A Duke’s Devilish Plan – Extended Epilogue

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Rose walked slowly into the drawing room at Withington Manor, taking off her gloves. Her heart was heavy. It had been a very sad, emotional day. She glanced down at the black silk and muslin gown she was wearing. It was rather tight around the bodice, but that was perhaps to be expected since it had been made so quickly after they had learnt of the Duke of Salisbury’s sudden passing.

She sighed heavily, turning around. Leo was pouring himself a large glass of whiskey. He looked different from the man who was her husband. He was dressed all in black as well, and his face was heavy with grief. Slowly, she walked over to him.

“How are you feeling?” she asked softly.

Leo shrugged. “I am glad that the funeral is over, at least,” he said, taking a long sip of his whiskey. “Now I just have to deal with the fact that my father is gone forever, and we are now living at Withington. That I am the Duke of Salisbury. It all happened so quickly, Rose. In the blink of an eye.”

Rose nodded, reaching out a hand to stroke his arm consolingly. No one had been expecting this. The Duke had seemed so well in the days leading up to his sudden apoplexy, which had killed him. They had only dined with him last week. He had laughed and asked them when they were going to make him a grandfather.

Rose’s heart twisted at the memory. He would never know any children they had now. A pang of regret entered her heart that they had not been blessed with children yet. It had been over a year since they had married. Now, the old Duke was gone. And they were about to begin a new life as the Duke and Duchess of Salisbury.

They had already arranged the packing up of their old house, and its sale. Tradition demanded they take up residence in the manor, after all. But even though Withington was so familiar to her, it still didn’t feel like home. Rose imagined it would be a long time before it did. The only consolation was that they would be living with Lucy now, who was almost inconsolable with grief over the loss of her beloved father.

“You think he might have made an effort,” said Leo, his face hardening. “My father was his father as well, after all. Especially after all the old man did for him.”

Rose’s heart tightened. She didn’t need Leo to say his name to know he was referring to Will. She had been disappointed, too, that his half-brother hadn’t attended the funeral. Even though she had half expected it. None of the Cliffords had seen Will since he had left Withington that summer before they were married. He was like a stranger to them now.

Suddenly, the butler walked in, coughing into his hand.

“Excuse me, Your Graces,” said the man, looking uncomfortable. “You have a visitor….”

“Who is it?” asked Leo, with an irritated sigh.

“It is me,” said a familiar voice, walking into the room.

Rose gasped. Leo almost dropped his glass of whiskey. For standing in front of them was Will. And his face was a mask of pure pain. The first time they had laid eyes upon him in such a long time.

***

Rose didn’t know what to do. Her mouth opened and closed without a sound emerging. The butler looked uncomfortable, scurrying from the room. Will took a deep breath, walking further into the room until he was only an inch away from his brother.

“I suppose I should congratulate you,” said Will, in a strangled voice. “The new Duke of Salisbury. The manor and estate are yours now, along with the title.”

“What are you doing here?” growled Leo, gripping his glass so tightly that Rose was scared it might shatter. “Have you no decency? You didn’t even attend Father’s funeral!”

Will’s face twisted in pain. “I didn’t think I would be welcome. I thought you wouldn’t want the black sheep of the family there.”

Leo scowled at him. “It is always about you, isn’t it, Will? Your feelings and your insecurities. Today was about honouring Father. Your father, as well as mine. But you couldn’t even let go of your bitterness to do that for a man who only showed you kindness and love.”

Will’s eyes filled with tears. “What does it matter now? It is done.” His face turned a mottled shade of purple. “And you have everything that should have been mine. I am the oldest son. I should be standing where you are now, drinking that fine whiskey, in my new home.”

Leo looked so furiously angry and insulted that Rose was scared he might lash out and hit the man. She was boiling with anger herself. How dare Will do this to Leo, especially today? He had just watched his father be lowered into the ground. He was emotionally spent, and this awful confrontation was just pouring salt into a very open wound.

“Are you ever going to let it go?” growled Leo, his eyes wild. “Or do you think that I should abandon the title and estate and pass it all to you? Would that make you happy, Will? Because I rather think you would probably sit here as alone and bitter as you have ever been.”

Will’s bottom lip trembled. He didn’t look angry anymore. His face dissolved into a paroxysm of grief. To Rose’s shock and distress, he suddenly burst into loud, noisy sobs. Leo looked stunned.

“I don’t want it,” choked Will. “I don’t care about any of it anymore. I would give a hundred titles and estates just to have my father back and to tell him that I love him.”

