Page 36 of To Heal a Broken Earl (The Rakes of Mayhem #7)

Wilton Hall

Amberley, South Downs

Sussex, England

One year later

“Darling, we just received the sweetest letters from Katie and Evie. Evie and Martin just finished renovating a townhouse in Mayfair,” Lady Emma Wilton said from the blue damask settee in the parlor.

“Evie says that Katie is doing a wonderful job learning her letters and her numbers with her governess, Jane. And she’s loving being Leo’s big sister. ”

“Leo’s almost a year old now, isn’t he?” Michael asked.

“Yes. Katie helps with his bottle feedings and tells him stories—mostly adventures that she and Finn had while she was here, according to Evie,” Emma said, smiling and shifting slightly in her chair, hoping to find the right spot so her back wouldn’t hurt.

She suddenly realized how miserable Evie must have been when trying to sleep while pregnant.

Michael’s birthday was tomorrow, and she and Hastings had been planning a small house party for months, hoping to make up for the one last year, which had resulted in her kidnapping.

“Katie’s letter was all about how much she missed Finn. It’ll be a big surprise when we gift her one of Finn’s puppies,” she continued. “She will love it. And Martin and Evie will help her train the puppy. They’ve already approved her having it.”

“It’ll be nice to see the puppies when they are finally born.

Finn is acting like an anxious father—and he struts around here now,” Michael said.

“Simms said Finn’s been very protective of the mother.

Not to change the subject, but I’m glad that Simms and his wife and daughter now live on the estate.

I understood his not wanting to live in the gamekeeper’s cottage.

The man’s a real talent. The quaint cottage he built near the stables showed masterful carpentry. ”

“I’m very happy about that,” Emma said, “given that Simms was as much a victim of Morgrave’s treachery as others were.”

“When the puppies are the right age, we’ll make a trip to London to bring one to Katie ourselves,” he said.

“Yes! I’d enjoy a trip to London. I miss my sister so much. And Katie. I’ll be glad to see them for the party.”

“I always enjoyed having Katie here. I was never sure how I would react around children, having only been around adults, but a child is fun company,” Michael said, exhaling a big breath as he balanced on the ladder, setting the hammer down on the step.

“But I think I’ll make a jolly good father one day. What do you think, darling?”

Emma smiled a secret smile. “I think you’ll be the best father ever.”

“Well, maybe not the best.” He grinned. “Certainly, in the top three, though.”

She giggled as she folded the letter and placed it on the table.

“Darling, are you certain you want these green curtains taken down? We’ve tried the gold-and-white ones.”

“I miss the blue ones. I think they might look better than the gold and white or the green. And besides, blue is your favorite color,” Emma said, studying the window. “I think I like those the best,” she said with a nod.

“Once I finish hanging these blue curtains, I hope we can both enjoy them for at least a month before you change your mind again,” Michael teased, driving a nail into the wall and attaching the drapery rod.

“There’s only one other thing we need in this room.

” He hopped down from the ladder, reached behind the settee, and pulled out a brown, wrapped package.

“I’d like to hang this over the fireplace, if you agree. ”

Emma opened it and stared. “This is beautiful! When did you have it painted?”

“I visited Mr. Burns a few months ago and took him up on his offer to paint it. It’s an excellent likeness of you and Katie and Finn. I thought you’d enjoy it in your parlor.”

“I love it, Lord Wilton!” she said, hugging him around his neck.

“And I love you, Lady Wilton,” he said, kissing her.

“You are the best husband in the world.”

“Well, that I won’t argue with.” He grinned. “So…when are you planning to tell me?” he asked, leaning in and kissing her softly.

“Tell you what?” she replied, her voice dripping with feigned innocence, a playful smile dancing on her lips. Her heart raced as she turned to face him.

“I know every inch of your beautiful body. And I’ve watched it change,” he said, his gaze shrewd yet tender.

She couldn’t help but smile wider, the warmth of his words enveloping her.

“I should have known you were too observant,” she teased, her cheeks flushing with pride and sudden shyness.

“I was hoping to tell you tomorrow after the party as my own special private gift to you. I’m three months pregnant,” she added softly.

He whooped as he picked her up and twirled her around the room.

“I take it you’re happy?” she said, giggling.

“Honey, you made me the happiest man in the world when you said yes to my marriage proposal, and now you’ve made me happier, if that’s even possible. I knew I couldn’t be seeing things,” he added. “And I was so hoping it was true.”

