‘Yes, all of it will do,’ I replied firmly. ‘Why did you not tell me you had this hiding in the attic?’
He shrugged. ‘I knew you didn’t want children when we married, and I told you I didn’t either, which was the truth at the time. But if you knew I had a trunk full of baby things in the attic, it may have made you doubt what I had said. I didn’t want it to come between us.’
‘Oh, Max.’
He came over and picked up one of the shoes and placed it over his thumb. ‘This actually fitted me,’ he said wonderingly.
‘Did one of your brothers like ducks?’ I asked. ‘Most of the clothes have yellow ducklings embroidered on them.’
‘Tobias apparently did. His first word was “quack”.’
I giggled. ‘A little ironic that now he shoots them and eats them for his supper,’ I said wryly.
As Max helped me repack the items in the trunk to transfer to the nursery, I wondered how Lucinda was faring with her fiancé in York and whether Tobias had given his blessing for the match. Hewasquite fondof shooting, so I hoped Harry was staying on his good side!
A few days later, I found out as Lucinda sent me a letter (a long one!) updating us on her situation.
Dear Aunty Fliss,
We have arrived in York! Our journey was uneventful, so I won’t bore you with the details about the roads or the coaching inns. I confess I was a little upset at leaving Freddie and had some difficulty with leaking milk. I was worried about arriving with a wet chest as Papa would instantly know that something was amiss. Fortunately, Harry was able to procure some linen bandages, and I bound my chest. With my corset tightly laced, it worked well enough.
But then I missed Freddie so dreadfully that I could not stop crying. Harry did not admonish me in the slightest. He simply held me and told me it was natural to feel that way and let me cry. It made me love him doublefold! He said that he was not unaffected himself as Freddie is essentially his nephew. That was all quite confusing to thinkabout. But now that I am at home, I am determined not to dwell on it. And I trust that the little mite is settling in with his mama, papa, and wet nurse. I look forward to hearing your news!
There is more to say about Harry and our engagement, but I am somewhat drained after writing this. So I will go for a walk and collect my thoughts.
Gracious! That was all quite emotional and difficult to read. Her letter started again further down the page.
I am back again after a refreshing walk with Harry to the meadow. You may be worried about me after reading the above, but rest assured, I am well. I just needed to write it down.
Now as for our engagement, I have good news and bad news. As expected, Papa was very suspicious when Harry arrived and demanded to know ‘what the devil’ he was doing here. Mama and I bustled Papa into his study as he was scaring the children and left Harry playing marbles with them on the floor in the drawing room.
Mama, bless her, calmed Papa down and saidthere was nothing untoward happening. That Mr Hart had been writing to me, and I to him, since we had met in Bath last year. And that he had called upon me in Godmersham, where our courtship had progressed under the watchful eye of the Austens.
I chuckled at that since the Austens had kindly turned a blind eye when Harry and Lucinda had been holed up in the cottage together very much alone! Propriety had flown out the window because of the unusual circumstances.
Papa huffed and puffed but could not exactly argue with that. But then he happened to see the ring because I had removed my gloves without thinking.
‘What isthaton your finger, Lucy?’ he roared.
‘Harry proposed to me, Papa, when I was in Derbyshire with Uncle Max and Aunty Fliss. And I have accepted him.’ I said it as confidently as possible, but it was like facing a snorting bull. Papa has such a temper!
‘What? Engaged! Without even asking me for your hand?’ cried Papa. ‘This is outrageous! I willnot allow it! Why did Max and Felicity not put a stop to it?’
‘Because Max and Felicity are sensible people, dear. And if they approve of Mr Hart, then we should too,’ said Mama.
Papa huffed and puffed some more. ‘Who is this man? Is he suitable?’
‘Mr Hart is very suitable, dear,’ said Mama. ‘He is a respectable London accountant, hailing from excellent stock. He is even set to inherit a castle in Somerset. For now, he earns a decent income, has a house in Holborn, and possesses a carriage, along with servants.’
‘And we love each other,’ I added, hoping that would soften the blow.
Papa’s eyes went dark. ‘Ask Mr Hart to come into the parlour. I wish to speak to him alone.’
With some trepidation, I left to convey the request to Harry, and Mama did a check to ensure that the study did not contain any knives or other sharp objects ...
Goodness, this was turninginto a horror story!
Mama and I hovered outside the door, listening carefully for disturbing noises, and ready to burst in and save Harry in case Papa decided to strangle him. But there was only steady murmuring, which went onforever. Eventually, Harry emerged from the room, his face flushed and looking tired. But he smiled and whispered to me, ‘I have won him over. He has agreed.’
