"Can't say I've ever been too fond of beginnings, myself. Messy little things. Give me a good ending anytime. You know where you are with an ending." Neil Gaiman, The Kindly Ones

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Epilogue

Norwood, Derbyshire

July 25, 1809

Cassian had had a dream on the night his daughter was born, just over two years ago. It was more of a memory, really. He had remembered being hungry. Hunger had never been a foreign feeling to him, but he could remember being hungry.

And so his mother, Emma, had left him alone for an hour, and had returned with a loaf of bread. At the time, he had not known what she had left to do, but as an adult, Cassian knew exactly what she had done.

She had sacrificed. His mother made sacrifices to feed him. His mother made sacrifices to keep him alive. That was what being a parent meant. Putting one's child before oneself.

And so it was only right that when his newborn daughter was placed into his arms, that she be named Emma Faith Kensington, after the two women Cassian loved, and had loved, most in his life.

"What are you thinking about, Papa?"

Cassian looked down to see that Lucy had joined him in the drawing room. Lucy was dressed beautifully in her blue summer dress with a matching ribbon in her dark curly hair. She was dressed especially for the occasion.

"I was actually thinking about the day Emma was born," Cassian replied honestly.

Lucy frowned. "It is not Emma's birthday, Papa. It is Kit's!" she scolded, and turned towards the small pile of gifts that Faith had assembled on the little table between the settees.

Cassian had no idea what was inside the packages but one. Faith was the expert in that respect. She always knew what to give people to make them happy.

Lucy adjusted one of the packages so it was sitting perfectly straight. She seemed very pleased with herself. Cassian smiled as he watched Lucy feel the top parcel. She had a terrible habit of trying to guess the contents of gifts that were not hers to open.

Cassian caught Lucy unaware, and scooped her up into his arms as he laid a sloppy kiss on her cheek, causing her to squeal in disgust. Cassian laughed. "I think about all of you, all the time."

It was the honest truth. Cassian had never known such a joy, and yet such a responsibility, than that of being a father. Cassian thought about his children all the time. He wondered about them, and worried about them. Lucy more than the others.

Kit was thriving.

Upon returning to Norwood from their last trip to Leicestershire, Faith had established the village school, and had even taught there awhile until Emma's arrival made it impossible.

Kit had been the one to volunteer for the teaching position after Faith had left it vacant. Cassian had not been too keen on the idea. He had big plans for Kit's own education, plans that included Eton for starters.

But Kit wanted to teach, and Faith had persuaded Cassian to allow it. And for the last two years, Kit had been teaching the children of Norwood how to read, write, and calculate arithmetic. Cassian could see that Kit felt as though he was helping other children like him.

It was one of the qualities that Cassian both loved and disliked about his only son. Kit was forever grateful. Cassian knew that when Kit was a father, himself, that he would understand that repayment was not necessary for the love of a father.

One would have to search far and wide for a father who was more proud of their son than Cassian was of Kit.

His youngest child, little Emma, had just turned two years old, and was the perfect, energetic addition to the Kensington family. Emma was spirited, funny, and very adorable. She would grow up to be enchanting and beautiful, and Cassian was certain that whatever Emma desired would come to her quite easily.

It was the sort of life that Lucy would never have, and that broke Cassian's heart. What broke his heart even more was the constant guilt that Faith felt, and would continue to feel when Emma received opportunities that Lucy would not.

Lucy was only six years old, and yet her status as an illegitimate child was well-known unfortunately. Lucy was not yet aware of her own social limitations as of yet. In Lucy's eyes, she was a normal child, just like the others in her school. Lucy loved going to school, and she loved boasting to the others about her teacher, Mr Kensington, who was also her older brother.

Lucy had a little friend, Violet Barry, who was frequently a guest at Norwood Cottage. The girls loved to play pretend in the garden, or upstairs in Lucy's bedroom with her dolls.

But Violet came from a wealthy family, and her mother had forbade Lucy from ever entering her house. Lucy did not understand why she was not allowed to go to Violet's house to play, but she had quickly forgotten and adjusted.

It was Faith that retained the guilt. Lucy's exclusion would only worsen. Cassian knew that there would be hard times ahead for his beloved little girl.

Cassian placed Lucy back down on the ground and looked out the window. The drawing room window looked out onto the driveway. They were expecting Kit home any moment.

It was his eighteenth birthday, and they were going to celebrate. Cassian had closed the door on his study for the entire day. Family dinners would be few and far between in a month.

Cassian had hired two controllers for his factories, one to oversee the north, and one in the south, so that he did not have to travel. While their presence had reduced his workload, the paperwork did still seem to pile up.

"I hope you have not been feeling Kit's birthday parcels, Lucy," Faith said in a warning tone.

Lucy had a terribly guilty look on her face. "No, Mama," she lied.

Faith entered the drawing room carrying a large white cake, covered in gorgeous frosted decoration. Faith was followed into the drawing room by Emma, who was toddling along behind her.

"Those who lie forfeit cake," Faith warned.

"It was only the top parcel, honest!" cried Lucy, as she watched Faith place the cake down onto the table next to the parcels.

"There," Faith said, satisfied.

Cassian smiled at his wife. He enjoyed the immensely proud expression she wore as she admired her work. She had been working ever so hard to make a beautiful cake for Kit's birthday.

It had been the right decision to move his family to Norwood. Cassian had been correct in thinking that Faith would thrive, and she had.

Faith was beloved by the community, which was what made the prejudice regarding Lucy so difficult. How could they love the mother, and yet punish the child?

Nevertheless, Faith had endeavoured to involve herself in the community. Of course, she had established the school, but she also formed friendships with the villagers, and she doted on those less fortunate. She always found work for those who needed it, and always took baskets of food to those who were struggling.

