. It took six months before the two of them finally confessed their feelings and another four months before they were married, but having a wife who loved him for who he was really had made Philip settle down. He seemed to be calmer, more laidback. The only exception was when Clara was giving birth five months before, and Philip had been pacing back and forth, terrified that something was going to happen. Thankfully, both mother and son were fine, but Philip did have to force himself not to hover over Clara and little Benny.

Edmund seemed to have calmed himself down as well. Being with Helena had been a positive experience for him as well, and now he and Helena had two beautiful daughters, and their devotion to each other was evident. Alastair couldn’t be more happy for his sister and brother-in-law. There had been times when he worried that Edmund would slip into his old ways, especially with playing cards as he used to, but he needn’t have been concerned; Helena was a steady force in his life, and Alastair knew he could trust her to keep Edmund as he was.

He wouldn’t want to mess that up when he had a woman like Helena by his side.

“Clara and Helena are taking a long time,” Philip remarked, glancing toward the door. “I wonder what’s keeping them.”

“Two hungry babies, that’s what,” Edmund said with a laugh.

Philip rolled his eyes.

Alastair nudged his leg. “Don’t fret so much. They’ll be fine. Arabella will be looking after the pair of them. Mother will as well. She’s been like a mother hen with those three, looking after them.”

“I have a feeling she’s enjoying it now,” Philip remarked.

“She loves children. She just didn’t want to be around for the… more difficult parts.” Alastair shrugged. “Then again, that might’ve been because of Father. He didn’t like children being around, full stop.”

“I’m surprised he had children given his dislike of them,” Edmund said. Mirabel looked up at him.

“Was Grandpa not very nice?” she asked.

“Not really,” Alastair replied. “He was very scary. Especially when we were your age.”

Mirabel chewed her bottom lip and stuck her finger in her mouth. “Then I’m glad I don’t have to meet him,” she said. “I don’t like scary people.”

Edmund laughed and kissed her head. “You don’t have to worry about any of that, darling. Why don’t you go and find your mother and sister? They’ll want to see you.”

“Can I go and see them?”

“Just as long as you’re calm and you don’t be too rough with your sister.”

“I won’t. I promise.”

Mirabel jumped off her father’s lap and trotted toward the door, reaching up to tiptoe to grab onto the handle. She gave them a wave before she disappeared. Philip finished his drink in one go, belching loudly a moment later. Edmund groaned.

“Philip! That’s disgusting!”

“There’s nobody here to tell me otherwise. And it seems to be a side effect from cutting down on my drinking to every now and then.” Philip shrugged. “You’re going to have to put up with it, I’m afraid.”

Alastair chuckled. “I’m sure we can forgive. Although I don’t think Mother will if she was in here.”

“I’ve done it in front of her already.”

“What?”

Philip grinned. “She thought it was amusing. She’s loosening up more than you think.”

Alastair sat and considered that. It was surprising to see the way his mother had changed in the last few years. She’d worked really hard to shake off the persona she’d had for years after being married to a bully of a husband, and now it was like a different person completely. Lady Hartwood was more outgoing, more relaxed, and seemed to be happier than ever. Alastair liked this new side of her. He wished that it hadn’t taken him and Helena putting her in her place and finding love for her to change, but he would take any small victory.

And she was great with her children’s spouses, not to mention she was a doting grandmother. When both Arabella and Helena were recovering from childbirth, Lady Hartwood was there to help with the children, to give her daughters a rest and make sure they got their nutrients in. She even offered to help out instead of going out, much to everyone’s surprise. Arabella had wondered that she was reliving being a young mother again, and it would make sense. Lady Hartwood was showing she really did love children, even if they drove her mad.

She was also starting to find new love of her own. While she wouldn’t openly admit it, Alastair had noticed a widowed gentleman coming over every few days to either take his mother out or sit in and talk. They got along really well, and there was something relaxed about the two of them that suggested feelings were building. In fact, Lady Hartwood’s gentleman was coming over on Boxing Day to visit.

