Lisbeth nodded. “Dr. Leroy recommended a place for her. It is a few hours north. Towson left yesterday to escort her there.”
“Good,” Thomas said. Fury coursed through him that the woman had almost ripped his family apart. Still, he wouldn’t dwell on it. He was alive. Thomas had everything he wanted.
He held his hand out to Lisbeth. Benson smiled at the two of them. “I will depart.”
Thomas was already getting sleepy, but he said, “Thank you, Benson, for always being here for the family.”
The guard nodded and departed. Lisbeth squeezed Thomas’s hand, and he pulled her towards the bed. “Come lie with me.”
She didn’t fight him and lay down beside him. Still, she said, “I don’t want to keep you awake.”
He shook his head. “I sleep better with you here. I always will.”
It was true. She nodded. Thomas’s eyes drooped, and he fell into a restful sleep, knowing Lisbeth would be by his side when he woke.
Hours later, Thomas heard two little voices whispering. Alice said, “Did you know Mother snores?”
“No, I didn’t.”
Jeremy asked, concerned. “He isn’t dead, is he? You promised he wasn’t.”
“Miss Ashby said he was recovering.”
Thomas opened his eyes and quietly brought a finger to his lips. “Your mother is sleeping.”
He glanced to his side where Lisbeth slept, snoring softly. Thomas winked at Alice and Jeremy. “Don’t ever tell her she snores. She wouldn’t like that.”
They giggled quietly. Then Jeremy’s face scrunched up as if he was about to burst into sobs, but he didn’t. Instead, he whispered, “Can we lie down with you?”
Thomas choked back tears. He understood at that moment that this was his family. He was home. It didn’t matter if it was the townhouse or their new country estate. He was right where he should be.
Thomas nodded. “Of course, but don’t wake your mother.”
They joined him on his other side. Jeremy bumped his shoulder, causing him to grimace, but he didn’t care. They snuggled into the bed. Thomas was exhausted, but he watched the children fall asleep and then allowed himself to peruse his family. He was a lucky man, certainly more fortunate than any famous explorer could ever be.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
April 1851
Lisbeth sat inthe lecture room at Seely Hall. Chaos reigned around her. Today was Thomas’s first lecture for children on antiquities. There was nothing sedate, serious, or sophisticated about what was taking place in the room. Children bounced up and down in their chairs as Thomas explained how to clean an artifact effectively.
Benjamin walked around the room, helping them. It was a fantastic idea that Thomas conceived while stuck in bed. It had been almost a month since the shooting. He was doing so much better.
Her heart ached as she remembered him crumpled on the ground in Hyde Park. She shook the devastating thought from her mind. Her Serious Thomas was right here, teaching and joking with children. He practically glowed, and Lisbeth suspected there was nowhere else he’d rather be.
She did hope that someday they would go on another adventure but was happy to live and enjoy their family in London and their new country estate for now. It would be another year until they could live there, but the whole family went every week to see the progress.
Rose dropped down next to her, and Lisbeth smiled. “How are you faring?”
Her friend shook her head. “I’m sick every morning. Augustus is beside himself with worry. This morning, we quarreled because he wouldn’t stop hovering over me. Losing my breakfast is awful, but it is made even worse when your husband is leaning over you watching.”
Lisbeth giggled. “He is just worried about you.”
Rose nodded at Thomas. “I’m glad he is recovering well.”
She smiled. “Yes, the doctor stopped by for the last time yesterday and said Thomas was officially mended.”
“I can’t believe what you all endured.”
