22. The Countess Reigns Supreme
For Immediate Release?—
Kensington Palace can confirm the happy news that Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales is expecting her first child with her husband, His Royal Highness the Duke of Cornwall. The couple are making preparations for a baby arriving in late summer. As such, the Princess was reassigned to in-classroom simulator duty at RAF Valley where she had been responsible for training an F-35 Lightning II squadron. She is restricted from flying military aircraft until after delivery. Future movements on her RAF career will be forthcoming as they are known. The Princess and Duke are very excited to share this with everyone.
From the Desk of the King?—
It is with great pleasure that myself and my wife announce the expected arrival of another grandchild this year. As you may know, we expect our sixth and seventh grandchildren to be born to the Duke and Duchess of Inverness late this spring. But now we know that the Princess of Wales is due with a baby expected in late summer. Given the complicated road for the Princess and Duke of Cornwall, it is wonderful news for our family. We will be so blessed with three new grandchildren in the family this summer—a total of eight now.
“Luce, don’t go yet,” Natalie said.
Lucy stopped—confused—holding a plate of cheese. “I told you I’d bring this in?—”
“No, no, that’s fine. It’s more… I have been nervous about this talk but I think I am ready.”
Natalie lowered the wrench she held and tried wiping her oily hands on her jumpsuit.
“What?” Lucy looked nervous.
“This is good. Deep breaths. I didn’t ask you to bring cheese to share and force you to listen to my explanation about a valve opening and closing only to send you away.”
“Oh.”
“Lucy,” Natalie sighed, “I have been so happy to have my sister from another mister back that… well, I’ve struggled to do the thing I need to do… formally.”
“Well, a lot is going on.”
“No. I mean, yes. Fuck. I’m dreadful at this. How do men propose? I wouldn’t sign up for the task. No one is fine with an ambush proposal, are they?”
“Aren’t most proposals an ambush, Nat?”
“I dunno,” Natalie shook her head. “Ignore me. Feeling lost. Uh… Lord Hewlett is set to retire and I would like you to be Lord—Lady—Chamberlain.”
Lucy cocked her head. “Nat, can you even offer me that?”
“I can and am. Dad told me it was my decision but endorsed it. Mum and Sanne will fall to bits if you say no?—”
“No pressure.”
“Lucy, when I told Lord Hewlett I had his replacement lined up and he heard it was you, he practically danced a jig. Everyone wants this.”
“Fuck. Nat, I have been gone so long and?—”
“I know. But, Luce, both of us are ready. This is far better than you being a lady-in-waiting and having to travel. You will see your babies. Winston cannot whinge about that. We can raise our children together. I need you to help George and Patrick acclimate and help me survive new motherhood.”
“It is only fair given that you’ve done so for me,” Lucy said.
“Do it for yourself, not out of obligation for me,” Natalie said. “But… please do it. You are the best person for the job. My daughter needs to see a woman kicking arse in that role.”
“It’s a girl?” Lucy asked.
“I don’t know for certain, but I foolishly hope it is. Either way, I’d like our children to see you thrive. This job needs you, Lucy. We need you. And you need us. It’s problematic symbiosis, but we’re family.”
Lucy snickered. “Okay, but I must talk to Winston before I formally accept. Give him time to digest it.”
“How are you?”
“We’re fine. He’ll be down permanently as soon as we can get all the dogs back and the boys can start school.”
“Good.”
“We’ll be okay,” Lucy said. “But… we just need some space. He’s coming down to look at houses.”
“Good,” Natalie said. That was a good sign.
“Who knows.”
“Well, you’re always welcome.”
“Ed will reach his breaking point.”
“I think he’s just relieved that the two of you have seemingly made up,” Natalie admitted. “He was worried just like the rest of us. He also agrees you’re the one.”
Lucy smiled. “People think like that?”
Natalie nodded. “They do.”
Lucy pointed the plate in Natalie’s direction. “You’re doing it.”
“What?” Natalie looked down.
“The bump hold. You’re cupping your bump. You’ll use it as a shelf for the next five or so months, you know? So, don’t panic, but you’re doing it.”
Natalie realised what she meant. She poked her stomach. “Yeah, it’s weird. I still don’t quite look pregnant, but I can feel a bump poking out.”
“It looks mostly like a burrito until one day you wake up and your body has popped. You’re adorable. Soak it up. Everyone is so happy.”
“I know. We keep getting baby-related mail at the office. The number of people who have quickly knitted booties and hats is alarming,” Natalie said.
“Everyone who watched you grow up and hoped for you—prayed for you—feels like they are part of this story, Natalie. It’s a beautiful thing. It’s weird, sure, but… we always wanted you to get your happy ending and be a mum.”
Natalie smiled. “Okay, Lady Chamberlain.”
“Oh, stop,” Lucy giggled. “My circus, my monkeys.”
“The Herder of Cats and Maker of Miracles has entered our airspace,” Natalie cried.
“And she’s not leaving,” Lucy promised. “Now, before you wipe grease into your eyes, I will leave you. Finish whatever the fuck this is and come in. Sanne brought ice cream.”