Alastair was half-expecting her mother to announce her own engagement by Easter.

“By the way,” Edmund sat forward, his elbows on his knees as he lowered his voice. “Have you heard about Sebastian? I received news from a friend who’s just come back from the Americas. He ended up seeing Sebastian and recognized him.”

Alastair sat up. He hadn’t heard anything about it. Then again, he’d chosen to ignore anything about his cousin, wanting to concentrate on his wife and making sure she was happy. That was his priority.

“Who was it?” he asked. “And how did they see Sebastian?”

“Simon Tope. The Earl of Ipswich’s younger son? We were friends at school.”

“Oh, Simon! I haven’t heard from him in years!”

“He’s only just come back from Baltimore to introduce his wife and children to his family. I bumped into him in the park and our children played together while he told me about Sebastian.”

“What’s happened?” Philip asked, curiosity clearly getting the better of him.

“Well, he went to dinner at a friend’s house, and they had a new butler. Apparently, he was rather sullen, but he did as he was told, and he didn’t cause any trouble for them, so they decided to keep him on for a while longer to see if he could adapt.”

Alastair could see where this was going. He exchanged looks with Philip, who appeared to have come from the same conclusion.

“Are you telling me that Sebastian was the new butler?”

Edmund nodded. “Yes! Simon couldn’t believe it when he saw him. He was thinner and looked like he’d aged a bit, but it was him. He didn’t say anything in his friend’s presence, but he managed to get Sebastian into a corner and asked him what happened. Apparently, Sebastian tried to set up home here with the money you gave him, Alastair, but he spent it all far too quickly. Then he tried to get it back gambling in their card halls, but it didn’t work. They’re a lot cannier than we are, and Sebastian lost everything. He had to swallow his pride and do something to keep his head above water…”

“And he became a servant,” Alastair murmured.

“Exactly. He was embarrassed that Simon recognized him, but was grateful nothing was said. He was already teased in the servants’ quarters for being a duke’s cousin and now he was a butler, and he didn’t want it to get worse.”

Alastair let this sink in. He had thought that Sebastian would take the money Alastair gave him as an incentive never to come back to England and make something of himself. He was a resourceful man. And it looked like he’d made a lot of bad choices.

At least he was trying to make something of himself. Even if it was humiliating for him. Maybe humbling himself would help out.

“Does Arabella know about this?” he asked.

“No, I haven’t said anything. And Helena doesn’t know either, and I know she would say something.” Edmund shrugged. “I thought it was best to leave it unless we’re specifically asked.”

“I think that’s wise.” Alastair sat back. “She’s going to give birth to our twins soon. I don’t want her to go through extra stress like she does every time she hears Sebastian’s name.”

Philip grimaced. “She’s not the only one. It’s one of the few times I feel humiliated at what I did and almost cost her everything.”

Alastair squeezed his brother-in-law’s shoulder. “You don’t need to worry about that. He’s never coming back. Wait, Eric!”

His son, who had clambered back onto the settee between him and Philip after hugging Lady Hartwood, had clambered back down again and was once more playing with one of the baubles on the tree. Alastair jumped up and scooped him away, but it was too late. The tree wobbled, and then toppled over, very nearly hitting Alastair and Eric as they moved out of the way.

Edmund burst out laughing. “It was only a matter of time. Serves you right.”

Groaning, Alastair put Eric on the floor and crouched before him. Eric looked embarrassed.

“I apologize, Papa.”

“You can make it better by helping me pick up the tree and decorating it again. And make sure you’re extra nice to Grandma when she comes back in.”

Looking at his little boy, who started to pick up the errant baubles, Alastair knew he couldn’t bring himself to be cross with him. He was just curious, making his own adventures.

Hopefully, his future adventures wouldn’t be as taxing as Alastair’s own.

THE END