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“Mrs. Hastings, the violets should be by the window,” Isabella signed, her movements fluid and confident. Her blue eyes shone with gentle determination as she oversaw the final preparations in the drawing room. Morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting a warm glow on the polished floors and fresh flower arrangements.
Mrs. Hastings nodded, understanding Isabella’s silent instructions perfectly. “Of course, Your Grace. The light will make them look splendid.”
Isabella smiled in thanks, her hands brushing together in a gesture of satisfaction. The hum of activity filled Blackwood Castle as footmen, maids, and cooks bustled about, readying the estate for a special visit. Aunt Cecilia, her husband, and their children were due to arrive within the hour for a week-long stay. The thought filled Isabella with quiet excitement.
The past five years had transformed the castle into a place of light and laughter. What once had been shrouded in silence and sorrow was now a vibrant home, where joy echoed through every hallway.
A burst of laughter floated from the family room—formerly the old drawing room—and Isabella’s heart warmed. She followed the sound, her steps light, and paused at the doorway to take in the scene before her.
Nathaniel sat cross-legged on the thick carpet, their two children clambering over him with squeals of delight. William, now four, had his father’s dark hair and determined brow, while Lydia, just turned three, was a golden-haired whirlwind of mischief. Nathaniel’s eyes sparkled with amusement as he let out a dramatic groan.
“Oh no!” he exclaimed, feigning defeat. “The bravest duke in Yorkshire, captured by two fierce warriors!”
William puffed out his chest. “We got you, Papa!”
Lydia giggled, her curls bouncing wildly. “You can’t escape!”
Nathaniel’s eyes flicked up to Isabella’s, his expression softening with love. The man who had once hidden from the world now laughed freely, his children’s joy healing the wounds of his past. Isabella’s heart swelled at the sight of him—this was the man he was always meant to be.
“Mama!” William called, spotting her. He dashed over and grabbed her hand. “Come play with us!”
Lydia toddled after him, arms outstretched. “Please, Mama!”
Isabella laughed silently, her eyes crinkling with joy. She bent to kiss each child’s forehead, her fingers brushing through their hair. She looked up at Nathaniel, her hands moving swiftly—You’re outnumbered, my love.
Nathaniel chuckled, feigning defeat. “I fear I may never recover.” He rose to his feet and took Isabella’s hand, his thumb tracing gentle circles over her knuckles. “They’ve tired me out, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
She smiled, her eyes shimmering with emotion. You’re a wonderful father.
He leaned down to press a kiss to her forehead, his voice a husky whisper. “Only because I have you by my side.”
The children tugged at Isabella’s gown, their excitement bubbling over. “We have to get ready, Mama! Aunt Cecilia is coming!” William announced.
Lydia clapped her hands. “Cousins!”
With a grin, Isabella gestured toward the hallway—Go wash up, both of you. The children dashed off, their laughter trailing behind them like sunshine.
Nathaniel slipped his arm around Isabella’s waist, pulling her close. “You’ve made this house a home,” he said softly, his eyes filled with gratitude.
She placed her hand over his heart, feeling its steady beat. We did it together.
They stood in companionable silence for a moment, the hum of the household surrounding them. A gentle breeze carried the scent of lavender through the open window, and the sound of carriage wheels crunching over gravel caught their attention.
“They’re here,” Nathaniel said, his lips curving into a smile.
Hand in hand, they made their way to the entrance hall. The gleaming black carriage rolled to a stop, and the door opened to reveal Aunt Cecilia. Her brown eyes sparkled with warmth as she stepped down, her husband, Mr. Thornton, close behind. Their children, Clara and Hugh, clambered out eagerly, their faces alight with excitement.
Cecilia’s gaze met Isabella’s, and a flood of unspoken affection passed between them. They embraced tightly, Isabella’s fingers lingering on her aunt’s shoulder. I’ve missed you so much.
Cecilia’s eyes softened. And I you, dearest.
Mr. Thornton greeted Nathaniel with a firm handshake. “It’s good to be back, Your Grace.”
Nathaniel’s smile was genuine. “Welcome, Thornton. It’s been too long.”
