She glanced around. Lisbeth had been foolish to immediately deny Thomas an opportunity to build a home here. She supposed change made her nervous. So much had happened in the last year. She’d become a board member for an antiquities club, traveled to Syria, and become Mrs. Easton. Lisbeth could still use her title if she wanted, but did not feel the need.
For the first time in a while, things felt right, and even more shocking, she felt content. Thomas dropped down next to her on the blanket. “Benson and Miss Ashby are going to take a walk while we talk with the children. I think Benson is sweet on your governess.”
Lisbeth’s eyes widened as she peered at them walking towards the ruins. Miss Ashby shyly smiled at Benson, who looked at her in awe. She glanced at Thomas and smiled. “I had no idea.”
He laughed. She studied her children. “They seem happy here.”
Thomas nodded, holding her hand. “Good, I want us all to enjoy this place and the townhouse in London. I do mean that. I have no intention of erasing their memories of the duke.”
Her eyes watered slightly. “Your compassion may be what I love about you the most. I still can’t believe you don’t hate me because of Alice.”
Thomas stared at his daughter. “We have time to tell her the truth. The duke was her father for almost ten years. I want her to treasure those memories. I’ve made peace with that part of our past. I love you and the children too much to hang on to the bitterness.”
She smiled. “I love you, too.”
He leaned forward and kissed her. Jeremy dropped onto the blanket and groaned. “Gross.”
Alice frowned. While she’d warmed up to their marriage, she wasn’t entirely comfortable. Lisbeth pulled out sweets from the picnic basket. “Sit, you two. Thomas and I have something we want to speak with you about.”
They sat and waited patiently. Lisbeth was nervous, and Thomas squeezed her hand for assurance. “We are going to build a house here. We will stay between here and the townhouse in London. We will also still visit the estate in the north twice a year.”
Jeremy’s eyes went round, and he jumped up, yelping. Alice’s response was silence. Nerves filled Lisbeth. The children had endured a great deal of change. She picked at some grass, and Lisbeth opened her mouth to speak, but Thomas shook his head. Eventually, she looked up and said, “I think Father would like us to live here too. He always used to say the city didn’t give us enough freedom to run around the way he wanted.”
Lisbeth had forgotten that Nicholas held those beliefs. Thomas smiled at her, and Lisbeth didn’t see any resentment. She saw love and compassion. He said, “I think your father, the duke, was a smart man.”
Alice smiled. “He was.”
Jeremy frowned at them all. “Why are you all so serious?”
Lisbeth laughed. Thomas winked at her daughter. “I think we can make sure your room overlooks the ruins.”
Alice nodded excitedly. Thomas and Lisbeth’s eyes connected. They would be fine, but more than that, they would be happy.
*
Thomas sat inthe study in the townhouse, scowling at the letter that had been delivered in the floral envelope. Who was this person? It alarmed him that they couldn’t find this girl. Lisbeth entered the room with Benjamin Calvert following behind her.
Rose’s father was spending the day with them. Lisbeth noticed Thomas’s expression and asked, “Is something amiss?”
He held up the floral envelope, and she sighed. “I can’t believe no one can figure out who it is.”
“Devons explained to me that the woman, whoever she is, is utilizing different mail couriers. He believes she is doing it intentionally to make it nearly impossible to identify her.”
Benjamin frowned. “Are you still receiving strange mail from admirers?”
Lisbeth smirked. “He receives mail all the time.”
Thomas flushed. “It is because of the serials. Still, this writer has me worried because her correspondence is growing increasingly hostile. We still aren’t sure if Lisbeth was pushed. In this letter, she tells me that I need to cease spending time with Lisbeth and come home to her.”
His wife sighed. “We are doing everything we can to identify her. We can’t spend all of our time worrying.”
Benjamin glanced back and forth between them, frowning. Eventually, he said, “I agree with your wife.”
Annoyance flashed in Thomas. He wished he’d sided with him. Lisbeth, noticing his expression, said, “I can’t be stuck at home because of this. It is wrong to show that we are concerned.”
Still, Thomas was apprehensive. Lisbeth tilted her chin up stubbornly and complained, “Benjamin, he doesn’t even want me to attend the event for the epic ending.”
Their friend sighed. “I don’t think you should let this stop you from doing what you want, but you should take care, Lisbeth. There are some dangerous and unwell people out there.”
