“We’re here now. I don’t want to turn back.”
They headed for the queue and Dominic stroked her back in delicious circles as they waited. Though they’d planned their visit for weeks, they’d decided to take each day as it came, but Tess told him of a few sites she wanted to visit.
“And Princes, of course.”
He smiled. “Of course.”
Tess had yet to visit the famous antique shop, but she was eager to, not only to see the beautiful historic pieces they carried, but also to understand more about Dominic’s family history. She even wanted to see the famous “bachelor lodgings” he kept upstairs.
“There’s a jeweler’s shop we should visit too.”
“You’ve spoiled me enough.”
Since their wedding, her wardrobe had grown by dozens of fashionable, beautiful gowns, and her small wooden jewelry box could no longer contain the earrings, bracelets, and necklaces he’d gifted to her.
“Oh, I haven’t,” he assured her, “but I’d also like to pay a visit. They’re the family of a friend I lost a while ago.”
“I’m so sorry, my love.”
He bent and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek. “He was far too young for such a loss, but I think he’d be proud of the turn my life has taken.”
Tess reached up and cupped his cheek. “I’m eager to meet his family.”
A few moments later, they were admitted to the museum and broke off from the main area to find the collection they’d come to see. A collection they’d worked to excavate, clean, document, and study.
In the end, Van Arsdale didn’t get a few displays or a single room. His donations got an entire wing.
After passing through several corridors, they foundThe Van Arsdale Bequest. The displays were artfully done, and the panels behind the artifacts contained historical details, some of which Tess had provided.
On a wood pillar and set upon a rich green velvet pillow sat the golden buckle. It had been cleaned and polished to a high sheen, and Tess felt tears well as she took in its incredibly detailed knotwork and remembered the awe she’d felt the day she’d pulled it from Fenbridge’s field.
The silver bowls had been polished too, and the coins they’d found looked like a true treasure as they lay assembled together.
Though scholars disagreed on whose burial they’d discovered, and there was nothing among the finds to know definitively, all agreed it was likely a royal personage and one deemed worthy of great honor.
“An incredible accomplishment,” Dominic said as he stoodbeside her, reading one of the panels for which she’d contributed verbiage.
“So many people had a hand in this. I can’t wait for Tristan to see it.” Tess turned to him. “We should ask Fenbridge if he’ll allow us to host an anniversary dinner and invite all the workmen and their families.”
They’d held one last autumn to celebrate, though there were so many in attendance that they had to bring in extra tables and chairs to accommodate everyone.
“That’s a wonderful idea,” he told her. “Let’s speak to him when we get back. It’s plenty of time to prepare.”
“Even if we have quite a bit else to prepare for too?” Tess asked him, her voice full of joy she could barely contain.
Dominic frowned. “Autumn shouldn’t be terribly busy. We’re going to tackle that barrow in Little Greeling this summer. I estimate the project will only take about a month or two.”
They’d agreed to a small excavation at a mound in a village south of Wiggenstow.
“I think so too, but... we’ll have our own project to prepare for as well.” She placed a hand over her belly that had begun to gently swell over the last few months.
Dominic beamed at her, then pulled her into his arms, ignoring the glances of other museumgoers.
“What would you say,” he whispered near her ear, “if I told you that I already suspected?”
“Did you?”
He led her to a corner of the room, where they were slightly sheltered by a display.
Then he cupped her face in his hands. “I wanted you to tell me in your own time.” He offered her one of his genuine,slightly crooked smiles. “But thank you for telling me today. It was bloody agonizing to be patient.”
Tess laughed and wrapped her arms around her husband, holding him close, feeling his love. She smiled as she laid her cheek against his chest, and he kissed the top of her head.
“I love you,” he whispered.
“I loveyou,” she murmured back, smiling, knowing what their child was in for.
Two parents who were mad for history, each other, and making a life filled with love for them too.
