It had been several months since the incident. Richard had entered Juliana's bedroom unannounced, making her laugh.

"Excuse me, sir. Whatever happened to a lady's privacy?" Juliana teased.

"That privilege ended long ago," he told her, sitting on the edge of her bed and pulling her into his embrace.

She wore only her chemise and laughed again when he rubbed his hand over the tell tale bump of her stomach.

"I am starting to get a little jealous. This baby is not even here yet and gets more attention than me now a days," Juliana playfully pouted.

Richard gave her stomach a kiss and then stood up. He leaned in, to kiss her and she pushed him away, causing him to fall back on the bed.

"What? I play second fiddle to kisses now too!"

Richard laughed, "I am sorry. I am just so excited. I cannot wait for this child to arrive."

He held his arms out to her and Juliana came back to his embrace, situating herself in his lap. "I am also. I would love a little boy like you," she said, giving him the kiss that he was longing for.

Richard sighed with contentment. "Having a premonition are we? I personally would love a little girl with your hair and eyes."

"I noticed you did not say temperament," Juliana said poking his chest.

"I think this child is in trouble no matter whose temperament, is inherited."

This made Juliana giggle even more. "I can see it now. Cursed with a little girl, with my hair and eyes but your temper."

"I would be liable to lock her away until she is well beyond marriageable age," Richard said teasingly.

"You will do no such thing, " Juliana admonished.

"Of course not," Richard admitted, knowing he would love this child too much, "if anything, he or she will be terribly spoiled. I will however, enjoy making more."

"Shameless," she told him running her hand over his shirt; it moved in such a way, she had caught glimpse of the shiny pink scar. She frowned. "Does it still cause you pain?" she asked.

"No, Love. Nothing about that day can ever cause us pain again," Richard told her.

She smiled and then kissed him. He enjoyed her lips and everything attached to them. He would love to explore things further but instead ended his teasing all too fleetingly.

"Sorry, Love. As much as I would like to continue this tryst, I cannot. You have guests."

"Guests?" Juliana could not even imagine.

"Yes. Annabelle, Cyril and the boys await you downstairs."

Juliana squealed with glee and jumped from Richard's lap, pulling the bell for the servants. Lily quickly entered.

"Mistress?"

"Lily, sweet Lily. I must dress in a hurry."

Lily laughed at her demeanor. "Then let us get to it," she said taking out the garments she had already pressed and waiting for her.

Richard left them and made short work of his own attire. He met up with the Kane family who were enjoying a light brunch in the garden.

"Good day, all," he said upon entering the veranda.

"Uncle Richard!" the boys said tackling their uncle.

Cyril came over to shake his hand. "How is your better half?"

"Currently dressing. She does not move as quickly now a days," Richard told him jokingly.

"I know the feeling," Annabelle said her protruding belly far more evident as she was at least two months further along.

Richard came to her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "It is so wonderful to see you all again."

"Purely mercenary, I assure you. When we received your letter offering to take the boys for awhile, I could not resist," Annabelle said, although feeling slightly guilty admitting it.

"We can use the practice and I knew Juliana would love the surprise."

At that moment, Juliana entered. The boys gingerly hugged her, knowing to be careful because of their mother. She squeezed them both and then came to see Annabelle and Cyril.

"Look at you," Annabelle complained to Juliana, "just a few months away from me and you hardly show. It is not fair, I tell you. I look like I swallowed a hot air balloon."

"You are even more lovely than the day I met you," Cyril told her.

She waved his words away with a flick of her hand. "You have to say that. You live with me."

Cyril chuckled.

"I have the new paintings for you," Juliana said and a servant had brought them in almost as if on cue.

Annabelle struggled with the chair but stood up to take a look.

"Oh, Juliana they are lovely! The ones you had sent a few months ago did not even last a week in the gallery."

Juliana felt proud knowing it. "I have made arrangements for Lily to return with you, if you do not mind? She can manage the gallery while you are unable. She has a brilliant mind for business."

