Page 31 of The Duke Who Stole Me (Stolen by the Duke #4)

Five Years Later

“Mama! Mama!”

Juliana turned her head in the direction of the little voice, a wide smile on her lips as she opened her arms, ready to receive the little boy.

“I believe I warned you about running around, Richard?” she asked when her son wrapped his arms around her as best as he could.

“I’m sorry, Mama.” The little boy giggled, hiding his face in her dress.

The contagious sound made Juliana burst into soft giggles of her own as she ran her fingers through his brown hair, much like hers.

“How was horse riding? Did you have any fun?” she asked, patting his back with motherly affection.

Richard unwound his arms from around her and nodded his head excitedly. “Yes, Mama! Papa took us on Sky, and it was wonderful,” he cried out, opening his arms wide.

Sky was the newest addition to their collection of horses from the palace. The King had awarded it to Vincent along with other properties after many failed attempts to make him change his mind and agree to continue working for the Crown.

But Vincent had been set on his decision.

He’d promised he’d never put Juliana in danger, and he’d meant it, although that had spilled to his overprotectiveness of her. But she couldn’t complain.

Juliana returned her attention to her excited son, smiling down at him as he spoke about his first horse ride and how he would like a horse of his own, just like Sky. But he was quickly interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps.

“Rich is grown enough for boarding school. He outran me with a speed I’ve never seen before.”

Vincent’s deep voice put an instant smile on Juliana’s face.

“Or what do you think, Pen?” he asked the little girl in his arms.

Unable to talk due to the candy in her mouth, little Penelope nodded, holding on to him a little too tightly.

“There you have it. At first light, Rich shall be sent to boarding school!” Vincent announced, the humor evident in his tone.

But Richard didn’t pick up on it and let out a tearless cry.

“Well, Rich. I don’t think I can help you out of this one. You promised not to run around just yesterday. You might have to go to boarding school tomorrow,” Juliana said in a voice so solemn that she nearly believed herself.

“I promise, Mama. I do not wish to go to boarding school tomorrow. I would like to spend more time with you and Papa and Pen.”

Juliana looked up at her husband, both sharing a smile, before she nodded and crouched down before him.

“I shall take your word for it. What did I tell you before?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.

“A man’s word is his honor,” the little boy said.

Juliana nodded, pulling him in for a hug.

When she rose from her crouched position, Vincent immediately took her in his arms and twirled, coaxing a peal of laughter from her. She hadn’t realized he’d put down their daughter and closed the distance between them.

“Vincent! Put me down this instant!” she cried out, tapping on his shoulders.

“If you don’t wish to be sent to boarding school at first light, you might want to ask me a little more nicely than that. I believe you have it in you, Your Grace.”

“The children are watching, Vincent,” Juliana reminded him.

But Vincent didn’t seem to care if his scrunched-up nose was anything to go by.

“Our guests will be here soon,” she added, which was true.

But Vincent shook his head.

“All right. Kindly put me down, good sir,” she said, then leaned forward and placed a kiss on his cheek.

Vincent brightened at that, his blue eyes gleaming with warmth as he set her down, only to be met with their laughing children. Juliana’s cheeks flushed, but her smile remained.

“How was your ride?” she asked him as their three-year-old daughter hurried to hug her.

She received the little girl, but her eyes were fixed on her husband, waiting for his response.

“It was wonderful, but I still believe you should’ve come with us,” he said, before he leaned in and placed a kiss on her neck.

Juliana melted immediately, but she had to stay in control because of the little girl at her feet.

“If I had, I wouldn’t have made as much progress as I have with preparing the house for our guests. I believe they’ll be here in no time,” she said, and he nodded his head in understanding.

Mrs. Holt appeared. “Your Grace, the children’s baths have been drawn,” she announced.

Juliana nodded and handed Penelope to her, then urged Richard to follow after them, leaving her and Vincent in the drawing room.

“A bath will be drawn for you shortly,” she told him.

A mischievous glint entered his eyes.

“Would you be interested in joining me?” he asked, wiggling his eyebrows.

But he didn’t wait for a response, as he pulled her to their bedroom.

It had been five years, yet Vincent was just as attracted to her as he was at the beginning of their marriage. It was still a hassle keeping his hands off her.

***

“Welcome to Blackmoor once again,” Juliana intoned, raising her wine glass with a wide smile on her face.

Their guests, Portia and Somerton, raised their glasses in turn, laughing at the toast that had now become a tradition whenever the couple visited Blackmoor.

Just like Juliana and Vincent had suspected, Somerton had taken an immediate liking to Portia, and in no time, the two were hitched in holy matrimony, much to Juliana’s delight.

She’d wanted a good man for her friend, and it was so. However, Portia was far more open to the work he did for the Crown and expressed that she could handle herself quite well.

However, when she gave birth to their first child, a lovely girl named Celeste, Somerton decided it was time for him to hang his boots and care for his family.

“I was worried about you and the journey, my friend, seeing as you just gave birth two months ago. I doubted your attendance,” Juliana said to her friend, who laughed, rubbing her slightly bloated stomach.

“Oh please. I did tell you I would make it, and I did.” Portia smiled, then quickly narrowed her eyes. “Perhaps you are not quite jolly that I have come?” she asked, a sly smile forming on her lips.

“Never that. I’m more than glad that you came. I only care for your health,” Juliana said.

“I wouldn’t if I were you.” Somerton laughed. “She was on the move two days after she gave birth. Even I was scared and wondering if she’d truly pushed out Sarah.”

The table erupted in laughter.

“You truly are a superwoman,” Juliana told her friend, who smiled in response, her face beet red.

“Juliana would rather remain in bed for the entire month, regardless of whether she’s feeling better or not,” Vincent piped up, and they burst into laughter again.

“Vincent!” Juliana scolded, her face flushing.

“Our husbands are shameless. I wish we were married to more refined men,” Portia said with a fake yawn, and the men’s laughter ceased instantly.

“You are correct, my dear friend. But after two children, there is hardly a thing we can do other than to be with them.” Juliana tutted.

“Truly tragic if you ask me,” Portia added, making her snort.

“I shall take it as the liquor talking and forgive your words,” Somerton said, and they all laughed.

Juliana leaned back in her chair and watched the table.

Years ago, she’d thought she’d be enduring a loveless, but a certain blue-eyed duke had swept her off her feet, and she couldn’t have imagined a better life.

It was truly a miraculous thing, and she wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

The End.