The Viscount’s Sinister Past – Extended Epilogue
Two Years Later
“Anthony!” Lydia was standing in one of the guest bedrooms doing a final check to make sure the room was completely ready for her father. One of the windows overlooked the lane leading to the house, and in the distance, she could make out a procession of three carriages coming down the lane.
“Anthony,” she called out again. “They’re here!”
“Okay, okay, everything’s ready,” he called back from the hallway, his voice getting louder as he entered the room to join her.
Lydia smiled at her husband. Her heart still skipped a beat whenever she was in his presence. Anthony returned her smile and slid his arms around her waist.
“Is George in the nursery?” Lydia asked.
“He is. The nursemaid said he is not to be disturbed from his nap.”
“I suppose we must do as the nursemaid says,” Lydia said with a little smile.
They had employed Maud soon after George’s birth and had quickly realized she was very strict about maintaining a set schedule for the child.
“While Georgie sleeps, we can tell everyone about our little announcement,” Anthony said with a grin as he caressed his wife’s stomach.
Lydia stared down ruefully at the unmistakable roundness of her belly and sighed. “I don’t think we’ll need to make any announcements. I’m as big as an elephant already!”
“Big and beautiful,” Anthony whispered, nuzzling her ear. He loved seeing her big with his child. Lydia quivered with excitement and a soft moan escaped her lips.
Pulling away regretfully, Anthony shook his head. “Unless you want to be detained in greeting your family, we should go downstairs posthaste.”
Lydia knew he was right, but she couldn’t help but give him a little pout.
Placing a kiss upon her lips, Anthony whispered, “Patience my dear, tonight I shall ravish you.”
The clatter of hooves and the rumble of carriage wheels indicated that her father and the Montagu’s had arrived. With a cry of excitement, Lydia hurried down the stairs to welcome her guests, with Anthony following closely behind.
As Lydia had predicted, they didn’t need to make an announcement. One look at Lydia and Eliza started clapping her hands with joy.
“I do so hope it’s a girl this time!” she cried out happily as she embraced Lydia. The Baron and Edward offered Anthony their congratulations with hearty handshakes.
Mrs. Potts arrived and within minutes had whisked away the children so the adults could settle in and converse properly. Eliza stared fondly at Mrs. Potts’ retreating figure. “She’s a marvel, your housekeeper. The children do love her so.”
“I don’t know what I would do without her,” Lydia admitted, “She takes such good care of everything, and Georgie just worships her.”
“Speaking of Georgie, where is he?” The Baron asked, anxious to see his grandson.
“He’s still napping,” Lydia explained, “but he will be up before teatime.”
Anthony gestured to Edward and the Baron. “In the meantime, come to the study. Let me show you the plans I have drafted for my next business venture…”
The men left the sitting room while Lydia and Eliza settled into comfortable chairs to catch up on their lives.
“Tell me everything that’s happening in London,” Lydia demanded.
“Everyone is still talking about Lady Beatrice’s passing,” Eliza said.
“Still?” Lydia was surprised. Her aunt had passed a couple of months ago in a tragic accident. “I would have thought everyone would be on to something else by now.”
“Not when there are so many doubts about how she died.”
“What do you mean?” Lydia felt puzzled. “She fell down the stairs. Everyone should know that”
“It seems everyone suspects her husband.”
“This is my uncle you are speaking of…”
Eliza shook her head, “there isn’t any proof or evidence. But it’s common knowledge that he was responsible for her death. You know, they found her at the foot of the stairs with a broken neck.”
“Yes, but that was because of the fall”
“Maybe, but the latest gossip is that their maid overheard a horrific argument between Lady Beatrice and your uncle right before she died. I wonder what they argued about.”
Lydia had an inkling what it might have been about, but she didn’t think she was ready just then to share her theories with Eliza. She had never told her the sordid details of Anthony’s connection with her aunt. Some things were too painful to share, even with a best friend.
“Anyway, I just thought you should know. Now I hear, Sophia—your cousin—will be staying with your father and be attending her first season?
Lydia nodded. Her father had told that he was already feeling worried about finding Sophia a husband. Poor Papa, Lydia thought to herself, just as he managed to get me married off and well settled, he was having to start the husband hunt all over again.
“I gather he’s not too thrilled about having to do another season.” Eliza said grimly. “We’ll all have to help her, he’s asked me to do what I can. Your father felt that, given the scandal surrounding her mother’s death, she could use the influence and power of a Marquis behind her.”
Lydia could certainly sympathize with that. After all, she herself had gone through three seasons with no luck, and Sophia was coming into the season with a scandal attached to her. But looking back, she could see now that God had had a plan for her all along. Just then Anthony poked his head into the sitting room where Lydia and Eliza were sitting and chatting and blew a kiss at his wife. Lydia smiled at him and found herself already looking forward to the evening when she would be in bed with Anthony.
“I think,” she said thoughtfully, “I wouldn’t worry too much for Sophia, as someone who did three seasons and is now utterly, deliciously, and wonderfully happy, I think she’ll be just fine.”
