Only an Earl Will Do (23 page)

Epilogue

Six months later

Elizabeth strolled out into the outer bailey of her highland home and looked through the gates toward the highland mountains that now glistened with white, crisp snow atop them. With Samuel down for his afternoon nap, she took the opportunity to read her mail that came monthly beside the castle walls. Elizabeth looked over their lands, taking in the loch beyond that changed from the deepest blue to silver depending on where the sun was in the sky.

From the moment they had arrived here, she’d loved it, just as much as she loved Henry, who, as promised, adored her and Samuel unconditionally and made her laugh more than she’d ever thought possible.

She broke the ducal seal of the letter from her mama, the perfect, flowing script easy to decipher.

My dearest Elizabeth,

I hope this letter finds you well. We’re all ensconced at Dunsleigh for the winter, but the girls are looking forward to spring and returning to town for the season, or so they declare, although I’m yet to believe their admonitions.

I’m glad you love your highland home, and I hope to travel there in the not too distant future. I miss Samuel dreadfully, and I can only surmise how much his lordship has grown. I’m ecstatic to hear your happy news that Samuel will soon have a sibling. You’re a wonderful mother, and I don’t believe I’ve said how very proud of you I am. Your father, also, I know would be smiling down on his beautiful, loving daughter.

If you happen to visit your sister Isolde at Avonmore, please try to persuade her to come to town next season. It is time she came home and found happiness of her own. The last letter I received from her was very low of spirits, I believe, and I worry for her wellbeing. If you can, please persuade her to come back to England; she deserves happiness such as yours.

I hope your winter is not too harsh and you’re all safe and well. I will write again next month as I hope you will, too. We miss you, dear girl, do remember to come and visit whenever the time suits. You and Henry are forever welcome.

I embrace you.

Your loving mama

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About the Author

Tamara
is an Australian author who grew up in an old mining town in country South Australia, where her love of history was founded. So much so, she made her darling husband travel to the UK for their honeymoon, where she dragged him from one historical monument and castle to another.

A mother of three, her two little gentlemen in the making, a future lady (she hopes) and a part-time job keep her busy in the real world, but whenever she gets a moment’s peace she loves to write romance novels in an array of genres, including regency, medieval, and paranormal.

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