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She sighed again, eying the Mount growing brighter and brighter, no doubt awakening its residents and pulling them from their beds and homes. “Very well. Though I can’t imagine what other rumors would start would be worse than what’s already been said ’bout the two of us.”

“I can imagine a few,” he said with a wink.

She swatted him playfully on the arm, if only to distract herself from her overheated cheeks. How he managed to make her blush every time was beyond her.

And yet, how she hoped it would continue for years and years to come.

He reached down, taking her hand in his and pulling her toward their home.

She did not know, nor could anyone know, what the future held for them. But what Livvy did know was that as she walked hand-in-hand with August, the sun glistening brightly on the rocks beside them and the Mount glowing before them, whatever future was before them, she could not wait for it.

For any future with August Moon was not only worth fighting for—it was worth living for.

EPILOGUE

“…how suddenly one comes to be happy, just, perhaps, when one is beginning to think one never is to be happy again!”

The Italian, Ann Radcliffe

“Be ye ready?” Livvy asked, straightening August’s cravat as they stood in the corridor near the front door of their house.

“I believe so,” August said, eying his pocket watch once again before tucking it securely in his waistcoat pocket. He glanced anxiously around, patting his jacket pockets for who knew what.

Livvy couldn’t help but smile. Over five years together now, and he still expressed his nerves in the same manner.

“Breathe,” she said, making the motion with her hands for him to breathe in and out. “All will be well.”

He nodded, though his breathing still appeared stinted.

She pressed her lips together, wishing to help ease his agitation, though it was entirely warranted—new jobs always were.

Days after Livvy’s decision to remain with August all those years ago, Father had written to the castle, requesting his removal from his head position over the gardens. Within a month, the job had been fulfilled by Mr. Caddy, a gardener who had come highly recommended from an estate near London.

Fortunately, through a surprising turn of events, August had managed to secure his job as undergardener once again and had worked for Mr. Caddy devotedly over the last five years.

Just last week, however, Mr. Caddy announced his intention to return to London, recommending August to replace him as head gardener.

Livvy had been thrilled, and August, elated. After all these years, his lifelong dream was now being realized.

And yet, his nerves this morning appeared to be eating him up.

But there was one certain thing she knew would always make him feel better.

Reaching forward, she placed both of her hands on his face and pulled him down, kissing him soundly on the lips. Sure enough, within a moment, his arms encircled her waist, and he kissed her in return.

Just as he deepened their kiss, however, footsteps skittered past the corridor, and giggles erupted, followed by swift gagging noises.

“Don’t look, Miranda! They do be kissin’ again!”

“No, me like it!”

Livvy pulled away from August and peered down at their two children, Piran, their four-year-old son, and Miranda, their daughter who’d just turned three.

August smiled down at them, his arms still wrapped around Livvy. “If ye don’t like seein’ us kiss, son, ye best look away.”

He moved toward Livvy again, and the kids ran back down the corridor with squeals and groans.

But Livvy sidestepped August just in time. He opened his mouth with a look of longing. “Just one more?”