Page 71 of Debtor’s Daughter

Maggie’s hand flew to her mouth, and she stifled a sob. For a moment, Larkin felt as if his entire life hung in the balance, but he waited, hardly daring to breathe until she gave a strangled laugh and threw her arms about his neck.

“Yes!” she exclaimed, throwing herself at him with such force he fell over backwards, taking her with him. “Yes, yes, yes, a thousand times, yes!” she cried, covering his face with kisses as he laughed and held her to him.

The door flew open then, and Caro stood in the doorway and gave a little scream of shock as she saw Maggie sprawled on top of Larkin in an appearance of complete abandon, skirts and petticoats billowing around her.

“Maggie!” she exclaimed, clearly thinking her big sister had taken leave of her senses.

Aunt Connie, appearing a bare second later, looked over her niece’s shoulder and didn’t so much as blink. She only gave a satisfied nod. “Well done, Maggie, dear. It’s about time too,” she said with a touch of exasperation. “I already told Cecil to plan for a double wedding and he applied for the licence when he got ours done, so everything will be ready for you.”

This startling piece of information stunned everyone into silence, and no one had anything to add except for the clock.

Cuckoo, cuckoo, cuckoo, cuckoo, cuckoo, cuckoo, cuckoo!

“Is Gideon awake yet?” Maggie asked Priddy as she entered the kitchen.

“No, Mrs Finchley, not yet. Shall I wake him?” the little maid asked politely.

“Oh, no, thank you, Priddy. Let him sleep. We had terrible trouble getting him to bed last night,” she told Larkin, giving him a pointed look. “For he insisted he could not be expected to go to sleep in the middle of a war with France. So that’s two late nights he’s had in a row.”

Larkin hid a smile and attempted to look sheepish. “I beg your pardon. I will do better in the future, I promise.”

“I know you will,” Maggie said, her teasing expression turning to one of such adoration Larkin had to clear his throat to remind her they were not alone.

Maggie started and turned back to the kitchen table, where all the staff were assembled at their request having just received their happy news. She blushed a fiery red as everyone grinned indulgently at them. Giving their mistress a moment to gather herself, they returned to their conversation.

“So what’s this manor like, then?” Barnes was asking. “I’ve been hoping Mr Weston would return to the country this age, but he don’t listen to me,” he added, earning a reproving glance from Larkin, which only made him laugh.

Mrs Goodall immediately launched into a detailed description of the charming old manor house with particular detail about the kitchen, over which Mrs Moody had agreed to preside. Mrs Goodall would return as housekeeper, with Wallace restored to his position as butler. Priddy had decided to remain in town as her family were here, but Larkin had promised to find her a position with one of his friends, so she was satisfied too. Sally would stay on as Maggie’s lady’s maid, and Barnes, whom Larkin considered as much a part of his life as Maggie did Wallace and Mrs Goodall, would obviously continue as valet.

With everything else settled, all that remained was to inform Larkin’s parents, news that he knew would put their minds at rest after his behaviour over the previous years, and to tell Gideon. This last was, he had to admit, giving him more than a little anxiety. It was one thing to befriend a fatherless boy, but quite another to try to be a father to him.

Whilst he was reasonably sure Gideon would be pleased, there was always the chance he might resent Larkin inserting himself so forcefully into his life. Nervously, he reached into his pocket to reassure himself his gift for the child was still there. He hadn’t shown it to Maggie yet, and did not know if he was making a horrible mistake, but he didn’t think so. His instincts told him this was the right thing to do, and finally he felt his confidence return to him.

“Mama?” said a sleepy voice, and everyone turned to see a rumpled Gideon standing in the doorway, rubbing his eyes.

“There’s my darling. Did you have a nice nap, Giddy?” Maggie asked, holding her arms out to her son, who went to her and climbed into her lap.

“Yes, but want my soldiers now.”

“In a moment, darling. Mrs Moody has made crumpets for tea. Would you like some?”

“Crumpets? With butter and jam?” he asked, perking up.

“Why, how else would you eat them?” Maggie said with a smile. “Of course with butter and jam.”

Having expected the order the moment Gideon appeared, Mrs Moody set a plate with two crumpets, liberally slathered with butter and jam on the table. Picking up a chair, she placed it between Maggie and Larkin, who moved to make space.

“Sit there, Master Gideon, and don’t go getting sticky fingers on your mama’s skirts.”

“Yes, Moody,” he said, scrambling onto the seat and taking a bite before she could get the large napkin tucked into his shirtfront.

“There,” she said, satisfied. “Would it be all right if we popped next door, missus?” she asked Maggie. “Mr Barnes is opening a bottle of something for us all to celebrate your good news, and I promised to take a couple of bottles of my peapod wine. I’ll be back in plenty of time to get dinner done, I promise.”

“Of course,” Maggie said, smiling. “Go and enjoy yourselves. There’s no rush. We won’t mind if dinner is a little late.”

Thanking her, the staff went out, closing the door behind them.

Left alone with only Gideon, Maggie gave Larkin a conspiratorial smile. “I shouldn’t bank on getting any dinner tonight. Mrs Moody’s peapod wine is not to be trifled with.”