Epilogue
Algenon stared down at the little buddle in his arms with features so like his own, and yet not. Tiny fingers curled around the edge of the blanket, clinging tightly to the soft fabric.
“To think, if my father had lived a few months longer, he would have been able to realize his dream of fathering a son.”
The Dowager Lady Roberts smiled softly at him as Javenia stood on tiptoe to see the bundle in his arms.
“You mean your uncle father?” Javenia asked.
“Yes, of course. Who else could I mean?”
“Just clarifying. After all, you do have an uncle father and a father uncle.” She smirked at him as she slipped her pointer finger into the baby’s sleepy grasp. “I wouldn’t want to mistake them.”
Louisa laughed softly. “We are quite the confusing family, aren’t we? Some have a family tree. We seem to have a family thicket.”
Javenia’s face lit up. “Exactly so, Louisa. A very winding, confusing thicket. Who else has a mother-in-law, who’s really her aunt-in-law, who’s less than two years their senior with a babe that will probably grow up with her own children?
We should be an oddity that all of London comes to view in the Tower. ”
Algenon glanced between his wife and Louisa, finally having given in to her insistence that they drop the formality of titles.
He loved the relationship that had developed between the women.
After Lord Roberts’s death, he’d worried the loss would crush Louisa’s gentle spirit, but Javenia had gathered her close, sometimes literally picking her up off the floor as she navigated through months of grief.
They had truly become a family these last few months.
“What will you name him?”
Javenia glanced at Louisa when she was silent a little too long. “Please do not say you are going to accept any of Algenon’s suggestions.”
Louisa laughed, then cringed, placing a hand to her abdomen. “Do you question my intellect that much? Priscilla and Arabella were a sufficient enough warning about his naming abilities.”
“Richarda and Roberta, you mean.” Algenon tipped his head toward her and she rolled her eyes. The baby in his arms fussed and he lightly bounced him.
“You know, I have never called them those names unless your father was around.”
“Uncle father, you mean.” He chuckled when she gave an exasperated shake of her head. “You were wise to give them middle names. It might even save me from Richarda’s ire when she’s old enough to ring a peal over my head for suggesting such a name.”
Javenia took up a chair near the fire. “I doubt it. You best prepare yourself, for we all know you have earned every scolding, plus a few lashings.”
The side of his lips quirked. “Fair enough. But Louisa, Seraphino really would make quite the splash in London Society.”
Both ladies groaned and he battled back his amusement.
“Javenia,” Louisa said as she adjusted her position in bed. “Do not let this one have any say in naming your children. He has no talent and very little sense in that regard.”
The laugh that burst from Javenia filled Algenon’s heart to overflowing.
He loved seeing her so happy, even if it was at his expense.
Truthfully, she could name their children whatever she wished when they were blessed with them.
Anything to bring a smile to her lips and a sparkle to those alluring brown eyes.
“Of that you can be assured,” Javenia said when she finally regained her composure. “However, I believe we are agreed that presumptuous names such as ours will not even be considered.”
When the baby fussed in earnest, Louisa held out her arms for him. “Alvin is growing hungry.”
“Alvin?” Algenon handed her the baby. “I thought you might name him after his father.”
“I did, but your uncle father”—she waggled her eyebrows and he laughed— “already used David as a first name when he named Davina, so I shall use it as a middle name.”
Javenia rose from her seat, gesturing to the door so they could leave Louisa to feed her baby in peace.
“Well, it is a lovely name. We shall leave you to tend to him. It is time to dress for dinner, anyway. Is there anything by way of greeting that you’d like us to take to the Stanfords, Kendalls, or Newhursts? ”
Louisa brightened. “You will tell them of our new arrival, won’t you?”
Javenia nodded. “Of course.”
Algenon held the door open for his wife and she passed through. He moved to follow, then stopped. “I do not recall any Alvins in your family. How did you come by the name?”
She smiled softly. “I named him after his brother, or as you might say, his cousin brother.”
Algenon gripped the door tighter, leaning against the frame. His chest expanded and a suspicious sting in his eyes caused his vision to blur. “I am honored, Louisa.”
“Yes, well, you shall have to share the honor with your wife, since his name is a mixture of the two. “
Javenia peeked back in the room. “Truly?”
Louisa nodded. “I never would have made it through the last few months without the both of you. If only David could have seen and accepted how good you’d be for each other.
” She ran a finger over her son’s face and the babe quieted, blinking up at his mother.
