Page 27 of A Bride for the Forbidden Duke (Forbidden Lords #2)
EIGHT MONTHS LATER
“ Y ou look rather pleased with yourself,” Veronica noted as she walked into Henry’s study in Westley Manor.
The renovations had finished a few months ago, and yet Henry still took every opportunity to thank her for the idea of redecorating. It made her amused; what had started as something he grouched about quickly became something he loved.
Now Westley Manor truly felt like theirs, and Veronica had even added several portraits to the gallery. Of course, there was the addition of the two of them posing for their own painting that hung behind Henry’s desk in his study. They had commissioned it only a month after Robert’s ball, and Henry had barely moved during the whole process, well-practiced but irate at the whole ordeal.
But it was a beautiful painting, and she enjoyed gazing at it.
“I am,” he said.
He had stripped off his jacket and looked handsome in a fine tailored waistcoat and black shirt tucked into black breeches. He had even unbuttoned the top of his shirt, allowing Veronica a delicious glimpse of his chiseled upper body.
“Thomas has sent word,” he said. Veronica drew up short.
“Oh.” Her stomach flipped with unease, for she knew what Thomas was currently resolving for Henry. For her, too, ultimately. “What does he say?”
Henry read from the letter he had. “ Lord Barwicke has stayed out of England, as per your wonderful threats, Henry, and I am very happy to report that he is living in squalor, barely showing his face, ever since you thoroughly ruined his reputation and chased him out of society for good .”
Henry glanced at her, giving her a small smile. “I have Thomas keeping an eye on him from time-to-time to ensure the situation remains such a way. He will not approach you again. I swear of it.”
Veronica’s chest eased. To know that she had once needed to financially depend on Lord Barwicke, and now to learn he had lost every penny due to his own greed, was truly a fate deserved. In her eyes, he had sealed those nails in his reputation’s coffin and secured his own demise.
“What of your brother? You wrote to him a week ago, did you not?” Henry asked.
Veronica nodded. “He is doing very well. Since the ball, he has been courting a young lady who seems very smitten with him, and him with her. I do believe he is only waiting for a short while longer before he plans to propose.”
“Excellent,” Henry said. “Perhaps your mother shall attend a grand wedding after all.” He gave her a wicked grin.
“Do you ever regret us not having a grander wedding?”
“No,” he confessed. “Well, I suppose I do, in a way, in that I would give you the world. But I know who I was during that time, and I knew he was not capable of giving more than he did. Now, I would give you anything you asked. If you ever do wish for a ceremony to correct my brief arrangement for our wedding, then I shall provide that.”
Veronica smiled, imagining it already. Perhaps it was something for her to think about. “I think that would be my mother’s highlight of her social calendar.” She laughed softly. “Although, since she became rather friendly with your aunt, she has been attending many more events. It pleases me when she writes to inform me of yet another ball she has attended in London. It seems she is rather popular, and very happy. Both she and my brother are the talk of London.”
“I am sure they are,” Henry laughed. “But speaking of my aunt, we have received a letter from her.”
Veronica gasped excitedly. “Is it about baby Jeremy?”
“It is indeed.” He grinned, pulling her over to him and onto his lap so they could read the letter together. “You were much too far away.”
“She reports that Jeremy is healthy,” Veronica read aloud. “And that Nancy is recovering well, and Zachary is the ever-doting father and has become more possessive than she ever realized he could be.” She laughed a little at that. “ Grandmother and grandson can often be found curled up in a rocking chair happily .”
Veronica sighed as Henry let the letter flutter back onto his desk.
“They sound blissful,” she said.
“Indeed, they do.” He cupped her face, turning her gaze to him. “And you? Are you blissful?”
“Very much.” She smiled, leaning in to kiss him. “Perhaps we should visit Nancy and see her baby.”
Henry’s smile only grew.
“What?” she asked.
He cocked his head at her, a soft look on his face. “It is only that I like hearing the word baby from your mouth. It pleases me.” Henry kissed her once. “Perhaps it is time to have one of our own, too. We have spoken at length, and you have given me ample time to think it over. You did not rush me as I once asked. I would like to begin trying, if you are ready.”
Veronica’s heart raced. For their times together before now, she had taken a tonic the morning after to ward off any risks of pregnancy. “You are serious?”
Henry nodded, cupping her waist. He drew her into a kiss, speaking softly between his pecks. “And I do not see any reason why we should not start trying straight away.”
With that, he swiped all correspondence from his desk and shifted Veronica from his lap to sit on the table. She let out a giddy laugh as she wrapped herself around him.
She truly had gotten her happily ever after.
The End?