Page 24 of Married to the Cruel Duke (Dukes of Power #1)
EPILOGUE
SIX MONTHS LATER
A fter that, Rebecca and William grew even closer. Without her family hanging over them, it was easy for the love between them to grow and flourish.
Much like the time they spent to each other after the confrontation over his family paintings so long ago, the couple spent time together several times a day. They started most mornings with a walk, went their separate ways for a bit, took lunch together in the library most days of the week then depending on how much work William had to do that day either spent the time until dinner together or went their separate ways until that evening.
They even shared a room in the evening.
Occasionally, they held small dinner parties for their close friends, usually just Patrick, his wife, Penelope and her mother. Penelope regularly encouraged her to host something larger but the thought gave Rebecca far too much anxiety to ever properly consider the notion.
In a similar vein, though the pair often received invitations, but they had never actually attended any of the events.
The pair preferred to spend most of their time home, just the two of them.
That wasn’t to say they never went out.
At least once a week, the pair would go for a walk in the park and occasionally hop over to some of the shops.
But they did take care never to go too close to the duck pond.
Every time they got close to it, Rebecca could feel her heart pound and panic wash over her. All she could think about was what could have happened if William hadn’t found her and stopped Solomon the day her father tried to take her.
One day, as the pond came into view in the distance, Rebecca chewed on her lip.
“Is something wrong?” William asked.
“I was just thinking.”
“About what?”
“If you hadn’t shown up in the park that day, what could have happened.”
“Fortunately, we don’t need to worry about that, because I was able to get to you in time.”
“But if you hadn’t, if he had taken me, what would you have done?”
The second the words were out of her mouth, Rebecca regretted it. How could she ask him such a thing? What was she even hoping to hear?
But before she could over think it or try to take the question back, he spoke.
“If it had happened, though I hate to think of it, I would have done whatever it took to get you home safely.”
“William!”
“I mean it, Rebecca. I love you and any price he could have demanded would have been worth it to have you back by my side. I can’t imagine my life with out you.”
Her eyes burned. She rapidly blinked back the emotions swelling inside her.
“Does that answer your question?” he smiled.
“But why? Why go to all that trouble just for me?”
He chuckled. “I hope someday you understand that there isn’t much I wouldn’t be willing to do for you, but until that day I suppose I will just keep having to tell you just how much I love and care for you.”
“You are too good to me.”
“Ordinarily this is the point when I would tell you that actually you are too good to me, but I know you don’t like when I say such things, so instead I will say that we are as good to each other as we know the other deserves.”
She smiled “I think I like the sound of that.”
The pair continued on their walk, away from the duck pond.
A few days later, Rebecca was in her sitting room one day when Penelope dropped by. She looked up from her book, delighted by the unexpected guest.
“Penelope!” she got to her feet, pulling her long time friend in for a hug. “It’s been too long.”
“That’s supposed to be my line,” she chuckled as they took their seats. “Where’s William?”
“He had to go out of town on business for a few days, but he should be back later tonight, why do you ask?”
“I had a few things I thought you might like to know and I wanted to learn how long we had before he was back.”
Rebecca frowned. “Why? Is it something you don’t want him to hear? Is something wrong?”
“No, no,” she chuckled. “Its nothing like that. I just don’t know if it’s something he would want to hear.”
“Why? What is it?”
“It’s about your family. I thought you might want to know how things have been for them since your little confrontation.”
Rebecca tried not to seem too interested. “It isn’t right to gossip.”
“I wouldn’t need to if you would ever come out to a ball. Everyone would love to see more of you you know.”
“That might be true, but the pair of us are quite content at home.”
“Then you could always host one.”
“If I agree to think about it, will you tell me what you came here to say?”
“I thought you might want to know how Dorothy is doing. She actually tried to show her face at a ball last night. It went so bad it was almost sad, really.”
“That sounds bad. Why? what happened?”
“Very few people liked her very much before, but your father lost so much standing after that day in the park, so no one wants to be seen associating with her,” Penelope grinned with just a touch too much glee for the occasion.
“I won’t lie, there is something therapeutic about hearing that she is getting a taste of her own medicine.”
“Of course it is. She is awful.”
Rebecca chuckled, “you shouldn’t say such things.”
“Why not? It’s true, isn’t it? Everyone say so.”
“Still, I suppose it is rather cruel to stoop to their level.”
“If they don’t want us to be cruel to them, then they shouldn’t be cruel to others.”
“What about my father? How has he been?”
“Even worse if you can believe it. Everyone who was invested in his businesses has pulled out their funding. No matter where he goes, there isn’t a friendly face to be seen.”
Rebecca gasped. “I must admit, that is far more extreme than I would have expected.”
“It’s no less than they deserve, you must admit.”
She hummed, biting back a smile.
“You shouldn’t feel bad. After everything they put you thought it’s no less than they deserved. You know it’s true.”
Before Rebecca could find her words, a voice called from the doorway, “know what is true?”
The pair turned to see William step inside, still in his riding clothes.
“You’re back!” Rebecca exclaimed. “I wasn’t expecting you until later tonight at the earliest.”
“I wanted to see you, so I road a bit faster than usual,” he said moving to sit beside his wife. “It’s good to see you too, Penelope. I hope you don’t mind me interrupting. I can always go if the two of you would rather talk alone.”
“That isn’t necessary, and I’m afraid I can’ stay much longer anyways,” she replied.
“That’s a shame. We would be more than happy to have you for dinner.”
“I might take you up on that next time I stop by, but today I only popped in to give Rebecca an update on how her family is doing.”
“They aren’t my family anymore,” Rebecca said with conviction. “William is my family.”
“That’s very sweet. I will be sure to remember that in the future.” Penelope glance at the clock. “Goodness! I really must be going before my mother sends a search party after me.”
They all said their good byes and Rebecca walked Penelope to the door. Just before her friend left, she turned to Rebecca once more.
“You should think about what I said. I think you would host an amazing ball.”
Rebecca couldn’t help but laugh. “That’s kind of you to say, Penelope, but I think we are more than content on our own.”
“Whatever suits you I suppose,” she laughed as she made her way out the door.
When Rebecca got back to the sitting room, William was still waiting for her.
“You dind’ need to hurry back so fast,” she smiled, coming to sit besides him.
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close to him. “Of course I had to. I missed you,” William insisted.
“I missed you too, but we don’t need to worry about that anymore.”
“Because I came back early?”
“Because we have our whole lives to be together.”
“And I intend to savor every second of it,” he saif, leaning in to press a sweet kiss to her lips. “Admit it, you missed me.”
Rebecca laughed. “I must admit, it is nice to have you back so soon.”
“That’s it? Just nice?”
“What would you prefer me to say?”
“Wonderful? Amazing? That you are over the moon to have me back.”
She chuckled. “I think for the moment, you will jus have to settle with me being glad that you’er back.”
“As long as we’re together, I suppose it doesn’t mater any more. After all, I’m home now.”
The End?