The children wasted no time in reuniting. William and Lydia squealed as they pulled Clara and Hugh into the garden, their chatter and laughter blending in a happy cacophony.
As they watched the children disappear among the hedgerows, Cecilia touched Isabella’s arm and smiled. Her fingers moved gracefully. You’ve built something beautiful here.
Isabella nodded, her eyes shimmering. It feels like a dream sometimes.
Nathaniel’s fingers brushed Isabella’s back, grounding her. He glanced toward the garden, where the children’s laughter floated back to them. “It’s a good dream,” he said softly.
They walked together to the terrace, where the garden had been set with tables for tea. Sunlight filtered through the trees, dappling the linens with golden patterns. Isabella paused, her gaze sweeping over the scene with quiet pride.
Nathaniel drew her close. “Remember when this place was filled with shadows?” he murmured.
She nodded, memories flickering in her mind. We’ve come so far.
He pressed a kiss to her temple. “Together.”
They settled on the terrace, the children playing within sight. Mr. Thornton poured tea while Cecilia arranged delicate pastries on fine china.
The sound of approaching hooves drew their attention. A second carriage arrived, and from it emerged James Deverell, his wife Amelia, and their two children. James’s ever-present grin widened as he approached.
“Blackwood!” James called, his eyes glinting with mischief. “I see you’re still standing.”
Nathaniel smirked. “It takes more than two children to bring me down.”
James laughed, clapping Nathaniel on the back. “You’ve gone soft, my friend. And happier for it.”
Amelia embraced Isabella warmly. “It’s so good to see you.”
Isabella’s smile was radiant. The feeling is mutual.
As the families gathered, the terrace filled with laughter and conversation. The shadows of the past seemed distant now, replaced by the warmth of friendship and love.
Cecilia leaned close to Isabella. Even Marianne has settled down, she signed. She married a gentleman in Bath.
Isabella’s brows lifted in surprise, then softened. I’m glad she found peace.
Cecilia nodded. No more shadows.
As the sun dipped low, casting the garden in hues of gold and amber, the group gathered for a final toast. Nathaniel raised his glass, his dark eyes meeting Isabella’s.
“To family, friendship, and love that endures.”
Everyone echoed the sentiment, the clink of glasses ringing out like a promise.
Nathaniel’s fingers intertwined with Isabella’s beneath the table. He leaned close, his voice low and tender. “We found our way.”
She nodded, her eyes shimmering. And we always will.
He kissed her softly, the world around them fading to a gentle hum. In that kiss was everything—love, resilience, and the promise of forever.
Beneath the starlit sky, their hearts beat as one.
OFFER: A BRAND NEW SERIES AND 2 FREEBIES FOR YOU!
Grab my new series, "Secrets and Passions of High Society", and get 2 FREE novels as a gift! Have a look here!
Hello there, my dearest readers! I hope you enjoyed the book and the Extended Epilogue! I will be waiting for your comments here. Thank you 😊
It was a lovely story full of romance, intrigue, adventure, suspense and a lot of insecurities. You have the lovely relationships between Cecelia and Isabella, Nathaniel and Isabella and Nathaniel and James. You also have the villains. It was a good read and I read it one sitting. Since I received an ARC I have to point out what I found wrong. Since when did lady Cecelia`s husband lose his title of Lord Westbrook and become plain Mr. Thornton as you have him listed as in the extended epilogue? The other thing I didn’t agree with was the voice coming back and getting lost again. There was no physical damage to her vocal chords. She originally lost her voice due to the traumatic carriage accident in which her mother was killed. It made sense for her voice to come back in another traumatic situation. I thought it was likely to happen when she saw Nathaniel in danger and screamed to warn or protect him. You chose to give it back to her to say I love you when she thought she was about to die. Not my choice but I can accept that. What is the logic in taking it back once she is saved? There is no further trauma to lose it again. You could have left her with some voice capabilities to speak in whispers or low volume. This is just my opinion. Overall it was one of your better books.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful feedback! I’m so glad you enjoyed the story overall and appreciated the relationships between the characters. I truly value your observations. I’ll definitely take your points into consideration for future stories. Your input is invaluable, and I’m grateful for the time you took to share it. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on my next book! 😊