“Mama,” said a little voice from behind Grace, where she sat on a dark blue blanket with her one-year-old son, Thomas, in her lap. “I want to play.”

She turned to see their four-year-old daughter, Millie Anne, toddling up to her, pointing to the hill at the edge of their new estate. The orphanage was in plain view of the property, and Grace squinted against the sun to see what had her daughter’s rapt attention. A second later, she saw five small figures at the top of the hill, and the sounds of laughter trickled down to her little piece of serenity in the bluebell gardens of Hayewood Estate. Grace smiled, rising and lifting little Thomas onto her hip and waving to the children who were eagerly making their way to the little family.

Susan led the way, just days away from her eighteenth birthday. She had grown up to be a beautiful young lady, and Grace’s heart swelled with pride to see her help up a five-year-old little boy who tripped, dropping the flowers he was carrying. She helped him gather up the flowers, tucking them back into his arm as they continued marching toward Grace and her children. As they drew closer, she could see that all the children were carrying flowers. And they were all bluebells from the garden she had helped the orphans plant on her twentieth birthday.

“Good day, Lady Hayewood,” Susan said, waving to Grace. “I hope it is all right that we just called on you like this. The children were eager to play with little Thomas, and Denise here brought a doll she made to share with Millie Anne.”

Grace smiled warmly at her beloved pupils. Gareth had been thrilled to purchase a property so close to the orphanage so that she could easily continue her charity work with the children, even as she and Gareth lovingly raised their own. They both thought it was a wonderful opportunity to teach their children the value of helping those who were less fortunate than they were. And it meant that Grace could continue giving lessons at the orphanage for as long as she wished.

“It is perfectly wonderful that you have come to visit,” she said. “Please, come and join us. I shall have some tea and cakes prepared for all of you.”

The children cheered, rushing up to her to deliver their bundles of bluebells. Then, they surrounded Thomas and Millie Anne, who were both smiling at the group with bright, excited eyes.

“Want to play?” Denise asked, holding up her doll. It was an exceptionally made straw doll for the work of a six-year-old girl.

Millie Anne inspected the doll before smiling at her friend.

“Yes, please,” she said, holding out her hand.

Susan held out her hands, offering to take Thomas from Grace.

“I can take him, if you like,” she said, cooing at the infant. “I will keep watch on the children while you see to the refreshments.”

Grace gave the girl a kind smile.

“That would be lovely, Susan,” she said.

She left the children, knowing they were in wonderful hands. She quickly ordered a small picnic to be prepared, then hurriedly returned to visit with the children. She smiled brightly when she saw the other person who had joined their small party.

“Gareth, darling,” she said, approaching her husband and standing on her toes to give him a warm kiss on the cheek. “I hope it is all right that I invited the children to stay for a little picnic.”

Gareth chuckled as he tousled the hair of a little boy named Roger.

“I think that is a delightful idea, my love,” he said. “Do you mind if I join you?”

Grace beamed up at her husband, ceaselessly amazed at the size of his heart and the boundlessness of his compassion and love, not just for her, but also for the children who had meant so much to her for so many years.

“We would love nothing more, dear,” she said.

Millie Anne toddled up to her parents, giving her father a wide grin as she threw her arms around his leg.

“Papa,” she said. “Come play.”

Gareth looked at Grace with mock helplessness as the little girl used all her strength to try to pull her father toward where all the children played. Grace giggled as he reached for her, pretending to need her help to keep from being dragged away.

“My darling, I cannot resist,” he said. “She has overpowered me.”

Grace laughed, putting a hand on her stomach.

“Oh, dear, whatever shall I do?” she asked, laughing harder as their little girl began to giggle.

Gareth gave an exaggerated sigh.

“Remember me fondly,” he said.

Grace watched as her husband and daughter headed to the other children. Susan stood with Thomas on her hip, giving them instructions as to where they were allowed to play, and which spots were too far away. Then, the children, with Gareth right on their heels, began a lively game of tag while they waited for the tea and treats to arrive. Juliet was the one to deliver the food and drink, and Grace smiled when she saw what her lady’s maid carried. Under her arm was an extra blanket, while her other arm held some toys Grace had purchased for just such occasions. Juliet quickly set up the picnic treats before moving beside her mistress.

“Are they not just precious?” she asked, gazing at the children fondly as they played with Gareth, who had pretended to fall to his knees so that the children could tickle him relentlessly.

Grace laughed again and nodded.

“And Gareth is wonderful with them,” she said. “I knew he would be an incredible father. But I could never have imagined that he would come to love the orphans as much as I do.”

Juliet nodded sagely.

“I knew it the instant he helped you rescue Lady Whiskers,” she said. “Only a man with a large heart would do such a thing without as much as asking your name.”

As if on cue, Lady Whiskers came prancing around the back of the house. She rubbed herself on Grace’s and Juliet’s ankles, then looked toward where the children and her master played. She then marched toward the picnic area, knowing that the blankets and baskets meant the chance for treats and affection for her.

