In the Baron’s Debt by Roselyn Francis

Epilogue

Augusta kissed Loftus as they stood on the steps leading out of the church, hand in hand with their wedding guests lining the path in front of them, cheering away. Augusta leaned back with a smile so great, she thought her cheeks could hurt forever more. Loftus smiled back and raised their joined hands, kissing the back of it.

In the crowd in front of them, James stood, holding onto Markus who was bobbing on his toes happily.

“I think he is happy,” Augusta leaned toward Loftus and whispered to him, pointing out Markus and his evident glee.

“So he is,” Loftus laughed and held out his free hand towards the boy in the crowd, beckoning him toward them. James gave him a little nudge forward and Markus went willingly, running toward them and taking his father’s hand in his own. “Ready to go home, Markus?”

The boy nodded eagerly in reply.

Loftus gave another smile just for Augusta to see and then they walked together, hand in hand down the church path, now husband and wife, with their little family complete. They had not gone two steps before Markus released Loftus’ hand and ran around to take Augusta’s instead, causing the two of them to laugh.

They wished their guests goodbye and hurried into the carriage at the end of the path, waving at the guests as the coach pulled forward, and disappeared down the road. Markus sat between the two of them, bobbing up and down in his seat, he was so happy.

Augusta shared his happiness. She could barely believe what had happened over the last few weeks of her life. Since the discovery of Maria’s meddling in their betrothal eight years ago, she and Loftus fell back into a perfect romance. James had not hesitated to give his blessing for the wedding and had seconded Loftus’ wish for the wedding to be soon. Preparations had been quick, with Markus happily taking part.

The boy was starting to talk more and to Augusta’s joy he even called her ‘Mama.’ Amazed that she had somehow ended up with the perfect family she had always dreamed of, with all the heartache pushed behind her, she could not tear her eyes from either Loftus, or Markus, as they drove home.

The whole journey Loftus and Markus spoke of plans the three of them could do together. Augusta happily took part, but her mind was elsewhere.

Since their betrothal, there had not been a repeat of the afternoon they had spent on her bed, as Loftus had said he wanted to do things right, but now her mind was consumed with the idea. She wanted to be with him again in those same intimate positions and this time, it would not just be out of desire, but out of love too.

When they reached the house, Markus hurried out of the carriage first, running towards the door where Holmes and the other staff were waiting to greet the three of them. Loftus helped Augusta down from the carriage, squeezing her hand and offering her a wink. It brought heat to her cheeks, just thinking of what could pass between them.

“My Lord!” Holmes said with such a great smile that Augusta thought there were tears in his eyes. They reached his side in the doorway entrance. “May I be the first to offer my congratulations.” Holmes offered his hand and Loftus took it warmly.

“Thank you, Holmes.”

“All has been prepared for the wedding breakfast,” Holmes confirmed, gesturing behind him to the guests. “And the new gift for Markus has been brought into the drawing room,” he lowered his voice to a whisper, but Markus heard him, just as he had really intended. Markus dashed off through the house, running towards the drawing room, making Augusta laugh.

“I think he is excited,” she remarked as she followed him through the corridor.

“Thank you, Holmes,” Loftus clapped his butler warmly on the arm as he hurried after her.

In the doorway, Augusta stood leaning on the frame, watching as Markus gazed at his new gift. It was a brand-new piano, one a little smaller than the one Loftus had in the house, but a little bigger than the harpsichord in Augusta’s. It was the perfect size for Markus to continue his practice.

“Do you like it?” Augusta asked, watching as Markus turned to her, jumping up and down.

“I love it, thank you Mama,” he ran to her just as Loftus appeared at her side. The boy hugged her legs.

“You are very welcome,” she patted him on the head with affection. “It is a gift from both of us.”

The boy ran back to the piano, eager to be playing at once. As he sat on the stool and practiced the short pieces Augusta had taught him. Loftus moved closer to her and wrapped an arm around her waist. She leaned into him as they watched Markus, both smiling.

“I did not think I could ever be this happy,” Loftus whispered to her, dropping a small kiss to her neck that brought a giggle from her.

“Me neither.”

