“Yes, and the whole time I intend on showering you with sickeningly sweet compliments until all of Maidstone is quite convinced that I am most desperately in love with you.”
Javenia scooped up the train of her dress as he led her back to the floor for the next set. “So that is your plan, then. Make them all so disgusted with us that we are asked to leave.” He smiled down at her, and she lifted her chin in defiance. “I like it.”
Epilogue
June 1813
Algenon stared down at the little buddle in his arms with features so like his own, and yet not. Tiny fingers curled around the edge of the blanket, clinging tightly to the soft fabric.
“To think, if my father had lived a few months longer, he would have been able to realize his dream of fathering a son.”
The Dowager Lady Roberts smiled softly at him as Javenia stood on tiptoe to see the bundle in his arms.
“You mean your uncle father?” Javenia asked.
“Yes, of course. Who else could I mean?”
“Just clarifying. After all, you do have an uncle father and a father uncle.” She smirked at him as she slipped her pointer finger into the baby’s sleepy grasp. “I wouldn’t want to mistake them.”
Louisa laughed softly. “We are quite the confusing family, aren’t we? Some have a family tree. We seem to have a family thicket.”
Javenia’s face lit up. “Exactly so, Louisa. A very winding, confusing thicket. Who else has a mother-in-law, who’s reallyher aunt-in-law, who’s less than two years their senior with a babe that will probably grow up with her own children? We should be an oddity that all of London comes to view in the Tower.”
Algenon glanced between his wife and Louisa, finally having given in to her insistence that they drop the formality of titles. He loved the relationship that had developed between the women. After Lord Roberts’s death, he’d worried the loss would crush Louisa’s gentle spirit, but Javenia had gathered her close, sometimes literally picking her up off the floor as she navigated through months of grief. They had truly become a family these last few months.
“What will you name him?”
Javenia glanced at Louisa when she was silent a little too long. “Please do not say you are going to accept any of Algenon’s suggestions.”
Louisa laughed, then cringed, placing a hand to her abdomen. “Do you question my intellect that much? Priscilla and Arabella were a sufficient enough warning about his naming abilities.”
“Richarda and Roberta, you mean.” Algenon tipped his head toward her and she rolled her eyes. The baby in his arms fussed and he lightly bounced him.
“You know, I have never called them those names unless your father was around.”
“Uncle father, you mean.” He chuckled when she gave an exasperated shake of her head. “You were wise to give them middle names. It might even save me from Richarda’s ire when she’s old enough to ring a peal over my head for suggesting such a name.”
Javenia took up a chair near the fire. “I doubt it. You best prepare yourself, for we all know you have earned every scolding, plus a few lashings.”
The side of his lips quirked. “Fair enough. But Louisa, Seraphino really would make quite the splash in London Society.”
Both ladies groaned and he battled back his amusement.
“Javenia,” Louisa said as she adjusted her position in bed. “Do not let this one have any say in naming your children. He has no talent and very little sense in that regard.”
The laugh that burst from Javenia filled Algenon’s heart to overflowing. He loved seeing her so happy, even if it was at his expense. Truthfully, she could name their children whatever she wished when they were blessed with them. Anything to bring a smile to her lips and a sparkle to those alluring brown eyes.
“Of that you can be assured,” Javenia said when she finally regained her composure. “However, I believe we are agreed that presumptuous names such as ours will not even be considered.”
When the baby fussed in earnest, Louisa held out her arms for him. “Alvin is growing hungry.”
“Alvin?” Algenon handed her the baby. “I thought you might name him after his father.”
“I did, but your uncle father”—she waggled her eyebrows and he laughed— “already used David as a first name when he named Davina, so I shall use it as a middle name.”
Javenia rose from her seat, gesturing to the door so they could leave Louisa to feed her baby in peace. “Well, it is a lovely name. We shall leave you to tend to him. It is time to dress for dinner, anyway. Is there anything by way of greeting that you’d like us to take to the Stanfords, Kendalls, or Newhursts?”
Louisa brightened. “You will tell them of our new arrival, won’t you?”
