Viscounts and Vampires

Epilogue

Robert hugged his wife and lifted his glass of wine.

"And now a toast," he said, gazing at Rose lovingly, "to my beautiful wife. And our new son, Benjamin."

"Hear, hear!" Eleanor exclaimed, lifting her own glass. They all drank heartily. Robert smiled at his wife who sat next to him on the settee, reclining with a satisfied smile on her face. She had recovered wonderfully from the birth of the second child, allowing Eleanor and Taric the opportunity to come to Holloway and visit.

"I cannot thank you enough for coming," Rose said, turning to Eleanor as Robert engaged Taric in conversation.

"I would not stay away for the world," Eleanor answered her. "I came as soon as I thought you would be recovered enough. Robert made you sound so weak."

"Oh you know how my husband is," Rose said, shooting a smile at the man. "He would have me stay in bed for the first year of my son's life, just to make sure I felt alright."

"Men always underestimate us," Olivia added, smiling at her daughter and daughter-in-law. "Although, Eleanor I do not think you will have that trouble with your husband."

"I think not," Eleanor laughed. Taric looked up across the room and narrowed his eyes.

"You're talking about me," he said. "I can always tell when my wife is talking of me behind my back."

"Only good things, I promise," Eleanor said. "We are merely discussing how you will be likely to underestimate me when it comes time to have our first child."

Taric's eyes widened. "And when will that be, pray tell?"

Eleanor laughed. "Whenever I am quite ready, thank you. Although," she said, on a more serious note, "with London cleared we have no reason to delay."

Olivia looked between the two of them with delight. "I should dearly love a granddaughter," she said. "Just think! The joy of watching her grow, of introducing her to society, of watching her first season.

Eleanor let out a groan. Her mother was incorrigible.