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Wonderful sweet story about true love conquers all!
Thank you, my dear Patty!
Enjoyable read with likeable characters. The storyline was interesting since it covered a topic not usually touched on in a regency romance book.
Thank you so much dear Kate for your comment!
An unusual topic concerning the man being the one who was worried about losing the lady he fell in love with. However I did enjoy the switch role. Thank keep up the work.
Thank you so much dear Yvonne! 🙂
I really enjoyed the story.
Thank you so much dear Jackie! 🙂
A very good read. Anthony and Lydia were very likable and genuine.
Thank you so much dear Saloni! I am glad you enjoyed this novel!
I loved this book, So easy to read, My mind of book.
Thank you, dear Mary, for your comment! 🙂
It was a wonderful story of love, understanding and forgiveness. Love it!
Thank you so much dear E.Butler 🙂
Loved this love story and I’m so glad it worked out for Lydia and Anthony. The extended epilogue completed the story beautifully
I am so glad you enjoyed this novel dear Nora! Thank you!
Lovely story. Throughly enjoyed it…
Thanks for your comment dear Ashisha!
Very good storyline. Interesting characters. I hope we get to read Sophia’s story.
Thank you so much dear Carol for your comment!
Enjoyed the story, looking forward to more
Thank you so much dear Dee for your comment! 🙂
A great paced novel with good solid loveable characters. I read it non stop. Loves grand!
Thank you dear Phyllis! 🙂
Loved it. Could not put it down. Great book.
I’m so glad you liked the story, dear Maria! Thank you for letting me know!
Enjoyable reading. Aunt was a surprise but your heroine came into her own thankfully.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the story, dear Mavis! Thank you for letting me know!
I loved it.
Thank you for your positive feedback, dear Connie! I’m glad you liked my story! 🙂
Absolutely wonderfully written story. Loved everything about it. Anthony was a good man and ended with the wife perfect for him.
Thank you so much for your positive comment, dear Mary! I’m so glad you enjoyed my novel! 🙂
Thank you for Lydia and Anthony story. I love it. Keep the stories coming.
Thank you for your supportive feedback, dear Yvonne! More books are about to come so stay tuned 😉
Wonderful storyline. Engaging characters nice extended epilogue.
Thank you for your positive and kind feedback, dear Deborah! I’m very happy to hear you enjoyed the storyline of this novel! 🙂
Please do research! You phrases. Are in modern vernacular. Okay is not correct. Fine is correct. Great is incorrect. Wonderful is correct. If properly edited & researched your stories would good. I would not have read a second book had I not purchased the whole series. The dialogue is distracting & sounds false because it is written in modern vernacular. You could with a little work become a very good writer.
Thank you so much for your thorough feedback, dear Linda! Your comment will help me to improve my future stories! 🙂
Loved the storyline hope there is a further book to read.
Thank you so much for your positive feedback, dear Lolo! Stay tuned for more 😉
A great book I loved the twist and turns, and the happy ending. I had trouble putting it down.
Thank you for your kind feedback, dear Sharon! I’m very pleased to hear you had a hard time putting my book down! <3
What an awesome story im glad lydia overhead her husband and aunt well-done
Thank you so much for your kind comment, dear Wendy! I’m so glad you liked my story!❤
The Viscount’s scandalous past forgiven by the loving kindness of his wife ushers in their HEA. Forgiveness is a true blessing!
Thank you so much for your kind feedback, dear Ann! I’m very glad you liked my story and the end of it!💕
Very enjoyable
Thank you so much for your supportive feedback, dear Arlene! I’m very glad you liked my story and the extended epilogue!❤
It was a cute story,but,not much to it.Kept waiting for a story,a mystery or something.
Thank you so much for your honest feedback, dear Sylvia! I will take your words about the mystery part into consideration!🙂
I really enjoyed the storyline. Much different plot then the same tedious ones that are out there. The dialogue did seem to be to modern for the time frame, but you have a wonderful expressive way of visually making the setting come to life. I am looking forward to reading more of your books.
Thank you so much for your sweet comment on my work, dear Doreen! I’m very glad you liked my novel!💕
I really enjoyed this book. I loved how different the story was compared to most books I’ve read. The characters seemed real. I’ll be reading more of your books.
Thank you so much for your positive feedback, dear Lizzie! It’s an honor to learn that you enjoyed my book and want to continue reading more of my work!💖
Good story, things were so different then
Thank you so much for your supportive comment, dear Dianne! I’m very glad you found my story good!❤
Beautiful storyline. Different to the norm. Although she forgave him to quickly. But good story. Thanks
Thank you for sharing your feedback my dear. I will take everything into consideration!
Great story. Love conquers all.
Thank you, my dear Sylvia!
The story was great. Just goes to prove love can conquer all.
Dear Sylvia, thank you for your comment. I’m glad you enjoyed the story!
A very good story
Thank you for your comment, Gwen! I’m thrilled to know you enjoyed this story.
Another wonderful story to read please just keep them coming loved them x
Thank you for your support, dear Patricia! I’m so happy you enjoy my stories.