Five Years Later

The small village chapel could hold no more people. Chatter hung heavily in the air as everyone waited for the christening to begin. Clarissa was struck by how many people had come to show their support. She recognized many of Louisa’s friends but the number of unfamiliar faces had to be connected to Louisa’s husband, the Viscount of Montgomery. To think her sociable sister had found a husband who was almost as outgoing as her was surprising indeed.

Clarissa was by herself, an unusual occurrence that she took full advantage of. She didn’t know where Calum had disappeared to but he would find his way back to her side soon enough. For now, Clarissa was happy to sit in her silence and listen to snippets of conversation from everyone around her.

The village they were in was nearly half a day’s ride from Thorneshire Estate. Which meant they would be spending the night at Montgomery Manor. Clarissa was already looking forward to spending some intimate time with her sister like old times.

“Here you are!” Calum was suddenly by her side.

“I was here all along,” she said with smile. “Have you finished making your rounds?”

“I escaped the clutches of Lord George just now,” he sighed. “If given the chance, that man will talk me into an early grave.”

“It seems as if he is looking for you,” she laughed. Indeed, Lord George was on the tip of his toes, peering over the many heads around him in search of something—or someone.

Calum slunk in his seat. “I would love if this christening could commence so that we can be on our way.”

“Patience, my love,” Clarissa chided gently.

Then she spotted Mrs. Johnson, the governess, making her way to her and her smile brightened. Holding the hands of two toddlers on either side of her, she came to a stop in front of them.

“They have calmed, Your Grace,” Mrs. Johnson stated.

Clarissa was already reaching for the nearest toddler while Calum scooped up the other. Emily rested her head of dark curls on Clarissa’s chest, tears still perched on the edge of her eyes. She let out a soft sigh and Clarissa knew that her adorable daughter had cried herself into exhaustion.

Her twin sister, Emmeline, looked to be in much brighter spirits. She nibbled on her thumb finger on Calum’s lap and looked around the chapel as if she was trying to see what sort of trouble she could get up to.

“Thank you, Mrs. Johnson,” Calum said to the governess, who nodded with a smile and took a seat next to them.

“Are you all right, my love?” Clarissa murmured to Emily. All she did was nod, clearly too tired to do anything else.

“And you, my darling?” Calum asked Emmeline. Emmeline looked at her tired sister and mimicked her by resting her head on Calum’s chest as well. When Calum gently took her thumb from her mouth, Emmeline defiantly pushed it back in.

Clarissa laughed. Calum would always say that Emily and Emmeline had one soul that shared two bodies. It wasn’t so obvious as it was right now.

They fell asleep just as the ceremony began. Louisa and her husband looked lovely together by the pulpit, their newborn son bundled up in the arms of the parson between them. Clarissa felt the overwhelming urge to cry many times throughout the christening. To think that she had spent so long wanting to make sure she could provide for her sister and her family. And now Louisa was happily in love and about to start a family of her own.

Calum reached for Clarissa’s hand halfway through, knowing that she was going to get overemotional.

When it was over, Clarissa handed over the sleeping Emily to Mrs. Johnson while Calum kept ahold of Emmeline. He took Clarissa’s hand and led the way to Louisa, his tall and commanding presence easily parting the way.

Congratulating her sister brought forth the tears Clarissa had been trying to hold at bay all along. Louisa was brought to tears as well and their husbands simply stood aside as they hugged and kissed and spoke about how excited they were to enter this new phase of their lives.

Soon enough, Louisa and the viscount were pulled away by someone else. Clarissa met Calum’s eye and he immediately knew what she wanted. Together, they made their way out of the overcrowded chapel, Mrs. Johnson falling in step behind them.

“Calum, there is something I want to tell you,” Clarissa said once they were outside.

He nodded. “Let me put her down first.”

Clarissa watched as he followed Mrs. Johnson to their ducal carriage. Gently, he set Emmeline down next to Emily, both under the watch of their governess. Then he jogged by to his wife’s side.

“Have I ever told you how much I enjoy watching you take care of your children?” Clarissa asked, sliding her hand into his.

“Now and again, but it would not hurt to hear it another time,” he said with a grin.

Clarissa laughed. “I wonder how much more doting you may become if we were to have another.”

“Well, between those two troublemakers, I’m sure I will have my work cut out—” He paused, frowning at her. “Wait, what are you saying?”

“I’m saying that perhaps I won’t have to wonder for too long.” She grinned cheekily. “Perhaps, in a matter of months, you will have your heir.”

Calum’s face went slack with surprise. “Clarissa, are you…”

“I am with child again,” she announced with a broad smile. “And I have a feeling that this time, it will be a son.”

“I could kiss you right now,” he said, pulling her into his arms.

“Do it,” she challenged.

He did, deeply. As if he was pouring every bit of his love and happiness into that tender moment. Clarissa felt it deep within her soul.

“I love you, Clarissa,” he murmured, pressing his forehead against hers.

“I love you too, Calum.” Clarissa closed her eyes. At that moment, only they existed. And no painful memories, no vengeance, no heartache would ever stand in between them again.

The End