Faith's kindness knew no end. Though Cassian was not at all surprised. He had been a recipient of her kindness all those years ago. He was still convinced that Faith was an angel.

Faith caught Cassian's eye and gestured proudly to her cake. Her face made him laugh. He loved that woman. He loved her fiercely.

"Am I late?" Finn asked as he entered the drawing room, removing his hat.

"No. Kit is not back yet. I sent him to fetch a book from the school, though I know he knows what we are up to. He is a good boy to play along." Faith smiled as she greeted Finn.

Finn Kelly had almost become a permanent resident at Norwood Cottage. He dined at least five times a week, spent the night most nights, and was known to Lucy and Emma as "Uncle Finn". Finn was Cassian's closest friend, and so Cassian knew part of Finn's partial residence was loneliness. Finn's family lived in Ireland, and he lived alone in his big, empty house.

Cassian kept encouraging him to get married but Finn wanted his elusive perfect woman, whoever she may be.

Emma trotted over to Cassian and reached up. Cassian smiled as he lifted Emma up into his arms. Emma's hair was just like his, unfortunately, though Faith looked after it so her curls were not as wild and messy as Cassian's. Emma's hair was nearly black, and her neat curls fell to her shoulders. In her hair was a pink bow that matched the flush over her cheeks and then hue of her little lips. Her eyes were the same as Cassian's as well. Charcoal black, though wide and childlike, filled with wonder and excitement.

Cassian kissed Emma's little nose and held her tightly to his side, though Emma quickly wanted to be released when Cat ran into the drawing room.

Cat was the girls' Christmas present. Cat was a small, impossibly sweet King Charles spaniel dog, with large floppy ears and a dark coat. Emma had cried "cat!" when she had seen him on Christmas Day, and so the name had stuck.

It was always an interesting conversation piece whenever anyone asked why they owned a dog named Cat.

Lucy and Emma stroked Cat affectionately as Cassian came to put an arm around Faith. His wife leaned in to him.

"How are you both feeling?" asked Finn. "It is a month now, is it not?"

"Yes," sighed Faith. "A month until Cambridge. I don't want him to go, but I do."

Cassian felt much the same. Cambridge University was such a wonderful opportunity for Kit, but Cassian would miss him dearly. "I want Kit to have everything that I did not, and that includes an excellent education."

"I wonder why Mother needed this book so urgently?" Kit asked loudly from outside the drawing room.

Cassian chuckled as he saw Kit enter the drawing room with his eyes shut, Faith's book request in hand. Kit was a good sport, and an even better young man. He was good natured, even tempered, and kind hearted. He loved his family and they all loved him in return.

Kit was still a very tall young man, but he was no longer so skinny. Years of proper meals had ensured that his weight was now proportionate to his height. He was a good looking boy, as well, with curly blond hair, a strong jaw, and bright green eyes. Cassian knew his handsome son would attract all sorts of women while away at university ... come to think of it, he needed to speak with Kit about that.

"Surprise!" they all cried. Cat barked.

Kit abandoned the book as Lucy and Emma raced over to grab Kit's hands. Kit needed to bend down to reach Emma as she was so much smaller than him.

As he was hunched over, Faith was able to reach Kit's cheek. She kissed him and said, "Happy birthday, darling."

"Thank you, Mother," he said gratefully.

"Sit, sit!" encouraged Lucy excitedly as she pushed Kit to sit down next to his pile of gifts.

Kit sat down, as did they all, as he looked at his pile guiltily. "You know you don't need to buy me anything."

"A young man only turns eighteen once. It is a very important age!" declared Faith. "Besides, we wanted to. They are all little things you can take away to university with you."

Kit obliged Faith as he gratefully unwrapped stationery, new quills, inks, a hair comb, and a straight razor.

"Just in case a beard should ever decide to grow," Finn teased.

"Oh, shush," scolded Faith as she collected the last gift and gave it to Kit. "This is from your father especially."

Cassian smiled as he saw the excitement in Kit's eyes as he unwrapped the parcel.

Cassian's gold pocket watch fell into Kit's lap. Kit frowned as he opened the watch, and no doubt saw he engraved letters: C. Kensington.

"But, Father, this is yours," said Kit.

"And now it belongs to you. You are a man now, and I wanted you to have something important to take away with you," Cassian said sincerely. "We are fortunate to share initials. Saved me the hassle of getting it engraved again," he added.

Kit smiled as he attached the watch to his waist coat and tucked it into his pocket. "Thank you. I will treasure it, Father," he promised.

Cassian knew that he would. "It will be a big undertaking, Cambridge," Cassian remarked. "And we are really proud of you for accepting the privilege."

"I am well aware such an education is a privilege," replied Kit, "and I do not take it for granted."

Cassian furrowed his eyebrows at Kit's emphasis on the word, but quickly brushed it aside. The cake was being served and they were celebrating. Perhaps it would be the last time that they would all be together until Christmastime.

They ate copious amounts of cake until the entire pudding was gone. Dinner had been served and Lucy and Emma had been put to bed. Finn had retired to his unofficial bedroom, and Kit had gone up not long after.

Cassian and Faith sat downstairs in the drawing room on their own in the dark, their faces only illuminated by candlelight. Well, Cassian sat, and Faith slept. She had fallen asleep against his shoulder.

"My angel," he whispered as he watched her breathe evenly.

Cassian had lived very happily in Norwood with his family these last three years. Things were about to change. Kit was about to go away. The girls were growing up in an uncertain society. But Cassian knew that so long as he had Faith by his side, he could handle anything.