Rose stepped forward, glancing at Leo, before taking Will by the arm, leading him to the sofa. He glanced at her but was so consumed by his grief he couldn’t speak.

“Pour Will a whiskey, Leo,” she commanded. “He needs it.”

Leo obliged, passing the drink to his brother. Will took a long sip, shuddering. It seemed to settle him down. Leo sat opposite, staring at him. They waited. Will took another sip, then managed to compose himself.

“I wanted to come today,” he said slowly, his face twisting. “I was on my way. But I didn’t know if you would throw me out. I lost my courage.” His hand tightened on the glass. “Just as I have lost my courage many times over the past year to come to you or Father and tell you how sorry I am. To tell you what a fool I have been.”

Leo gave a painful sigh. “Will, you should have known that Father would have always welcomed you with open arms. He loved you.”

Will shuddered. “I know, Leo. It is my own fault entirely. Everything that happened was my fault.” He turned to Rose. “I am sorry for what I did to you, Rose. I am sorry I never attended your wedding. Can either of you ever forgive me?”

Rose glanced at Leo. Her husband’s face was still tight with anger, and he was wary. Rose glanced down at her lap, so confused she didn’t know what to do. This was so unexpected.

She had forgiven Will for his role in keeping her and Leo apart a long time ago. But seeing the man, and the anger he had just shown towards Leo, had stirred things up in her heart again. It was as if she was back here during that summer, having to suffer beneath his cold gaze, knowing he didn’t like her but not knowing why.

She knew now, of course. It had never really been about her at all. Will would have done the same thing to any woman Leo had fallen in love with. It wasn’t personal. But that still didn’t take away the fact that it had felt very personal, indeed. It wasn’t easy being so despised by someone without knowing why or ever having done anything to offend them.

“I do not know, Will,” said Leo in a hard voice. “That depends upon my wife. For you did her a great wrong. She suffered a great deal through your interference in our lives.”

Rose glanced up. She took a deep breath, turning to Will. “You have my forgiveness,” she said slowly. “But I think that none of this is about me. It is about the relationship between the two of you. But you both know that, of course.”

There was an awkward silence. The two brothers stared at each other.

“I am sorry, Leo,” said Will, in a strangled voice. “I let my resentment get the better of me. I never felt good enough. I never felt like I belonged in your family. And I suppose I took it all out on you. I focused all of my insecurity onto the fact you were going to inherit everything, and I would get very little.”

Leo looked pained. He took a long sip of his whiskey.

“It doesn’t mean I didn’t love you,” continued Will, his voice almost a whisper. “I did love you. I still do. Those years working together are some of the best memories of my life. I want to put this past us and to have a relationship with you again.” His face contorted with pain. “I know I have left it too late with Father, but there is still time for us.”

Rose felt tears spring into her eyes. Hastily, she looked away. The room was thick with emotion. She almost felt like she was intruding, like she should creep out of the room and leave them to it.

What would Leo do?

She glanced quickly at her husband. He had tears in his eyes, as well. She could see how upset he was but also how moved by Will’s declaration. 

“We can give it a chance,” he said eventually, in a gruff voice. “I do not know if it will work, Will. I have a lot of distrust towards you still. But for Father’s sake and my own, I am willing to give it a go. I always loved you too, you know.”

Will nodded, so overcome that he couldn’t speak.

Rose knew it was her moment to leave. The brothers needed to talk amongst themselves. She made an excuse and walked quickly out of the room. Her heart was light for the first time that day. Perhaps something good had come out of this sad day, after all.

***

They were all gathered around the dining table. Rose glanced at the faces, one by one, almost overwhelmed with emotion. It was almost like they had stepped back in time to that summer a year ago. But this evening, everyone was wearing black, and the chair at the head of the table was empty.

The chatter was subdued in deference to that empty chair. But it was almost like the spirit of the Duke was with them. Rose could feel him in the air, smiling approvingly at his two sons, sitting side by side, talking in a cautious, halting way.

Her heart contorted as she gazed at the faces. Lucy, so pale and bereaved but happy that Leo and Will were talking again. Her mother and father, still stunned by the loss of their good friend, talking quietly amongst themselves. Maria, looking strangely beautiful in black, serene and silent. And Virgil, yawning in his chair, up past his bedtime for this special family reunion.

Her eyes filled with tears. So much had happened. Leo and Will were slowly repairing their relationship, united in their shared grief. Maria had told her quietly that a gentleman was courting her and had asked for her hand, but they would not approach her father until the period of mourning was done. Rose had been incandescent with joy at her sister’s happy news, as well as seeing her again. They lived so far away from each other now, and letters could only bridge the gap so much. 

