Charles smiled proudly at his son. “Well done,” he said. “I agree with you.”
Alfred extended the spoon towards him. “Will you hold onto this while I keep searching for more relics?”
“I will,” Charles replied, accepting the spoon.
While Alfred ran off, Henrietta remarked, “At least you don’t have to carry back a clay pot like the one they found last week.”
“I do love that the boys share my passion for antiquities.”
“They adore you.”
“And I them,” he responded.
Henrietta set a hand on her increasing stomach. “I do hope the next one will be a girl.”
“I will just be happy for a healthy babe, boy or girl.”
“It would be nice if I wasn’t so terribly outnumbered, though,” she said, amusement in her voice. “I do find it interesting that Marjorie has been blessed with three girls, whereas we have three boys.”
He shuddered. “I pity Walter.”
Henrietta laughed, as he’d hoped she would. “I have no doubt that Marjorie and Walter will rise to the occasion when they all debut.”
“I agree.” Charles watched as a boat traveled along the river and found himself asking, “You once said that you wished you could board a boat and sail far, far away; do you still feel that way?”
Henrietta grew quiet. “I do not,” she replied. “Everything I need, or want, is right here.”
“I am happy to hear that.”
“My soul once craved adventure, but now I find myself too exhausted to even dwell on it,” Henrietta joked.
He brought their intwined hands up to his lips and kissed the top of her hand. “You are a wonderful mother.”
“That is kind of you to say.”
“It is true,” he said. “My mother would never have climbed trees with me.”
“It is a skill that I believe each child should know how to do properly.”
Charles stopped and turned to face her. “I know I might not say it enough, but I am incredibly lucky to have you as my wife.”
Her eyes twinkled with merriment. “You could stand to say it more.”
“Life is much more interesting with you by my side,” he said before pressing his lips against hers.
As he leaned back, Henrietta remarked, “I feel the same way about you.”
“Perhaps on my next trip to India, you and the boys can accompany me,” he suggested.
Her eyes grew wide. “Are you in earnest?”
“I am,” he replied. “We can go after the baby is old enough to travel,” he said. “Although, I will insist that a doctor accompanies us to ensure no harm will come to you or the baby.”
A bright smile came to her face. “I can agree to that.”
“Then it is settled.”
“We shall have such fun!”
