“Francis, no running,” Rachael warned.

Francis laughed and turned to Edmund. “But Sebastian and I want to play around.”

Edmund laughed and said, “You can play with Sebastian without running.”

Francis nodded and proceeded to walk into the house. Hermione giggled and followed after Francis. Rachael wanted to call out to her, but was stopped by Edmund. “Let her be. You know how she always wants to be with Francis.”

Rachael sighed. “I want her to be by my side.”

Edmund chuckled and kissed her chastely. “Let her be, my love.”

It had been four years since Hermione was born, but Rachael still felt as though it were yesterday. She found it difficult to let Hermione out of her sight. But Edmund kept reminding her that Hermione was only growing, like every normal person.

It had been four years since Rachael had married, and her life had never been better. Her decision to be wed Edmund was the best decision of her life.

Rachael pouted and slipped her hand into Edmund’s as they walked into the house. The butler bowed.

“Welcome, My Lord. Welcome, My Lady. The Marquess and the Marchioness shall be with you shortly.”

Rachael and Edmund had come to visit Emma and Lord Henry at the Blackmoor Estate in Brighton, as they often did when the season came to an end. This was usually quite a festive season in Brighton, as balls and events piled up. And for this reason, Emma and Lord Henry often prepared chambers for guests who wished to visit and attend the forthcoming balls.

As Rachael and Edmund walked into the drawing room, they were stunned to see that they were not the only ones there. There were a few other people who were seated and had been served tea.

Edmund and Rachael inclined their heads in greeting before they both took their seats. No sooner had they taken their seats than had Emma walked in, smiling. Rachael rose and embraced her dear friend. Edmund rose as well.

“I am so pleased to see you both. Although I had not been expecting you until tomorrow,” Emma said.

Rachael shrugged. “We left quite early. We were uncertain about the weather. ”

Emma nodded. “Oh yes. My cousin by marriage, Robert Baldwin also complained about the weather. ”

Rachael sighed. “Well, it is a good thing that we decided to arrive earlier then.”

Emma laughed. “It indeed is.”

“Where is his Lordship?” Edmund asked.

Emma looked behind her casually. “He has some business to tend to. He should be here soon.”

Edmund nodded.

Emma turned to Rachael after that, as though she recalled something exciting. “I saw Hermione and Francis. How the children have grown! Hermione is going to grow into a beautiful woman.”

Edmund chuckled. “She will look just like Rachael. Beautiful and radiant.”

Rachael blushed. Four years and Edmund still teased her as though they were newlyweds

Rachael was about to ask about Sebastian before her conversation with Emma was interrupted. A tall man with blonde hair walked up to them. He smiled at Emma. “Lady Blackmoor.”

Emma grinned. “Lord Baldwin. Goodness, I was just speaking about you. About your experience with the weather. ”

He nodded and looked ahead. “Indeed. Terrible. The rain did not stop for days.”

Emma nodded. “Exactly what I was informing my dear friend here… Excuse my manners. Lord Baldwin, this is my dear friend, Lady Blackheart. And this is Lord Blackheart. Lady and Lord Blackeart, this is my cousin by marriage, Lord Robert Baldwin,”

Lord Baldwin stretched his hand shook Edmund’s firmly. “I am pleased to make your acq—”

His greeting, Rachael observed, was cut off by the sound of a lady’s laughter, which rang out in the room, loud and sweet. Lord Baldwin froze before gradually turning around. Rachael followed his line of sight to a lady dressed in red dress with dark hair that framed her face and sharp blue eyes. Rachael watched as Lord Baldwin’s lips parted. The lady he was staring at was in a conversation with another lady. But her cheeks reddened. Rachael smiled. The lady was aware of his stare.

“Who is she, Lady Blackmoor?” Lord Baldwin said. His voice was husky as he spoke.

Rachael knew that look. From that look, Rachael could tell that he was enchanted.

“Lady Bella Hampton,” Emma said. Then a maid came to her and whispered. Emma looked at everyone. “Excuse me. I shall return quickly.”

Rachael nodded. Edmund nodded as well. “Go on, it is no problem at all.”

Rachael focused her gaze on Lord Baldwin as soon as Emma was gone.

“Lady Bella Hampton,” he repeated.

“Excuse me,” Lord Baldwin said. He then made his way over to the lady in red. Rachael smiled as she watched him. Love was beautiful. And she did not know why, but she hoped that it worked out between Lord Baldwin and Lady Bella.

Edmund slipped his hand into hers to call her attention. “Your mind seems very far away.”

Rachael giggled. “Not far from you.”

Edmund caressed her hand. “Never.”

They shared a smile, a knowing smile that held promises of a lifetime.

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