“Really. I will send a note round to your mother’s house. Now, if you are not coming with me, then may I suggest you head down that road there to the park. It is less frequented by society. There are some things going on that would interest a lad your age, I’m sure.”
Henry stepped back, and as he was about to close the door, Walter jumped out.
“Oh, very well, go with them then, and Romulus and I shall try not to feel abandoned,” the duchess said.
The carriage then rolled away, leaving them with the large dog.
“It seems Walter wishes to walk with us, Henry.”
“He is a very nice dog,” her son said, patting his head. “I should like to walk with him too.”
“All right then. Shall we investigate this park the duchess spoke of? Perhaps you could find a sturdy stick there and throw it for Walter.”
“How will he know how to get home, Mother?”
“You heard what the duchess said. He likes to wander and was born on these streets, so he knows his way home.”
Henry didn’t reply to that, so they headed toward the park. Entering a few minutes later, she saw the grass was not as neatly trimmed as at other parks she’d seen around London. A path led them toward some trees. Henry foraged for a stick and found one. He then hurled it as hard as he could, and Walter galloped off to retrieve it.
“What is that?” Iris asked, squinting.
“A velocipede,” Henry whispered, awed. “I have read extensively about them. There is to be an exhibition soon in London.”
“Then we shall have to attend,” Iris said.She would ensure it was so.
The contraption was heading their way, and as it drew closer, she noted its rider was Lady Raine. A young boy and girl were running on either side of her.
The woman wore a bonnet with two fat yellow ribbons tied under her chin and a matching yellow dress. She looked like sunshine, and her smile was radiant.
Iris couldn’t remember when she’d last smiled like that or felt so carefree. And yet her uncle had told her that the countess had not lived without her struggles also, considering her change in circumstance. Clearly, she had risen above them and chosen to be happy.
“Henry?”
“Yes, Mother?” He dragged his eyes from the approaching people.
“We are going to choose to smile, laugh, and be happy. We will, in fact, be making it a daily mission henceforth.”
He studied her in that solemn way he had and then nodded. “Yes, I like that idea.” He smiled. It wasn’t a large, wide one like the approaching countess had, but it was still a smile.
“Hello!” Lady Raine called as she neared them. “Isn’t this wonderful?”
Walter let out a loud woof when he realized who was riding the velocipede.
Lady Raine stopped before them. She was straddling the contraption, with her skirts tucked up and long legs in stockings exposed from the knees down. On her feet were brown leather boots.
“Good day to you, Iris.”
“Good day, my lady. Allow me to introduce you to my son, Lord Challoner, Henry,” she added.
“My name is Dimity. Hello, Henry, it is lovely to meet you. How is it you came across my dog?” she asked. Her cheeks were flushed, and she looked radiant. Iris thought she would have been a great deal different if she, too, had wed someone other than her husband. Possibly not radiant, but happy.
“We just encountered the Duchess of Yardly. Walter decided he’d rather walk with us than drive in the park,” Iris said.
“You can hardly blame him for that,” Dimity said. “This is my son, Elliot.” She waved a hand at the boy, who looked exactly like her husband with his dark features. “And this is Ella. She is Forrest’s—my husband’s cousin’s—daughter.”
The girl looked to be about Henry’s age and wore a cream dress with tiny sprigs of lavender all over it. Her sweet face was framed with a straw bonnet, and Iris could see sunset-colored curls.
Both children looked happy out here running about with Lady Raine.
