Page 97 of When She Was a Governess
Charlotte was called away just as Henry, Sebastian and James approached. Sophia held out her hand to her husband, giving him her brightest smile. “Darling, it couldn’t have gone better, don’t you think?”
Henry nodded. “I’m pleased.”
“Papa would have loved to see this,” Sebastian said.
“He would have,” James agreed, slapping Henry’s back. “And he would have been so proud to call you family, Montrose.”
“I wish I could have known him,” Henry said. “But am glad to be able to honor him in some small way.”
“This was not small,” James said.
“The addition of a school to your village will affect many generations to come,” Sebastian said. “Well done. Both of you.” He nodded at Henry and then at Sophia. “You should be very proud of what you’ve built here.”
“We are,” Sophia said. “But mostly it’s Henry who made this all happen.”
“You were my inspiration, dearest,” Henry said.
As evening fell and lanterns were lit across the gardens, the party continued. Musicians had been hired, and dancing began on the lawn. Henry found Sophia and pulled her into the circle of dancers. And they danced until the stars came out, until the children grew tired and were carried home by their parents, until the villagers had thanked them a dozen times and departed with full bellies and happy hearts. As Sophia drifted off to sleep that night, snuggled close to her husband, she heard her father’s voice.
You have made me proud. You can rest easy now.
Epilogue
Christmas 1821
The entire familyhad gathered at Montrose Manor for Christmas…
On Christmas morning, Sophia stood near the fireplace in the drawing room, watching Lucy supervise the children as they opened their presents. The four youngest, all babies born within the past six months to each of the happy couples, remained upstairs in the nursery with their nurses. But the older children had been brought down for the occasion.
Amelia, at five years old was very aware of her role as eldest cousin, showed Edward how to wind up a mechanical toy. Edward, Sebastian and Rose’s son at three and a half, watched with solemn concentration. Emily, James and Georgiana’s eldest at almost four, sat properly on a cushion examining her new doll. And Rebecca, Sophia’s daughter, who had just turned two, clutched a picture book, turning the pages carefully under Lucy’s watchful eye.
“They’re being remarkably well-behaved,” Charlotte observed from her seat on the sofa. Catherine, at twenty-one months, sat beside her mother playing with a set of wooden blocks.
“Lucy has them well in hand,” Rose agreed. “Though I suspect the nurses will have their work cut out for them once they’ve returned to the nursery.”
“The excitement will wear them out by afternoon,” Georgiana said. “A blessing for us all.”
Sophia smiled, settling into a chair. To think—just two years ago she’d been a governess with an uncertain future. Now she sat in her own drawing room, surrounded by family, watching her daughters and nieces and nephews play together. And there was Henry. Her love match. Her great love.
She caught his eye and he winked at her. They could communicate without words these days, but still found there was always more to talk about.
“How is the school progressing?” Rose asked. “Sebastian mentioned enrollment has grown.”
“Wonderfully,” Sophia said. “Miss Clarke has taught thirty-six children how to read and do sums. She has no plans to slow down any time soon.”
“Papa would be proud,” James said from where he stood near the window with Sebastian, Henry, and Thomas. “A lasting legacy.”
“A Duke’s Legacy,” Sebastian said.
The morning continued pleasantly, with conversation flowing easily between the adults while Lucy managed the children. Mrs. Mills arrived with a tea cart, and the older children were given biscuits and milk before being taken back upstairs for their midday meal and rest.
“Peace at last,” Thomas said with a smile as the drawing room quieted.
“Temporary peace,” Charlotte said. “They’ll be back down after their naps.”
Henry stood. “This calls for champagne, I think. It’s Christmas, after all, and we’re all together.”
“An excellent idea,” Sebastian agreed.
