Enticing the Fiery Lady – Extended Epilogue

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Three Years Later

The Italian sun made Evelynn feel warm and lazy, sinking a kind of pleasure deep into her bones that she had never known. She couldn’t get enough of it, and even while Robert and the children took themselves off to explore Florence, all she wanted to do was to nap on the balcony of their home.

The building went back more than four hundred years, and Evelynn was still surprised that they did not have to share it with anyone else. Their little family had started to travel, to see the places that Evelynn had always thought would be too grand for her.

Their children Lily and Lance thrived in the wild forests of Spain, and the old castles of Hungary.

When she was a little girl, Evelynn had dreamed about what it might be like to see the greater world in a way that was more than just a honeymoon tour. She had studied so much in her youth. She enjoyed maps and reading about exotic places and yet the only time she heard firsthand accounts of them was when she would hear the stories from soldiers at various parties. But now, her husband Robert had made her wild fantasies become a reality, and helped her to experience what the world had to offer. To see these places not just in books but in real life, and to actually live in them for a time.

The moment she stepped aboard an ocean-going vessel for the first time, it had felt as her very breath was stolen from her lips. The world was so much bigger than she had ever imagined, and she couldn’t wait to see it with Robert and with Lily and Lance.

During the day, she and Robert and Lily and Lance would venture out into the world to see what it had to offer, trying the local delicacies and laughing at the wild sights that they saw. Evelynn’s heart soared the first time she saw Lily and Lance smiling at a brilliant bird in Cairo. Lily and Lance still talked about beloved England of course, but they knew that would always be home.

During the day, Evelynn saw the world with Robert and Lily and Lance. At night…

The passion that had always lain between Evelynn and Robert was now allowed to run its course, and the heat and the beauty of it all brought tears to her eyes sometimes. 

Sometimes he would take hours and hours to kiss her and caress her, using every part of his body to pleasure her. Sometimes, he would be like a storm at sea, carrying her away from everything else in the world. No matter how they loved each other at night, they always woke in the morning with smiles for each other.

After everything that had happened in her life, Evelynn felt like the very luckiest woman in the world, but when she said so, Robert would only laugh.

“You know nothing of luck, my darling. After all my foolishness, I still have you. That is the essence of luck.”

Evelynn had thought when she and Robert married that she would never love him more. Then she realised that she was very wrong. Every morning, when she woke up, she realised that she only loved him all the more.

It was in Italy, however, where all three of them had fallen in love with the country. The sunny countryside and the ancient and gorgeous cities captured all their hearts, and it was in Florence that they suddenly realised that they had found a kind of home, a place where they would always be happy, and now all Evelynn wished was that she had the energy to go out with Robert and Lily and Lance when they explored the ancient squares and gorgeous churches.

“I have been more tired lately, haven’t I? Robert says that I am finally growing more used to the life of a lady of leisure, but I do not know…” Something about the thought made her stand up from her comfortable seat, and she went to find her journal, where a tiny mark in the margin marked the days of her menstrual cycle. She flipped back… and back, and realised how long it had been since she had bled.

Evelynn felt as if her knees were going to go out from underneath her, and of course that was when the door opened and Robert, Lily, and Lance came in.

Lily and Lance dressed in the lighter fashions of Florence.

“Mother! Mother, look, Daddy bought me such beautiful paints!”

Evelynn sighed a little, because Robert would persist on spoiling their children.

 “Oh that’s beautiful sweetheart,” Evelynn said. “Perhaps you both would like to go paint me a picture of the city from the balcony? Maria can go with you to keep an eye on you…”

When the maid. Maria, and the children were shut out on the balcony, Evelynn turned to Robert, who had already been studying her closely.

“Evelynn? What’s the matter, love?”

He crossed the floor to cradle her cheek with one hand, a gesture that still made her heart beat faster.

“I think,” Evelynn said, “That perhaps you would want to return to England.”

“You do?” 

“Yes. Because as much as I have loved Italy, and as much as it has soothed all three of us… I want our child to be born on English soil.”

Robert stared at her. For a moment, she had the pleasure of flummoxing a man who was difficult to surprise under the best of circumstances, and then he swept her into his arms.

“You’re serious. You are serious, you are carrying my child.”

“Yes, At least, I believe so.”

“When did you find out, have you been keeping it from me?”

“You are giving me far too much credit, my love. No. I just realised a few minutes before you came in.”

