Page 21 of A Lady’s Mishap (The Lockwood Family #5)

EPILOGUE

Five years later

T he morning sun streamed through the dining room windows as Elodie sat between Emma and her four-year-old daughter, Charlotte. Elodie picked up a slice of bread and held it up with a playful smile. “Shall we begin?”

Emma and Charlotte followed her lead, picking up their own slices of bread. Elodie reached for the knife and dipped it into the butter tray. “Now, you must ensure the butter reaches all the corners of the bread. That is the key to achieving the perfect bread-to-butter ratio.”

As she meticulously spread the butter, Charlotte plopped a thick pile onto her bread. “I like my bread this way,” she announced proudly.

Emma wrinkled her nose. “Your way is wrong.”

Elodie laughed softly, shaking her head. “Everyone can butter their bread their own way. There is no right or wrong way to do so.”

Emma held up her neatly buttered slice. “But I like your way best.”

“And that is why you are my favorite,” Elodie teased.

Charlotte huffed in protest. “Why is Emma your favorite?”

Elodie smiled. “You are my favorite, too.”

“How can we both be your favorite?” Charlotte asked.

Placing her bread down, Elodie explained, “It is a mother’s prerogative to have as many favorites as she likes. And I have three.”

Charlotte seemed satisfied by the answer, but Emma leaned closer, her voice low. “I thought I was your favorite on Wednesday.”

“You were, my dear. And today, you both are,” Elodie replied as she affectionally patted her on the head.

The door creaked open, and Anthony stepped into the room. He smiled through tired eyes. “William is finally asleep,” he announced.

“I do not know why you didn’t let your mother put him to sleep,” Elodie said with a knowing look. “She seems to have the magic touch.”

“Because William is my son,” Anthony replied with a sheepish smile. “And, honestly, I thought it would be easier.”

Elodie raised an eyebrow. “William is a terrible sleeper.”

“That he is, but he should outgrow it soon enough,” Anthony said.

“Come, join us for breakfast,” Elodie said, gesturing to the table.

Anthony kissed the tops of both girls’ heads before taking a seat. A footman promptly set a plate of food in front of him. “What were you discussing before I arrived?” he asked, picking up his fork.

“Who Mother’s favorite is,” Charlotte replied.

“And what was decided?” Anthony asked.

Emma answered confidently, “It depends on the day.”

“That sounds about right,” he said with a nod. “But you’d better hurry and eat if you want to make your riding lesson.”

Emma picked up her fork and took a bite of her eggs. Once she had taken a bite, she asked, “When can I ride a horse like you and Aunt Elodie?”

“Is there something wrong with your pony?” Elodie asked.

“No, but I want to ride like you,” Emma replied.

Anthony gave her a thoughtful look. “How old are you?”

Emma straightened in her seat. “I am nine years old.”

“Ah, yes, you look about old enough,” Anthony said. “I will speak to the groom about finding you a proper horse.”

Charlotte held her bread up for inspection. “Look, Father. I buttered it all by myself.”

“Well done!” Anthony praised before turning his attention towards Elodie. “How are you doing this fine morning, Wife?”

“I have no complaints.”

Anthony gave his wife a curious look. “Have you given more thought to Emma’s education?”

Elodie sighed, setting her cup down. “I have. I can’t bear the thought of sending Emma away to boarding school. However, I enjoyed my time immensely there.”

Emma perked up. “I want to go to boarding school like you, Aunt Elodie! If I go, do you think I can become the diamond of the Season someday?”

Elodie reached out to smooth Emma’s curls. “Of course, I do, my dear. You have all the charm and grace to be the brightest diamond the ton has ever seen.”

Anthony’s gaze shifted towards Elodie's portrait, where she stood proudly next to Lulu and Lord Henry. “I still find it remarkable that Queen Charlotte herself commissioned this portrait as a wedding gift,” he said, his tone contemplative. “It was more than a gesture of approval. It silenced the scandal with Montrose entirely.”

“He was utterly unprepared for the cut direct he received from the ton . No one dared to align themselves with him after that,” Elodie said.

Anthony smirked. “It was a swift fall for a man who fancied himself untouchable.”

Percy stepped into the room and announced, “A Mr. Skye wishes to speak with Your Lordship.”

“I do not know a Mr. Skye,” Anthony said. “Send him away.”

