“Prescott, it is good to see you.” Henry smiled at the older gentleman before he faced Hempstead who gave him a menacing glare.
Though it had been three years, Henry’s abrupt departure was still a difficult subject matter for the St. Johns. Not that he could blame them either.
“There you are, my dear boy! I was wondering when I would see you.” Karrington’s stepmother, Mother Di, jumped up with the speed and agility of a much younger lady. “How are you? Livie tells us you are staying here with a friend from your travels, Mr. Edwards is it?”
“Yes. Mr. Elijah Edwards had something to attend to, but he will meet all of you later.” Henry smiled at the woman who had always treated him like her own son.
“Son, are we positive that it’s wise to allow strangers to stay in the same house as the women and children?” Hempstead asked Karrington, ignoring Henry altogether.
It seemed that Henry would not get a welcome from the patriarch of the St. John family. What shocked him more was the endearment that Hempstead called Karrington. Before Henry departed the relationship between the two was strained, since the duke and Livie’s relationship was at the forefront of the gossips.
“I trust Heartford’s judgment impeccably. Mr. Edwards is a fine gentleman.” Karrington’s voice was firm and steady. Henry was relieved that his friend stood by his side, even when he acted like an irrational ass.
At hearing his father’s voice, Theodore looked up and ran over to him. “Papa, you’re back!” He moved as fast as his short legs would take him before he leapt off the floor. His father bent down to catch him with ease. Karrington lifted his son and jostled him playfully from side to side, causing him to giggle uncontrollably.
“My turn! My turn!” Emily cried, running over to Karrington. He set a giggling Theodore down on Hempstead’s lap before he picked up the little girl. He lifted her up and repeated the same greeting.
“Really, Remington, you’ll make them sick.” Lady Hempstead rose and moved to sit on the chaise. Her tight smile told Henry that she too was not happy to see him. “Lord Heartford, welcome back to town. I hope you had a pleasant journey.”
At least she was more pleasant to him than her husband and niece were. Henry bowed to her in greeting. The treatment he was receiving from the St. Johns was a vast difference from what he experienced years earlier. He longed for the easy relationship he had with the older couple. But knew that his abandonment of their only niece would not have abided well with them.
“You must tell us all about your travels. Of course, my son did mention the letters that you exchanged over the years, but I’m sure you have grand adventures to share.” Mother Di wrapped her arm around his and escorted him over to the chaise. She had always been more of a mother to him than his own.
“I have sweets.” Julia came into the room, holding a tray filled with a variety of desserts.
“Yay!” Both Emily and Theodore yelled, abandoning their grandparents and running over to her.
Julia froze momentarily when she noticed Henry, her eyes slightly squinting at him in contempt. She huffed out a breath and strolled deeper into the room, taking the tray of tarts and biscuits over to the small table in the center of the room.
The room became exceptionally quiet except for the children’s squeals of delights over the treats.
“Heartford, you were going to regale us with tales from your travels.” Mother Di patted his knee affectionately, breaking the uneasy silence.
“Capital idea.” Karrington stood and offered his wife his hand. “May I speak to you for a moment, Your Grace?”
Livie looked up at her husband and licked her bottom lip. “Certainly.” She turned to her father and passed him the baby.
Hempstead took his grandson in his arms, like it was the most natural thing he had ever done. He smiled at the dark-haired, chubby child and kissed the top of his head.
“Papa, I come?” Theodore perked up, his mouth full of sweets.
Karrington took his wife by the hand, assisting her up. “No, I’ll be just a moment. I just need to speak to your mother about an urgent matter.”
They exited the parlor, heads practically touching and Livie giggling like an eager miss.
“I’d wager ten pounds we’ll have another one of these precious angels by next Season,” Lady Hempstead said to Mother Di.
“Do not start, you two. It’s simply preposterous to bet on when you’re going to get a new grandchild.” Prescott shook his head at the two grandmothers.
“Why would I want to imagine such a thing?” Hempstead glared at his wife.
Lady Hempstead folded her arms, raising her head in challenge. “I’ll take that bet. I believe you are wrong this time.”
Mother Di ignored them both, tapping her lips as if in thought. “I think twenty pounds will do. I believe she is already with child.” Looking at Julia, Mother Di tilted her head and gave her a knowing look. “Lady Julia, reveal the secret.”
Julia shook her head, a long lock teasing her bare shoulder. “I know nothing, and if I did, I would not tell either of you.”
“You will tell. I shall pry it out of you.” Lady Hempstead pointed at her, causing Julia to roll her eyes.
