One year later

Patricia stood at the edge of the ballroom, wincing slightly. The gown was too tight. She could feel the material straining across her breasts and belly. She sighed heavily. It had only been made last week and had fitted perfectly then.

Slowly, she placed a hand on her stomach, feeling a warm glow wash over her. She was still only a few months with child, but her body was changing quickly. Already, her belly was protruding. And her breasts had grown as well. She blushed, thinking of how Jackson held them in his hands after they made love, delighting in the change.

“My dear,” said a familiar warm voice. “There you are!”

Patricia jumped and turned around. It was Eleanor, dressed in a peacock blue silk and lace gown with a long train with her hair piled high upon her head in an elaborate bun. Patricia squealed with delight. It seemed like an eternity since she had seen her dear friend. But then, they had not been back to London very much at all since the aftermath of Lord Cardigan’s trial.

“Eleanor,” she cried, taking her friend’s hands within her own. “How very well you look! I am so joyous to see you here. I was not sure at all if you would be attending.”

Eleanor beamed at her. Another lady swept over to them, smiling widely. It was Marion, the Countess of Reading. Lord Reading’s wife and Eleanor’s best friend.

“I thought it was you,” said Marion, kissing Patricia on the cheek. “But I have not seen you in so long, Patricia, and you are so changed!” She stepped back, gazing at her with admiration. “You are positively glowing, my dear. The country life obviously suits you.”

Patricia laughed, feeling her blush deepen. She gazed at the lady fondly. She had always liked Marion, even though they did not know each other especially well. She was looking elegant in a pea-green silk gown this evening, with a matching feather in her hair. Marion was also looking very slim. She had obviously delivered her child and her confinement was long over.

“You are too kind,” said Patricia, smiling. “You delivered safely, I hope?”

Marion nodded, her eyes misting with tears. “A little girl, my dear. She is six months old now and the apple of her father’s eye.” She turned to her best friend who stood alongside her. “We named her Eleanor.”

“How lovely,” said Patricia. “I am so very happy for all of you.” She hesitated. “I shall never forget how Lord Reading helped me that terrible night and rescued Jackson, along with Lord Reynolds. We are forever in their debt.”

Marion sighed. “There is no debt, my dear. Simon was just so thankful that it all turned out well in the end. And he said the sight of the two of you reunited after such turmoil warmed his heart.”

“Nathan thinks the same way,” said Eleanor, reaching out and patting Patricia’s arm kindly. “They were very happy to be of assistance, Patricia. Do not dwell on it. Lord Cardigan got his due and is now in the colonies.” She shuddered. “I hope to never see his vile face again.”

Patricia nodded tears in her eyes. How kind these ladies were…and their husbands were heroes in her opinion. She was under no illusion that Jackson would be dead if not for them.

“I am so grateful to have such friends in the world,” she said slowly, swallowing a lump that had formed in her throat. “It would be a hostile place without you.” She paused. “You all must come and stay at Thornbury Manor. Jackson and I would be so delighted to have you. The children are welcome, of course.”

Eleanor laughed. “The nursery at Thornbury Manor will be quite overrun, with my two boys and Marion’s baby. You might rue that invitation, Patricia.”

Patricia’s blush deepened. “Well, it shall be put to good use, in the coming months anyway…”

Both ladies gasped, gazing at her with shining eyes.

“Oh, I knew it!” said Marion. “I could tell you had that glow about you!”

Eleanor leaned forward, kissing Patricia on the cheek. “Congratulations, my dear, to both you and His Grace. What an adventure. Your lives will never be the same again; I hope you realize that.”

Patricia basked in the good wishes of her friends, thinking about the impending arrival. Her hand drifted to her belly again. It seemed impossible that there was a growing baby nestled like a pea in a pod within there. That the babe would gradually grow so large that it must enter the world. Their baby. The child born of their love for each other.

Jackson had been over the moon when she told him of course. He had showered her with gifts and already the nursery at Thornbury Manor was filled with new toys and contraptions for the coming child. The most expensive being a new perambulator, shipped from France, which was so large it required its own corner.

He had also ordered that the nursery be repainted and was overseeing it himself. Patricia didn’t think that she had ever seen a prouder expectant father.

“This child is a gift,” he had told her, tears in his eyes, one evening. “I thought I would never marry or have children. I thought that those joys would always belong to other men.” He had hesitated, trying to express himself. “I am reborn through you and the love we share, Patricia. And now our coming child.”

