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“I had to see Miss Thorne off this morning.” He shrugged nonchalantly. “But I’m here now,” he assured her. He rounded the corner of the path, and was surprised to see his mother and his grandmother there with Anne. He bowed to them both. The governess, who he knew to be Claire, Sophia’s sister, was there as well. She dipped into a quick curtsy. “Good morning,” he said. Drat it all. He’d hoped to have a moment alone with Anne.
“I had the strangest dreams last night,” Anne said as she brought a flower to her nose.
“Not the terrifying kind, I hope,” he remarked.
“Not at all. I dreamed happy dreams. About puppies romping in a field. With unicorns. And caterpillars that can talk.”
“Nonsensical dreams,” his mother exclaimed. She shot the governess a look. “You really shouldn’t fill her head with such nonsense.”
The governess looked up at Ashley with a wary gaze.
“On the contrary, I think all our heads should be filled with nonsensical things. It makes life more interesting,” he said.
His grandmother harrumphed and raised her ear trumpet to her ear. “What did you say? You say your mother is lacking common sense?” She laughed. “I have said that since the day your father met her.”
Ashley covered a chuckle in his fist. His mother raised her voice at his grandmother. “I have plenty of common sense,” she called loudly.
“If you did, you wouldn’t wear that awful shade of pink. It’s much too young for you.”
His mother jumped to her feet. “I am a young woman,” she protested.
“And I’m the queen of England.” His grandmother snorted.
Ashley addressed Anne, “So, you had brilliant dreams about all sorts of mythical creatures.”
“They’re not mythical,” his daughter countered. “They’re real.”
“You can’t let her go on believing such things, Ashley,” his mother warned.
He gave his mother a glare that felled her mid-rant. “On the contrary, Mother, I believe it’s healthy for the soul to believe in magic.” He shot a glance at Claire, who avoided his gaze.
“What has gotten into you, Robin?” his mother sighed. “You used to be so focused. It’s that Thorne girl, isn’t it? I told you it was a bad idea for you to associate with her.”
“Where did Miss Thorne go?” Anne said as she remembered his earlier comment about seeing her off.
He sighed heavily and said, “She had to return home. Duty called her back.”
His grandmother bellowed much too loudly. “I do admire her beauty. I quite liked the chit.”
So did Ashley. He didn’t bother to correct his grandmother.
A footman approached from around the corner. He bowed low. “Beg your pardon, Your Grace,” he said. “But Lord Phineas has requested entry to your garden. I wasn’t certain if you wanted to allow him admittance.” He waited patiently for a response.
Ashley waved a breezy hand at him. “Oh, yes. I invited him. Please do show him in.” He turned to the group just as Finn joined them. He clapped Finn on the shoulder. “Finn and I had a long talk this morning.” He noticed his grandmother straining to hear with the trumpet by her ear and raised his voice. “I need to get your opinion about something. All of you.”
“Out with it, Robin,” his mother said. “I have friends coming for tea in a few minutes.”
“Heaven forefend I should interrupt your plans by telling you about my life,” he grumbled. She flushed only a little when she heard him. He took a deep breath and plunged on. “I’d like to take Miss Sophia Thorne as my wife. Of course, I have to retrieve her and ask her for her hand first, but I hope she’ll say yes.”
He waited to see the reactions on their faces. His mother sputtered. “You cannot, Robin.” But at the same time, Anne twirled and let out a most unladylike whoop of joy. His grandmother smiled broadly.
“An excellent decision, Robin. I may just have a great-grandson or two out of this one.” She labored to her feet, pointed to her cheek, and said, “Give me a kiss and go retrieve your lady.” He kissed her weathered old cheek fondly. “Give me one with the right parts and make me a happy old lady,” she warned as she walked back toward the entrance. “Come along, Duchess,” she said to his mother. “Stop your sputtering and let’s go prepare for your tea.”
“You cannot join us for tea,” his mother warned. Of course, she was back to her own concerns quickly.
“I’ll do just that if you don’t come along now.” Ashley’s grandmother snapped her fingers, and with a huff, his mother followed her out of the garden. But then she turned back to Ashley.
“You know you do not have my approval.” His mother raised her nose in the air.
