Page 41 of Claimed By the Duke of Ice

A roar of laughter came from Aaron, and Susan and Letitia chuckled as they shook their heads.

“So very much,” Susan laughed.

“We thought Matilda was headstrong,” Aaron explained, “but we quickly learned that Grace had taken her older sister’s will and tripled it.”

“We feared it would quadruple with Letitia, but so far, we are wrong about that,” Susan added.

“Just give me a little time, Mama,” Letitia replied mischievously. “I’ll catch up to my sisters in no time.”

Another round of laughter went around the room, and Nathaniel found himself joining in. He listened as Grace’s family gave way to the most humorous of stories. Of Grace climbing the curtains while pretending to be a pirate. Of her penchant for arguing with the gossipmongers of London. And of her affinity for horses, and how, when her mare was in labor, she had refused to leave the stables until the foal had been born safely. He had been aware that her family had fallen on hard times, but it relieved him to know that she had at least experienced love and happiness within her home.

“Do not tell me that is all of them,” Nathaniel asked as they finished their dinner. “Surely there are more stories about the mischievous sprite I seemed to have been married to.”

“Oh, do not worry, son, we have plenty of stories to share and plenty of time to share them,” Aaron consoled as they all walked toward the drawing room. “But if you wouldn’t mind, Letitia has been writing a song for the two of you. A wedding present, if you will, and she’d like to play it for you on your piano.”

“You did?” Grace gasped beside him, turning her head to her little sister. Letitia smiled impishly back at them.

“It’s simply a composition,” she explained. “There are no lyrics, you see.”

“Well, I should very much like to hear it all the same,” Nathaniel replied, feeling a brotherly affection begin to grow for the youngest Rowley daughter.

An excited smile drew across Letitia’s face, and Nathaniel watched, amused, as she practically skipped to the piano. He took a seat on one couch to watch the performance as Grace joined him, and Aaron and Susan sat closely together on the other. The melody of Letitia’s song started off strong, like a call to battle almost, then faded gradually into a sweet timber of high, delicate notes. Immediately, he picked up the message of the music, and he looked appreciatively at his new sister-in-law.

His eyes then moved around to the other faces in the room, and he saw the pride and joy shining through all of their eyes. This is how Mother would have looked at me, he thought, feeling a pang of longing. This is how it was supposed to be for me.

It can still be meant for you, a voice in his head responded, if only you would let it.

As Letitia’s song came to an end, they all clapped their hands, and Letitia blushed as she turned to them and bowed.

“Happy matrimony to you both,” she replied warmly, joining her parents on the couch.

Nathaniel and Grace both thanked her, and then, in an easy transition, more conversation flowed. Grace ended up on the couch with her mother and sister, and Aaron joined Nathaniel on his. They easily fell into a conversation about investments.

“So, what do you make of it?” Aaron asked, after speaking on a new investment offer. “It sounds a bit tricky, I know, but if it sticks, the payout would be exponential.”

“I hear you,” Nathaniel replied, acknowledging the man’s excitement, “but if it were me, I would decline.”

“Go on,” Aaron urged, seemingly engrossed in Nathaniel’s opinion.

“Well, as you say, it sounds a bit tricky. More than a bit, actually. It could work with a dozen more investors, but it seems like that’s not going to happen. I would predict that you’d be forced to consider your investment a loss within just a few months’ time.”

Aaron looked disappointed for a brief moment then nodded his head.

“Yes, you are right,” he agreed. “They were struggling to find investors which was probably what led them to me. I know my reputation was damaged by my last loss, and they thought me a fool easily played.”

“Any of us can be played the fool at any moment,” Nathaniel countered. “Especially when we’re in active pursuit of change. I know you were talented with your investments; you just happened to finally choose a bad one. But that doesn’t mean it’s over. If you’d like, I can introduce you to some gentlemen who are known for their solid investment planning.”

A look of sincere gratefulness came over Aaron’s face as Nathaniel said this.

“That would be quite kind of you, son,” he replied emphatically, reaching forward to pat Nathaniel’s shoulder.

“Papa,” Grace called out, suddenly standing in front of them.

Nathaniel watched as she caught her father’s hand and patted it consolingly.

“Remember, my husband is not used to our overly affectionate ways,” she chided softly. “A simple verbal thank-you would suffice greatly.”

“I’m afraid she is right,” Nathaniel agreed, gratitude for his wife filling him. “It is not a type of affection I am used to.”

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