The American and the Duke

Epilogue

"Push Kat, you have to push. You are so close," Talia said. She wiped my brow with a damp cloth. This pain was immense, as my entire body was being pulled apart. Rowan took me to Hever to start our lives over after the last ball of the season. Talia came to spend the winter with us, to be here when my baby came. Papa had decided to stay in London, to run his business from there. He wanted to be close to his children and grandchildren he said would soon drive him wild. Rowan gladly offered Howard House, but papa wanted something smaller. Yet still took the house while he looked. Papa, James, and Rowan were waiting outside. No doubt waiting in anxiety, childbirth was no easy thing for a woman.

"I need Rowan, I need my husband," I cried out. As another pain ripped through my body. The doctor and midwife looked at me. As if the request was not an order.

"Your grace, that is most improper. His grace, the Duke of Kent, has always waited outside until the child is born. A man should not be in the room," he said. I stared at him, my breathing ragged. I wanted to punch him, I wanted to punch something. Anything to take my mind off of the pain.

"You will get Rowan, or you will get out," I screamed. Making both the doctor and the midwife jump. Talia gave both of them a glare, the midwife ran to the door and called for Rowan. I heard some arguing as another pain coursed through my body. I screamed louder as Rowan raced in. He raced to my side, taking my hand. I tried breathing through in and out. I knew that the pains were coming quickly. This child wanted to join the world. And I gladly wanted him or her out.

"That is it your grace, one more push. I can see the head," the midwife said. I screamed, pushing as hard as I could. I then heard a loud wail pierce the sudden silence. I fell back on the pillows exhausted. Knowing that the baby was finally out.

"It is a girl, your grace. You have a beautiful baby girl," the midwife said, holding up the wailing infant. Rowan kissed my forehead and went to meet his daughter. After the baby was cleaned, the doctor helped me give birth to the afterbirth. They moved me to our chambers after cleaning me up. Dressing me in a simple nightgown. Rowan came over with a small bundle in his arms. I could see her red hair shining in the sunlight. 

"Katerina sweetheart, she is absolutely beautiful," Rowan said. Placing the small bundle in my arms. I looked at our daughter, she was absolutely beautiful. She had the brightest blue eyes. The shine of red curls on her head. She looked just like me, as if I was staring at a mirror image of myself.

"She is truly beautiful," I whispered. I looked at our daughter, and then to my husband. He was beaming, he sat next to us. Kissing my forehead. Holding us both in his arms.

"Just like her mother," he said. He tilted my chin and pulled my lips to his. I felt as if my entire life had fallen into place. Here at Hever Castle, here with my husband and my beautiful baby girl.

What shall we name her," I asked. Rowan looked down at our daughter. Cupping her small head. The infant looked at us both. As if knowing that we were both her parents.

"We shall name her Eliza, after my mother. I always wanted to name my daughter Eliza," he said. I stared down at my daughter. Eliza sounded perfect. I loved the sound if it.

"Eliza Victoria Howard," I murmured. Kissing her forehead gently. She let out a small cry. I knew what she wanted. I shifted my nightgown, and she latched immediately. 

"She will steal the hearts of everyone she will meet," Rowan said. I laughed as we both watched our daughter eat. Her small eyes shut in peace and happiness.

The whole family was overjoyed at the birth of little Eliza. Rowan was insistent that she will be the heir of the duchy of Kent. I never thought that my daughter would become a duchess one day. And yet, here in England I had fallen in love and started a family. We christened Eliza Victoria Howard at the small chapel at Hever Castle. At the reception, Talia and James announced their engagement. Their wedding is just six months away. They both had moved to the cottage just by Oxford. As James had started at Oxford soon after the season had ended.

That night, Eliza slept in the cradle by our bed. And Rowan held me in his arms. Our bodies glisten from the sweat of our lovemaking. I knew that I would fall pregnant soon enough.

"You have made me the happiest man in the world," he said. He kissed my forehead. Pulling me closer to his body. I smiled at the thought, he did not care that we had a girl. All he cared about was his family.

"I love you Rowan," I said. I looked up at him and he kissed me deeply again. My body once again ignited by desire. His hands roaming my body. I smiled against his lips. 

"Let us live in this moment," I replied. He smiled and moved to hover above me. He made love to me again and again. As we fell asleep in the wee hours of the morning, my heart filled with love and passion. And I realized that I was the American that won the heart of Rowan Howard, Duke of Kent.