Percy hesitated. “He was rather insistent that he should speak to you. He said it was about your brother.”

Anthony frowned. “Very well.” He shoved back his seat and stood. “I will see what this is about.”

“Would you like me to join you?” Elodie offered, rising from her seat.

Holding out his arm, Anthony replied, “Always.”

As they walked towards the study, Elodie said, “Do not forget that my family will be here for supper.”

“That is wonderful news,” Anthony said, though his jaw remained tight. “It has been far too long since we were all together under one roof.”

Elodie saw the tension in his posture and offered him a reassuring look. “It will be all right. I am sure Stephen hasn’t done anything too foolish. This time.”

Anthony did not quite look convinced. “Stephen never fails to surprise me. Considering he has tried multiple times to sue me for his inheritance, claiming I stole it from him. I would not put anything past him.”

She patted his arm, but she knew her husband was not wrong. Stephen had made a nuisance of himself these past few years, despite being in debtor’s prison.

They entered the study to find a short man with dark, thinning hair waiting. He bowed stiffly. “My lord. My lady. I am Mr. Skye, a coroner here in London.”

Anthony’s frown deepened. “What has my brother done this time?”

Mr. Skye grimaced. “I’m afraid it is worse than that, my lord. Your brother is dead.”

“Dead?” Anthony repeated, his tone sharp. “How?”

“He was involved in a duel,” Mr. Skye explained. “Mr. Sackville was granted permission to leave prison during the day, assuming he would return at night, and he challenged Mr. Ramsey to a duel over his sister. Your brother was fatally shot.”

“Mr. Ramsey?” Elodie asked. “As in the heir to the Ramsey merchant fortune?”

“The very same, my lady,” Mr. Skye confirmed. “Apparently, your brother intended to elope with Miss Ramsey and her brother caught wind of it.”

Anthony sank into a chair, running a hand over his face. “Did my brother suffer?”

“No, it was a single shot to his heart,” Mr. Skye shared.

Elodie knelt beside Anthony, taking his hand in hers. “I’m sorry, my love.”

Mr. Skye shifted uncomfortably in his stance. “I do apologize for being the bearer of bad news. I shall see my way out.”

Once the coroner departed, Elodie squeezed her husband’s hand. “How are you faring?”

Anthony met her gaze. “A part of me is relieved. Emma is safe now.”

“And the other part?”

His eyes glistened with unshed tears. “I worry about how my mother is going to handle the news. First my father, and now Stephen…”

Emma’s soft voice came from the doorway. “Is it true? Is my father dead?”

Anthony stood, opening his arms. “It is true,” he replied.

Emma ran into his embrace. “I am so relieved,” she whispered. “I was always so afraid he would take me away.”

Anthony crouched down, holding her tightly. “You are safe now. You are part of this family, Emma. Always.”

Emma let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Uncle Anthony.”

“Now run along,” Anthony said. “You have your riding lesson right now.”

“Will you come watch me?” Emma asked with a hopeful expression.

Anthony bobbed his head. “I would love that. Will you give me a moment with Elodie?”

As Emma skipped off to her riding lesson, Anthony turned to Elodie. She wrapped her arms around his neck. “You are a good father.”

Resting his forehead against hers, Anthony murmured, “We have built a beautiful life together, haven’t we?”

“We have. But I do believe our family is not quite complete yet.”

Anthony raised an eyebrow. “Are you suggesting…”

“I’m pregnant,” she shared.

His eyes went wide. “You are?”

“I am,” Elodie replied, her voice trembling slightly. “I know this might not be the best time, but?—”

Anthony kissed her deeply. “There is no wrong time to tell me such joyous news.”

“You are happy?”

“How can you even ask me that?” he questioned, moving to place a hand on her stomach. “I have never been happier.”

Elodie bit her lower lip. “I was hoping to tell my family tonight over dinner.”

“That is a grand idea!” Anthony exclaimed.

“Do you want a boy or girl?”

Anthony shrugged. “Does it matter?” he asked. “All I want is a healthy child.”

Elodie felt joy bubbling up inside of her. Never had she imagined she could be so happy. Since the day she had married Anthony, there had not been a night when she didn’t fall asleep thinking of him.

She knew, in her heart, that even as she grew old, it would always be Anthony. Her soul had found a home.

The End