“Good, because I’m happy too. Sometimes, I have to pinch myself at how happy I am.”

“Have you seen all the pinch marks on my arms, love? Every day is a wonder, because of you.”

“Darling, you’re going to be a wonderful father.”

“And you are going to be the best mother.”

“But now, my surprise gift is ruined.”

“Well, you can make it up to me.”

“I’m sure you have lots of ideas on that front,” she replied, giggling again.

“I can think of a couple of things,” he said suggestively. “What about we start with a leg massage?” He winked at her.

“Hmm. Yes. A leg massage you shall have, later, when we’ve retired for the evening.

But I really want to finish a couple of things on my list, darling.

” If it wasn’t for all the guests arriving tomorrow, she would have raced him up to their bedroom.

Ever since their marriage, massages had taken on a whole new meaning and become a wonderful treat for both of them.

“Michael, I realize I must seem overly focused on making changes, but it’s important to get as much done as we can before summer arrives,” she said, adjusting the fabric of her dress with care.

“I’m not sure I’ll have the energy to do much in the heat when I’ll be so close to giving birth. ”

“Emma, darling, I doubt being nine months pregnant will slow you down. Watching you makes me tired,” Michael said.

An hour later, she and Michael had gone over everything on her list, making sure that all was ready for their visitors.

According to the responses she’d received, everyone would begin arriving for the party in the morning, although both Evie and Michael’s sister Lizzy indicated they might arrive tonight.

Lizzy and her husband, Baron Edward Sinclair, Lady Beadle, Aunt Chippie, Wright, and the Armstrongs were all planning to attend the house party.

“I’ll admit,” Michael said, stepping down from the ladder and gazing at the window treatment, “I do like the blue better. These darker curtains cut more of the sun out. I could see myself napping in here on a hot summer day.”

She laughed. “Ever the practical one. That wasn’t what I wanted to hear. But all right. That’s the last change we had to make here in the parlor.”

“By the way, I got a missive from Armstrong early this morning,” Michael said in a somber tone. “He said the Crown convicted Lord Morgrave of kidnapping a peer, arson, and murder. He will hang at Newgate within the fortnight.”

A shiver skittered down Emma’s spine. “He is a vile and evil man, and he deserves to pay for his crimes,” she said, her voice trembling.

Michael took her in his arms and held her close.

“But what happens to his properties? Or what’s left of them? He stole a lot of money, didn’t he?” she asked.

“He did, darling. You have a good memory,” Michael said.

“The families of victims were told to look over the jewelry that was found in his possession, and claim what was theirs, as long as they could provide proof. And of course, the money was divided among all the families, including Evie and Martin.”

“That seems more than fair. Michael, would you mind if we change the subject?” she asked.

“I’m sorry. But the mere mention of that man still upsets me.

” And she recalled the day he’d kidnapped her as if it were yesterday, instead of a year ago.

Even now, she still had nightmares sometimes.

Luckily, Michael was there beside her to hold her when she would wake up in the middle of the night, crying.

“Of course, darling. I’ll let Simms know as well,” Michael said.

“He’s been a great addition as groundskeeper. Finn certainly likes him,” Emma said. And Mrs. Simms was a wonderful housekeeper and kept the house running like a well-oiled clock.

“Speaking of Finn, here’s the proud daddy-to-be now,” Michael said, as Finn sauntered in alongside his partner.

“What beautiful puppies they will make,” Emma said. “I can’t wait to see them. And I hope each of them behaves just like Finn.”

Stanhope knocked on the door and stepped into the parlor. “My lord, Lord and Mrs. Armstrong and Lady Millicent Beadle have arrived.”

Michael looked at Emma and then back at Stanhope. “Has Mrs. Simms prepared their rooms?”

Stanhope nodded. “Yes, my lord. The rooms are ready.”

“Perfect! Stanhope, could you please show them to their rooms and ask them to join us in the drawing room in two hours for a light repast? Could you ask Mrs. Peppers to prepare something?” Emma said.

She hadn’t thought the guests would arrive so early today, but she felt content, especially thinking about the good news she had already shared with Michael.

~*~

Two hours later, Armstrong, Celia, and Lady Beadle joined Michael and Emma in the drawing room. Mrs. Peppers had prepared an informal buffet dinner of finger sandwiches, cheeses, meats, and fruits, as well as a variety of small pastries.