"But who will help you here?" Annabelle asked not wanting to deprive Juliana at such a critical time.

"Lily's younger sister will take that position when the time comes. Her brothers are doing fine work with Richard on the tenant farms, and although I doubt she will ever be fully recovered, her mother does show improvement since moving to the cottage, here on the grounds. You would be doing me a great service. If you are willing to give Lily this chance?" Juliana questioned, as they were business partners.

"You would think me mad, if I were silly enough to turn your offer down. If you think she is capable, then that is recommendation enough for me," Annabelle admitted.

"I will miss her but it is, what is best and I would feel so much better knowing she is with you."

"Consider it done," Cyril said. "Annabelle can certainly use the help."

"Wonderful!" Juliana exclaimed.

"I have received a letter from Clara," Annabelle said.

This surprised both Juliana and Richard, as they had not had word from Clara since she left the Manor, even though they both had written.

Benjamin was quick to round up those in cahoots with Emmaline Chase. He called in his reserves. He made sure not one was left behind. They were all taken to London, where they had faced either imprisonment or transport. It still took him a month to do so.

In that time, Juliana had been caring for Richard's wound and Clara spent most of her time in the library, either reading or writing. Any time Juliana had tried to speak with her about the event she would not allow it, saying she preferred to focus on the future.

Juliana did not press for she too wanted to leave the past behind them. So they would chat about her story, or the latest novel she had read.

They had a small ceremony and buried Lady Catherine. Her belongings showed up a few days after. Among them were letters written between Emmaline and Catherine. It would seem the entire plan to use Cecelia was Emmaline's doing. Knowing Catherine's greed, Emmaline knew she would be eager to comply. However, one day Cecelia had shown up wanting to tell Richard the truth about the child and her Mother's plans. She did not want to be a party to it anymore.

Instead, Cecelia found Richard had left for London and so confessed all to Lady Catherine. Lady Catherine took the new information and tried, in her ignorance, to blackmail Emmaline with it. Not realizing the person she was dealing with, she quickly found she was in over her head and fearing for her life, fled to Bath. Reading the correspondences, it was easy for Richard to understand why Lady Catherine fell prey to her nerves and began medicating them. Having dealt with Emmaline in person, he understood much more.

He kept his promise to her and buried her next to his Father near the family chapel.

"What does she say?" Juliana asked.

"Not much, just that she spends most of her days in the country and that she misses us all. She did happen to mention that she is nearing the completion of her book and was hoping you would take a look before she takes it to a publisher."

"Of course," Juliana said, but wondered why Clara, would not make the request of her, on her own.

Richard remembered his offer to negotiate for Clara, but wondered if it were still necessary. Had she and Benjamin fixed their relationship? Would he take her part?

"Any news of Benjamin and what he is up to?" Richard asked.

"Afraid not," Annabelle said, "but reading between the lines I would say she is still on her own."

Juliana frowned. She so wished Clara's and Benjamin's relationship was different. She knew they loved one another, she doubted two people could love one another more but they were like two ships passing in the night.

They all had a very enjoyable day. The six of them had much catching up to do. In the morning, Cyril and Annabelle would head back home, taking Lily with them and the boys would stay on awhile at the Manor.

Juliana tucked the boys in and told them a story from Richard's Father's library. They avidly listened to every word, until their eyes could not stay open a moment longer. She kissed their heads and turned down the gas lamp that she left lit in the room.

She turned to see Richard's tall frame filling the doorway. His loving look, took her breath away.

"You are going to make a wonderful mother," he told her taking her arm to walk her back to the Library, knowing she would wish to put the book away. She always made certain every book had its place.

"Thank you for my surprise today. I loved seeing them all. It has been too long," Juliana said.

Richard was well aware of how Juliana felt about family. If it were up to her she would most likely have them all live under the same roof, so they could surround her always. As that was not possible, he would have to settle for giving her as many children as she pleased, and he knew they would both enjoy every moment of it.