Robert kissed the top of her head, holding her close.

“We’ll call for a doctor, the best Florence has to offer. I’ll pay him to travel with us all the way back to rainy England if I have to. I want you to have the best care, the best of everything…”

Evelynn grinned at him. “I have the best of everything all ready, don’t I? I have you and Lily and Lance.”

Robert grinned, and it struck her that there was something delirious about his expression. It was like he was falling in love all over again, and she understood. She hadn’t known she was with child an hour ago, but she could already feel the love for a brand new life sweeping over her.

“Did you ever think that we would come here, to this place, to this time?” she found herself asking Robert. “It feels like everything in the world was against it.”

Robert thought for a moment, drawing her down to sit on his lap. She was delighted when his hand came down to rest over her stomach. There was something beautifully natural and perfect about the gesture, as if he was ready to love and protect the child she carried.

“It doesn’t matter,” he said finally. “I would fight the world for this. I don’t know what might have to happen or what I would have to do, but to get to this moment? With Lily and Lance on the balcony and you in my lap, carrying our child? I don’t care what I would have to do.”

Evelynn leaned down to kiss her handsome husband. Behind her closed eyes, she could see the path that she had taken to come to this place, and she could see how Robert had nudged her here and there, helping her when she was helpless, giving her the strength to keep fighting. I would fight the world for this too, she realised, and she felt as if she might drown under the love that wove between her family, binding them together forever.

When the Christopher family arrived back at the Christopher estate, everyone was very excited to see them once more. Once again the news that Evelynn was pregnant delighted all in attendance. Victor and Hannah were very excited that their own children would have one more playmate to wreak havoc with.

 Mr. and Mrs. Christopher, Robert’s parents, were also very excited about the news and of course glad that their son and his wife and grandchildren had returned from a very long and extensive trip to exotic places in the world. Mrs. Christopher did not understand why Evelynn had such a desire to see such crazy places, but she knew that Robert loved her deeply and would do anything for her.

After settling in, Evelynn took the time to go through all of the correspondence that had piled up on her desk. They had been gone almost a year-and-a-half, and there was much to go through. But she knew to start from the most recent letters and work her way backwards. There was one particular letter that caught her eye.

She looked at the seal and opened it eagerly with a smile on her face. “Oh Edward..”

My dear friend Evelynn, remember how close we used to be when we were young? I was thinking of just that very thing the other day. I miss our conversations greatly and I miss having you in my life. Katherine and I know very well that we wreaked havoc on you, as well as with your husband and his brother. Truly the entire Christopher family had been affected by our recklessness. But that does not mean that we do not love each other deeply and we do not regret anything we did. But that is all in the past, my dear Evelynn. Katherine and I have a very good life in Cornwall, and I have taken up a seat of government in Truro. However, we will be returning to London for the summer. We are to be expected in June, and will be returning to my old residence. I do hope that you will send word when you arrive back in England. I have heard rumor that you are traveling great distances and I am greatly pleased for it. You above anyone else always had their nose stuck in a book reading about far-off and exotic places. I am glad that you have found a man to indulge your intelligence, and that you are truly happy. I know it is much to ask Evelynn, but if you and your husband would join us for dinner at my home some evening we would greatly appreciate it. Katherine and I now have two children. I want my children to grow up knowing you, Evelynn. It grieves me greatly to think that they might not be able to know you. I know it is a lot to ask of Robert, but perhaps you could persuade him since he loves you madly and deeply. Your true and forever friend, Edward Stevens.

“Oh, yes. We must reconnect and reconcile,” Evelynn said.

She stood up from her desk and went to find Robert. He was sitting outside on the lawn on top of a rug playing with their two children. He was smiling in complete happiness, and she did not want to ruin his mood.  But it was almost the end of July and she did not know how long Edward would be in London, could it be until August or September? So she wanted to get back to Edward with a reply as soon as possible. The letter was already one month old.

“Husband, I have had word from an old friend.” Evelynn said sitting down next to him.

“And who was that my dear?

“Here, read it yourself,” she said handing him the letter.

He gave her a look, I look she had grown quite used to.  She knew very well that it meant he knew she was up to something. 

He read it in silence, and then folded the letter and handed it back to her.

“Well Robert? What do you think?”

“It is a lot to ask of me Evelynn. This man caused great offense to my brother. He shot him after all. The woman cheated on my brother. Now you want me to go and break bread with them as if nothing happened.”