“Why didn’t you lead with that?” Natalie called.
“I let you land the plane!”
“It’s my plane. I let you play captain.”
“Okay, this again?” Lucy groaned.
They landed at Heathrow and taxied to the private terminal. Now, George and Natalie argued over who did what and how well they did it as their passengers filed out. It was a blast from the past.
“Mummy, why do they argue so much?” Malcolm whispered.
“Ask yourself why you argue with Niall so much,” Lucy said. “It’s just having a sibling, sweetheart.”
“My puppy! Puppy! Puppy!” Niall shouted as Winston attempted to herd two dogs downstairs. Amon, the older and more grizzled, stood at the top of the plane’s steps.
“I can grab him,” Natalie said.
“Like hell, you will!” George said. “You are not to lift anything. You and Lucy are here to keep us all from going rogue, not to do manual labour.”
“And yet I managed to move parts of an engine around last night and not lose my head, dear brother.”
George placed the dog on the ground, glaring.
“If I was doing it before, I can keep doing it,” Natalie said. “That includes flying a jet that maxes out at a ceiling of a paltry 30.”
“Okay, I’m just gonna say it because if I don’t say it, I might lose it,” Patrick said, helping Lucy’s dog Frida down to the tarmac. “I do not want to listen to this pissing contest well into the rest of the weekend. We went up to grab the dogs. We helped Lucy and Winston. Now, we are done discussing planes! And Nat, if you disagree, I don’t care. Ed will back me up.”
Natalie rolled her eyes. “We must get the dogs back. Children, are you ready for an adventure?”
“What is it? A space shuttle?” Malcolm gasped.
“No. God, I wish,” Natalie laughed. “You’ll ride back with me because your Mum and Dad have a date with an estate agent.”
Winston looked at Lucy, hopeful.
“That sounds boring,” Malcolm announced.
“Oh, darling, it is. Come along.” The boys followed Natalie to the car.
“Give me that,” George took Iona from Lucy’s arms. “Iona, your mother will return. Until then, you are stuck with us.”
“I think she prefers you, honestly,” Lucy laughed.
Iona didn’t protest. She was half asleep and would be out like a light the minute George settled her in.
“Nonsense. But she will tolerate us while Mum and Dad buy a house. We will put the babies—all ten of them—in the garden and that should suit everyone until you return. If you love us, bring booze. We’ll have a drink. Well, some of us.”
“Got it. Subtle, Georgie,” Winston said.
George shrugged and left. Lucy and Winston crawled into the smaller of the three cars which arrived to whisk the royals and their assorted entourage away.
“Well, we’re all here now,” Winston said as they sped off to the first of a dozen houses they might see that day.
“Yeah,” Lucy said.
Things with him weren’t perfect. There were missteps in which he faltered, and Lucy turtled inward. There were also apologies and steps forward. Lucy and Winston needed to flee Natalie’s house. It wasn’t fit for three couples, five children, two more on the way, and six dogs. Even a massive estate felt small when you tried to pack that much energy into one place. Lucy knew she’d be sad to leave. The noise and wild faux arguments that cropped up between Natalie and George reminded her of a simpler time. It felt like home, but she and Winston needed to build one for themselves. They’d be close. Everyone could gather again like old times.
“So, when will you decide what to do?” Winston asked. “About a job.”
Lucy swallowed hard. “I have an offer.”
“Oh? Already? I’m not surprised, honestly, Luce.”
“That’s sweet.”
“No, it’s honest. Who wants to hire you now? And are they worthy?”
“Natalie has asked me to be Lady Chamberlain. I am replacing Lord Hewlett in his well-deserved retirement.”
“Lady Chamberlain…” Winston spaced before his face lit up, “Luce, you’ll be… wow! Fuck, that’s amazing! Baby, I’m so proud of you. You said yes, right?”
“I did. Well, tentatively after I spoke with you. I figured you would support me. It means less travel than everything else, Winston. I hope that’s okay?”
Winston squeezed her hand and brought it up to his lips. He kissed it.
“You are the best person for the job. They are lucky to have you—as are the Lords. You and Mum can cause a riot, I suppose. I am so proud of you and so glad to see you happy—thankful I got my head off out my arse.”
“Thanks, Tony.”
“I missed you all week,” Winston said. “God, it was brutal. The boys are so happy to be back with us altogether permanently. Lucy, there is a light in your eyes I have missed. And upon seeing it there last night when you came up, I was just… it’s irresistible. I feel clouds parting. It’s idiotic, but I’m falling in love with you all over again.”
Lucy blushed. “That’s not idiotic. It’s sweet. I can tell you are trying. We both are. It’s going to be a shit ton of work, Tony. And let’s not even mention the baby?—”
Winston shook his head. “It will be fine. I will be home with the kids. They will have stability. It has taken some adjustment because I make eggs wrong and sometimes use the wrong words. They must adjust”
“I love it when they think British English is foreign. Oops,” Lucy giggled.
“I will never be their mum, but I will be enough. And their mum is wasted on us hiding her away in the countryside,” Winston said. “It will work out.”