Then she looked up. “He did love you, Algenon, but when your life started to resemble his brother’s, it frightened him. ”
Algenon swallowed hard. He had come to the same conclusion, but that did not mean the pain from his distrust would easily fade. It was a comfort, however, to know that he’d acted out of love, as misguided as his actions had been.
A small hand settled on his arm, and he glanced down at Javenia. Her gentle smile soothed away the ache.
He took a deep breath. “Thank you, Louisa. I know he loved you, too.”
The door between Javenia and Algenon’s rooms opened as her lady’s maid clasped a bracelet around her wrist. The mirror reflected his admiration so clearly, and she wondered why she’d not seen it sooner.
“I am almost ready,” she said.
The maid picked up a locket, but Algenon waved her away. “I can help with the rest of my wife’s toilette.”
Surprised, the young woman set the necklace back on the dressing table and scurried from the room.
Javenia turned to look at him. “You should be careful. You might start rumors below stairs.”
He crossed to the dressing table and picked up the locket. “Like how the master of the house is unapologetically in love with the mistress?”
She faced the mirror and smiled. “Or some such thing.”
Algenon gently placed the chain around her neck and did up the box clasp. The locket settled neatly in the dip of her throat. His fingers trailed along the sides of her neck until they rested on her shoulders. Warmth permeated her skin everywhere he’d touched.
He leaned down and placed a kiss to the side of her neck. “There. I believe you are ready.”
“Mmmm…” was all she could manage.
“Careful, Lady Roberts. We are expected to dine at seven. Reactions such as those might make us late.”
She battled the urge to giggle like a schoolgirl and rose from her seat. “Don’t you dare make us late. I want to cuddle Melior’s baby before we are expected downstairs for dinner.”
Algenon smiled. “Not enough babies to cuddle at home. Didn’t we just come from holding an infant?”
“It’s not the same.” Javenia’s smile faltered and she gently took his hands. “You know how hard the last loss was on Melior—” She paused and glanced down at their intertwined fingers. “How hard her loss was on me.”
He dropped one of her hands and hooked a finger under her chin, raising her face to look into his eyes. Compassion filled their hazel depths.
“I know, Vee. We won’t be late.”
Her shoulders slowly relaxed.
“Besides.” Algenon stepped back. “I need to give the lad some advice where women are concerned.”
Javenia rolled her eyes. “He’s barely three months old. Why would a three-month-old need advice about women? Especially from you.”
He chuckled. “Did you not see the way little Nathan made eyes at Aurelia? I should warn Eddie.”
She swatted his shoulder. “You will do no such thing. They are babies. Of course they would be interested in other babies. What harm could come of such an innocent interaction?”
Algenon caught her around the waist. “I don’t know. They could grow up and get married someday, like us.”
He dropped a kiss on her lips and she didn’t resist, enjoying the comfort in his arms. Then she pulled away and crossed to the door.
“I do not consider that a bad thing, but the last person Nathan should take advice from is you. Look how long it took you to flirt with the right woman.”
Algenon touched two fingers to his brow in a salute. “A hit, my lady, to be sure.”
She smiled as he came to her side and looped her arm through his.
“But,” he continued, “I still won my woman in the end, so I cannot be that much of a failure.”
No, he was not.
In the vestibule the butler handed them their things, the warm summer air only requiring hats and gloves. Algenon fumbled with his gloves, a large grin still on his face. Javenia narrowed her eyes.
“What are you about?”
He turned to look at her. “Whatever do you mean?”
She folded her arms. “I know your mannerisms better than anyone in the world. You are hiding something. And if I am not wrong, you are excited about it.”
He finally got his glove on. “An utter nuisance too.”
Her jaw dropped and she was about to scold him when the footman opened the door and Algenon rushed her out into the warm air. There, standing in the drive, was the most beautiful curricle she’d ever seen, the claret color glistening in the sunlight, a dapple-grey mare connected to the rigging.
She sucked in her breath. “It’s beautiful.”
Algenon leaned close to her ear. “It’s yours.”
She blinked at him. Then her vision blurred. “Mariposa is mine?”
He smiled. “I will never forget the longing in your eyes the day she was born. You were meant for one another.”
Javenia laughed through her tears, then all but skipped to the curricle. Algenon helped her into the seat and joined her.
“Would you like to drive?” he asked.
She hesitated at his question, knowing Society’s expectations, then she took up the reins, grateful for a husband who loved all of her. One who protected her when needed but also allowed her to stretch her wings and fly.
“Best hold tight.” She smirked. “You are in for the ride of your life.”
Algenon grinned. “I would expect nothing less.”