Chapter Nineteen
Denham Hall
Near Bedfordshire,
England
He and his family would leave Denham Hall tomorrow morning bound for London.
While it had been a lovely summer—as much as it could be with the abnormal weather—and had provided a much-needed break from London society life and worries, he was ready to return to Town and take up the reins of life there.
“Papa?”
The sound of his son’s voice yanked him out of his thoughts. “Yes?” He glanced over to find Bartholomew pulling a wooden train over the flagstones of the terrace. In his smart little suit with the breeze ruffling his light brown hair, he was the personification of early autumn.
“Will we come back here?”
“We can, if you’ve enjoyed yourself.” As far as he knew, his son had entertainments and outings every week since they’d arrived.
He’d also made friends with every animal on the estate, children of the tenant farmers, servants, as well as neighboring boys.
One of the wonderful things about Bartholomew was everyone was an equal in his eyes.
If they were friendly to him, he’d give them the same consideration.
“It is fun here.” He tugged at the rope and watched his train move over the flagstones. “I like it. There is much to do.”
“That there is.” Wallace nodded as Abigail joined them on the terrace. “Shortly after we return to London, your lessons will start again. I’m sure you’ve missed your tutors.”
The boy shrugged. “I’d rather play outside.”
“I’m certain you would.” A chuckle escaped him. “Go inside and put your most important toys into one of your trunks. No doubt your governess is already up there.”
“May I take my train?”
“Of course.” After tousling the boy’s hair, he gave him a gentle nudge toward the door. “Go on, now. I’ll be up in a bit.” Once the child left, Wallace turned to his wife. “Are you happy we are returning to London?”
“Yes and no.” She crossed the terrace to join him, and the second she did, he slipped an arm about her trim waist. “Being here with you and Bartholomew has given us the time we needed to bond as a family. Additionally, you and I have had quiet times together. I have enjoyed our many walks about the property when the weather allowed.”
“Oh, we’ve enjoyed far more than walks in our time together,” he said in a low voice.
A giggle escaped her. “We have.” She patted his chest. “A letter arrived for you.”
“From whom?”
“The Duke of Darkemore.”
Now that was news indeed. “Then I should read it post haste, don’t you think?”
“I’d hoped you would; I’m quite excited to know what has happened since Steppingford wrote to you about the scene at the opera.”
“Indeed. By all means, let us read.”
When he’d received that letter about two weeks following Darkemore’s dispatch of Viscount Echerson at Covent Garden, he’d been shocked to his core, yet after he’d thought about the incident, he couldn’t help but feel empathy for Darkemore.
To his way of thinking, he’d a mission to finish.
Everything he’d done had gotten him one step closer to that end, and then once it had been done, he had no more cause to exist.
In all honesty, Wallace had thought his friend would remove himself from this mortal coil, but something must have happened to prevent him from making that decision.
Once in his study, he found the letter lying in the middle of his desk. After seating himself behind the piece of furniture, Wallace broke the seal and then slid the missive from the envelope.
“Read it aloud,” Abigail asked as she perched upon his desk near his chair.
“Let’s see, where is the meat of the matter…?” Quickly, he scanned the page of bold handwriting before he found what he was searching for.
“’…Evangeline and I have decided to stay in Cornwall. Though I have just now seen Ravenhurst, Udolpho, and Steppingford as well as their wives off, and I have appreciated their company so much, I now wish to concentrate on my marriage.
“’Since I was banned from the Lords three years ago by Prinny, I have no obligations there.
However, I did receive an official notice a few days ago from him saying he has changed his mind.
All orders are in process of being cancelled; all my awards, medals, and accolades from my time in the war will be restored, as will my reputation.
Not that I care. He is fickle, and I have no need for his backing.
“’Regarding my decision to remain in Cornwall, well, that is no one’s business but my own.
I’ll wager you can figure out why, and besides, I never took a honeymoon period nor a wedding trip.
Since Evvie and I have made declarations to each other, we would like to explore where they will go before needing to return to London and its distractions.
I’m telling you this because I know you will imminently be back in Town, and I’ll miss you.
Don’t look for me to return until well after the turn of the year.
“’Should you wish for holiday entertainments in a traditional style, you and your family are more than welcome to venture out here.
I’ll keep in touch so you won’t worry about me.
Suffice it to say, I am in a better frame of mind these days.
Much of that is due to Evvie’s presence, but some is because I’ve completed my last mission… ”
Wallace glanced at his wife. “There is more, but it’s mostly breezy news from life in Cornwall, his suspicions that Ravenhurst wants another child, and hints that Udolpho’s last mission for the Crown made him do questionable things. Do you wish to hear further?”
“No, I’ve heard what I’d hoped for.” When she smiled, his world tilted.
“You are a romantic, Lady Eggleton.”
“I believe you are correct, but then, so are you.”
He tossed the letter to his desk. “There is nothing wrong with that.” Then he stood and settled himself between her naturally splayed legs as he slipped his arms around her. “We have had our own problems over the years, but I wouldn’t trade this journey with you for anything in the world.”
“Neither would I.” She slipped her hands up his chest to clasp his shoulders. “Show me you still want me after twenty years, Wallace.” A hint of vulnerability shadowed her eyes. “Reassure me that you don’t want a younger woman who might be in your bed more than I am.”
“I am far too old for that, love.” Then he stole a brief kiss. “Besides, we are together carnally quite enough for our ages, but I adore all the things we do together. I will always choose you.” Seconds later, he set out to show her exactly that.