I lowered my voice, ensuring that there were no servants nearby. ‘Because he looks so much like Dorian.’
In the short time that Freddie had been living with us, he had started to look even more like Dorian, which alarmed me a little. And as he was growing quickly, his long body suggested he was going to be tall like him too.
‘It is probably only noticeable to you, Flissy,’ said Jane reassuringly. ‘At least Max has dark hair, so Freddie does resemble him. And he will have Lucinda’s features too when he gets older.’
I nodded and took a bite of my toast, feeling a little better. Jane was right—it was much too early to be worrying about having a miniature Dorian as a son. Besides, there were other things about to happen that were more concerning, like Lucinda’s leaving for York and the wet nurse arriving to take her place.
The handover, when it occurred, was going to be an undercover operation as Lucinda had been feeding Freddie on the sly; and we had been making it appear like I was feeding him. But of course, I had to pretend that it was painful for me and drop hints and comments and rub at my breasts in a distraught way after leaving the nursery so the servants believed the reason for the wet nurse arriving.
It was annoying as I had thought the deception was over, but it seemed I was still acting a part. Would I be putting on a performance for the rest of my life?
The day before Lucinda and Harry left, it was warm and fine, and Max suggested we take Freddie outside in his perambulator before luncheon to enjoy the sunshine. He, Jane, and Harry took the baby off for a stroll across the lawn, leaving me alone with Lucinda on the bench seat in the new rose garden.
Max had arranged the planting of an arbour of red roses for me as a surprise, which had equally delighted and disturbed me as it was exactly what Mrs Busby hadpredicted! It was making me wonder if the other things she had predicted would happen as well—namely me having a choice to make and one path leading to certain death. I was remaining vigilant in that regard!
But I disregarded the roses for now as I needed to talk to Lucinda before the others returned.
‘Dearest, are you going to be terribly bereft leaving Freddie tomorrow?’ I asked worriedly. ‘You have seemed rather withdrawn. Is there anything we can do to ease the pain of separation?’
Lucinda grasped my hand. ‘I confess it will be a wrench. I am fond of the little mite. But I am also so tired, Aunty Fliss. To sleep in my own bed and not to have to get up to feed him will be heavenly. And I am looking forward to introducing Harry to my family and showing him around York.’
‘Your father is going to be surprised when you turn up with him,’ I murmured. ‘I take it your mother has not mentioned it?’
Lucinda shook her head. ‘I wrote to Mama to let her know which day to expect us so Harry’s room could be prepared. But I asked her not to tell Papa. He is less likely to forbid Harry from staying if I can get him into the house first.’
Before we could talk about it further, the othersreturned, Jane pushing an empty pram and Max holding Freddie and pointing out various features of the estate to him. ‘And there are the stables, where you will have your own horse one day. And you, me, and Mama will all go out riding together.’
Freddie made a gurgling noise, and everyone laughed. My stomach was gurgling as well, so I got up and went over to them, saying it was time for luncheon.
Lucinda sighed and stood up, brushing her skirts. ‘I suppose it is time for another feed then,’ she said.
Harry went over and grasped her hands in his. ‘I was going to ask you to come for a walk with me,’ he said hesitantly.
‘Yes, all right,’ she said, glancing at Freddie. ‘But it will have to be a quick one.’
‘Oh, I suppose it is better like this, with everyone here,’ muttered Harry. And before our very eyes, he dropped to one knee in front of Lucinda.
Jane and I gasped, our hands flying to our mouths, yet we watched with keen interest. Max lifted Freddie to shoulder height so he could see as well.
‘Lucy, my darling, my love, will you do me the great honour of becoming my wife?’ Harry beseeched, gazing up at Lucinda, who had gone rigid.
He produced a ring box from his jacket, opening it andpresenting it to her. The cut diamond caught the sunlight, glinting and sparkling beautifully.
‘It was my mother’s,’ Harry said, his voice catching. ‘I think she would have wanted you to have it.’
I closed my eyes briefly, knowing the story of his mother’s untimely end, thanks to Dorian, who had told me about it at Hartmoor.
Lucinda bit her lip, her face flushing. ‘Yes, I would be honoured to be your wife. Thank you,’ she whispered.
Silently, Harry took the ring from the box and slid it onto her finger. It fitted perfectly. He rose, and they embraced emotionally. We stood by quietly, letting them have their moment.
But then Freddie let out a loud squawk, and I took it as a sign not to remain quiet any longer. So I let out a whoop too, and we all called ‘Congratulations!’ and clapped for the smiling couple. My heart felt like it was bursting to see how happy they were.
As we walked back to the house, with Harry and Lucinda hand in hand ahead of us, Max told me and Jane, ‘In case you are wondering about the timing, I was in on it. He wanted to propose before they went to York as he knew they would be unchaperoned on the journey and was worried about Lucinda’s reputation. He said he will ask Tobias for her hand officiallywhen they arrive.’
Max didn’t say any more than that, but I suspected that Harry must have been worried like I was about how Lucinda would feel about giving up Freddie.
Oh, Harry,I thought.You lovely, lovely man ... You orchestrated that perfectly!Even though Lucinda was about to lose a baby, she would gain a husband who loved her dearly; and one day, they would have a child of their own. It was a fitting end to the drama!