Patricia smiled fondly as she remembered that evening. Instinctively, her gaze sought him out. He was standing on the other side of the ballroom talking to Lord Reynolds and Lord Reading. It seemed that it was a reunion all around.

Her heart leapt wildly, as he turned, seeing her. Their eyes met for a moment. She could feel the power of his love for her even across the large room with people milling everywhere. It was like a force all of its own. As if it filled the whole room.

She smiled at him and then turned away. They could spend the whole evening mooning at each other but now was not the time. They were socializing for the first time in a very long time. Usually, they were happy just spending their time together in Norfolk, existing in a bubble of love. London and the awful time they had here seemed so very far away.

“Thank you both for your kind wishes,” said Patricia, turning back to her friends. “We are so excited for the impending arrival.” She bit her lip. “I am a little afraid, but I am sure that is normal…”

“Of course it is,” said Marion, gazing at her sympathetically. “You are venturing into the unknown, my dear. And it is hard for us ladies. Childbirth is a risky business. But you are young and healthy and shall do beautifully.”

“And the joy of holding your baby in your arms for the very first time is incomparable,” said Eleanor slowly. “Or in my case, it was two babies! That was a very great surprise, I must say.”

Patricia laughed, reassured by the caring words of her friends. “I am sure it was, Eleanor! I am just being silly.” She paused. “I am missing my mother and sister at this time, I suppose. They are still in London, you see, and rarely come to Norfolk.”

“It is normal to want your close womenfolk around you at such a time,” said Eleanor wisely. “It is a bonding experience. Perhaps you might invite your sister, at least, for an extended stay at Thornbury Manor. That would be a comfort.”

Patricia nodded. It was a good idea. She missed Margaret so much, as well as her mother. They were excited for the coming babe and wanted to share the experience with her. And Jackson wouldn’t mind, once he knew how much it would mean to her.

She sighed. It would mean the end of their love bubble, but that was going to burst soon anyway when the baby arrived. It couldn’t be just the two of them forever. Thornbury Manor had become their sanctuary as much as their home. The place where they had finally embraced their love and recovered from what had happened.

She sighed again, this time with pure happiness. Everything had turned out just as it should. Her father had kept his vow and no longer gambled. Margaret’s dowry gifted to her from Jackson was secure and her sister could choose her husband for love. Her family had secured their position within good society again and their financial troubles were over.

And Lord Cardigan was on the other side of the world, serving his sentence for what he had done. He would not interfere in their lives again.

It was well and truly over. As Jackson had promised her it would be.

She gazed at her husband again. How fiercely she loved him. More than she had ever dreamt possible. And that love had only deepened over time. They were each other’s best friend as well as lover.

Patricia swallowed a lump in her throat. She truly was the luckiest woman in the world to have found such a man. How grateful she was that she had agreed to help Eleanor with that orphanage event, so long ago. How grateful she was that the tall, handsome former soldier with the scarred face had been there. She would go through every trial they had endured a thousand times over for the privilege of being his wife.

She smiled. Tomorrow they were going somewhere rather special. A place that they had been meaning to get to for quite a while. They had only been waiting until Jackson felt he could go back to the back streets of London again, after what Cardigan had done to him.

She gazed back over towards him. She couldn’t imagine her life without him.

***

Jackson took Patricia’s hand as she stepped out of the carriage, making sure she stepped over a puddle in her path. It was a drizzly London morning. Patricia adjusted her purple velvet cloak while gazing at the small house.

She turned to Jackson and gripped his arm. Her eyes were wide with excitement. “Oh, my dear. It is perfect. How did you do it?”

Jackson grinned. “It was Godwin. I had him racing around London like a hamster on a wheel. He eventually found this. I think it perfect too.” He held out his arm towards her. “Shall we? The letter said ten and it is almost on the hour.”

Patricia gave him a dazzling smile. “Yes. I am so looking forward to it.”

They stepped up to the door. Jackson knocked sharply. There was the sound of footsteps inside before the door flung open. A small boy stood there, his eyes like round saucers of excitement.

Jackson’s heart lurched. It was Adam, the street urchin. The boy who had helped save his life and aided Patricia on her desperate flight to find the Watch.

The boy looked so different it was almost comical. Adam was no longer dressed in rags with a filthy countenance. His hair was slicked off his face. His shirt, britches, and waistcoat were new. He had boots on his feet, which were polished. Jackson would not have recognized him if he had passed him in the street.