“You’re excited to be home.”
“I have major plans to have some sort of one day a week where Ed, George, and I just throw the children into someone’s back garden and pray they entertain themselves without it getting all Lord-of-the-Flies.”
“So, your childhood?” Lucy giggled.
“History repeating itself. When you said I was misled by the fantasy of living in Scotland and recreating something, you were right, Luce. My best memories happened around here—with George, Gerry, and Natalie—after Mum was free from Dad. It made me who I was more than anything. We had a village. Mum and Vanna needed that village. That was what gave us peace. We didn’t grow up isolated. You and I thought we were doing the right thing, but… we can be wrong.”
“It’s okay to change your plans, Tony.”
“I know,” he agreed. “It will be nice to have them around again.”
Lucy was happy to hear that Winston looked forward to the change. With some reflection, they both admitted they were wrong. The Winston who greeted her excitedly the night before with a great big kiss was not the Winston she left in Scotland several weeks ago. He wasn’t perfect. He was still riding the sofa as things improved. Lucy felt safer. His decision to give her space only confirmed he was trying to do right by her. He wanted her return to be of her own volition.
Lucy knew she would come back. She loved him too much. She needed to see continued progress, but she trusted they both knew better. Maybe tonight was the night for proper cuddling?
Maybe Winston was right about falling in love all over? When they first fell in love, they took it slow. Yes, there was the ill-fated hookup that could have been a one-night stand, but they stuck it out. Winston waited patiently for Lucy to fall for him. Winston wanted it to feel perfect when it did happen again. Perhaps that was the best tack to start fresh? Either way, Lucy wasn’t pressured. When she chose to give herself to him again, it would mean just as much.
Their agent paraded them through the best country houses available in Berkshire, narrowing it to two choices. Lucy preferred the cosy Tudor. It was further towards Slough but felt more like home. Meanwhile, while he’d never say it, Winston preferred the palatial, modern countryside home close to Windsor Great Park. It was a glass house with a veritable car stables. The minute they walked in, his eyes lit up. After seeing some less-inspiring options, they doubled back.
“I know it’s not her style,” Winston said. “She’s not much for this sort of open floor plan. But the art we could hang in here, Luce. It would be spectacular.”
“I know,” Lucy said. “It’s not my favourite. It’s very you—too big, white walls, lots of light, seven bedrooms, a staff cottage, and two staff bedrooms on the second floor? It’s more than we need.”
“The garden would be perfect for the kids and the dogs. The stables are only just up the road. Most importantly, we’re close to everyone else. Ed and Natalie are just ”round the corner. I guarantee George and Pat will be, too.”
Lucy let out a long, tortured sigh and asked the estate agent, “What was the list on this?”
“Fifteen.”
Lucy nearly fell over. “Tony, that is ridiculous!”
“We can do a cash offer to save money. Luce, we net five on the sale of the place up the road. The money is no issue. You always panic?—”
“The taxes alone, Tony! And then we have upkeep. And this house will require staff.”
“We need staff, Luce. I don’t want to cause a big argument, but even with me at home, we’ll need staff. You will be so busy. And then… with a new baby… we’re talking five bedrooms for all of us.”
“Oh, there’s a new baby in the mix?” The estate agent asked.
“It’s early and I don’t want to discuss it.” Lucy shot daggers at Winston.
“Early days, yes,” Winston winced.
“The boys can share a room as they do.”
“Not as they get bigger.”
Lucy groaned. She watched Winston cross the massive living space. It was a clear line of sight to the garden. She pictured him having tea on a summer morning while the children played. Everything about this house was bright and new. It reminded her of their church in Kensal Green, where Winston had tirelessly updated everything. He’d loved the grand ceilings and beautiful light. The design was a labour of love and their first love nest. It had done them well until they needed more space because of Malcolm and the dogs. This place was open. It was bright. It was different than their massive family castle in the Scottish Borders.
“The light reminds me of our place in London,” Lucy said. “You love that. Would you ever paint again?”
Winston spun. “Really? I see it, too, but I thought… well, I have been out of it, baby.”
“Maybe we both need to find space for the things we love. I know it’s going to be complicated, but if we are hiring staff, you’ll have more time, right?”
“If you didn’t mind me taking the downstairs office for a studio, I could have some space.”
“I wouldn’t. I could use the space over the garage. It’s quiet there, no children to bother or distract me. Better that way.”
“It’s not as nice,” Winston said.
“I don’t care. You need better light and I will have a massive office at Buckingham Palace.”
“She’s about to be Lady Chamberlain,” Winston gloated to their agent. “My wife is about to be the highest-ranking member of the royal staff.”
“Oh, stop it!” Lucy slapped his arm. “You’re embarrassing me.”
“I don’t care, Lulu. You deserve the honour. I get to gloat about you as your husband.”
Lucy wrapped her arms around Winston and sighed. “Tony, I think we should call it.”
He squeezed her. “Did I win this round?”
“I cannot say no, okay? You win. I’ll concede the W,” Lucy said. “Let’s just make it happy and enjoy our lives together. A new start in a bright, cheery house.”