5 Years Later

Amy looked around as a little girl hurried past her table, almost knocking over something on the tabletop. She gasped.

“Mary, be careful!”

Her daughter stopped and turned to her. She did look adorable in her bridesmaid dress and the ring of flowers in her hair. Even if the flowers were slightly askew and her dress was stained with chocolate.

“I didn’t mean to, Mama.” She said.

Amy found herself smiling. It was difficult to be upset with the little girl. Even in her terrible moments, she was able to make people smile. Derby certainly found it difficult trying to keep a straight face when the four-year-old was having a tantrum.

“I know you didn’t.” She beckoned the girl over and adjusted the flowers on her head, giving her a kiss on the forehead. “Just watch where you’re running. We may be at home, but we have to be careful.”

“All right.” Mary hugged her. “Love you, Mama.”

“Love you, too.”

Mary hurried away. She was off to play with her cousin. Olive was dancing with a little boy about eight, who looked like he wanted to be anywhere but with her. Then Mary jumped over to them, and she and Olive began dancing. Relieved, the boy hurried away. Amy laughed. Then she caught Sarah’s eye across the room. Sarah was standing beside her new husband, her arm slipped through his as she watched her daughter. If her friend had been radiant at her wedding to Merseyside, this one had her blossoming.

After losing her first husband, Sarah had declared she was happy to be a widow and look after her daughter. But things hadn’t gone her way. Two years before, Geoffrey Harrison had arrived from Scotland after being in America for several years, and he had been immediately infatuated with Sarah. Sarah had refused to believe anyone saw her as a potential wife when she had another man’s child, but Geoffrey had been persistent. He went out of his way to make sure Sarah knew he was serious.

Amy was glad that Sarah had finally given in. Geoffrey was a little unorthodox in his methods, but he was a good man. She liked him, and Derby certainly approved of his new brother-in-law. What had sealed it for Sarah was how Geoffrey treated her daughter. As soon as he made it clear he was including Olive in his life with her mother, Sarah had done a turnaround.

And now, two years after they met and eighteen months of chasing Sarah, they were finally married. Amy was surprised Sarah had held out that long.

“How’s Mary getting on?”

Amy looked up. Derby had approached the table without her realizing it. Their son Philip was in his arms, head rested on his father’s shoulder as he slept. Amy stood and kissed her husband, stroking her son’s head.

“She’s managing, but I think she’s going to struggle soon. She’s getting a little erratic.”

“Give her another fifteen minutes or so, and then we’ll tell her it’s bedtime. And speaking of bedtime,” Derby nodded at the two-year-old toddler cuddled up against him, “I think this one needs to go.”

Amy didn’t think it was possible to fall more in love with Derby, but seeing him holding their youngest child like that had arousal tightening in her belly. Swallowing, she turned and caught Victoria’s eye from her place across the room. Her children’s nanny approached her, assessing the scene before Amy had opened her mouth.

“I’ll take him up to his room, Lady Derby.” Victoria eased Philip out of Derby’s arms, tucking him into her embrace. “I’ll sort him out.”

“Thank you.”

Victoria walked away and left the room, Philip still snoring softly on her shoulder. Amy was glad she had Victoria with her. After her stepfather’s arrest, her stepmother had gone back to their home in London and started destroying whatever belonged to Amy. She had dismissed Clara as well as Victoria, telling them they were on their own. Amy didn’t care about her things – they could be replaced – but she was more concerned about the maids. As soon as she was aware of what Beatrice had done, Amy had tracked down both Clara and Victoria and, with Derby’s blessing, had employed them into his household. Clara was still her personal maid and Victoria now served as Mary and Philip’s nanny and governess. Victoria was certainly a lot more relaxed than before. Amy didn’t think she had seen her smile like this in the time Victoria had been in Lady Hartley’s employ.

Beatrice had really shot herself in the foot. Between her and Hartley, they had written up a lot of debts. They had planned to pay off everything with the money Leicester was going to give them, but when that didn’t happen, the creditors started to come after her. And then she had the nerve to turn around and ask her stepdaughter and her new husband if they would help.

Amy had really enjoyed writing that letter.

“Amy?”

“Hmm?”

Amy hadn’t realized Derby had been speaking to her. He slipped his arms around her, his hand rubbing her swollen belly as he kissed her. He smiled.

“You looked like you were in a world of your own.”

“I was just thinking.” Amy leaned into her husband, resting her cheek on his chest. “I’m glad that Sarah’s finally got some happiness in her life.”

“So am I. It’s taken her a while, but she got there.” Derby chuckled. “And speaking of happiness, have you seen your mother?”

“No. Why?”

“I have a feeling someone’s going to be making her smile soon.” Derby nodded across the room. “Look. She seems to be quite taken with the father of the groom.”

Amy looked. Anna Day had recovered pretty quickly from her poisoning, going back to her old self before she married James. Amy did wonder if her mother had had time to grief, but Anna brushed aside her concerns. She threw herself into being a grandmother, devoting herself to Mary and Philip.

Now she was by the terrace doors talking to Viscount Ian Harrison. The silver-haired man had her complete attention, and Anna was smiling in a way Amy hadn’t seen in a very long time.

“Maybe we’ll have another wedding soon.” Derby laughed.

“What?” Amy squeaked. “At their age?”

“They’re still young.” Derby grinned. “If Viscount Harrison can manage being husband number three.”

Amy giggled.

“After the last two husbands, I don’t think the bar’s been set very high.”

Derby hugged her closer, tilting her head up as he kissed her. They were raising a lot of eyebrows with their open displays of affection, but neither of them cared. Amy was happy, and that was what she was concerned about, not their approval.

“Do you regret anything?” Derby asked.

Amy blinked.

“Like what?”

“The last five years. Do you regret anything?”

“Of course not. Why do you ask?”

“I just wanted to check that I was doing it right.”

He was incredibly sweet when he was unsure of himself. Amy smiled and cupped his jaw.

“You’ve always done things right. And if you’re that concerned,” she added against his mouth, “You can certainly rectify it tonight.”

Derby grinned back.

“I like the sound of that. But don’t you think people would notice if the hosts slipped away?”

“We’re not the bride and groom. I’m sure it’s allowed.” Amy giggled and slipped her hand through Derby’s arm. “Just let me tell Mama to watch out for Mary.”

“Let’s do it on the way past.”

“You want her to know what we’re up to?”

Derby laughed.

“She’s been married twice already. I don’t think she needs much of an imagination. Are you brave enough?”

Amy grinned as her husband led her across the room towards her mother.

“You know I love a challenge.”

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