Page 79 of The Earl and His Lady

It was done. Gerard Macon was in custody and would stand trial. Lucas would do all he could to have the man transported, as he promised, but he would never lose sleep thinking on the man’s fate.

Lucas looked between Phillip and Edward, two of the most important people in the world as far as he was concerned. “You both did very well. Your bravery is commendable, and I rather think it deserves a reward.”

The brothers exchanged a glance, then Edward tilted his head to the side and narrowed his eyes. “I thought the cake was our reward.”

Lucas chuckled. In light of the disturbing events, Cook had presented the family with an enormous lemon cake, covered in lavender frosting, before dinner.

“I think the cake was Cook’s way of saying she was grateful you two were safe,” he said. “But I had another thought. Long ago, I promised you both a picnic. And if you will look outside, you will see we’ve been given a blue sky and sun. Would you two join me?”

“And what about me?” another voice asked. Virginia stood framed by the dark wood casing of the door, her summer-gold hair worn half up in a bandeau, the other half loose across her shoulders. She wore a dress of pale lavender, almost white, which Lucas found caused her eyes to appear darker, like the depths of a pool in the forest. “May I join you?”

“Oh, yes, please. Can Mother come too?” Phillip asked.

Virginia’s smile grew slowly as she kept his gaze and only then did Lucas realize he was staring.

Taking hold of himself, Lucas turned his attention to the boys and nodded. “Of course. As she wishes to, and as we must honor a lady’s wishes, she will come. I thought, as luncheon would normally be about now, we should leave right away.”

Edward didn’t need to be told twice. He leaped from his seat. “Can we picnic by the lake, at the castle?”

“That would be lovely,” Virginia said, before Lucas could suggest another location. He met her eyes again, looking for any sign of distress, but there was nothing in her expression to hint that going to the scene of yesterday’s drama would upset her. Virginia’s strength and courage, her level-headedness in the face of danger, gave him further cause to admire her.

“Phillip, would you please tell Gresham? The staff will prepare our picnic for us while you both get ready.”

Phillip nodded. “Come on, Edward.” The two boys walked out of the room, bowing as they passed their mother, but the instant they were in the hall the sound of their feet pounding away at a run echoed behind them.

Virginia laughed and turned, meeting Lucas’s eyes with that tender, gentle look he had noticed the day before. Something was different about her smile, too. Yesterday, in the midst of all the chaos and calm, he told himself it was only gratitude he saw. Perhaps she had been euphoric in her relief. But that was all. Allowing himself to read more into it would drive him mad.

“I will see you shortly. I’m afraid I’m not dressed for a picnic.” She gestured to her morning gown and he nodded his understanding. Then she disappeared and he sat down heavily, feeling his strength leave him.

Would it always be this way in her presence? When she left a room, it was as though she took all the light with her.

Lucas shook his head and dropped his face into his hands, trying to clear his thoughts.

I’m stronger than this. I will control myself. So saying, he stood and went to make himself ready for the walk to the lake. He imagined he would be climbing into a tree as well.

By the time he was ready, the boys were in the entry hall chattering at Nurse Smythe. Virginia met him on the landing, her dress a more sensible one for a walk out of doors. It was pale blue. Had he ever seen her in blue? Was blue a mourning color now?

He cleared his throat and tried not to notice, offering his arm to escort her down the steps.

When they stepped outside, the boys were a great deal like pups. They ran forward only to come back, jumped through the grass, and walked in circles around Virginia and Lucas. The whole while they laughed and chattered away about all they had done with Lucas gone, and about their castle in the trees. He couldn’t help smiling as he watched their antics, a sense of contentment entering his heart. Their happiness, their safety and ease, gave him more joy and more purpose than any endeavor of his life had yet to bring.

Virginia, on his arm, trusting him so completely with her life and the lives of her sons, sharing them with him unselfishly, completed him.

He risked a look down at her just as she laughed, watching Phillip spin in circles ahead of them. Hearing her laugh, seeing her eyes dance and sparkle, the pleasant flush in her cheeks, made his heart swell. He loved her, with everything he was, and if all he could ever receive from her in return was this unfettered happiness, he could be content. He must be so.

Virginia looked up at him, smiling wide. “I never thought I would see Phillip so happy again. But this summer, with all you’ve done for him, and in this beautiful place, he is the child I remember. Edward is more full of life than ever, too. Thank you, Lucas. For everything.”

He pulled his gaze away from hers, his heart pounding in his chest. “You have all given me a greater happiness than I had before, too. Thank you for that, my lady.”

Two liveried footmen were at the bottom of the hill, putting finishing touches on the picnic. Cups, plates, and cold food had been laid out. The boys pounced on the food and Virginia pulled away from Lucas to hurry after them, calling out instructions to mind their manners as she went.

Lucas paused, standing still on the rise, admiring his family. Watching Virginia call the boys to order, listening to them giggle. They sat nestled on the ground beneath the trees, the lake behind them glimmering in the afternoon sun.

Never had he imagined he would have so much in his life. But even with all his wealth, his titles, the grand estate at his back, Lucas knew what meant the most to him in the world, and it was right before his eyes. His family. His wife, his children.

“Are you coming, Papa?” Edward’s voice called.

“Of course. I cannot let you lot eat all this food without me,” he answered, joining them to laugh beneath the trees.