When the Duke Was Wicked

Epilogue





From the Journal of the Duke of Lovingdon

In my lifetime I loved two women. I cannot say which I loved more because I was a very different man when I loved each of them. And I loved each of them differently.

I began adulthood with Juliette.

When my life comes to a close, it shall be with Grace at my side.

She blessed me with an heir, a spare, and a daughter. While I know that a father should not have favorites, I must admit my ginger-haired little girl wrapped herself around my heart the first time she wound her small hand around my finger. Watching Lavinia grow into womanhood was one of the most joyous, yet bittersweet aspects of my life. She resembled Margaret not at all, but there were times when I watched her that I could not help but mourn my first daughter.

Being as strong-willed as her mother, Lavinia did not serve as a substitute for Margaret.

Just as Grace did not serve as a replacement for Juliette.

When she was forty, Grace exhibited signs of another malignancy, and Graves did what needed to be done to ensure that she not yet leave me. She had once asked of me, “Is it not better to hold someone for a short span of time rather than not to have held them at all?”

During the agonizing hours while I waited for him to assure me that she would be well, I came to accept with startling clarity the truth of her words. All the moments we’d shared—I would not have given up a single one of them in order to spare myself the sorrow of losing her.

Holding her for a short time was indeed preferable to never having had the pleasure of holding her at all.

But this time the Fates were kind, and they allowed me to hold awhile longer that which I treasured above all else.

We are up into our years now. I see no signs that we shall be parting anytime soon.

My darling Grace wished only to marry a man who loved her. She met with astonishing success in that regard. For I loved her yesterday, I love her today, and I shall love her for all eternity.

Whether or not the Fates are kind.