“We’re together now,” she murmured, her heart swelling in her chest. “And that’s all that matters.”
Mrs. Havenwood’s smile was warm and knowing as she stood, preparing to leave. “Take your time to think, Jaclyn. I will not pressure you, but the offer will always remain.”
As she turned to go, the door closing softly behind her, Jaclyn turned to Kingston. Her heart was still heavy, but lighter than it had been before. She had more to consider, more to heal from, but she knew that whatever decision she made, she would no longer have to face it alone. Not with Kingston by her side. “We’ll figure this out,” she whispered, leaning into him as they stood together in the quiet of the room.
“Yes,” Kingston murmured, pressing a soft kiss to her temple. “We will.”
“Kiss me, Kingston,” she demanded.
“With pleasure, love,” he told her, and then lowered his lips to hers.
Kingston’s lips met Jaclyn’s with a tenderness that took her breath away. For the first time in a long while, Jaclyn allowed herself to believe in the warmth of this moment, in the undeniable connection between them. She had asked him to love her scandalously, and he had done just that—but it was not just about passion. It was a love that ran deeper than anything she had ever imagined. In the eyes of the ton, perhaps their love was scandalous. But wasn’t that exactly what she had craved? A love that was free, raw, and unabashed, far beyond the stifling confines of society's expectations.
She let her hands rest on his chest, feeling the steady thud of his heart beneath the fine fabric of his coat. Jaclyn had always believed that love in the context of marriage was nothing more than a contract to further family lines, but this—what she shared with Kingston—was something entirely different. It was a bond beyond duty, beyond position, and that, in itself, felt like a victory.
His hands slipped to her back, pulling her closer, and for a brief moment, she allowed herself to savor the warmth of his embrace. He held her with the same unyielding devotion that had first captured her heart, and she smiled against his lips as the kiss deepened. It was a kiss full of promises, full of everything they had yet to share in their life together. They had overcome the obstacles of the past, and now there was nothing but the future before them.
Kingston continued to kiss her, and it was as breathtaking as always and it did not take long for her to become lost in him. There was nothing more pleasurable than loving one’s own husband, and she intended to enjoy every second of her life by his side. As it should be…
Epilogue
One year later...
The past twelve months had been filled with new beginnings, and the most exciting of all was Jaclyn’s decision to become an instructor at Havenwood Academy. As she sat at her writing desk in the drawing room, her quill poised over a fresh sheet of parchment, Jaclyn reflected on the path that had led her here. A smile tugged at her lips as she thought of Kingston—her husband, her companion, the man who had made all this possible. Her transition from a young woman with uncertainty about her future to one with a purpose had not been an easy one, but now, teaching French and Italian at Havenwood Academy would be her reality. Foreign language was the one subject she had excelled in with her tutors during her youth, and it had become her true passion. There was no finer joy than sharing her knowledge of those beautiful languages with eager students, and she was determined to see her new endeavor flourish. It may be odd to them all having a duchess as their teacher, but she did not care. Kingston encouraged her to take on the mantle of instructor and there was nothing he would not do for her. He showed her how much he loved her every single day.
Kingston had not had to look far to find suitable accommodations for her while she taught. His dear friend the Marquess of Easton had willingly sold that abandoned hunting lodge to him. His estate managers were more than capable of managing his vast holdings, and their time at Easton Abbey had been a welcomed respite. Jaclyn longed for the day when they would finally move into the hunting lodge and they would have some much needed privacy. One day, in the distant future, they would settle at Amberwood Castle to start their family. Until that day, the hunting lodge on the grounds of Easton Abbey would be her home. Kingston had ensured the lodge was renovated and expanded to their exact specifications, offering Jaclyn a perfect space to call her own when they moved in later that week.
For now, though, she was content in the grand, welcoming halls of Easton Abbey, where her dear friend Charlotte, Lady Easton, awaited the arrival of her first child. Jaclyn had made a promise to Charlotte to stay with her until the birth, providing support as only a dear friend could. Their bond had deepened over the years they had been together at Havenwood Academy and only became stronger with each day that passed. Charlotte would always be her dearest friend.
Jaclyn sat back in her chair, glancing out of the window to the expansive gardens beyond. The sun filtered through the trees in golden rays, and she felt a sense of peace that had become all too familiar in this corner of the world. The past year had shown her that change could bring joy, not just challenges, and she was excited for what the future held.
“Are you ready, my love?” Kingston’s voice broke through her thoughts, and she turned to find him standing in the doorway, his gaze soft with affection. His arms were crossed, a smile tugging at his lips.
Jaclyn rose and walked toward him. “Nearly. I was just contemplating how much has changed over the past few months.”
Kingston stepped forward, taking her hand gently. “You’ve done more than just change, Jaclyn. You’ve thrived. I’m proud of you. I can already see the difference you’re making at Havenwood.”
She smiled, her heart swelling with affection. “Thank you, my love. I’m still surprised that I was able to come this far. It wasn’t something I had ever imagined for myself, but here I am.” When Mrs. Havenwood had offered her the position she had not known how to respond. The idea of teaching had never been something she had considered for herself. Kingston had told her that it was her decision and had stood by her through it all. She had been teaching for about a month now and she loved it—even with Lady Melisande Burton as one of her students. That girl would always make things difficult and one day she would go too far with the wrong person.
“You are exactly where you should be,” he said, his voice low and full of conviction. “And I will always be here for you, whether it’s in Amberwood, Easton Abbey, or the hunting lodge.” He grinned. “As long as you always come home to me, I will be happy.”
“You are the very best husband a lady could have,” she told him. “I fall in love with you more every day.”
He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. “I adore you,” he told her. “Now come outside and take a walk with me. You have been cooped up in this room far too long.”
“Pardon the interruption, Your Graces,” the butler said. “But guests have arrived.”
“Oh,” Jaclyn nearly squealed. “It must be Georgina. I must go see her. You do not mind, do you?”
Her husband kissed her again and then said, “Of course not. I suppose I should visit with Foxmoore. Easton will still be flustered and in need of us. With Charlotte due any day he is growing more and more frantic with worry about her and the babe.”
She sighed. “Go to them. We will take that walk later.”
“Promise?” he asked.
“Always,” she told him. He brushed his lips over hers softly. “There is nowhere else I would rather be than with you. Now go to your friend. I am certain he needs you and Foxmoore.”
He sighed and then reluctantly let her go. “Later, love,” he said, the promise of passion in his gaze as he stared at her. “Just you and me.”
