Epilogue
“How delightful to find my two favourite ladies in Hyde Park on a sunny afternoon.”
Lucy looked up into the glinting eyes of her husband who plucked Eleanor off her knee and hugged the child. Eleanor wrapped her arms around her father’s neck and planted a kiss on his cheek. He chuckled as he sat down on the park bench.
“Are the boys all behaving?”
“All the pirates are discovering plenty of booty as usually, Captain.”
They watched for a few moments as the boys snaked around in a line, clearly in search of treasure. Then Henry noticed that Robert had joined Lucy and he grinned and waved, giving the earl a slight salute. Robert saluted back, chuckling.
Eleanor sat back on Robert’s knee facing him and signed a question. Where?
“I was visiting someone, but they were not home.”
Where?
“I do not know.”
“The Marquess of Gretell was not at home? Is he in the country?” asked Lucy.
“His cousin was at his townhouse. He said he was indisposed. In hospital.”
“Hospital. They are for poor people.”
“Unless…”
“Unless what?”
“Unless they mean an asylum.”
“But only lunatics end up there. Is he a lunatic?”
“He was always perfectly sane when I spoke to him in the House of Lords. Saner than most of the Lords if you ask me.”
Eleanor was tugging on Robert’s cravat now. He pressed his lips to her forehead briefly.
“Henry,” he called. “Can you not include Eleanor in your game?”
Henry frowned for a moment and then sighed.
“Yes, My Lord.” He came over and gestured to Eleanor to come along. She grinned at him and gestured she would be a pirate. Henry made a face.
“Girls can be pirates too. They are tough,” said Robert.
“Girls are not tough.”
“Henry!” scolded Lucy.
“Oh, you are now officially in trouble, young man. You have upset my Countess and she is the toughest lady in London.”
Henry stopped and bowed low. “I apologise, My Lady.”
Lucy laughed. “Apology accepted.”
“Do I still get a biscuit when we get home?” he asked, his face lighting up. Lucy pretended to consider this.
“Only if Eleanor becomes Captain of the ship.”
Henry rolled his eyes and looked at the little girl who was looking between them all completely bemused. Henry kneeled down. “You can be captain.” Her face lit up and she pumped her little fist in the air.
“You were saying about Lord Gretell.”
“Aye. It got me thinking. Joanna Rose-Reid was friendly with him when they were young. The Gretell’s estate bordered theirs. Joanna learned sign language. I had planned to speak to Jo about helping Eleanor since the governess in Derbyshire fell through but since we saw her at the Asylum I assumed she was out of Town. What if she is looking for Gretell?”
“Why would she be doing that?”
“Gretell’s cousin was always a bit of an arse. Someone you would not trust. He also seemed to be hiding something from me. I do not like it. Not one bit. I plan to check in on Reid tomorrow and see if he has heard from his sister or Gretell. She was trying to say something about Gretell.”
“You did not allow the poor girl to speak, Robert. Had I not been out of my own mind, I would have told you so at the time.”
“I wish you had now.”
“So, we’re no further forward in a proper education for Eleanor.”
“Not yet, but I promise my love, I shall get her a tutor. I have started asking around in Brooks’s. Someone will know of someone good.”
“And how was your Great Aunt.”
“Bloody woman adores Miss Davis and Miss Davis seems to like her.”
“Stop swearing.”
“I shall swear if I damned well please. There is no one else about. Are you well? I heard you shitting through your teeth this morning.”
“Robert.”
“What.”
“Yes, I cast up my accounts. Please stop being vulgar. I am not your friends in your Gentleman’s club.”
“I know but you love me when I am vulgar. You had no complaints last night when I…”
“Robert.”
“Yes, my love.”
“My courses.”
“Are they what made you cast up your accounts?”
Lucy rolled her eyes. “No. They are one week late.”
“And?”
“And I am casting up my accounts in the morning. My breasts are tender and I feel tired.”
“Do I need to sack the cook. Has she poisoned you?”
“No Robert. I fear I may be with child.”
“With child?”
“Pregnant. Increasing.”
“With my child?”
Lucy rolled her eyes. “No, I fear it may be the Prince Regent’s.”
This seemed to bring some sense to Robert’s mind.
“You have a sharp tongue, wife.”
“I need to have one.”
“I feel a little befuddled.”
“It is early yet. I could lose it easily so soon, assuming I am increasing. We should not say anything for a few months.”
“Fine.”
“Robert, I do not know for sure. Do you understand?”
“I do.”
He looked out at the children all running around with wooden swords, Eleanor in the middle, directing her crew with hand signals.
The babe that had seemed like a curse when she had first found out she was increasing but whom she loved with all her heart had helped her find true love. For if it had not been for Eleanor, she would not have helped the other six boys. And had she not helped them, she would not have approached the dour yet adorable Earl of Whitsnow.
One day her boys would all have jobs and her daughter would have a respectable husband and it would all be thanks to her husband. She was so much in love. But she really should stop him kissing her neck in public. People would talk. She would stop him…. In just a moment or two.
She did hope that Lord Gretell was alright. Lady Joanna had seemed very nice….
THE END