“Yes, sweet girl, choose your spot,” she said as the animal sauntered over to the spot that smelled the most like Grace. “Although I suspect that you will be far too busy to lay about in just a few moments.”

***

The next day, Gareth ushered his little family into the waiting carriage. His mother-in-law was hosting a summer house party, and they would be the first guests to arrive. In the five years since he and Grace had been married, her confidence had soared. She played music in public more, and she not only planned and hosted parties at their own residence, but she also made up for lost time by helping plan parties at her family’s. Gareth was filled with endless pride at the progress his wife had made. At last, she was beginning to see the woman he saw when he looked at her every day.

Gareth’s in-laws all greeted him with incredible warmth. Anne was on her wedding trip, having married a wonderful young duke who had inherited his title after his father’s sudden death. But shortly after their arrival, he heard a voice that he had not heard in what felt like ages.

“Brother,” Thomas called as Gareth released Fredrick and Louisa from an embrace.

Gareth and Grace turned to see him approaching, with Millicent at his side with an infant in her arms. The two of them had been married for almost four years, and apart from Grace and himself, Gareth thought he had never seen such a happy couple.

“Thomas, you look very well,” Gareth said as he embraced his brother while Grace and Millicent greeted one another and fussed over their respective children. “It is good to see you again.”

Thomas grinned, casting a doting glance at Millicent.

“I have been quite busy,” he said with an impish brow wag.

Gareth looked down at his two little ones, nodding.

“I understand completely, little brother,” he said.

Grace looked around with a frown, looking at her parents with a questioning look.

“Where is Neil?” she asked. “Is he not coming?”

“Surely, my own younger sister knows me better than that,” his voice boomed as she just finished her question.

Grace turned once more, racing toward her brother and throwing herself into his arms. He had been overseas for quite some time. And as he approached, Gareth saw that he had a beautiful young lady beside him.

“Brother,” Grace said, her voice muffled by his coat as she hugged him. “We got your last letter.”

Neil bowed elegantly, laughing as his parents greeted him in much the same way that his younger sister did.

“Is this her?” Louisa asked timidly, giving the lovely, olive-skinned woman a warm smile.

Neil straightened his shoulders and grinned broadly.

“It is,” he said, his voice carrying all throughout the grand hall. “I would like to introduce you all to my wife, Beatrice.”

Gareth bowed, waiting his turn as the rest of Neil’s family greeted their newest inlaw.

“It is so wonderful to meet you, Beatrice,” he said when everyone else had had their turn. “Neil has written so many good things about you.”

The young woman blushed, smiling up at Neil as though he held the whole world in his eyes. Much like the way I look at Grace, he thought with an unapologetic smile.

“I have been so excited to meet you all,” she said. “Neil told me how incredible you all are. But I was still not prepared for such a warm welcome.”

Louisa took the arm of her new daughter-in-law and grinned.

“Family is everything to us, darling,” she said. “And now, you are a Farraway.”

Grace smiled, taking the woman’s hand.

“Just watch out for Neil,” she said. “He has two pesky sisters who annoy him constantly.”

Neil and Gareth both chuckled.

“Only seven days of the week,” he said with a wink.

Everyone laughed.

They got themselves settled in, overseeing the placement of their belongings in their respective chambers. Then, with the sun about to set, Gareth suggested they take a walk in the gardens before dinner. The guests were just arriving, and they had spoken to quite a few. But Gareth wanted to enjoy a moment with his wife before the chaos of the house party began.

They walked hand in hand through the bluebells which Grace had loved so much. She nestled her head on his arm, gazing off into the horizon. They stopped at an opening in the gardens that granted them an excellent view of the sun just resting along the horizon’s line.

“I have a surprise for you,” Grace said, breaking the silence as Gareth wrapped his arms around her.

Gareth looked down at her with an intrigued smile on his face.

“Oh?” he asked. “What is it, darling?”

Grace bit her lip, taking his hand in hers. She hesitated only for a moment before she placed it on her belly.

“We shall soon have three wonderful little ones,” she said, looking at him with shy joy.

Gareth immediately took her into his arms, kissing her sweetly on her lips.

“Darling, I could burst with joy,” he said. “I am sure that little Thomas will make the most wonderful older brother.”

Grace laughed, holding onto him tightly.

“As your brother would have been if he were the oldest?” she asked with a laugh.

Gareth burst out laughing.

“Thomas would not behave as an older brother even if he wanted to,” he said, laughing at the lighthearted banter. If Thomas had overheard them, that would have resulted in a competitive game of billiards. But it was just Grace and Gareth, wrapped in each other’s arms and watching the loveliest sunset.

“I love you, darling,” he said, his merriment turning to pure love for his wife. “And I cannot wait to become a father of three.”

Grace smiled up at him, standing on her toes to kiss his nose.

“And I love you, dearest,” she said. “You are the best father in all of England. And I know that you always will be.”

Gareth smiled and sighed.

“If you and our little ones feel that way, that is all that matters,” he said, giving his wife one more kiss.

The End