Adam bowed low. “Your Graces. We have been expecting you. Mam has just boiled a pot of tea.”

Jackson and Patricia laughed.

“How perfectly splendid,” said Patricia, leaning over to ruffle the boy’s hair. “You are a vision, Adam. Quite the young squire.”

The boy looked so proud they laughed again.

They followed him down the hallway to the kitchen. A red-haired woman wearing a modest grey gown and a white cap was pouring hot water into a teapot. She looked up, grinning when she saw them.

“Sweet Annie!” cried Patricia, sweeping over to her and planting a kiss upon her cheek. “It is so lovely to see you again. And how are you enjoying your new home?”

The woman beamed. “Oh, I have to pinch myself every day when I wake up in my soft bed, your Grace. It is a dream come true.” She paused, gesturing towards the small wooden table, in the middle of the room. “Please, do sit down.”

They all sat down, while Annie bustled around, placing the tea and a plate of freshly baked scones on the table before them. Then she joined them. For a while, they simply sipped their tea and ate the scones. Adam had double helpings, piling the scones high with jam and cream.

“I hope everything is to your satisfaction,” said Jackson, gazing around the room. “There are no leaks or anything else that needs attending to?”

Annie shook her head. “Oh no, your Grace. Everything is well with the house and I would not complain if it were not.” She hesitated, her bottom lip trembling. “I can never express my thanks for what you both have done for my son and me. My Adam has a chance at life now, thanks to you. You are saints, so you are.”

Jackson felt tears prickle behind his eyes. He saw that tears were already swimming within Patricia’s. His wife was trying very hard not to cry. But then she poked around in the pocket of her cloak and took out a lace handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes.

It had been Patricia’s idea, although he had been thinking along the same lines himself. They both talked often of Adam and his mother Annie and how hard their lives were. The coins they had given them on that terrible night could only go so far. Those coins could never permanently change their lives. Annie still had to trade on the streets and Adam must wait for her in alleyways in the dark.

And so the wheels had been set in motion. Jackson had gotten his man of affairs to find a small cottage for the family. It was modest but it was enough. They had furnished it and given Annie a small stipend to live. The best of it was that Adam now went to a local school with the hope of being apprenticed as a blacksmith.

And Annie never had to roam those streets with her son again.

“The pleasure is ours, Annie,” said Jackson slowly. “It is the least we could do for the help Adam gave us in our hour of need. He helped save my life. The debt is wiped.”

Annie’s eyes swam with tears. “I always knew there were good people in the world. I just had never met any before. I am so glad we were there to assist you that night, your Grace.” She paused, glancing at Adam, who was still stuffing his face with scones. “I hope my son grows up to be half the man you are.”

Jackson reached for Patricia’s hand, gripping it tightly. He couldn’t speak. All he could do was wonder how he had gotten so lucky. That terrible night when Cardigan had almost ended his life had turned out to have a very silver lining indeed.

***

In the carriage, on the way back to the townhouse, they were both pensive. Jackson held Patricia’s hand, stroking it gently. Slowly, his wife turned to face him. She was crying.

Tenderly, he reached out a hand and wiped them away. “Why are you so sad? It was a good visit. Annie and Adam are determined to turn their lives around, and with God’s grace they will.”

Patricia smiled tremulously. “I am not crying because I am sad. I am crying in gratitude that I am married to such a man as you.” She paused. “I do not know any gentleman who would have been so generous with those people, giving them a real chance at life. Our child will be so lucky to have a father such as you.”

He pulled her into his arms and stroked her golden hair. For the second time that day, he simply couldn’t speak.

I am going to be a father. I am having a child with this beautiful woman, who I love more than life itself.

He simply had to pinch himself that it was true.

He gazed out the carriage window. St. Anne’s Orphanage was right there. It had been repainted and its windows polished. The result of that charitable event so long ago, where he had met Patricia for the very first time. The meeting had changed his life in so many different ways.

He had been a bitter, scarred man, who thought that life had nothing to offer him. But now he had everything. A beautiful wife, who he loved more with every passing day. A child on the way. And now, two people who had helped them finally find each other had a life.

Slowly, he reached up and touched his scarred cheek. He was so very glad now he had lived to tell the tale. There was goodness in this world after all. She was lying right here in his arms. And he planned to never let her go.

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