“You’re looking well, Lady Julia.” Henry tried to control the shaking in his voice. She was still the most splendid woman he had ever laid eyes on. His breathing increased as he tried to remain calm, but all he wanted to do was beg her to grace him with just one more look.
“I’m going to bed. I’ll leave you to your guests.” Julia’s voice was hollow as she turned and walked away without a word to him.
“Forgive us, we were not expecting guests,” the duchess said, turning to him and then to Elijah.
Henry startled out of his daze and remembered his manners. “Forgive me, Your Graces. Allow me to introduce my close personal friend, Mr. Elijah Edwards. We have been traveling together these past years.”
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Edwards. Any friend of Heartford’s is welcome in my home.” Karrington held out his free hand to shake Elijah’s. “Allow me to introduce my wife, Her Grace, the Duchess of Karrington.”
The duke had been reluctant to enter into a courtship with Livie, but now he was utterly besotted. His hand rested gently on her lower back, a clear sign of possession. Henry was envious of his friend, but it only made him more determined to win Julia back.
“Mr. Edwards, please forgive our lack of manners. These two often escape in search of us. Please do make yourself comfortable. Would you like something more filling? I’m sure you both must be exhausted from your travels.” The duchess smiled gently. She had always been amiable, so different from the firecracker that stole his heart.
“Thank you both for welcoming me into your home. Wherever did your husband find such a grand and beautiful lady? You’re truly a blessed man, Your Grace.” Ever the charmer, Elijah bowed his head to Karrington.
“Thank you, Mr. Edwards. I often can’t believe it myself.” Karrington looked at his wife with a bedazzled expression. The duchess ran her fingers through Emily’s wild locks. The familial scene filled Henry with pain and regret.
Placing Emily down, the duchess bent next to her. “Children, say hello to your Uncle Heartford and his friend, Mr. Edwards.”
His niece had the Livingstone green eyes, a mirror to his own. “You’re my uncle? But I already have an uncle.” Her confused gaze traveled from Karrington to Heartford.
Karrington set Teddy down and laughed. “You can have more than one uncle, princess.”
Emily thought over his statement, taping her chin, her eyebrows crinkled in concentration as she considered it. “Oh, like if Freddy was a girl, you would’ve had more than one princess?”
“Freddy is a boy, Emmy.” Theodore nodded confidently at her.
“Yes, exactly like that. Heartford is your mother’s brother. Remember, darling, we told you that you had two uncles you haven’t met yet,” the duchess explained gently while stroking the little girl’s hair.
From that piece of information, Emily perked up. “Hello, Uncle Heartf-ford.” She struggled with pronouncing the last part of his title.
Henry bent down in front of the children, his voice lodged in his throat as emotion filled him. “I-I’m glad to finally meet you both,” Henry whispered as he looked from Emily to Theodore.
“Hello, Uncle!” Theodore said in a loud voice, causing Heartford to chuckle.
“Now, if you gentlemen will excuse me, I’m going to get these two to bed.” The duchess placed her hands on the children’s shoulders and tried to usher them away.
“Run along now. And no more sneaking out tonight, or no sweets tomorrow.” Karrington pointed his index finger at the pair.
They both gasped in horror and looked at the other in alarm.
“Come, Teddy. We have to have sweets tomorrow!” Emily urgently took Theodore by the hand and began pulling him behind her toward the door.
The simple act caused Henry to smile. Amelia would never see the exquisite little girl in front of him grow up. That thought made him feel a hint of sadness.
“Emily, Teddy, where are you?” a frantic voice called before his sister’s former maid, Lucy, came bustling into the parlor.
“Oh, Your Graces, you have returned. I was putting Frederick down when I came to discover these two were missing—” The maid stopped speaking at the sight of Henry. “Lord Heartford, how wonderful it is to see you.”
“You as well, Lucy. I see you have stayed with Emily all these years.” He bowed his head to the one woman who had stood by his sister through all her hardships.
“Yes, the duke and duchess have been so very kind to me. I am the nanny to all the children, though these two often escape me.” She nodded toward Emily and Theodore.
“Aunt Livie, I’m no tired,” Emily protested, rubbing her eyes.
“Me too,” Theodore agreed.
“Off to bed, you two.” Karrington’s voice was strong with a hint of softness that Henry suspected he saved just for the children.
