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EPILOGUE

W hile lying in bed, with Portia asleep in his arms, Titus reflected on the past. It had been quite the journey, full of ups and downs, but those tribulations made him appreciate all the more the precious woman he was holding. The only woman his heart, his soul, had ever desired.

In the end, it all worked out quite well.

Flora was happily married to Edmund Lavender, the second son of a viscount, and was expecting her first child—much to the delight of Aunt Adeline.

Miss Oaks, on the other hand, had not fared too well this past Season, not having secured a proposal, much to her mother’s displeasure.

The pair blamed her lack of success on Portia, and they had vowed to never speak to her again.

Which was quite alright with both Portia and himself.

His relationship with his mother was still mending, but at least she was part of his life, and he was making peace with the past. He had his wife to thank for that. Portia’s caring nature made him want to face up to what had happened, to be a better man, not one filled with distrust or bitterness.

After they’d married, Portia had asked him if he wouldn’t mind offering positions to Mr. and Mrs. Darnel, Miss Alison, and Katie—the four people who’d become like family to her.

She’d also asked if Albert and the twins could stay with them from time to time.

Her requests were so pure and unselfish, he could deny her nothing.

His wife was the kindest person he’d ever known, and he would cherish their second chance with each breath in his body until the day he died.

He wanted to do something truly special for her, so he planned carefully, and hoped his request would not fall on deaf ears.

Four long weeks passed before he received the response he’d hoped for, and today was the day he would finally be able to give Portia her gift.

Keeping her out of the library for the past few days had been quite the task, but Mrs. Darnel and Katie had done a marvelous job.

Now all he had to do was wait for the sun to rise.

“A re your eyes closed?” he said as he guided Portia, her hands held gently within his, toward their destination. “Almost there.”

An earthy scent wafted in the air on the heels of leather. “Are we in the library?” It was one of her favorite places to pass the time with her husband. Since arriving at Ravensworth Hall after their wedding, they’d spent each evening there, reading together and discussing plans for the future.

“You’re peeking!” her husband accused with feigned displeasure.

“No. It smells like the library,” she offered. Then she caught a whiff of something else. She raised her chin and inhaled. “Biscuits?”

“Really Portia, is there no surprising you?”

“Oh, darling, you have surprised me aplenty. Just this morning, in fact,” she said as remembrances of being in bed with him flooded her mind and warmed her insides. She had never imagined being this blissfully happy. All the struggles had been worth it.

“I suppose that is one area where I have the upper hand,” he said in a seductive tone that sent delicious tingles all the way down to her toes.

“For now,” she teased. She loved this playful side of their marriage, but more importantly, she just loved being married to this man. Every day was a new adventure with her husband, her love, her best friend.

“I look forward to the day when the role changes.” Titus brushed a kiss to her cheek, then trailed his lips to her ear. “Are you ready for your surprise?” She nodded her head as he maneuvered her into position. “Open your eyes.”

The moment she opened them, they focused on a large, dark mahogany display cabinet. “It’s beautiful! This looks just like the map cabinet that was in Father’s study. You had one made just like it?”

Titus shook his head as he explained, “I purchased it and all the maps that it contained, as well as the others from your father’s library from George Oaks. He was quite agreeable to the sale, and I quote, “to get rid of the dusty old nonsense”.”

Portia wasn’t surprised. None of her half-siblings were fond of intellectual pursuits. But still, she could not believe that Titus would have gone to such lengths and expense. She looked at her husband in wonder. “I cannot believe you purchased all my father’s…” The words lodged in her throat.

Titus took her hands within his. “One of my fondest memories of our youth was visiting you and your father. I remember him pulling out the various maps, showing my father what he’d learnt about a new destination, while you and I would talk about far-off, exotic lands.

I had often dreamt of going to those places with you. ”

“I don’t know what to say. You’ve certainly surprised me.” Tears filled her eyes. “Thank you,” she whispered as tears streamed down her cheeks.

“Don’t cry, darling,” he soothed as he wiped away the dampness.

All the emotions she’d kept at bay since her father’s passing rose to the surface as uncontrollable hard sobs racked through her body. She’d felt so alone for so long, and now…she felt so loved. She didn’t know how to express what she was feeling.

Titus brought her within the folds of his warm embrace. “I didn’t mean to upset you with the memory of your father. If it is too much?—”

“It… it isn’t that…” she said between sobs while trying to even her breathing and formulate her words. “It’s been so long since anyone did something so wonderful just for me.”

He stroked her back in soothing circles. “I hope to do many more wonderful things for you. I love you with all my heart, my Portia.”

She pulled back and looked into his loving gaze. “Knowing that you love me is the most wonderful gift of all.”

“Aunt Adeline will be most pleased to know that.”

His statement took her aback. “Your aunt? Why?”

Titus kissed her lips. “She made a promise to her brothers that she would help their children find true love.”

“And that she did.” Portia kissed her husband with all she felt in her heart and soul. “You are my one true love.”

No matter what the future held, she knew their love would endure for all eternity.