Two Years Later

“You look quite pleased with yourself.”

Lavender tilted her head towards him without looking. Austin loved it when she did that. Tilting her head close, taking a step towards him, turning her body slightly to face him. She didn’t have to look at him. Her entire body language invited him into her space, showing him that he had her undivided attention even if her eyes remained on something else.

“Shouldn’t I be?” she asked with a smile touching her lips. She sipped her wine, eyes scanning the crowd of guests filling their lavish ballroom. “Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves, don’t you think?”

“Without a doubt.” He came closer to the railing. They stood on a mezzanine overlooking the ballroom, behind them a door that led to a balcony under the night’s stars. It had been Lavender’s suggestion. After they returned from their honeymoon two years ago, they’d moved to the countryside manor despite the fact that the renovations were still underway. She’d made a passing remark that it would be lovely to have a mezzanine in the ballroom and Austin had instantly given orders to include it.

He couldn’t doubt that he liked it as well. She had a natural gift for these things.

The sight of the full ballroom still instilled disbelief in Austin. He didn’t think that so much could change in so little time. When they’d gotten married, there had been a bit of buzz about their union but nothing to turn too many heads. Yet, Lavender’s natural introduction to the world of nobles had led to her instant popularity. She didn’t have to try, didn’t have to plan what she would wear or say. If they received an invitation to a ball or a soiree, she would always try to attend. And by the end of the night, she had nearly everyone in the palm of her hand.

Their popularity grew to such an extent that everyone vied to attend a ball thrown by the Countess of Derby. For those who did not receive an invitation, they would send a letter asking to for permission to attend. And Lavender, being who she was, would always accept.

Even the Countess of Lively was in attendance.

She did not beg for an invitation. But every time she was not asked to attend an event being hosted by the Earl and Countess of Derby, she ensured that everyone knew how displeased she was. Austin often wondered if she noticed how bitter she seemed as a result, marring her otherwise pristine reputation. But envy was a nasty drink and Lady Lively constantly looked as if she spoon-fed it to herself every morning.

Lavender saw it as well and decided to invite her now and again, out of pity. Right now, she stood near the center of the ballroom surrounded by her usual posse of lackeys and watching the current dancers with an upturned nose.

Austin shook his head at the sight. Lavender no longer cared about Lady Lively so he didn’t either. He took a step closer to his wife, sliding his arm around her and not caring who saw.

“Do you think we can sneak away for a moment?” he whispered in her ear.

She rested her head on his shoulder, giggling. “I think a few people will notice if we were gone for too long.”

“Ah, I see. Allow me to change my wording then. Do we care if our absence is noticed?”

Boldly, she turned to face him, eyes gleaming as she wrapped her arms around him. Their constant displays of affection was often a topic of discussion amongst others and, as usual, neither one of them cared.

“Now that I should think about.” She made a show of thinking by rolling her eyes to the ceiling. “And the answer is an easy, no. I don’t care.”

Austin shared her conspiratorial grin as he slid his hand down to capture hers. He took the lead, pulling her behind him as they delved towards the staircase set to the left of the mezzanine. Austin intended to take her out into the gardens, which had quickly become Lavender’s favorite place to be next to the library. Though it would not be under the warm sun, he was sure she would enjoy a nice evening walk.

The moment they arrived in the midst of the ball, they were approached by a gaggle of young ladies.

“My lady!” one of them gushed. “I did not get the chance to tell you how lovely you looked this evening!”

“Thank you, Lady Georgia,” Lavender responded kindly. Her warm smile had the ladies coming closer, as if drawn in like a moth to a flame.

“May I ask how you managed to style your hair that way?” another one of them asked, eyes sparkling with excitement.

There were five of them and could not be any older than ten-and-seven. Austin wasn’t certain any one of them had debuted as yet but their mothers had grown so fond of Lavender that they had no qualms allowing their daughters to attend this evening’s ball. Austin didn’t know any of their names, though their faces were a little familiar.

“Well, I will have to ask my lady’s maid, Lady Hannah,” Lavender responded with a laugh. She knew the girls very well. In fact, she was acquainted with everyone in attendance. Austin didn’t know how she managed to do it.

He took a step back and watched as these girls hung onto every word Lavender said. She was always gentle and kind, jesting now and again. He wondered if she realized that she’d fulfilled her old plan. Not out of revenge but from simply being herself. Without intending to, Lavender had dethroned Lady Lively and everyone seemed to be aware of it except her.

After a while of admiring her, he decided he’d had enough of sharing her. “If you would excuse us, ladies,” he said, stepping in. He placed his hand on the small of Lavender’s back, already steering her away.

Lavender ushered apologies to girls as she was led away from them. She slapped Austin lightly on the chest. “That was rude,” she chastised.

“I am known for being rude,” he said simply. He kept his eyes on the goal, the terrace doors across the room. With everyone wanting to engage with the hostess, those doors felt too far away.

“And I suppose it is one of the things I love about you.” She sighed as if it tired her.

After two years, Austin was beginning to think he would never get tired of hearing those words.

They were almost there. A few people tried to stop them as they went by. Even Vincent, who had been visiting them for the past week, tried to speak with Austin about business matters. Austin rightfully told him that they could speak about such matters another time and kept moving.

The doors were almost within reach. And then Lady Lively stepped into his path.

She was accompanied by Lady Anna, her constant shadow. Austin still didn’t feel comfortable being near her, even though the marquess’ daughter had married her own earl. He would never forget how her bold impropriety, disguised under gentle smiles and ladylike mannerisms, had caused a rift between Lavender and him.

