The Duke’s Wallflower Bride Bonus Epilogue

Bonus Epilogue

Ten Years Later

“Both eyes open, son,” Asher whispered at Felix’s side. “Never close your eyes when holding a rifle.”

Felix, now twelve, snapped open the one eye he had closed and focused on the deer that had walked into his sights. Asher patted his back softly in approval, and his son took the shot. The deer dropped to the ground a moment after the exploding sound of gunpowder, and Asher let out a loud holler of pride.

“Your first hunt is a success, my boy!” he praised, taking the rifle from Felix’s hands. “Well done!”

Felix’s green eyes shone with pride as he turned to his father with a wide smile. Aside from his dark brown curls, which he had gotten from his mother, the boy was a miniature version of his father. Same facial features, same eyes. And as Asher and Gemma had discovered at the last party they took Felix to, with the same flirtatious attitude toward girls.

“I did it! I actually did it, Papa!” He replied excitedly.

“Just in time, too,” Asher told him, clapping him on the shoulder. “Our guests will be arriving soon, and your Mama will be fit to be tied if we do not get back soon.”

He then turned around and motioned to their two manservants. They came forward to retrieve the deer as Asher and Felix walked to their horses.

“Can we have the stag at tonight’s supper?” Felix asked.

“You shall have to ask your Mama first,” Asher replied. “She has been working hard on your sister’s birthday party, and she may have something else planned.”

Together, father and son rode back to the country home. Ever since he had lived past his thirty-sixth birthday, Asher and Gemma had grown more comfortable leaving their home in Wildcrest and taking the children to the countryside every summer.

When they reached the house’s drive, Asher’s children came running out of the house, their mother close behind them.

Asher’s heart beat double time as he saw his family come out to greet him and Felix. Even after a decade, he still could not believe how much love he could have for his wife and children, and it only seemed to grow with each passing year. The man he used to be was long dead—perhaps the only part of him that had fallen prey to the family curse.

If that part of him had not ceased to exist, he would have never been blessed with his birthday girl, ten-year-old Helena, who had her mother’s chocolate brown eyes and his blonde hair. Or six-year-old Barnaby, an exact copy of Asher’s younger self. Or four-year-old little Gem, named after her mother because even at birth, they could tell she was going to look exactly like her.

“Well?” Helena asked anxiously.

The rest of their family looked on at Felix as he beamed with happiness.

“I got one!” He crowed excitedly.

“Oh, well done, darling,” Gemma praised.

“Can we have it for my birthday dinner, Mama, please?” Helena asked, turning to her mother for permission.

 “Oh, I suppose we could,” Gemma sighed, smiling lovingly down at her children. “There are still a few hours left before our guests arrive. I am sure our cook can make the adjustments.”

Felix and Helena both cheered as Barnaby and Little Gem clapped along. The youngest two were not quite old enough to understand the excitement of the moment, but were happy to simply be a part of it all.

Asher pulled out the bouquet he and Felix had picked for Helena before he got down from his horse and walked to his family.

“Happy birthday, darling girl,” Asher said, handing Helena the flowers. Helena beamed as she took the flowers in one arm and hugged him tightly with the other.

“Thank you, Papa,” she answered appreciatively. “And thank you for my new dress. Mama showed it to me this morning. I love it!”

“You are so welcome. I look forward to seeing it on you this evening,” Asher replied.

“What about us, Papa?” Barnaby asked by his side.

“Did you get us flowers, too?” Little Gem asked.

Asher hunkered down to be eye level with his two youngest children, and they both perched on a knee.

“I don’t know,” he sighed in pretend sadness. “Felix, did we remember flowers for these two troublemakers?”

Asher looked to his oldest son, who pulled out more flowers from his saddlebag with a flourish.

The two children hopped off Asher’s knees with excitement and rushed to their older brother to retrieve their flowers.

“And what of me?” Gemma asked, smiling flirtatiously at Asher as she came to his side.

“Hmm, no flowers for you, I am afraid,” Asher replied, slipping his arms around her waist.

He let the trick play out for only a few seconds, unable to take the look of disappointment on Gemma’s beautiful face for very long.

“Perhaps if you reached inside my jacket pocket, however, you might find another present,” he said with a slow-forming grin.

He had had the gift since it arrived yesterday, but was waiting for this particular moment to give it to her.

Gemma’s honey-brown eyes sparkled as a smile took the place of her frown, and she reached into his pocket. As she searched for her gift, Asher took the moment to take in the beauty of his wife. Her rich eyes still shone with life and intelligence, her rosy, full lips still curved into a smile that took his breath away. There was no other woman for him. No yearning to go back to the lifestyle he had once enjoyed so much. Gemma. His children. Were his life.

After several seconds of fishing through his pockets, Gemma finally found the small black box he had hidden, and he let her go just enough so she could hold it between them and open it. She gasped, her eyes growing wide, as she saw the intricate silver ring inside.

“I thought you deserved a very special sort of flower,” he explained as he pulled the ring out of the box for her. He gestured for her hand, and she immediately placed it in his palm. “One that never dies. Just as my love for you will never die.”

The ring was designed to wrap around her finger like a vining rose, its silver petals and leaves artfully etched to appear as realistic as possible. Asher slipped it onto her left ring finger, fitting perfectly above her wedding band.

“Oh, Asher,” she breathed, her eyes darting from him to the ring. “It is beautiful.”

“Yet it pales in comparison to you,” he praised.

She looked away from the ring to him, her eyes shining with pure love.

“So pretty, Mama!” Little Gem crowed.

“Oh, Papa, it is perfect for Mama,” Helena added, coming up to them to take a closer look. “Could I have one? For my next birthday, perhaps?”

Asher chuckled. He had already been planning on giving the three women he loved the most matching pieces for Christmas. Felix, Barnaby, and he would be receiving matching pocket watches with their initials carved into them.

“We shall see,” he replied.

“All right, children,” Gemma sighed after everyone ‘oohed’ and ‘ahhed’ over the ring. “Our guests will be arriving within a few short hours, and there is plenty for you to do. Go on to your nannies now. I want you all scrubbed, trimmed, and dressed in your best for our party.”

“Yes, Mama,” the children replied. Asher waited patiently as they first hugged their mother, then came to him. While his parents were nowhere near as affectionate with him, Asher had learned an important lesson from the curse. He would never take a day, a hug, or love for granted again.

“I suppose you have the same order for me?” Asher asked Gemma as their children ran inside. “Scrubbed, trimmed, and dressed?”

Gemma smiled seductively as she stepped up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“I thought we might scrub each other,” she replied, her tone soft and alluring. “Among other things.”

“Mmm,” Asher hummed, his body stirring with desire as Gemma pressed herself close. “I do love how your clever mind works. It always has the most wonderful ideas.”

“You mean you have not gotten bored with me yet?” she asked playfully.

Asher’s brow tensed, not finding the jab as funny as she did. He pulled her closer, loving the feel of having her in his arms.

“I could never,” he whispered. “You mesmerize me every single day.”

Gemma’s playful look dissolved into one of pure adoration.

“I love you,” she breathed.

Asher leaned down and brushed a gentle kiss over her lips as he whispered, “I love you more.”

The End.