“No, not at all husband. I mean I do want you to go and for us to be friends, all of us. But I do not expect you to forget, only to forgive. You and I of all people know that love is not something we can control.”

“If you miss your friend. You can go, but I do not need to.”

His brows furrowed and he turned his face away from her. They were silent as they sat there together. She did not want to press him, but she really wanted to do this with him at her side. 

“Fine, I shall go send my reply to Edward and Katherine that they should expect me for dinner this week. Alone.”

“As you wish.” He said.

Evelynn stood up and was very frustrated. She marched back toward the house, folding the letter and pushing it into her dress pocket. Why was her husband such a stubborn man? All of the Christopher men had such pride, it was dangerous. Even Theo got shot because of his pride. He simply could have just allowed Edward and Katherine to go off peacefully, but instead his pride got in the way and he wanted vengeance and a duel. Men. 

Evelynn Christopher sat down at her desk and wrote a reply.

Dear Edward, I am delighted to receive your letter. We have just returned from abroad a few days ago. I apologise for the late reply because of it. I am very happy to hear the news of you and Katherine. May you both find extreme happiness for you and your family and I am glad that you are settling in well in Cornwall. I would be very happy to call upon you for dinner when I am to visit my parents next week. I will be staying with them for a week complete, and I hope that one of those days would suit you for me to come have dinner with you and your family. Please send word to my parents’ home as to what evening would be suitable starting from Monday next. I am very excited to see you, and I apologise beforehand to let you know that my husband will not be joining us but he sends his best. Your dear and true friend always, Evelynn Christopher. 

Evelynn sent the letter, and then a few days later set off with Lily and Lance in a carriage to her parents’ home. Mr. and Mrs. James were extremely excited to see the three of them as it had been quite a long time since they were traveling abroad. Mrs. James was almost hysterical with happiness, especially when Evelynn told them the news of her new pregnancy.

Then as planned, Evelynn received an invitation to dinner at the home of Edward and Katherine Stevens. She was very excited to see her friend Edward, and she liked Katherine very much. It was just the fact that she had caused so much chaos, but Evelynn thought of herself no better for doing such a thing.

However, Evelynn did wish that her husband was at her side. She wanted them all to make amends, because having that toxic energy between them was not a good thing. She understood very well that the entire Christopher family could not forgive Katherine, and Edward. But because Evelynn herself had a connection to Edward, who was practically a brother to her, they should accept that she and Robert would be acquainted with the couple. Enough time had passed, but she supposed that her husband did not see it that way. 

She sat at her vanity, in the room that she had grown up in. How much time had passed, and how strange it was to be sitting there. It had been a very long time since she had done so. It seemed like only yesterday that she sat there nervously getting ready for the Spring Ball when her world would come crashing down.

There was a knock at the door.

“Come in Patty. I am almost ready for you to do my hair,” Evelynn said.

But it was not Patty that entered. It was her husband, Robert. Her brown eyes grew wide and she stood up from her vanity bench and walked to him.

“Robert? What do you do here? Is everything all right?”

“No, everything is not all right.” He said.

“What is it? It is not your parents, is it?” She said growing very worried.

“No, it is not my parents. It is I, your husband.”

“I do not understand.” She said.

“My wife is with child, and I do nothing to make sure that she has ease and comfort. I do nothing to put my pride aside and make sure that she is not stressed. All I have to do is sit down to a simple dinner with your old friend and my ex sister-in-law and let bygones be bygones, and for some reason my pride would not allow me to do that. I have come to fix that.”

“Oh Robert. Do you mean it?”

“I do. I truly do. So don’t expect me to make the man a best friend. I will not be taking him hunting or entering into business arrangements with him. I do not hate him. But I do not have to especially like him. I am capable of being civil and entering into polite conversation. The point is that I need to be at your side, especially through something as trying as this. Though I must say, their reckless behavior did bring us together did it not?”

“Yes, I believe that it did. Perhaps we shall make a toast to them and their behavior because of it. Now get dressed, we are expected this very night.”

“Very well. I love you Evelynn, more than you could ever imagine.”

“And I love you, Robert. More than I deserve.”

“I think not. I think you deserve the world, and I have given it to you.”

Evelynn kissed her husband and felt new warmth. It was not lust, but true love that glowed inside of her. 

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