AN IMPERFECT GENTLEMAN
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Many Years Later
CHAPTER ONE
“Make haste.” “I’m not sure how I can make more haste than I currently am, woman,” Alex muttered. They were attempting to leave the house to attend a christening. He was forcing a shoe onto his four-year-old son George’s foot, which he knew fitted, but seemed to now be at least three inches too small. Harriet wasn’t fairing much better as she attempted to tie the ribbons of a bonnet under their six-year-old daughter, Tabitha’s chin. Life in their household was always hectic, and they would have it no other way. “Milly will be organized and I will be late—” “Breathe, Harriet. That’s it, and another, my sweet,” he said, looking at his agitated wife. “We are not late and, in fact, will arrive in plenty of time to perform your godmother duties.” Alex watched Harriet exhale slowly. “This day has been a long time coming, and were it not for Bertie finding his courage and persistence all those years ago, it would never have happened,” Harriet said. “I know there will be those who will attend through sufferance. We will not be like that.” “We will be there smiling, along with the rest of our family,” Alex said. “It is so lovely that they got their happy ending, don’t you think, Alex?” Harriet said. “I do, as it was wonderful for us.” She beamed at him. “I like Milly,” Tabitha said with a lisp due to her missing front teeth. “She’s a wonderful friend to us all,” Harriet agreed. “And now it is time for us to depart.” Alex said, rising to his feet, the shoe now fitted neatly onto his son’s foot. He then shepherded his small family down the stairs to the front door. They’d purchased this townhouse that shared a wall with the one they’d been living in four years ago. After a long period of building work, they now had a spacious residence with enough room for everyone. Even their staff. Mr. and Mrs. Maris were happy with their new rooms. “You’ll want to head off now to reach the church in time. Nobody knows what’s happening on the roads these days,” Mr. Maris said from his position beside the open front door as they arrived at the front entrance. “Thank you, Mr. Maris. You and Mrs. Maris take the rest of the day off.” The man beamed at him. “Thank you kindly, Mr. Nightingale.” Even eight years after they’d moved Mr. and Mrs. Maris to London to work for them, Mr. Maris showed no signs of aging. He was still straight shouldered, and as agile as he was the day they hired him. His wife was no different. Alex often said to Harriet that he wanted to know their secret to eternal youth so he could put it in a bottle and make a vast amount of money. “Goodbye, Mr. Maris,” George said in his squeaky little voice. Not to be outdone, Tabitha shrieked goodbye as well. They reached the carriage, and Alex placed both his children inside and then climbed in behind his wife. “Now, no tearing your clothes or pulling hair, at least until after the ceremony,” he said, holding the gazes of his children. “Yes, father,” they agreed in unison. The meekness of that reply did not fool him. Alex and Harriet had bred hellions, who they loved very much. Their marriage had thus far lasted eight blissful years and while it had not been without its challenges, marrying her was the best decision he’d ever made. From the day she’d said yes, he’d changed. It was like having her at his side made sense of everything. The fear that the voices inside Alex’s head would turn him mad had abated. Harriet calmed him. It had not taken long for her true nature to shine through after she’d shed the restrictions of living with her family, or more importantly, Heloise Shaw. Mungo had named Harriet’s mother, Beithir, which is a large snakelike creature or dragon, and a perfect description for the woman he would never like, but tolerated. His wife laughed freely and often now, and rarely held back if she felt something needed to be said. Harriet embraced her life and was busy with various causes. But she always made sure her family came first, just as he did. “What are you smiling about, husband?” “I’m just thinking how lucky I was to have Frankie lead me to that march all those years ago, where I found you.” Harriet sniffed loudly, and then pressed a gloved hand to her nose. She had also become something of a watering pot now she let her emotions run free. She was beautiful any day, but today dressed in a soft rose-pink she was stunning. Around her neck was a black velvet choker with a large pearl in the middle. He’d brought it for her last Christmas. “I’m the lucky one.” She held out her hand, and he took it. “I would have been living in America with a man I didn’t love.” “I would have followed you.” He raised her hand to his lips. “Ew. Why are you always kissing mummy’s