“Alexander, stop that!” Julia ordered.

Her redheaded son ignored her, and Lilith could not help giggle. At four years of age, he was showing signs of being exactly like his mother—stubborn to a fault.

“Alexander!” Julia rolled her eyes and strode over the banquet table where her son was pushing his fingers into the custard then feeding it to the dog. The little boy giggled when the dog lapped eagerly at the custard.

The yearly summer party at Amelia and Nicholas’s was busier than ever with all the children now able to walk. Lilith was thankful for its informal air. Most of the guests were local and there would be no one around to make snobbish remarks to Harry or herself.

Amelia rubbed her round stomach and eased into the chair next to Lilith. “My third child. Do you think I am crazy?”

Lilith lifted a shoulder. “I have my hands full with the two, but Maisie is an immense help. She dotes on her little sister.”

“How funny it is that you would be the one to have a girl finally,” Catherine said from the seat beside Lilith. She tore a cream and strawberry cake in half and shoved it in her mouth. “I was so certain I would be the first to have one.”

Emma glanced up from her knitting. A giant mess of wool hung from her needles. Lilith hoped whatever this was was not going to be for her or her daughters.

“I think the world could not cope with more Chadwick women. At least that’s what Papa says.”

Lilith glanced over to where Mr. and Mrs. Chadwick were sat, tucked under the shade of the house with several other older members of the family. Mr. Chadwick looked to be fast asleep while Mrs. Chadwick had engaged her mother in conversation. Lilith dreaded to think what gossip they would be sharing. Both women seemed to know everything that was happening in Hampshire, even though the information was never exactly reliable.

“Perhaps this one will be a girl,” mused Amelia.

Julia came over with a custard-covered little boy and placed him on her lap as she sat. “Want to make a wager, Catherine?”

Catherine shook her head and licked crumbs from her fingers. “You still owe me from the last one. Besides, it will be a boy, everyone knows that.” Catherine winced. “It looks like Alexander’s brother has decided to feed the dog instead.”

“Oh no.” Julia shook her head. “Take Alexander.” She handed the little boy over to Catherine who gave him a big, tickling kiss on the cheek, making him giggle.

Julia strode over to the table and took the cake from Adam’s hand before he could give it to the dog. Roo, Julia and Guy’s dog sat hopefully by the table, his tail wagging.

Lilith’s gaze tracked the movements of Maisie and her sister Louisa to the table. It seemed every child here wanted to feed the dog. She caught Maisie’s eye and wagged a finger.

“I was only going to get Louisa a cake, Mama,” Maisie called to Lilith, her face a picture of innocence.

“Perhaps you can persuade the other children to stop feeding Roo,” Lilith suggested.

Maisie nodded eagerly. “Of course, Mama. You can trust me.” As the oldest, Maisie enjoyed taking responsibility for the other children—a little too much at times perhaps—but with so many children between them, the help did not go amiss.

“Tell me why I always think these events are going to be relaxing.” Julia slumped back into the chair, having coaxed Adam to go and play with his brother. “I always think it will be a fine chance for all the children to play together but they seem to get up to more mischief than ever.”

“Oh because we were never, ever mischief.” Catherine grinned.

“I was always well-behaved,” protested Amelia.

“I was too,” said Lavinia who had come down from Scotland for the summer. Lilith had only met the second oldest Chadwick sister a handful of times, but they always got on wonderfully.

“No, you just never, ever got caught,” corrected Emma.

Lavinia gave a slightly smug smile. “Perhaps.”

Out on the lawns, the rest of the boys were running around, chasing each other with sticks.

Amelia cringed when one redheaded boy took a swing at another, missing him by a mere inch. “I think we should persuade the men to start the croquet. That will keep the children out of trouble.”

“Good idea.” Lilith’s gaze landed on Harry. Her heart hitched a little when he glanced her way.

Catherine leaned in. “He looks incredibly handsome in breeches.”

“He cannot stand them, and I must admit, I prefer him out of them.” She clapped a hand across her mouth. “I mean…”

“We all know what you meant.” Julia laughed. “You prefer his rough and rugged side. What woman does not? I always cannot wait to get Guy out of his stuffy cravat.”

Lilith nodded. “Exactly.”

Harry did a remarkable job at attending these sorts of events. They would never be exactly wanted by society, but Lilith was grateful he made an effort, so she could spend time with her friends and family. Thankfully her brother and all the other men were good men and never treated Harry like the London set would.

Lilith rose. “I shall ask Thorney if he wants to start the game.”

Julia chuckled. “Ooh, any excuse to see her new husband.”

“We’ve been married nearly five years now!” Lilith protested.

“Yes, but still less time than the rest of us so you are practically newlyweds.” Catherine grinned. “You certainly still act like it.”

Folding her arms, Lilith lifted a brow. “And you do not?”

Catherine gave a shrug. “I cannot help it that my husband is charming and handsome and…”

Lilith clapped hands over her ears. “He is my brother, I do not want to know.” She motioned to Maisie and Louisa, taking their hands. “Shall we ask Uncle Thorney, if we can play croquet?”

Maisie nodded eagerly, her mouth smeared with cream from one of the cakes. Lilith scooped her youngest daughter up and propped her on a hip while she rubbed the mess from Maisie’s mouth.

“Come on then, let see if we can beat all the boys.” Lilith headed over to the men, followed by Catherine and some of the children. Julia was having a time of it rounding up her twins.

Harry’s smile broadened when Lilith came to his side. He brushed a fleck of cake from Maisie’s mouth that Lilith must have missed. “Have you been helping yourself to cake?”

“Only one slice, Papa.” She held up a finger. “Louisa had two!”

He chuckled and leaned in to kiss Louisa’s sticky cheek. “Yes, I can taste it. At least two slices there.”

Maisie giggled. “Silly, Papa.”

“What about Mama? How many has she had?” he asked, leaning in to kiss her.

Lilith held up a hand. “Not a single one. I have not had the chance yet.”

“I shall have to find out for sure later.” His eyes held a promise that made her stomach twist with delight.

“How are things?” She swung a look at the rest of the men.

“Good.” He gave her hand a squeeze. “Believe it or not, I’m getting used to these events.”

“I’m still looking forward to returning to our humble home.” Her cheeks heated when Harry’s eyes flashed.

“As am I, lass. As am I.” He gave her a kiss on the cheek and took Louisa off her. “Now, shall we play croquet. Papa is terrible at it so you’ll have to show me, Maisie.”

Maisie rolled her eyes. “Oh, Papa, I have shown you so many times now.”

“You have to make me look good in front of Mama.” He sent a wink Lilith’s way.

Lilith grinned and pressed a hand to her mouth. The promise of what was to come later lingered in his gaze. After nearly five years of marriage, being with Harry still excited her. Every day, they seemed to grow closer and more in tune, despite their extremely different upbringings.

“I know that look,” said Catherine from behind her.

“Oh do you?”

“It’s the one that says, I cannot wait to get him home and have him all to myself. I know it well.” Catherine wore a smug expression.

“I told you, I would rather not know. I do not need to think of my brother that way.”

“Well, I’m glad you are happy, Lil. Who would have thought you would be the one to run off with the stable-hand? Before I was married, everyone thought I’d be the one to cause a scandal.”

Lilith watched her husband play with their daughters and considered the child that would be joining them in eight months or so. Two daughters were a handful and three would be a challenge indeed, but she and Harry had already conquered so much together. Her heart swelled with appreciation. He was no elegant gentleman, but he was perfect for her.

She grinned at her friend. “Well, you know me, Kitty. I cannot bear to be out of the gossip columns for too long.”

 

 

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