Page 90 of The Un-Apparent Heir

“I think she prefers you, honestly,” Lucy laughed.

Iona didn’t protest. She was half asleep and would be out like a light the minute George settled her in.

“Nonsense. But she will tolerate us while Mum and Dad buy a house. We will put the babies—all ten of them—in the garden and that should suit everyone until you return. If you love us, bring booze. We’ll have a drink. Well, some of us.”

“Got it. Subtle, Georgie,” Winston said.

George shrugged and left. Lucy and Winston crawled into the smaller of the three cars which arrived to whisk the royals and their assorted entourage away.

“Well, we’re all here now,” Winston said as they sped off to the first of a dozen houses they might see that day.

“Yeah,” Lucy said.

Things with him weren’t perfect. There were missteps in which he faltered, and Lucy turtled inward. There were also apologies and steps forward. Lucy and Winston needed to flee Natalie’s house. It wasn’t fit for three couples, five children, two more on the way, and six dogs. Even a massive estate felt small when you tried to pack that much energy into one place. Lucy knew she’d be sad to leave. The noise and wild faux arguments that cropped up between Natalie and George reminded her of a simpler time. It felt like home, but she and Winston needed to build one for themselves. They’d be close. Everyone could gather again like old times.

“So, when will you decide what to do?” Winston asked. “About a job.”

Lucy swallowed hard. “I have an offer.”

“Oh? Already? I’m not surprised, honestly, Luce.”

“That’s sweet.”

“No, it’s honest. Who wants to hire you now? And are they worthy?”

“Natalie has asked me to be Lady Chamberlain. I am replacing Lord Hewlett in his well-deserved retirement.”

“Lady Chamberlain…” Winston spaced before his face lit up, “Luce, you’ll be… wow! Fuck, that’s amazing! Baby, I’m so proud of you. You said yes, right?”

“I did. Well, tentatively after I spoke with you. I figured you would support me. It means less travel than everything else, Winston. I hope that’s okay?”

Winston squeezed her hand and brought it up to his lips. He kissed it.

“You are the best person for the job. They are lucky to have you—as are the Lords. You and Mum can cause a riot, I suppose. I am so proud of you and so glad to see you happy—thankful I got my head off out my arse.”

“Thanks, Tony.”

“I missed you all week,” Winston said. “God, it was brutal. The boys are so happy to be back with us altogether permanently. Lucy, there is a light in your eyes I have missed. And upon seeing it there last night when you came up, I was just… it’s irresistible. I feel clouds parting. It’s idiotic, but I’m falling in love with you all over again.”

Lucy blushed. “That’s not idiotic. It’s sweet. I can tell you are trying. We both are. It’s going to be a shit ton of work, Tony. And let’s not even mention the baby?—”

Winston shook his head. “It will be fine. I will be home with the kids. They will have stability. It has taken some adjustment because I make eggs wrong and sometimes use the wrong words. They must adjust”

“I love it when they think British English is foreign. Oops,” Lucy giggled.

“I will never be their mum, but I will be enough. And their mum is wasted on us hiding her away in the countryside,” Winston said. “It will work out.”

“You’re excited to be home.”

“I have major plans to have some sort of one day a week where Ed, George, and I just throw the children into someone’s back garden and pray they entertain themselves without it getting all Lord-of-the-Flies.”

“So, your childhood?” Lucy giggled.

“History repeating itself. When you said I was misled by the fantasy of living in Scotland and recreating something, you were right, Luce. My best memories happened around here—with George, Gerry, and Natalie—after Mum was free from Dad. It made me who I was more than anything. We had a village. Mum and Vanna needed that village.Thatwas what gave us peace. We didn’t grow up isolated. You and I thought we were doing the right thing, but… we can be wrong.”

“It’s okay to change your plans, Tony.”

“I know,” he agreed. “It will be nice to have them around again.”

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