EPILOGUE

"They're here."

Madeleine was sitting on a chaise in the Abbotsleigh foyer, glancing out the window to the carriageway outside. Her comment alerted Will, who was also in the foyer, standing before the huge gilded mirror and adjusting the cuffs on his Navy jacket.

"I suppose it's almost time, then," he said, almost to himself.

Maddie turned to him, gazing at him fondly as he checked the buttons on his coat carefully. He was always so handsome in his uniform, she thought to herself, and seeing him now, his blue tailored coat reflecting the clear blue of his eyes, made it even harder to say goodbye.

"I suppose it is," she replied, regret in her voice. She stood from her chaise, drifting across the room to stand before him, sliding her arms around his neck. "But I wish it wasn't," she whispered in his ear as he took her into a warm embrace.

"I know," he whispered back. "I wish I could stay, but I can't." He paused for a moment, seeing the sadness in her green eyes. "Sometimes I hate being in the Navy." He said quietly, glancing to the floor with a sigh.

Maddie grinned knowingly, lifting his chin to look into his eyes once more. "No you don't, Captain," she replied, before touching the golden epaulettes on his shoulder, as she had done so proudly on their wedding day.

It seemed almost like an eternity since Madeleine Dewhurst had gracefully drifted down the aisle in the Chatsworth Chapel, and exchanged her vows of love with William Mowett. He held her that day, offering her his eternal devotion, making her the happiest woman on Earth. Since that perfect moment, when he had slid the golden band on her finger, nothing had been the same. Her life had been turned upside down, moving to Abbotsleigh, taking up residence as the lady of the house, her address as Mrs Mowett still rather difficult to get the hang of. Still, she adored it, adored every moment, and with every night she spent in his arms, holding him close through the long, cold winter, she was firmly of the opinion that nobody on the planet could ever be as happy as she.

That was until the day his father had visited from London, hand delivering the orders to his son, and son-in-law Captain Thomas Pullings, that they had been recalled to service. Madeleine had hidden in their suite and cried that day, not wanting Will to see her tears, terrified that her perfect life would now be over, and that he would not return from his mission. He had sought her out, and found her, taking her in his arms, telling her that he would indeed return, and that it would take more than the entire French Navy to keep him away from the woman he loved.

Gradually, as the news had sunk in, she had come to accept it, until now, on the day when he was about to leave her, when she could stand back and let him go, even if it tore her apart to do it. No, she knew what was in his heart; he loved her, that was true, but she also knew his first love would always be the sea, and she had realised that long ago.

As the couple stood together in the foyer, Will's arms wrapped tightly around his wife as she reflected on the joy of her life since their marriage, Mrs Bell opened the huge Abbotsleigh main door, where Charlotte, in one of her current favourite green gowns (for green was that season's colour), waltzed across the floor, her brother and sister-in-law grinning broadly at her rather overdone entrance.

"My darlings," Charlie said grandly, taking her sister into a warm embrace, before offering her hand genteelly to her brother. "We have arrived."

"Indeed," added Tom from the door. He was also dressed in full Captain's uniform, his hat making him seem a great deal taller than he actually was.

"Well then," Maddie sighed, "I suppose it's nearly time to say goodbye." She turned back to Will, who pulled her close once again.

"Almost," he said softly, before taking Maddie's hand and leading her, with Tom and Charlotte following, to the Drawing Room for a quiet drink and one last reflection.

It had certainly been a busy year. The two couples sat together, laughing and smiling about all the experiences they had shared over this exciting, and sometimes difficult period. At one point, Maddie's gaze drifted to the fireplace as she remembered her father's death and how it had hurt her, but Will gently took her hand and offered her a comforting smile, his touch warming her heart as it had done so many times before. They all talked and talked, until it seemed as though the world around them stopped, and they could be happy together, there at Abbotsleigh, at that moment and for the rest of their lives.

But the hours ticked over, the sun slowly making its way down to the west, and it was soon clear that the gentlemen must depart for the long journey ahead of them. At length they stood, drifting slowly back to the Abbotsleigh foyer and out into the afternoon sunshine, where the carriage was waiting to take the Captains to London, and from there on to Portsmouth, and their waiting commissions.

Tom and Charlotte descended the stairway to the carriage, arm in arm. They had been so close these past few months, starting their new life in their new home, and Charlie was devastated that her beau was now leaving her for a new and potentially dangerous mission.

"Oh, Tom, you will take care, won't you?" she said softly, gazing up at him with sad eyes. "You remember what happened last time, and now you don't have Will there to look out for you."

He brushed her cheek with his hand and smiled. "Of course I'll be careful," he replied confidently. "As for you," he added sternly, taking her into a tight embrace, "you had better be a good girl whilst I'm away, Mrs Pullings. No shenanigans, you hear."

"We will see," she said, her expression full of mischief as she threw her arms around his neck, kissing him with all the passion she could muster.

Maddie and Will, standing at the top of the stairs, glanced down at their sister and her husband and smiled.

"She is so happy," Will commented quietly, his affection for his little sister evident.

