“No, that Busick has surveilled everything like a military campaign. My own lady’s maid is apparently a batman or is it ball girl? I don’t know, but she is some woman who followed the soldiers along their battlefield campaigns. She gives him notices of my health and monthly courses. When I can stomach more than dry biscuits, there will be changes.”
My laughter was loud and long. “The man loves you. You know he does.”
“I know, and I love Busick dearly. I’ll have to comply with his overprotection and rules until this bonbon is born. Then I will have civilians in my household.” She smiled, and then heaved again.
When she stopped, I offered her another napkin and rubbed her back. “Lionel will be so blessed to have a sister or a brother.”
“Yes.” She gulped air. “This is true. Love that crazy man. He is so happy for this child to come.”
“You and this little soldier to be, Patience, are blessed to have a house of love and cannons.”
My friend sat back and lifted her head to the ceiling. “We are going back to Hamlin Hall at month’s end. I’ll miss you terribly.”
“Daniel and I are looking at property, too. Very near Hamlin. We will keep Finchely, but he’s thinking of retiring from London.”
“How do you feel about it.?”
“Honestly, it’s great. I’ll be near you, not letting go of my family. And I may finally tackle more watercolors. Maybe I can match this one.”
Patience’s eyes grew wide. “I hadn’t noticed it before. Jemina, where did Lord Ashbrook get that painting? I have to have it.”
“I’m not sure. I think he said from the marketplace at Covent Garden this spring.”
She wiped at her mouth. “Find out for me.”
“Patience, you’ve paled. You look scared.”
“That picture. I have to have it. I think I know the artist.”
The look on her face was more than awe. It was a burst of pride and relief. I took the painting down expecting a secret door. Nothing.
I heard footsteps coming from the hall and then arguing. Well, more so Lady Shrewsbury’s voice probably harping on my husband.
Helping Patience sit with her feet up on Daniel’s ottoman, I tucked a blanket about her. “You rest.”
“Look at me getting all flustered. This is your first birthday reunited with your daughter.”
If she knew how special those words were she’d burst. “Let me go see what’s happening in the hall. Then, I will find Mrs. Gallick and send hot tea. I suppose no cake with bliss frosting for you?”
She had her hand on the gold frame. “The painting. That’s all. Lord Gantry will be here any minute to take me back to Sandlin Court. Please ask Ashbrook if this can be mine.”
“Yes, for you anything.”
When I crossed into the hall, I saw Daniel and his aunt, fussing.
“No, my dear, Lord Ashbrook.” She patted her fluffy Angora kitty. “I’m not ready to retire.”
“Technically, Aunt, you could and find someone else to run the Widow’s Grace. But I know it should not end, not yet. When your ladies hoisted me by my own petard out of your ball and threw me safely into a carriage, it made me more appreciative of your gang of women.”
Smirking, she folded her arms. “Gossip has it that you expressed your unvarnished opinion to the Lord Mayor.”
“Yes, and now he wants the Court of Chancery to be more sensitive to women whose custody and interests might be threatened by relatives who use Bedlam for coercion.”
“Excellent, Daniel. Maybe something you said made him think.”
“Perhaps,” my husband said, “or maybe he’s hoping I won’t tell the Prince Regent about his poor attitude.”
I moved and stood at Daniel’s side. “The horrible Lord Mayor should listen to his top barrister while he has you.”