hand?” Tabitha said. “Because I want to, and I love her,” Alex said. He then scowled at his daughter, who replied by poking out her tongue. “Before we get out of the carriage, I want you two to listen to me,” Alex said, making eye contact with his son and daughter as the carriage halted beside a church minutes later. “This is a special day for Auntie Milly and Uncle Bertie. Neither of you will do anything other than sit and watch the ceremony for Jonathon’s christening. Is that understood?” They nodded solemnly, looking like the sweet little angels they most definitely were not. “Your mother has no wish to hear either of you shrieking or crying. Nor getting out of the pew and creating havoc.” “We would never do that, father,” Tabitha said, looking at him wide eyed. “Yes, you would, but you will not do so, and do you know why?” They both shook their heads. “Because you will sit on either side of me while your mother does her godmother thing, and when this is done, we will go to Crabbett Close.” His children squealed their delight. “You will see your cousins, plus there will be games.” “No!” Tabitha cried. “Yes. An invitation arrived yesterday stating there will be games today,” Alex added. Which was odd, as there were never invitations sent, but then the residents of Crabbett Close were prone to odd behavior, so he should not be surprised. “Yes!” George looked excited. Not that he took part much at four, but he loved his cousins, aunts and uncles, and the food he usually got from the residents. “Right then,” he held out his hand. “Let’s shake on our good behavior.” Harriet joined in, solemnly holding out her hand, but Alex saw the laughter in her eyes. He winked. Opening the door, he waved the children to climb down, and then Harriet. “All that goes for you, too. No misbehaving in church, pretty lady,” he whispered in her ear. “As if I would,” she whispered back. She then kissed his cheek, and together Alex, and Harriet, and their two hellions went inside with the other guests. CHAPTER TWO Alex was pleased to see all his relatives were in attendance, and sat with Milly’s family. Opposite were the extremely snotty Smitherton Howards and the few close friends and family they’d told about the event. Alex had spent a lot of his life with people like those, and he had to say now he no longer had to he was a great deal happier. “There is Uncle Leo!” “Sssh, Tabitha,” Alex whispered as all the eyes in the church turned their way. “Quiet now please.” Alex urged his family into the pew with the rest of the Nightingale brood, leaving Harriet on the end, as she would join the service soon. “Hello, darling,” Leo said to Tabitha. “Do you want to sit with me?” he added, holding out a hand. She nodded and then climbed over everyone to reach her favorite uncle. She would then sit docile and quiet as a mouse until she left Leo again. It was an odd thing, but he seemed to be the only one who could control Alex’s daughter. “Hello, Georgie,” a voice said from behind them. “Hello, Anna,” Alex said, smiling at the young woman. She’d changed so much since entering their lives from the orphanage. She’d blossomed into a sweet-natured girl who was now a Nightingale in every way. “There are Crabbett Close games tonight, Anna,” George whispered. “I know. Isn’t it exciting?” she whispered back. The Nightingale family had helped many orphans journey into adulthood since Anna arrived at Crabbett Close, and often spent time at orphanages throughout London, or wherever they were needed. “Welcome to all,” the vicar began, drawing all eyes. He watched Bertie and Milly join the Vicar and marveled again at the odd match. It had been after a suffragette march Harriet had found Bertie and Milly, her friend, in an embrace in the shadows. She’d then realized that the Amelia he’d spoken of the day her mother had tried to initiate a match between Harriet and Bertram, Lord Talbot, was in fact Milly. Alex looked at the prune faced woman seated across from him. Clearly, she was still unhappy with the match, even six years after their marriage, and the birth of their first child. Bertie and Milly had not had an easy road to traverse. His family were determined they would never allow the son and heir to the Smitherton Howard estates and money to wed a shopkeeper’s daughter. Bertie had been sent abroad to straighten out his head. He’d come home two years later with his head on straight and gone to his beloved’s house and asked for her hand in marriage. All hell had broken loose. “I always thought Talbot an insipid, weak-kneed fellow,” Ellen, Alex’s sister, whispered from beside him. “He was at school,” her husband Gray added softly. “I’m so pleased to see that he has changed for the better. Milly is wonderful,” Ellen added. “She is,” Harriet joined the