“Our guests will be arriving soon for the breakfast,” he murmured to her, his hold growing tighter on her waist and making her thoughts turn to a more exciting matter.

“Then I must change before their arrival,” she glanced down at the wedding dress she wore. It was a soft cream empire gown with a long train behind. “Care to assist me?” She looked up with a mischievous smile, her excitement growing further as he smiled at her.

“How could I refuse?” He released her waist and took her hand. They both looked at Markus one last time, ensuring he was happy before he led her through the house and up the stairs towards his chamber.

Once they were hidden inside, completely alone, Augusta found herself taken into Loftus’ arms again. This time, it was different to their afternoon on the bed. As he kissed her, it held the same urgency, the same need and passion, but there were softer touches too.

As they began to undress each other, there were gentle caresses, whispered words of love and promises for the future. As Loftus untied the corset from Augusta, she felt her breathing grow quicker with anticipation.

“We will have to be quiet this time,” he whispered to her with a small laugh. “With the staff making preparations for the wedding breakfast, they might hear us if we are too loud.” She laughed at the idea, hurrying to remove her stockings and toss them to the floor.

“That might be a difficult task.”

“Then I will have to quieten you with kisses,” he spun her back around as she was released from the corset and gave her one of the kisses he had mentioned.

His hands wandered with the kisses, to the point that he was reaching beneath the chemise she was wearing to her bear skin beneath. He caressed her waist and hips, urging her to claw at him, desperately trying to remove the shirt and trousers for him.

“Hurry,” she pulled back from the kiss, gesturing for him to be quick with removing his clothes. “If we are gone very long, poor Markus will wonder what happened to us, and the guests might arrive at any moment.”

“He will understand when he is older,” Loftus laughed, but nevertheless he hurried with his clothes. Within minutes, he had stripped himself and was reaching toward her chemise, lifting it over her head and tossing it to the floor.

Once bare, they pressed their bodies together again. Augusta felt her body coil with excitement at his touch. She dragged him towards the bed, pulling him to follow her. A part of her wondered how life could have been if they had been so intimate for the last eight years, but it hardly mattered anymore.

She now had her happiness, even if it had to be delayed a little by a few years.

She pulled him over her on the bed. He was quick to follow, parting her legs by pulling at her knees. Her body was ready for him, he positioned himself over her, there was no need for hesitation.

As he moved inside of her, they both gasped. They paused for a moment, just feeling how they were connected, as they gazed at one another.

Before they could begin to move and begin their sensual dance together, Augusta lifted her hand to Loftus and brushed back his hair from his forehead, the better to admire his green eyes.

“I love you,” she whispered, prompting him to smile and drop a sweet kiss to her lips.

“I love you too.”

Then, he began to move. It was not long until they were both panting from the heat of the rhythm that had been built up. Augusta pulled at his arms as he moved, desperate to be somehow even closer to him.

Soon, Loftus paused in his movement, making Augusta look up at him in surprise.

“There is something I would like to try,” he whispered to her. “But remember, we must stay quiet.”

She nodded, his words sent a shiver through her. He withdrew from her, then urged her to turn over so that she was on her hands and knees. Then he moved toward her and entered her again from behind.

The new sensation had Augusta bury her head against the mattress, muffling any chance she had at moaning, though her body was begging her to make the sounds.

Loftus picked up the pace again and their sensual rhythm soon sent Augusta to new heights of pleasure. As with before, just as she had climbed that ladder of bliss, she climbed it again. This time, she and Loftus both reached their peaks at the same time. As she crashed over the edge, Loftus did too. Neither of them could quite stop their moans completely. They moved together, riding out the wave of passion, as they both came down from their high.

Afterward, they laid on the bed side by side, both struggling to regain their breath.

“We should dress,” she patted his chest. “We have guests coming.”

“I’m tempted to tell them not to come,” he laughed, prompting her to tap him harder in a mock reprimand.

“It is our wedding breakfast!”

“We have waited many years, and I wish to make up for lost time,” he rolled her over, preparing to give her another kiss.

“Do not think on it,” she said with seriousness, weaving her hands in his hair once again. “We have our whole lives together now.”

He kissed her again and she lost herself in that kiss and her own words.

It is true. We are together forever from now on.

The End?