Kate stood on tiptoe to kiss him on his cheek. Then she took little Tom’s hand and let him lead her into the garden.
Life for them all in London was hectic, and too often Dan found that business matters obliged him to be apart from his wife and children. At the start of their married life, he had also been secretly anxious that Kate might find London daunting, and that the many social occasions they had to attend might resurrect unhappy memories of her time as a debutante. Instead, she had coped brilliantly. He realised that her earlier experiences had taught her how to deal with the people she didn’t like and how to make friends with those she did. He’dnoticed too that at balls and parties, she was constantly kind to the shy debutantes who found themselves alone.
All in all, she was a perfect Society hostess, but Dan knew she felt that Brighton was her true home, just as he did. They came here as often as possible, even in the winter months, because he treasured the memories of that summer four years ago when his life had changed for ever.
Little Tom was forging ahead on his own now, tripping occasionally but picking himself up from the grass with a stubbornness that made Dan smile. Soon he had reached his favourite spot, a bench set on a slight hill that offered glorious views all around.
‘Papa,’ Tom was calling out triumphantly as he scrambled up onto the bench. ‘Look! I can see the sea!’
‘I’m on my way,’ Dan called back, and very soon they were all sitting there, with Kate’s arm around Tom and Dan still holding Jemima.
‘I like it here,’ Tom announced. ‘So does Jemima.’
Kate was laughing. ‘Darling Tom, how do you know?’
‘Becauseeveryonedoes!’ Then Tom, always restless, jumped down and began racing around pretending to be a horse, while Kate drew closer to her husband.
‘Look,’ she said, ‘our daughter is waking up. She has gorgeous blue eyes, just like yours. Did I ever tell you they were the first thing I noticed about you?’
‘Really?’ He raised his eyebrows. ‘I thought you noticed a few other things—like the fact that I wasn’t wearing very much at all.’
She pretended to pout. ‘Well, of course I noticed, and you looked amazing. But I wasn’t going to tell youthat,was I?’
Just as if she’d heard, Jemima was stretching one chubby little hand towards Dan’s face and chuckling. She was named after Kate’s aunt, of course, and it pleased both Kate and Dan to know that Clematis Villa was still well-cared for, because Harriethad married a kind local farmer and Kate had gifted the house to them. Often, Dan wondered if Jemima Honeywood had guessed that Kate and he would find happiness together. He wouldn’t be at all surprised.
‘Papa!’ Tom was scrambling back up onto the bench. ‘Papa, will we go to the beach tomorrow?’
‘Most definitely.’
‘And will there be donkeys?’
Dan and Kate exchanged glances, and Kate said, ‘I think that it’s very likely.’
‘Oh, good. And Mama, can we get a puppy? Papa said yes!’
‘Did you?’ Kate looked at her husband questioningly. ‘Is that right?’
Dan was apologetic. ‘I told Tom it was a possibility. Because this—’ and he gestured around the grounds ‘—is an ideal place for one, don’t you think?’
‘This is an ideal place for us all,’ Kate said softly.
Tom was galloping around again, and Dan, still holding Jemima, put his spare arm around his wife’s waist. ‘I love it here, and I love you. In fact, I can’t imagine life without you.’
Her face took on a teasing expression. ‘You didn’t think that when you first met me. Remember?’
‘Miss Prim,’ he said. ‘My adorable Miss Prim. Are you happy that we’re here?’
‘Very, very happy.’
He hesitated a moment. ‘You might be slightly dismayed by my next piece of news. I’m afraid we really ought to host a party here, because the Prince Regent is arriving in Brighton next week and he made me promise to arrange one. Do you mind?’
He could see she was thinking about it, then she finally looked up at him. ‘I suppose there will be dancing?’
‘It will be expected, yes. But no one will mind if you, as the hostess, don’t participate.’
‘I know. After all, I’m a respectable matron now, with a husband and children, so I can sit and watch! But Dan—what if I actuallywantto dance?’
He was surprised. Since their marriage, everyone had accepted that the Countess of Rivington preferred not to dance, and no fuss was made about it whatsoever. She was a popular and charming guest at any event, and besides, as she said, there were always plenty of younger ones to enjoy the dancing. So Dan said carefully, ‘I suppose we could always waltz, then I could hold you and help you, couldn’t I? And of course, the waltz isn’t considered nearly so scandalous these days—’
