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“Yes, I believe I have. You cannot know how grateful I am that you made me come home and arranged for us to marry.”
“I am glad that you listened. You could not have chosen a better wife for yourself. She seems to be settling into her duties nicely. I do not think there will be any need to fret, once she takes over responsibility for Sotheby and the village from your mother.”
Simon nodded, watching as Ellen tapped the little girl on the nose playfully, eliciting a smile from the adorable girl. She looked like she would have been blown away if the slightest breeze had picked up. By the end of their short visit, the little girl looked like a different person. No longer was she bent over in depression and servitude. She held her head high and headed down the street with her hand in Ellen’s.
“I agree that Ellen is settling in nicely. However, I do not believe she would be put out in the slightest if she was not called upon to take Mama’s place for many, many years.”
“One can only hope, my boy. I am grateful for every day that the Good Lord deems to give me on this earth. However, it is nice to see that the estate and my family will be taken care of very well, if and when I depart this earth. It may be very soon, you know, and one cannot be too prepared,” his father said sadly.
Simon watched him for a moment, wondering how long he would have with his father. He hoped it would be years to come, but with his health declining over the last few months, he was not so sure.
Simon walked alongside the wagon, which was heavily laden with the baskets they were passing out from house to house. At the next dwelling, Simon watched his wife pull something special from the wagon and give it to the little girl. Her face lit up when she saw the special steamed Christmas pudding made especially for her in a small serving dish just her size.
When Ellen had finished with the baskets on one side of the street, she walked back to Simon with a contented, albeit tired, smile.
“Well, that is all for this side of the street. I suppose we should go back to the wagon and ensure we got every house on the list.”
His father prodded him in the ribs, chuckling to himself. “She will make a wonderful mother to the future heir of Danbridge.” He winked, and while Simon could not say he had blushed very many times in his life, his father’s statement caught him off guard. However, he could not but agree, for he held the same sentiment. Ellen was excellent with children. She had already proven it while he had been watching just a few paces away.
Ellen cast him a confused smile. “What is he talking about?” she asked with an amused smile. She placed an extra basket in the wagon, and he helped her, ensuring it was secure before they started back to the house. They had managed to visit every house, and it felt good that they had been able to help so many people that year.
“My father was only commenting that you seem to be very good with children,” Simon replied. He stepped closer to her, leaning down to her ear. “He says you will make a wonderful mother someday.”
She smiled and blushed furiously, as was only right. She turned to him, leaning closer. “Perhaps sooner rather than later,” she whispered. It was his turn to blush at her candid remark, which was also only right.
He laughed and was glad when the wagon and the rest of the staff that had come with them to help pass out the charity baskets moved on ahead of them, giving them some much-wanted time alone.
“I do look forward to the day we can start a family, Ellen. I have always dreamed of being a father. I only hope I can be a good one,” Simon admitted.
She looked up at him as if he had just spoken in a foreign language. “I cannot think of you being anything if not a good father. You are so patient and kind, full of compassion. It seems to me that those are the traits that make a good parent, and you embody them all so well.”
He looked away down the road for a moment. “It means a lot to hear you say that,” he said softly.
She seemed saddened by this, but it had not been his intention to remind her of their rocky past. “Why did you agree to marry me, Simon, when you knew it would be difficult?” she asked. They stopped in the centre of the road.
There was nary a traveller on the cobblestone streets that morning, for it was bitterly cold. Most everyone was snuggled inside their cosy homes, gathered around the fire with a cup of steaming hot tea. Indeed, that is where they were headed, back to the manor for tea to help thank all the people who had helped pass out the baskets.
Simon stopped, however, and studied her. She seemed to need his answer very much, and he did not want to disappoint her.
“I knew you were worth fighting for. Sometimes the best things in life are the things that are hard-fought and won. You, my love, are just that. A bride worth waiting for,” he said.
He took her hand and closed the distance between them. He rested his forehead against hers, closed his eyes, and breathed in her familiar scent of fresh lavender.
She looked up at him abruptly, and he leaned his head away. Tears pricked in her eyes. “For the rest of my life, I will try to solve the mystery of how I ended up with a man as good as you.” She gave a short laugh. “You are too good for me, of that I am certain.”
He chuckled and offered her his arm. She took it, and they began to make their way home again, following after the wagon. “Wait a few months and see if you still feel the same way,” he said. He leaned closer, lowering his voice. “I am told I snore.”
She laughed at this, and he relished the sweet, lilting sound. She leaned closer and took on his mock conspiratorial air. “That is the least of our worries,” she said. She crooked a finger at him, motioning that he should come closer. “You also talk in your sleep.”
Chapter 29
Later that afternoon, Ellen stood by the door of the formal parlour, greeting guests as they filtered in for the tea they were holding. Her parents had arrived, along with her two younger sisters. Viscount Tilbury and his brother had also been invited and were standing at the hearth with her younger sisters, laughing and having a jolly time.
Lord Carlisle and Lady Genevieve were also in attendance. Ellen tried to push down her feelings of suspicion and jealousy, but every time she was in the same room with the woman, she could feel the animosity pouring off her like a waterfall crashing over the rocks at the bottom of a pool. She was not sure how long she would be able to remain civil toward the woman, especially if she kept making eyes at her husband.
Simon touched her arm, and Ellen greeted one of his friends as they were formally introduced. “We are so happy you could join us,” she said.
The young couple joined one of the groups chatting about the room, and Ellen inhaled deeply. “It seems that most of our guests have arrived. I shall stay here if you want to get the proceedings underway,” she whispered.
