Page 77 of The Duke's Second Bride
Her garden had been outfitted with all sorts of games, from pall-mall to card games. People could bet on the outcomes of the games, and whoever won would donate half of their winnings to a nearby orphanage of Edith’s choosing.
Ava had to commend her friend.
“Even your grumpy husband,” Edith teased. “Although I am not certain that descriptor applies anymore.”
They looked over to see Christian helping Luke aim his pall-mall mallet. Christian patted the boy on the shoulder, sending him off to run with a group of other children.
“Yes,” Ava said. “He could not be further from it.”
She could not help but beam happily as she looked at Christian and saw the way the sun glinted off his bright smile, now a sight she was growing used to.
Edith squeezed her friend’s hand. “I am so happy to see you happy, my dear Ava,” she said. She sighed. “If I am being honest, it is beginning to make me question how happy I am in my unmarried life.”
Ava turned to look at her friend in shock. “Oh? Is that so?” she asked. This was a great surprise to hear.
Edith had always seemed incredibly comfortable in her widowhood. Once she had passed the mourning period, she had immediately begun to use her inheritance and her social acumen to draw attention and money towards several charitable causes, even spearheading some of her own.
Indeed, Ava had often thought her friend too busy with her charitable works to even bother thinking about the possibility of marrying again. This was an impression that Edith herself oftenreinforced, thinking out loud about how glad she was to devote her free time to her friendships and her causes.
Edith sighed again and nodded. “It is not that I dislike my life,” she said. “You know how much I love charity work. But… seeing you so happy, it is making me begin to long to experience that kind of love.”
“That entirely makes sense,” Ava said, reaching out to take Edith’s hand once more. “Neither of our first marriages lasted very long. You deserve to hope for romantic love, Edith.”
“Thank you.” Edith offered her a smile. “If only I knew where to begin looking.”
Ava gestured at the party. “I am certain there are many gentlemen here who would be delighted to court a pretty, charitable woman of some means,” she said.
“Lady Nealton?” came a voice from behind them.
Ava nudged Edith. “Speak of the devil,” she whispered.
They turned to see a tall, striking man, broad-shouldered with dark hair and a well-kept beard, standing with an air of quiet authority.
“Ah! Your Graces,” Edith called out, bowing slightly.
Ava’s gaze followed him, and then she noticed the woman beside him. She was elegant and graceful, holding a baby wrapped snugly in a shawl, with two other children close at her heels.
Edith leaned closer. “Perhaps not quite the devil you were hoping for,” she murmured. “Next time, if you could summon a single gentleman for me to speak to, I would most appreciate it.”
Edith raised her voice again. “Your Graces, it is so good to see you both, and your lovely children! Allow me to introduce my dear friend, the Duchess of Richmond. Ava, this is the Duke of Carridan and his wife, the Duchess of Carridan.”
Ava and Edith exchanged curtsies with measured elegance.
“It is a pleasure, Duchess. Congratulations on your recent nuptials. We were delighted to hear of them,” the Duchess of Carridan said, her smile warm but proper as she regarded Ava.
“Thank you, Duchess,” Ava replied, curtseying politely.
The Duchess laughed lightly, bouncing the baby gently in her arms. “Please, call me Iris,” she said, her tone instantly softer. “And you, Lady Nealton, must call me Iris as well.”
Edith inclined her head gracefully. “Then I suppose you may call us Edith and Ava,” she said with a small smile. “We insist. Come, now, you must sit and rest for a while. Surely carrying a child in this weather is no easy task, and your husband can attend to the others?”
The Duke of Carridan chuckled. “Of course,” he said warmly, pressing a quick kiss to his wife’s cheek.
Iris led them to a shaded area with benches, settling herself while still cradling her baby. Edith requested lemonade from a passing servant, and soon the refreshments were brought.
“Oh, it is such a relief to sit,” Iris sighed. “She’s a spirited little thing, but I do love her dearly. I fear she keeps me quite busy!” She smiled down at her daughter, smoothing the baby’s hair. “Perhaps one day she’ll toddle about and surprise us with her own mischief.”
Ava felt a pang in her chest, seeing Iris with the baby. She could not help but glance down at Luke, wishing silently that he might have a sibling.
