“Well, there’s more to that. She dropped herself into the library where our father was meeting with a solicitor. Suffice it to say,she was in even bigger trouble, embarrassing him like that, and on purpose, too. She was wearing Daniel’s old clothes. So, you should know that she is used to wearing boys’ or men’s clothes even at a younger age.”
There was laughter all around the table. Dominic, Duke of Oakmere, shook his head in amusement.
“I don’t see anything wrong with that,” Richard said with admiration, as he looked at his wife. “Your father should not have locked you in. Children should not be punished that way.”
“You’re right, of course,” Wilhelmina said, her eyes widening. “But you see, throughout our childhood, we’ve come to think of those punishments as ordinary. Victoria was the one who knew how to fight back. Marianne was the one who defended us and usually took beatings for us. Vicky didn’t like anyone else being blamed. She was considered troublesome, but she was also brave.”
“Oh, Mina,” Victoria murmured. “You don’t have to paint me as a heroine. I was also a menace to everyone else and not just our father.”
“She is not a menace at all,” Richard clarified, shaking his head, to which everyone just laughed.
Deep inside, he felt like he was the one who brought more trouble to their marriage. The thought of Penwike arose once more, but he shook it off. They were there to be happy. To celebrate just being a family.
After dinner, the hosts and guests moved to the drawing room. The men seemed to move together to the decanters of spirits without having to invite each other. Meanwhile, the woman lingered next to Melody’s basket.
Daniel, who had not said much earlier, stood by the fireplace, regarding everyone else in the room. His eyes seemed to focus on Richard. The duke wondered what the young marquess was thinking. Daniel seemed to have a calculating look in his eyes, or perhaps it was only his imagination.
“You’re certainly a better man than I thought, Hawksford,” the marquess remarked. “I thought you would find someone to pass the child to and simply rid any evidence of her having been there.”
“Impossible in our society,” Richard retorted.
“True. But still, you saw how my sister has become fond of the child, and has made a narrative that will allow her to keep the baby.”
“Whether we keep the baby does not depend on me, Grisham. If we find the mother and she wants her back, we may not have a choice but to let go of Melody, even if it means getting questioned by the ton.”
“Ah. It is that way. I can see you are honor-bound, and I do like that. Do you think Victoria will fight for the child?”
“She knows right from wrong,” Richard insisted, his jaw clenching. He did not mean to be on the defensive, but Victoria seemed so different from the stories he’d been hearing from her family. She was still spirited, but not a spoiled hellion, some might think her to be.
“Of course, she does. However, she can be a lot to handle, too, Hawksford. I know that. She is my sister. However, the same conditions still apply. If you hurt her, you have her whole family to go against. You know that, right?”
Richard recognized that Daniel had somehow tempered his tone. His brother-in-law wanted him to see that while he was still wary of him, he had learned to accept him.
“Our marriage did not start right,” Richard admitted. “However, I am now determined to make it real. No woman should have to endure a marriage. She must find something real in it. Victoria is the mistress of Hawksford House. That won’t change ever. I won’t hurt anyone who is part of my house. I will protect her just as fervently as she wants to protect a child who is not even her blood. She will never have to feel small as long as I am still around.”
Daniel narrowed his eyes at Richard for a moment. Then, he exhaled sharply and nodded.
“Good to know. My sisters are precious to me. I’ve already let them down before. I can’t do that again.”
“Cheers, Grisham,” Richard said.
It was a conclusion, but not of the whole conversation. The two continued to talk about things beyond their families. The other dukes joined them for drinks and hilarity.
Something pricked at Richard’s chest. He remembered his brothers, then, and how he would have loved to see them.
It looked like he was given another opportunity at brotherhood.
The time seemed to have flown. Victoria was flushed with pleasure from the conversations with her sisters. Melody whimpered in the corner as Mrs. Hughes tried to soothe her. She was finally stirring.
Victoria picked up the baby and rocked her gently. She loved how Melody felt warm and still drowsily heavy. Her full cheeks were pink. A healthy baby girl.
“She’s awake!” Daphne exclaimed, walking to the grand piano. “I have been waiting for her to wake up.”
“Because?” Victoria prodded.
“Her name inspired me to write a piece of music for her. She has such a beautiful name, so reminiscent of music. Of love. Of dreams. Her name begs for a composition. So, I thought of her these past few days, and a tune popped into my mind. I wrote the notes down. I’d like everyone to hear it.”
“That’s exciting!” Marianne exclaimed. “Do play, Daphne. It’s always been a pleasure to hear you play.”
