Three Years Later

They’d been busy. It was always the first thing anyone said to them. Surrounded by the squirming toddlers desperate to escape the clutches of their parents and nannies, Adeline couldn’t blame them.

Three children in three years. Sometimes she looked at Kit and wondered if he’d done it on purpose. The thought went as quickly as it came because she knew it was simply because her husband could not keep himself away from her, as she could not with him.

And they had three children to show for it. The most recent was nestled in Adeline’s arms, sleeping peacefully. It had been two months since she’d given birth to little Hanna and she was quickly shaping up to be the calmest of her children. Frances, the eldest son who made sure anyone he came across knew him as such, and Belinda, her quiet but stubborn daughter, had left both Kit and Adeline with little energy. It was why Kit had suggested they get a governess early on and then a nanny as well when it became clear that their children would give them a lot of work.

But Adeline wouldn’t’ change her current situation for the world.

She watched mildly as the governess tried to cajole the belligerent Frances back to his chair. He already had that wicked look in his eyes—one of the many things he’d inherited from his father—which made it clear that he had no intention of doing what he was told. The governess was so focused on Frances that she did not notice Belinda sneaking away from the pews.

Adeline had no strength to say anything. She was at that stage in motherhood where she just left them be if they were of no danger to themselves or anyone else. She watched, amused, as Belinda trotted over to where Kit stood. She was attached to Kit at the hip.

She tugged on Kit’s breeches and it distracted him from the conversation he was having with the Earl of Silverdale. Without breaking his sentence, he swept Belinda up into his arms and she nestled comfortably against his shoulder. Adeline’s heart warmed.

She hoped no one would approach her. The chapel—the same one Adeline and Kit had gotten married in —was thrumming with guests as they waited for the bride to appear. Adeline was certain that she would soon be very occupied which left her with only a few brief moments of solitude.

That was broken when Lavinia and Victoria approached. “May I?” Victoria asked.

A smile came easily to Adeline’s lips and she handed Hanna over without hesitation. Adeline’s strained relationship with her mother had begun to improve when Adeline gave birth to Frances. She’d visited them for three months after he was born.

“Oh, isn’t she just precious?” Victoria cooed.

“She most certainly is,” Lavinia agreed. “I adore them at that age.”

Lavinia’s own children were around the same age as Belinda. Unlike Adeline, who seemed to become with child with ease, Lavinia had a bit of a struggle with it. When she finally announced that she would be giving birth, it was four months in when she was certain that the pregnancy would take.

Martha was the same energetic child as Frances was. Had she not been asleep in her governess’ arms, she would have been stuck to Frances side.

Victoria’s eyes shone as she asked, “Do you think you and Kit will—”

“Certainly not, Mother,” Adeline cut in before she could finish. “And I do not want to even hear the suggestion for years to come.”

“Years?” Victoria gasped.

“Three is enough, don’t you think?” Lavinia asked with a teasing sparkle in her eyes.

“Perhaps to some,” Victoria sighed, stroking Hanna’s smooth cheek. “But you have been blessed with a healthy womb, Adeline. You must take advantage of it.”

“Do you think that is why she was so eager to marry us off?” Adeline whispered, rather loudly, to Lavinia.

“I am beginning to believe it was a large part of her motivation,” Lavinia whispered back.

“Oh, hush now!” Victoria jumped in. “If you wish not to have any more, then I shan’t pressure you. Though I do not think you should speak with your husband about it. I reckon he may have another opinion on the matter.”

Adeline knew very well what Kit’s opinion was. He would have a dozen of them if he could. After all, they had no want for money, no longer at odds with the ton and their opinion of him. Kit had made himself into a wealthy and established man who didn’t need to rely on his father. He’d found his purpose. Because of that, Kit would happily have a house of children he could leave his entire wealth to.

Adeline had to admit that the thought did not sound so bad. Especially not when she took in the adorable sight of her daughter resting her tiny head on his shoulder.

The door opened and the orchestra began playing, signaling the entrance of the bride. Victoria claimed the seat next to her and Lavinia sat next to Victoria. Kit broke away from the earl and came to sit with his wife. Belinda murmured in discontentment at having been moved but then she settled comfortably against his chest once he sat.

And then Daphne entered.

She’d had quite a time during the last two Seasons. Beginning her third season, everyone was beginning to think that she would become a spinster, a massive shame considering the fact that Daphne had been named the Diamond of the Season during her first debut. Everyone thought that she would be married away within a matter of months  but she’d held out for a true love match, inspired by Adeline and Kit.

And she’d found it.

The Viscount of Hanebridge stood at the pulpit with his hands clasped before him and his eyes shining with love. As Daphne made her way down the aisle, clutching her bouquet, she only had eyes for him. The sight had tears pricking Adelien’s eyes. It reminded her of her own wedding day.

“She is quite a vision, is she not?” Kit whispered to her.

“She is,” Adeline agreed, sniffling.

He looked at her, surprised. “Are you crying?”

“Is it not obvious?”

“Oh, my dear tender-hearted love.” Kit reached for her hand and squeezed. “Does it remind you of our wedding day?”

She was still alarmed at how easily he could read her, even after years of marriage. She nodded. “They look quite in love. I’m happy she decided to wait until she found someone to steal her heart.”

“Steal? Sounds quite deceitful, don’t you think?”

“Capture then?”

“A tad better,” he admitted with a smile.

Adeline was tempted to lean over and rest her head on his shoulder. The ceremony commenced much like any other wedding in England. The noticeable difference was the love in the air. Not just from the couple standing by the vicar but the love emanating from those in the pews. From Lavinia and her husband. Adeline and Kit. Daphne’s friends who had gotten married to the love of their lives during her first and second season.

They all gazed upon a new couple embarking on this chapter of their lives and thought the same thing.

Love was always worth it.

The End