conversation. “Shh!” someone hissed loudly. Alex shot a look across the aisle and found Harriet’s mother. “Good Lord, my favorite mother-in-law is here,” Alex drawled. “Did you know she was coming, my love?” “She told me she, more than anyone, understands Lady Smitherton Howard’s pain,” Harriet said, rolling her eyes. “After all,” she whispered in Alex’s ear, “you are a terrible husband.” “You’ll keep,” he said out the side of his mouth. Alex then leaned forward and waved to his mother-in-law just to irritate her. He and his family spent a lot of time doing that. Alex, Harriet, and the rest of the Nightingale’s had stepped in to help Milly and Bertie when the family had made life extremely difficult for them. Bertie had even slept in their spare bedroom for a while until he could secure his own residence. Bertie, sure any financial support he got from his family, was about to be cut off, had set about making his own way in the world with help from friends, of who Alex was now one of. “People of God, will you welcome this child and uphold them in their new life in Christ?” the Vicar said. “With the help of God, we will,” the congregation said. Harriet got out of her seat along with Bertie’s favorite cousin, Miss Hamilton, and Milly’s eldest brother Arthur. Alex then watched her walk to where she stood, and Bertie handed her his son, Johnathon. His wife looked down into the baby’s face and smiled, and Alex felt it deep inside his chest. Love, he thought. It softened into something wonderful as the years rolled by. “You besotted fool,” Ellen whispered. He ignored her and watched the service, or more importantly, Harriet. Bertie’s smile was wide, and Milly looked happy, too. These people from different worlds had found love and Harriet was right. To be in the presence of that was a wonderful thing. CHAPTER THREE “We will leave now and make sure everything is in readiness,” Ellen whispered to Harriet when they were all standing together outside the church. “Thank you.” she said, hugging her sister-in-law. “We shall follow soon.” “Harriet!” her mother called in a voice that carried over everyone else’s. After a last squeeze, Ellen left with Gray, who gave her a sympathetic smile. Her mother often brought out that response in people. “Mama!” “Hello darling,” Harriet said, holding out her hand to her daughter. She then moved to where her mother stood. “It is unseemly to shriek like that, Tabitha,” Heloise Shaw said, looking down her nose at her granddaughter, as if she was an insect stuck to the soul of her expensive boots. “Sorry, Grandmother.” “She is excited to see you, mother,” Harriet said. “Besides, you shrieked out my name first.” She was no longer intimidated or controlled by this woman and was extremely grateful for that. “Is father not here with you?” “I did not shriek, and of course, your father is not here. I came to support my dear friend through this trying time, but it is not exactly a celebration now, is it? And to think that you were the child’s godmother,” Heloise looked scandalized. “What were you thinking, Harriet?” Age had not been her mother’s friend. Her face was lined and fixed in a permanent scowl, and the ugliness she carried on the inside took away any softness. “I thought I am blessed to be chosen for such an honor, and that the baptism of a child who is loved deeply by his two parents is a wonderful occasion. People, who I care deeply for, mother.” “Grandmother?” “What?” Her mother scowled down at the little girl swinging Harriet’s hand. “Why are you always angry and mean?” Children often got away with saying what adults dare not, Harriet thought. “Hello, how lovely to see you mother-in-law and looking resplendent in that fetching cape. What color are they calling that? Puce?” Alex asked, placing a hand on Harriet’s back. She felt instantly calmer with him close. Her mother always made her react in ways she loathed. “Heliotrope!” Heloise Shaw snapped. “Bless you,” Alex said, his face in no way expressing the wickedness in his eyes. “The color is heliotrope!” Harriet’s mother snapped. “And it’s lovely on you,” he smiled. Her mother and Alex had a tumultuous relationship. He took none of her veiled insults or snobbery, and she thought it a crime that he and his family walked away from society, even considering what their father had done. “It matches your eyes,” Alex drawled, leaning down to kiss the top of his daughter’s head. “Now I must steal my women away from you, as we have an appointment at Crabbett Close.” “Games, Grandmother!” Tabitha cried. Heloise sniffed as Alex kissed her cheek. “It’s my hope that your day is filled with joy and laughter, mother-in-law, as mine will be.” “I don’t think Grandmother knows how to be happy, Papa,” Tabitha said loudly as they walked away. Harriet didn’t