Page 86 of The Artisan and the Duke
“I think you will be a bit too busy to play games with that many children,” Jules said with a shake of her head.
Mrs Kelley came in and smiled at her daughters. “I thought you two were supposed to be helping plant the garden?”
“Oh, we forgot,” Georgette said sheepishly.
Mrs Kelley smiled over at her grandson and said, “I think I can understand that. However, you do still have to earn your keep. Now off you go.”
The two girls gave Jacob kisses on the forehead before they darted out of the room in a rush to get to their chores. Jules sighed, “It will be nice to have some nice weather. I love snow, but even I can grow tired of it.”
“I think we’ve about seen the last of the snow for one year,” Mrs Kelley said as she came over and stole Jacob out of Jules’ arms. She gave the baby a gentle kiss. “He’s such a healthy boy,” Mrs Kelley said proudly. “Is the Duke staying in London this week?”
“No, I suspect he will manage to get home,” Jules said with a wry grin. “He does not like being away from Jacob much.”
Mrs Kelley nodded. “He’ll need to temper that,” she said.
“Oh, I’m sure he will be gone more often once the House of Lords convenes this year. We will still have plenty of company with Lady St Claire staying home from the London Season this year. She wants to spend time with her grandchild,” Jules said as she smiled at her mother who was swaying with Jacob in her arms. “You’ll spoil him by letting him sleep in your arms like that.”
Mrs Kelley laughed. “Oh, you don’t really believe that nonsense do you?”
“No, not really,” Jules said with a laugh. “But if he does wake up at night demanding to be held then—”
“I gladly offer my services,” Mrs Kelley said.
Jules shook her head. “I see your fiendish plan.”
***
Gregory found the house full of laughter and noise as he returned. The two young Kelley girls and the son of the housekeeper were playing a game that mostly seemed to involve shrieking and running.
Gregory was halted abruptly as the boy came barreling around a corner and ran smack into the Duke.
The boy’s mouth fell open. “I beg your pardon, Your Grace! I was just chasing Georgie!”
“That’s quite alright,” Gregory said and then added in a whisper, “I think she went towards the kitchen.”
The boy beamed and took off the next instant like the wind towards the kitchen. A few moments later laughter and shrieking again ensued along with some scolding words from the cook. Gregory chuckled to himself as he made his way up the stairs.
He knocked on the door where Jules and Jacob had been sleeping as of late to keep from disturbing him. “And there are the people I want to see the most,” Gregory said as he stepped into the room.
Jules and Jacob were on the soft rug playing. Jules turned towards her husband with a happy smile. “You made it back! I thought you were held up until tomorrow at the earliest,” Jules said with a smile as Gregory bent over to give her a quick kiss.
Gregory sank down to the rug beside his wife and held out his hands to Jacob who waved his chubby baby arms excitedly and kicked his feet.
Gregory scooped the infant up and smiled at the gurgles the child made. He sighed contentedly. “The world outside may still be quite flawed, but I do believe we have the makings of a perfect home in here,” Gregory said with a smile.
“I think we do indeed,” Jules said. She bit her lip and then asked, “Where has Fredrick been?”
Gregory chuckled. “Still meddling? He has been courting Lady Trenton and trying to get in her father’s good graces.”
“Do you think he’ll win the Marquis over?” Jules asked with a grin.
Gregory nodded and smiled at Jules. “St Claire men are a tenacious bunch,” he said with a wink.
Jules laughed. “You certainly are from what I have seen.”
They sat together with their son and enjoyed the brief moment of time they got as a family. The country estate for the first time in years resonated with the sounds of family life and children laughing. The world outside might have its faults, but within Thornton Hall, peace had found a home.
THE END