"I have a surprise for you too," she told him.

"You do? And what might that be?" he asked. They had reached the doors of the Library.

She stood with her back to the doors.

"Close your eyes," she told him and when he complied she opened the doors and led him by the hand to the middle of the room.

"May I open them?" he asked. She put the book down that was in her hand and turned him to face the fireplace.

"Now, you may open them," Juliana said.

Richard looked and above the mantel was a picture of his father and Richard when he was boy, about the age he was when he went away to school. Every detail was there. It was as if his Father was suddenly standing in the room. Pride and love shown in his Father's face, as he looked upon the young Richard, who wore a similar expression.

"How did you? When did you?" Richard felt at a loss for words.

"You dared me to paint something more beautiful than myself. I had wanted it as a wedding gift but it was incomplete. I had it finished a few months ago and I sent it with the other painting to Annabelle. I asked for her to have it framed for me. She did and her and Cyril brought it with them today. Do you like it?" Juliana asked uncertain.

"Love, I have not the words. You brought him back to me, in every loving detail. Resurrected, before my very eyes. Just like you had done yourself not so long. Now my family is complete," he rested his hand on her stomach, "and growing."

"You are, and always have been, all the family I have ever wanted or needed. You are my heart and soul," Juliana told him.

"Thank you. I love you, now, always and forever, " Richard said, and took her in his arms. He pulled the pins from her hair and let the locks fall, running his fingers through them.

"As beautiful as that painting is, it still does not compare to you," he took possession of her lips. She surrendered to him. Her knight had returned and he wanted only her. She was no longer doomed to live a life without love. She instead had more love than one heart could possibly hold. She had her Richard, she had her family, and she had her happily ever after.

________________

Thank you all who have read this story. Especially those of you who voted and commented giving this author a much needed boost in her confidence about her writing. For years, my work has sat idle on a computer destined never to read or completed. You have managed to help me do both. I will miss you all greatly. I thank you for the success you've helped me reach. Without you, this book would not have been nearly as good or exciting.

- the story of Benjamin and Clara - by Ruechari

(in progress)

Ranked #56 On Historical Fiction Hot List - July 8, 2017

I am currently working on Clara and Benjamin's story. Hoping to give them their Happily Ever After, although they will have much to overcome. As this is a completely new story from start to finish.

Benjamin McAllister's past was riddled with intrigue, war and death. It was no place for a woman, such comforts as marriage, family and love were not meant to be his but one woman changed all of that for him.

Clara Bentley had won Benjamin McAllister's heart but the prize had come at a price. He loved her, he married her but he could not be by her side. His responsibilities to King and Crown were too great, leaving her often alone.

After her brother's wedding, and the events that took place (see From the Ashes) Clara was forever changed. Benjamin tried so hard to keep her from his world but it would seem that world found them.

Things have turned from bad to worse, as Benjamin is needed once more to serve both King and Crown, leaving Clara alone and on her own. She left him once hoping he would follow. Hoping to get his attention. Now she's leaving for a completely different reason. Will they find their way back to one another, or will they both remain...

Forever Ruined.

___________

Want to know how Annabelle and Cyril met... read their story in

Love's Counterpart - by Ruechari (Complete)

Made it through 3 rounds of the #OpenNovellaContest and onto the short list for the top five finalist and grand prize winner. 2-19-18

Summary: Annabelle is frightened as her first season in London approaches. Marriage? She always hoped it would be for love. But what does she know about love. When looking for clues among her letters from her past suitors, she finds a letter she's never read before. Such passion and love, although she does not know its author, she has made it her ideal of what she wishes to find ... Love's Counterpart.

Cyril Kane is probably the least romantic person on the planet. He wouldn't know a sonnet from a bonnet but upon seeing Annabelle all that has to change. He does not know how but he is determined to be the man worthy of her love. 02-01-18 Ranked 215 in Historical Fiction#OpenNovellaContest