Three years later…

A lot could change in three years, Emily had learned. She was a living witness to it. If anyone had told her at the start of the London season three years ago that she would be where she was now, she would never have believed them.

The sound of music and laughter rang through the Milwood estate. By the pianoforte sat her husband, Marcus, and their daughter, Sarah. Their heads were bent together over a challenging piece they were trying to figure out. 

Marriage and motherhood had changed Emily in unexpected ways, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

After a year of marriage, she and Marcus decided to adopt Sarah, the talented young pianist from the orphanage. The young girl, now twelve years of age, had blossomed under their care, and never once felt like she wasn’t a part of their family. Emily had made sure of it. 

When she gave birth to their son, James, six months ago, she realized how much she loved being a mother. Her children were her absolute pride and joy. 

She watched Sarah and Marcus, smiling proudly at them. In the bassinet nearby, little James cooed contentedly, the sound adding a lovely touch to the melody in the air.

Marcus had adjusted nicely to the changes that happened in the estate. Once a place of solitude for him, he couldn’t be more grateful for the love and happiness that currently existed in his home. He cast a glance at his beautiful wife, who sat by her cousin Charlotte and concluded he was the luckiest man in the world.

Together, he and Emily had accomplished so much in three years. He offered his full support to her work with orphaned children across London. They established a foundation that provided education and opportunities for underprivileged children and families. It was an honour to work alongside each other, and Marcus found it rather fulfilling than anything he’d ever done. 

They were happy, truly. And it wasn’t just them. 

Marcus could hardly contain his excitement when his best friend, Gregory, had told him of his interest in Louisa, Emily’s bosom friend. A friendship that started at his wedding three years ago had grown beautifully into a love so pure and true that it was evident to anyone. They were married now and ever grateful to Emily and Marcus for bringing them together. 

“It was fate,” Emily would often say. 

She thought the same concerning her brother Richard, who had met his love match—a kind-hearted baron’s daughter—on a fateful rainy day when he was returning from the country. Her carriage had broken down and Richard just happened to be travelling her path. Emily and Charlotte had always thought their love story to be idyllic. It was a truly perfect beginning to a life of love, just as the son they bore was perfect.

Back in London, society had moved on to new gossip. There was always some scheme afoot between Lady Agatha and Lady Celia to keep the ton thoroughly amused. Their words, however, now held no power over Emily anymore. She was grateful for that.

The last Marcus had heard of Selina, she was betrothed to a widowed earl. A respectable match indeed, one he hoped she was content in. 

“That is, assuming she is ever content with anything,” Gregory once argued. 

“Do you think Aidan would make it in time for dinner?” Charlotte leaned in to ask her cousin. 

Emily placed a hand on hers. “He will be here, Charlotte. You need not worry yourself.”

Charlotte sighed. 

Her husband had been rather occupied lately with his assignments, travelling more often than either of them would have liked. He never failed to write to her and their young son—who was the spitting image of his father. 

Apart from the frequent visits she and her family paid to the Milwood estate, Emily had asked her and her son to stay with them as long as she wanted. She didn’t want her to feel even more lonely with the Viscount gone, and Charlotte had been so grateful to her for it.

The sound of the doors opening pulled everyone’s gaze to it. 

“Father!” Charlotte’s young boy screamed when Aidan walked through the doors.

Charlotte stood to her feet quickly, a glad smile etched on her face. Her son took off in a sprint towards his father, who scooped him up in the air and twirled him.

A hearty chuckle rumbled from Aidan’s throat. “How’s my boy doing?” He ruffled the boy’s hair playfully, earning a giggle from him.

He turned to Charlotte, and his grin spread. He placed his son firmly on his hip and took four strides to her.

They embraced each other fondly, and Emily watched with a warm smile and crinkling eyes. Her eyes darted to Marcus, and she caught him staring at her. A flush crept up her face, her cheeks reddening even more when he winked at her.

“Now where are my favourite grandchildren?” a familiar voice resounded.

Beside Marcus, Sarah’s eyes widened, and an eager gasp escaped her. Her parents followed her gaze to see Marcus’s mother walk into the room, arms wide open.

Emily chuckled as her daughter ran up to embrace her mother-in-law. Judith kissed Sarah’s forehead and hugged her tightly before moving to baby James’s bassinet.

Marcus smiled. He had always thought himself to be blessed to have such a mother like the one he had, but he knew now that his children were even more blessed. Judith adored them both, doting on them with unmatched love and care. She often expressed how she thought her granddaughter to be a kindred spirit and the uncanny likeness they shared. James, his mother thought, was a source of endless joy for her, and she told of how much he resembled Marcus’s father.  

Judith had never been prouder and content in life than she was now. It was a true blessing for her.

“Well, since everyone is here, I shall go see if the table is set for dinner,” Emily announced. 

“Wonderful!” Aidan chuckled. “Lord knows I am famished after that journey.”

A laugh erupted in the room.

In that moment of shared joy, laughter echoing through the halls that were once silent, one thing was clear: They were a testament to the love that filled not only their homes but also their hearts.