Page 38 of A Winter’s Romance

T he dash to the border was an easier journey than Louisa had expected. Lord Hindley assured her that Mr Simmerton would not follow them, especially as he had sent an announcement of the marriage to the Times. Over several days, Louisa came to know her husband-to-be further and love him even better, although the Hindleys did complain whenever Miles tried to kiss her in the carriage.

They travelled back to Hindley Hall in separate carriages, Miles and Louisa taking far longer than the Hindleys as they lingered in wedded bliss. When they eventually returned, Billy was settled into his new cottage, spending some of each day up at the big house with Cook.

Melissa was persuaded to leave her old life and bring her husband and children to Hindley Hall to reconnect with the family. It could have been uncomfortable, but the babies soon brought down any barriers that remained. Lord Hindley insisted on extending a wing of the house, and it became Melissa’s home, with her husband accepted as a member of the family .

Mr Simmerton had arrived at the Hindleys’ London home and was shown a copy of the Times by Lord Hindley’s man of business. Apparently, he was furious and had cursed Louisa to the devil before being escorted off the premises; he was last heard of at the less salubrious parties in society, still on the lookout for a wife.

Rosie lived the life she wanted for many years. Her quick wit and intelligence stood her in good stead. The Hindleys had expected her to struggle, but they had not accounted for her resourcefulness. Rosie was careful with money and the presents she received over the years. When her looks were no longer sufficient to attract a man willing to keep her, she opened a faro house and became revered for giving the most splendid parties any young rake would appreciate. Louisa always kept in touch with Rosie, not liking the path her friend had taken but understanding that she could never have settled for life as a companion. Louisa never forgot what service Rosie had done for her, and there was always the promise that if she needed help, it would be given.

As for Louisa and Miles, their love blossomed without the pressures there were at the start. They were a couple who never seemed to tire of each other’s company or of teasing the other. Very often, they would descend into peals of laughter while those around them shook their heads in bewilderment. When their children arrived, they moved to Hindley Hall permanently to join Melissa’s growing family.

Ten years later

“Luke wishes his papa to teach him faro. Apparently, Billy has told him all about what Rosie does, and he wants to make his fortune at the faro tables,” Louisa said as she climbed into bed and snuggled into Miles’s open arms.

“If Billy was not so good with the children, I would strangle him, but I will need to speak to him. The last thing we need is for Luke to decide that he is going to visit our wayward Rosie.”

Louisa laughed. “If he does, I am sure Rosie will send him back with a scolding he will not forget in a hurry.”

“I am not so sure. Oof.” Miles groaned at the elbow in his ribs.

“Do not be horrible. Rosie sends them all presents and always writes nice letters. She is not the monster you have her down as.”

“I only do it because I know it angers you, and I love it when you are cross, especially that little tilt of your chin.”

Louisa huffed out a laugh. “You are ridiculous.”

“You are beautiful. When are we going to tell the children that they are to have another brother or sister?” Miles stroked the slight bulge in Louisa’s stomach.

“Your parents will throw us out if we keep adding to our family. Melissa already has six.”

“And with our ten.”

“Ten? We only have four!”

“And this will be our fifth. I think ten is a lovely round number.”

“I think you should start sleeping in your own room.”

Miles rolled to look down at Louisa, her hair spread across the pillow, cheeks flushed, and eyes sparkling. “You are the loveliest woman I have ever seen. Why would you deprive me of your company and the opportunity to have little Louisas running all over the house?”

Louisa reached up and gave a lock of his hair a sharp tug in amused admonishment. “Luke and Richard are your double in looks as well as nature. They are the rakes of the future.”

Miles grinned. “Glad that my own legacy will carry on. Now, what can I do to persuade you to agree to ten children?” He started to shower kisses on her face, neck and shoulders until her laughter turned into moans, and all thought of separate beds was forgotten.

“I do sometimes wonder why I ever wished for the house to be noisy,” Lady Florence said to her husband one morning over breakfast. Whoops and shouts could be heard from the hallway as numerous feet thundered down the stairs and out of the front door.

“Shall I banish them all?” Lord Hindley asked, chuckling at a particularly loud screech.

“I suppose we would soon become bored, would we not?”

“I think we would.” Lord Hindley clinked his teacup against his wife’s. “We are very lucky, my love.”

“We certainly are, except when it comes to winning the challenges our little darlings set. Do you think we shall win the rowing race today?”

“If not, I fear we will be turned out of our boat. For some reason, it is hilarious to see grandparents floundering in the lake.”

“I believe you are right. I hope you are prepared to lose. Again.” Lady Florence’s eyes sparkled with laughter.

“You mean I cannot show them my prowess today or even a little of my talent?”

“It has been a while since we have had a swim in the lake.”

“If you promise me a kiss under the weeping willow, then I can guarantee a loss. ”

“In that case, you have my word. For the children dislike that more than anything.”

“Yes, their shouts of disgust are quite amusing. I cannot wait until they start to bring home their chosen ones.”

“Oh, there will be endless opportunities for revenge. I have never been of the opinion that grandparents should be anything but menaces.”

“Nor I.”

The couple smiled at each other as the noise continued unabated.