Five Years Later

The sun shone brightly over Draycott Manor, casting a golden glow over the sprawling gardens where laughter echoed through the air.

The once-silent estate, which had been a place of shadows and secrets, was now a thriving, joyful home. Children’s voices rang out as they ran across the lawns, their laughter blending with the songs of birds and the rustle of the trees. The manor itself had undergone as much of a transformation as the people within it—it was no longer a place of isolation, but of life, love, and family.

Eloise, Duchess of Draycott, stood at the top of the stone steps leading down to the garden, watching her two young children play. Henry, the eldest at four years old, was chasing his little sister, Margaret, who was not yet two but already full of energy and mischief. Their laughter filled the air, bringing a smile to Eloise’s face.

Five years. It had been five years since she and the Duke had stood in the very same garden, exchanging vows and beginning their life together. So much had changed since that day—more than she could have ever imagined.

She was no longer the uncertain woman who had once been labeled a spinster. Now, she was a mother and a wife, confident in her place at Draycott Manor and deeply in love with her husband, the man who had once hidden himself away from the world but had now become the very heart of it.

The sound of footsteps behind her made Eloise turn, her smile widening as the Duke approached. He had changed, too, in these past five years. The brooding, guarded man she had first met was gone, replaced by a doting father and loving husband whose warmth and kindness shone in every aspect of his life.

He paused beside her, slipping his arm around her waist as they both watched their children run through the gardens. “They’ve got your energy,” he teased, his deep voice filled with affection.

Eloise laughed softly, leaning into him. “They’ve got your stubbornness,” she replied, her smile teasing but filled with love.

The Duke chuckled, his gaze softening as he watched Henry scoop up his little sister and spin her around, both of them giggling uncontrollably. “I never imagined this,” he admitted quietly, his voice laced with wonder. “I never thought I could have this kind of happiness.”

Eloise looked up at him, her heart swelling with emotion. “Neither did I,” she whispered. “But I wouldn’t trade a single moment of it.”

***

Today was a special day—Eloise and the Duke’s fifth wedding anniversary. The manor had been abuzz with preparations all week, as friends and family from near and far had been arriving to celebrate the milestone with them.

As the celebration began later in the day, Eloise found herself surrounded by the people she loved most. The grand dining room had been transformed into a space of warmth and festivity, with flowers adorning every table and the smell of a grand feast wafting through the air.

Miss Clarissa, who had once teased Eloise endlessly about her new role as Duchess, now looked upon her with pride. “You’ve done well, sister,” she said with a playful wink. “Though I must say, I still don’t envy the title. Duchess of Draycott… sounds exhausting!”

Eloise laughed, shaking her head. “It has its moments,” she replied. “But I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

As the evening wore on and the children were tucked into bed, Eloise and the Duke stole a quiet moment for themselves, walking hand in hand through the moonlit gardens. The soft hum of music from the manor drifted on the breeze, but here, in the quiet of the night, it felt like they were the only two people in the world.

They paused by the fountain, where they had shared so many moments over the years—moments of uncertainty, of love, and now, moments of pure contentment. The moonlight shimmered on the water, casting a soft glow over them as they stood together, their hands entwined.

“I never thought I could be this happy,” the Duke said softly, his voice filled with awe. “Not in my wildest dreams.”

Eloise looked up at him, her heart swelling with love. “Neither did I,” she admitted. “But we’ve built something beautiful together. A life… a family.”

The Duke smiled, his gaze drifting to the manor where their children slept peacefully. “They are our greatest accomplishment,” he murmured. “Everything else… the estate, the titles, the wealth… none of it compares to them. To you.”

Eloise’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears, her heart full as she squeezed his hand. “And I’m grateful for every day we’ve had together,” she whispered. “You’ve given me more than I ever imagined.”

The Duke turned to her fully, his dark eyes soft and filled with love. “And you’ve shown me that life can be more than just survival,” he said quietly. “You’ve taught me how to live. And I will never forget that.”

The next morning, as they stood on the balcony of the manor, watching their children play, Eloise and the Duke shared a look of contentment. The life they had built together was more than either of them could have ever dreamed. They had faced the darkness, the pain, the scandal—and had emerged stronger, together.

The future was bright, and their love, their family, was everything.

Together, they had faced the world and won—and now, their future stretched before them, full of love, promise, and the knowledge that, whatever came, they would face it hand in hand.

The End