"Yes, indeed," Madeleine replied, once again wrapping her arms around his neck as he slid his strong hands gently around her waist, pulling her close. "But I would venture to say she is not the only one," she whispered, pressing her lips to his softly, delighting in his touch and longing to keep him there in her arms.

Will smiled at her tenderly, before his expression grew serious. "It's time," he said quietly, taking her delicate hand and kissing it softly as he had done so many times before, before she threw herself into his arms and kissed him passionately once again. He held her close, feeling her warmth, wanting to take her with him, but knowing that the time had come to part. He pulled away from her, his smile sad, and took her hand.

"My darling," he said quietly, "I must go."

Madeleine nodded silently, her expression one of regret as the couple descended the stairway, hand in hand, to where Tom and Charlotte awaited them. At length they all said their goodbyes, the ladies doing well to hide their sadness, before the gentlemen climbed into their simple black carriage in preparation to depart.

As they were about to pull away, Maddie leaned in the carriage window, her expression one of concern. "You will both be careful, won't you?" she said seriously. "I don't want to be a widow, and neither does Charlotte, Captain Pullings."

Tom smiled. "We will do our best to come back in one piece, Mrs Mowett," he said, exchanging a quick glance with Will.

"Oh, I think we can manage that," Mowett added, returning Maddie's gaze with a warm smile.

Maddie slowly backed away from the carriage and stood beside Charlotte as the ladies watched their gentlemen pull away, out towards the gates of Abbotsleigh and beyond. They waved as they watched, both conscious of how dangerous this new mission could be for their husbands, and how lonely it would now be without them.

When the carriage rolled out of sight, hidden by the trees lining the roadway, Madeleine turned to Charlotte. Charlie was almost in tears, her shoulders sunk in defeat, feeling to all the world as though her life had just ended.

Maddie put her arm around her sister's shoulder and smiled tenderly. "My dear, it's alright," she said softly. "They will come back, you know they will."

Charlotte heaved a tremendous sigh. "I know," she said wistfully, "but it doesn't make it any easier, Maddie."

"No, it doesn't," Madeleine admitted quietly, knowing that her own feelings, seeing Will leave her for a potentially life threatening battle, were almost impossible to hide. She shook herself out of her sadness, however, trying to see the best of the situation. "But now that they have gone, I think it may be time for a little girl talk and fun, don't you agree?" she said brightly.

Charlie turned to Madeleine sadly, managing a small smile. "What do you mean?" she asked, still not quite descended to reality from her dreamy farewell to her husband.

The smile that crossed Maddie's face was positively mischievous. "Well, perhaps an afternoon ride, and a morning of shopping tomorrow will help lift your spirits?" she said cheekily, her eyebrows raised. She knew how to push Charlotte's buttons, knowing that nothing would please Mrs Pullings more than a morning of scouring the merchants at Halstead for a new gown and perhaps some shoes to match.

Almost out of nowhere, Charlie's expression brightened considerably. "Shopping…" she said, almost dreamily. "Hmmm, yes," she beamed, taking Maddie's arm as they ascended the stairs, making their way back into the manor as the huge black door closed behind them. "I think that's a splendid idea, Mrs Mowett."

THE END

For now.

Will: An adult story? Does that mean I get more sex?
Me: Absolutely.
Will: Yaaaaaaayyyyy! I am still kind of sad about this one ending, though. I have had so much fun!
Me: Well, it seems as though you are getting a little more airplay here on Fanfiction now, thank God, so you may be busy for a while anyway.
Will: I hope so. Hey everybody out there in Fanfiction land! (waves arms in the air to get attention). Write a story with lots of me in it!
Me: (sighs). Subtle, Mowett. Very subtle.
Will: Eh, who cares! Go me!

Oh, and Kira, to answer your question: no, Maddie doesn't have a bun in the oven just yet, but we will be addressing that particular issue in the next story, I promise, as well as a few other issues that may get people talking!

Before I go, thank you to everybody who has read and reviewed this story, especially Bean02. There were times when I thought I was writing this thing just for you (and for Tom and Olivia, of course!). You are a friend indeed, and I thank you for your kind comments and all the great emails we share. Take care, babe, and keep on writing that sequel! Also, to KiraMowett (my kindred spirit!), Sleepwalking Dreamer (we want more Mercy, please update!), Musing Fit, Proudmaxfan, Serina, Humblemaster, Wingpikepaw (go the shark!), and, well, basically everybody who has said anything about my story, thank you thank you thank you! If you haven't reviewed yet, please do, and tell me what you thought of this little trifle I call Abbotsleigh Park! I hope you have enjoyed reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it. I write hoping that there is somebody out there enjoying it, and it is so satisfying when you know that there is at least one person out there waiting for your update! Abbotsleigh Park has been a wonderful experience, all hundred thousand odd words of it, and I have no intention of stopping just yet! So stay tuned, and I hope to see you all back here in the near future when I publish story three in my little Mowett/Pullings series!

Until then, take care and keep on smiling, and feel free to drop me a email whenever! Huzzah for the boys, and their lovely ladies!

Oh, and if I don't publish before then, have a very happy and safe Christmas, everyone!

Luv always,
Miss Flossy. xxx