Maria had told her some other happy news. Apparently, Bertie was courting a lovely local lady who shared his enthusiasm for stamps and coins. The talk in the neighbourhood was that they would be wed by winter. Rose was so pleased her former fiancé had finally found his love match. She glanced at her husband. Just like she had in Leo.

Leo caught her eye. A wave of emotion and love passed between them. He clinked a spoon on the side of his wine glass to get everyone’s attention. The chatter died down. Everyone turned to look at him.

“To the late Duke,” he said in a strong voice. “My father.”

“To the Duke,” everyone echoed, raising their glasses.

“And to the new Duke of Salisbury,” said Will, turning to Leo, his eyes shining with tears of pride, as well as sorrow. “My brother.”

***

Later that night, after everyone was abed, Rose turned to her husband, lying beside her. He had been unusually quiet ever since they had retired. Rose could see that the emotion of the past week was catching up with him.

He reached out, taking her hand, raising it to his lips. “Have I told you that you look striking in black? So very beautiful that I am almost tempted to tell you to keep wearing the colour.”

Rose laughed quietly. “You do not have to say that, Leo. You do not have to keep complimenting me, even when your heart is so full of sorrow and mixed emotion.” She hesitated. “The dinner went well, I thought. Everyone seems to be talking easily with Will again.”

Leo nodded. “I even saw him talk briefly to Maria. I do not know what they talked about, but they both seemed pleased.”

Rose smiled. “I think they have buried the hatchet. Will has gotten over her snub all those years ago.”

Leo laughed. “His unrequited love for Maria. Yes, he has. He told me quietly he is courting a lady and hopes to make her his bride one day.” He paused, gazing at Rose intently. “He said that he knows now he was never in love with Maria. And that it is only knowing true love that finally made him realise how sorry he was for separating us all those years ago.”

“He seems changed, Leo,” said Rose, in a quiet voice. “I think he is truly remorseful for all of it. And so very eager to be your brother again and make amends for the past.”

Leo nodded. “Yes. I am still cautious. I shall take it slow. But I do have hope that things will be different now, and we can be brothers again.” His eyes shone with tears. “I know my father would be over the moon if he could see us now.”

“He would,” asserted Rose. “I could feel his presence tonight. He is happy, Leo, to see you both reconciled. I know it.”

Leo laughed softly, reaching out to twirl a strand of her hair around his fingers. “You sound like Lucy.” He paused, looking pensive. “Speaking of my sister, it will be good for all of us to be together as a family again. It will help all of us in our grief.”

Rose sighed, sidling closer to him, leaning her head against his chest. “It will.”

Leo stroked her hair softly. “Have I told you lately how much I love you, Duchess of Salisbury? How I couldn’t have gotten through any of this without you?”

Rose’s heart skipped a beat. “You do not need to, Leo. You know I am here for you whenever you need me. Through the good times and the bad times. Always.”

He leaned down, taking her lips in his own. The kiss was tender and soft. Until suddenly, the passion flared to life between them, a small flame bursting to life again. 

Rose shuddered with longing. They hadn’t made love since his father had passed away. Leo had been too consumed by grief, and then there had been the emotion of his reconciliation with Will. He had been falling asleep exhausted every night.

But she could tell by the way he was kissing her and touching her that he wanted to make love now. That the need was desperate within him. And she knew, instinctively, that it would be healing for him, as well. The joining of their flesh was never anything but an ecstatic joy for both of them, that had only gotten better over time. Almost like a benediction. 

They sunk deeper into the kiss. His hands were frantic, almost burning with need. She knew that there was no need for finesse this time. He needed to be inside her immediately. And she was ready. More than ready for him.

She gasped with delight when she felt him slide into her. They twisted together, frantically, as if they couldn’t get enough of each other. She felt the sudden leap of sensation gathering within her body, just for him. It burst forth abruptly, causing her body to buck. He gripped her tightly, grinding into her as if he wanted to crawl into her. His own release suddenly shuddered through him. They both cried out, lost in their shared ecstasy.

When they had gathered their breath, he turned to her, gazing deep into her eyes. 

“I can take on anything in life,” he whispered. “As long as you are by my side.”

“Yes,” she whispered, stroking his face. “We can do anything as long as we are together.”

They settled into the bed, holding each other. Rose smiled lazily. She knew now was not the time to tell him. Not yet. Too much was happening at the moment. But the time would come when she would inform him that their love was about to produce something else.

Her hand rested lightly on her belly. Yes, it had all come full circle. And she felt the spirit of the Duke, smiling down upon them once again.

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