Mrs. Gallick passed me with a pile of freshly starched napkins.
“How’s the duchess, ma’am?”
“Miserable, Mrs. Gallick. Can you bring her a large pot of tea?”
She nodded with that knowing smile. “I’ll do so, and you should take note, ma’am. Little Thackerys could bless Finchely someday.”
I peered again at Daniel chatting legal precedents with Lady Shrewsbury and smiled. I was more interested in now. “Thank you, Mrs. Gallick.”
“Lady Ashbrook,” he said, “why don’t you go get our birthday princess?”
His voice held so much pride, my crazy beating heart swelled.
“Yes, and the duchess is very interested in your painting. She’s desperate for it, like she recognizes the . . . artist.” Patience recognized the artist. My heart pounded.
“Lady Ashbrook. You’ve gone silent. Does that mean you’ve given it away already?”
“Troth, benefactor . . . please, my lord. Her Grace must have it.”
Over Lady Shrewsbury’s laughter, he nodded. “If it will make you happy. Of course, my dear.”
Happy for Patience, happy for me for having such an understanding husband, I floated up the stairs to the nursery. My friend would tell me later whom she suspected the artist was so I’d know who to find. Daniel left me in control of my twenty-now twenty-four-thousand-pound dower. That could help a lot of women.
Hope sat at her table. Bliss icing from her special cake was on her yellow and pink pinafore. A glob of the sweet frosting sat on her smile.
I loved this little girl so much. I didn’t need the rest of my memories. Hope and Daniel were everything—now and forever.
I sat at her table. “What do we have here?”
Hope played with her horses. Patience had sewn a doll with a dress of silk and taffeta with tan breeches hidden beneath her lilac pink dress. “She has a secret, Mama. She can stay up better on a horse, like you and me.”
I hugged my baby, my precious little girl.
Clasping her hand, I led her down the stairs. Her little legs wobbled less. Chasing me about the grounds with Max in tow had surely helped. She leaped from the last tread and ran to her father.
He leaned down, and she grabbed Daniel’s neck. He swung her around. My daughter, our daughter was his pride and joy. Couldn’t have dreamed up a better man.
Lady Shrewsbury took Hope in her arms. “Ready for our treat?”
“Yes, Auntie.” My daughter squealed.
“What treat? Lady Shrewsbury did you bring something forus?” Daniel’s eyes loomed large. His hands were out, twiddling his fingers.
I hated disappointing him. “My dear, once Her Grace is on her way back to Sandlin Court, Hope and I and Lady Shrewsbury will head to Gunter’s for a pink treat.”
Daniel’s lips pushed out like Hope’s in a pout. “Pomegranate pink, without me?”
“My Lord, your vingt-et-un game is to start promptly in the dining room. It’s returned to its proper place. No more hiding away in your tiny study. That room is far too small to promote singing.”
He arched his brow and surely knew I’d betrayed Mr. Anthon. Our man-of-all-work had told me of their songs to Hope, and I had to hear it.
Daniel clicked his tongue, his hand catching mine and keeping it close to his silver buttons. “I’ll accompany you, my love.”
The way he saidmy lovewas no secret. It washis truth, our truth.
“Mi luv yuh.” My patois was light and easy, and my husband offered his special smile just for me.
Jingling coins in his pocket, Mr. Anthon stepped forward. “Lord Ashbrook, do you require the carriage for the family, now?”
Daniel wound his arms around us all. “Yes. An outing with my family takes precedent. Mrs. Gallick will feed the gentlemen, keeping them well stocked until we return.”
Loving my husband’s hand about my waist, I couldn’t agree more.
