AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Interlude
December 19, 1818
W
hat are they thinking?
“Gah! Another day and they’ve all decided to ice skate. Again,” the Duke of Whittington groused as he stood at the window in the portrait gallery, once more watching various members of his house party cross the snow-covered lawn toward the closest pond.
“Where is the harm? The activity is good exercise and gives them a chance to socialize without the restrictions found in a drawing room or ball room.” His wife patted his cheek. “Let them enjoy themselves. You were once their ages.”
He harrumphed. “Yes, and by then I had my nursey well populated.” The duke crossed his arms at chest level. “I don’t understand why my children insist upon dragging their feet to the marriage altar. You find someone you rub along well with, and you wed them, learn about them and mature with them as you go.”
His duchess giggled. “It’s not as simple as all that, my dear. And in Lettice’s case, the war took many men from us of all ages. It’s not as if she’s being choosy; there simply isn’t the population as there once was.”
“You might be right in that regard.” He relaxed his rigid stance, both mentally and physically, but he continued to glare through the window glass. The bright red wool of Stephen’s muffler caught his attention. “I thought out of the two twins, Stephen would have things well in hand with romance, but he’s lagging.”
“Give it time. The situation between him and Mrs. Hodgins is delicate.”
He snorted. “Or perhaps Mrs. Hodgins isn’t desperate enough. She’s still got a backbone.”
His wife uttered a long-suffering sigh. “Don’t you want strong women for our sons?”
“I do, but this one might prove a problem.” Why couldn’t his son just kiss the girl? That usually untangled the problem.
“Oh, Whittington, you’re so set in your ways.” She laid a hand on his arm. “Mrs. Hodgins was very much in love with her husband. You can’t expect someone to come out of grieving so quickly.”
“True enough, but she was also in love with Stephen once upon a time before he was a nodcock and mucked things up.”
“I think they were both at fault, though Stephen hasn’t come outright and placed blame. Besides, he was young then.” The gentleness in her voice sent a modicum of calm through him to calm the annoyance.
The duke nodded. “Not that young.”
“Hush now.” She squeezed her fingers upon his arm. “Let’s see what happens between them before we interfere.” For long moments she looked out the window before she spoke again. “The history between them needs unraveled and hearts must heal, but they’re making slow inroads into that as evidenced by what happened last night at the rout.”
“Love can do that quicker than words.” Again, he wondered why the devil Stephen didn’t merely kiss the woman senseless. Everything else could be worked out after that.
“You’re such a romantic, Whittington.” She kissed his cheek as her eyes twinkled with amusement. “The human condition can’t be explained away by a string of words or a kiss, but I’ve seen the look in Stephen’s eye. He wants her back and I believe he has a plan.” She smiled. “If nothing else, he’s an intelligent man. Let him go at his own pace.”
That was good news. “All to the better, and if that doesn’t work, we’ll enlist the services of Mrs. Hodgins’ son.” He cackled with renewed glee and hope. “Stephen likes to think he’s a ladies’ man, but he’s got a soft spot for children.”
“Yes, he does.” She nodded. A touch of sadness drifted through her expression. “He desperately wanted a family all those years ago, but I think Mrs. Hodgins was afraid of such a commitment.”
“Because he didn’t broach the subject correctly.” He tapped the window glass with a knuckle. “There’s nothing more emotional than children at Christmastide.”
“Quite right, my dear.” She squeezed his arm once more. “Besides, John is adorable. And quite smart for his age. I talked with him a bit this morning in the nursery over breakfast. He’s getting along with Lucy, which is a good thing for them both.”
“Yes, well, Mrs. Hodgins has done a superb job of raising him, to be sure. No thanks to that sourpuss of her mother.” He shivered. “That woman is a trial.”
His duchess snorted. “She’s interesting, I’ll give you that. I just hope she doesn’t drive a wedge between Mrs. Hodgins and Stephen.”
“Agreed.” He sighed as John trotted up the lawn after the adults. Lucy ran beside him. “I’m anxious to Stephen settled. It’s past time, and here he has a perfect second chance. I don’t want it to slip away.”
“I know, but trust his instincts. Besides, Griffin is trying to help as well.”
“Ha!” The duke chuckled. “As if he’s the expert in all things romantic now. He wouldn’t be engaged if not for us.”
His duchess shot him a look that brimmed with mischief. “Hush, darling. That matters not. Griffin is happy, and that’s all we care about.”
“Perhaps.” The duke watched out the window. “However, it’s not enough for me. There is still much work to do with the children. We’d best see to it.”
Time was running out before their wedding anniversary on Boxing Day.