dare look back, as her mother would have heard. “I believe you could be right,” Alex said, picking Tabitha up. “But that’s likely because she doesn’t have a sweet, well-behaved child like you in her life.” Harriet was smiling when they got back into the carriage. Life with her husband was never dull. He loved with his whole heart and rarely sat still. Alex spent his days overseeing the family’s business interests and was now open about what he could do. He had even approached people if the voices in his head were persistent. Where Harriet was quiet most often, Alex was loud. He’d made her become the best version of herself and she loved him more for that each day, even if sometimes she wanted to slap him for forcing her to speak out, or stand up and be heard. “That was a lovely ceremony,” Alex said. “Oh yes. Milly was beside herself with excitement, and she and Bertie are going to her family’s home to celebrate.” “And his family misses out on all that joy and love because they can’t allow themselves to embrace what could be,” Alex added. “Exactly that. But now we must prepare ourselves for the Crabbett Close games,” Harriet said. “Don’t you think it odd that they actually sent an invitation to our house?” Alex asked. Harriet busied herself bending to fuss with Tabitha’s shoe, which needed no attention, but she could never lie to her husband’s face. “It’s Crabbett Close. Odd is what they do. Maybe they thought we wouldn’t come, or know it was happening this evening?” “Perhaps, but I still think it odd. I questioned Leo and Ellen, and they received invitations as well.” “There you go then.” Harriet straightened because she couldn’t stay bent inspecting her daughter’s shoes forever. “Oh look, we’re stopping.” “Why did you say that in a loud, excited voice?” Alex was frowning. “You said you have no wish to compete in the games again anytime soon after Mungo forced you to eat jellied eels last time.” “I will not be forced to eat anything jellied today,” Harriet said, attempting to sound calm and look at Alex. Which was not exactly difficult, as he was extremely handsome. “Are you up to something, Harriet?” She opened her eyes as wide as she could to look surprised. “I do not know what you mean.” His eyes narrowed as the carriage rolled to a stop outside Uncle Bram and Aunt Ivy’s house. “Out we get,” Harriet said quickly. “Make haste. It looks like the residents are already gathering. The family, too, are in the park.” “That was quick. They were just at the christening with us.” Harriet didn’t respond to Alex’s comment. He was clearly suspicious, but he would not in his wildest dreams know what was about to unfold. “Off you two go,” she said to Tabitha and George. She took her husband’s arm as they walked across the road to the park behind their children, who had run ahead. “I love this place,” she said. “It was where I truly realized the meaning of friendship and love.” “It was the same for us when we arrived all those years ago,” Alex said. “I love you, Alex.” “As I love you, my sweet. Now, how about you tell me what’s actually going on today?” “How about I just show you?” She led him to where everyone had gathered. There were family and some of the Crabbett Close residents. But it was the three men, who were strangers to her, but once close friends with Alex when friendship was needed, that drew his eyes. “Dear God.” Alex stopped. “Is that? … it can’t be.” As he started moving, Harriet could hear the choking sounds he made that told her he was struggling to hold in his tears. He reached his friends in seconds and then embraced each. Two were standing, the third in a chair, his crutches at his feet. One leg she noticed was missing, and her heart ached for the pain she knew this man had suffered. “You did a wonderful thing for my nephew, Harriet,” Uncle Bram said, coming to her side. He then wrapped an arm around her shoulders and they watched Alex and his friends from the army reunite. When the emotions had eased, the men, Bradford, Sam, and John, were introduced to everyone. “I don’t know how you did this, Harriet,” Alex said, pulling her into his arms later. “But it is the greatest gift I have ever received. Second only to your love.” She hugged him hard, and then took the hand he held out to her. “It was the one thing that you told me you always regretted. Never knowing what happened to the three men, you were closest too. So I started enquires. Gray helped, and of course your cousin Stephen was a wonderful as he’d served in the Army. Between us, we tracked them down.” “I did not think there was more room inside me for more happiness. It turns out I was wrong.” He kissed her softly, and then together they joined their family and friends to laugh and love. But more importantly, not to eat anything jellied. |