Lavender didn’t seem to mind the lady half as much. She smiled warmly at her and Lady Anna returned it, though it didn’t touch her eyes.

Austin’s attention was on Lady Lively though.

Bitterness and jealousy had aged her like nothing else could. Lady Lively, once the most popular lady in England, now had the reputation of a hateful lady who did nothing but gossip. Why others were only just realizing that was a mystery to Austin. But anything concerning Lady Lively no longer mattered to Lavender so he supposed it did not matter to him either.

Even so, he couldn’t stop his guard from going on when the countess locked eyes with his wife.

“Lady Derby,” Lady Lively began with a false, tight smile. “I have not gotten the chance to speak with you all evening. One would think that you were avoiding me.”

“I have no reason to do such a thing,” Lavender responded simply. “How do you do, Lady Lively?”

“I am well. Though I must say it is a little stuffy in here. Don’t you think there are too many people, or perhaps you were hoping to make an impression by inviting half of England.”

“If you are feeling confined, my lady, feel free to leave. I’m sure no one will mind.”

Lady Lively’s smile slipped. “If I dare to leave now, nearly half of these people will leave right behind me. Your ball will become quite a disaster if that were to happen, I’m afraid.”

“If that is what you wish to believe, my lady, I can do nothing to stop you.”

This time, Lady Lively barely managed to hold back her sneer. And Austin struggled to hold back his laughter.

He enjoyed standing back and listening to Lavender cut through the countess’ hubris with firm politeness. He watched as she struggled to find something to say in response.

Lady Anna attempted to come to her rescue by saying, “My lord, I must say that I find your art pieces quite tasteful. May I enquire about the artists?”

The Austin before Lavender would have told her to leave him be, or simply ignored her altogether. The man he had become attempted to be polite instead. “I do not recall the name of the artist,” he admitted. “They were commissioned by my late father a long time ago.”

“How sad. I would love to have that person paint my own portrait. I have been looking for some time now.” Lady Anna pointed to the painting hung on the north wall. “Even from here, I can tell that the lady in the painting was a beauty. The brushstrokes are so subtle that it is as if she is staring right at me.”

Austin didn’t bother to hold back his smile. He looked at the painting in question, meeting the eyes of familiar blue ones. He could almost feel Lavender’s pleasure as she said, “Yes, I must agree, my lady. I thought there would be no other painting more fit to be hung in one of the most important rooms in our manor.”

“Who is she, if I might ask?”

“A very important person to me,” Austin answered. He didn’t need to say any more than that. Though he couldn’t help but wonder what these ladies would say if they knew they spoke highly of his father’s mistress, a mere maid.

Lavender had insisted that they bring the painting with them to the estate, after spending nearly an entire day rummaging through his father’s old things. And it hadn’t taken much convincing for him to hang it in the ballroom. He knew better than to reveal who she truly was. But it seemed as if no one cared to ask, perhaps assuming that she was simply another family member.

“If you would forgive us, ladies,” Lavender spoke up. “I hope you two enjoy the rest of your evening.”

She stepped away without giving either one of them the chance to respond. Austin was happy to follow. Finally, they made it all the way to the gardens without being stopped again.

Silence settled over them. Austin slung his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. Lavender wrapped her arm around his waist and rested her head on his shoulder. They said nothing as they delved down a quiet path lit with moonlight.

“Do you think they will leave?” he asked after a long while.

“I do not care what they do,” Lavender said. “Honestly, I would not mind if everyone left. I want to be alone with my husband.”

“Are we not alone right now?” he asked with a chuckle.

She shook her head. He glanced down, heart warming at her small pout. “Not alone enough. Even now I can hear the voices of others walking about our garden.”

“I thought you loved throwing balls.”

“I do, I do. But I like having intimate alone time with you as well. Especially when I wish to tell you a secret I have been keeping for weeks now.”

Austin paused, frowning down at her. “A secret,” he echoed.

Lavender’s grin was broad. “Yes, and I must say that I nearly gave in and told you many times already.”

Austin only stared at her. When it became clear that she had nothing else to say, he asked, “Well? What is it?”

She was teasing him, dangling this secret over his head. “Patience, my love. Before I say it, I must say that I considered making a toast. But then I thought that I should tell you first before revealing it to others.”

“And what exactly would you be revealing?”

Lavender giggled. She took his hand and placed it on her stomach. Austin’s eyes went wide. He didn’t know how he hadn’t noticed before. He had taken note of the fact that she was eating far more, and seemed to have restless nights at times. But he hadn’t thought much about it.

Now he understood.

“Are you serious?” he whispered, almost afraid to hear the response.

Lavender nodded. Her eyes were already swimming with tears. “The physician finally confirmed it. And believe me when I say that it has been quite difficult hiding it from you. But I did not want to say anything that might get your hopes up.”

“You’re with child?” Austin asked dumbly.

Lavender nodded, wiping her tears. “I am. It’s finally happened, Austin. We’re going to have a chi—”

She didn’t get the chance to finish before he picked her off the ground, spinning her around. Her laughter echoed around him.

“We’re going to have a child!” he laughed, setting her back on her feet. He kissed her because he was so happy. He kissed her again because he loved her and would love this child just as much. He kissed her yet again as a silent promise that he would everything in his power to be a great father as he tried to be a great husband.

Lavender kissed him back as if she understood all the words he didn’t have to say. She framed his face in her hands. “I love you, Austin.”

“I love you too, Lav.”

When their lips met again, Austin never wanted to pull away. Even though he was looking forward to their future, to raising the family they had been trying to have for years.

For right now, this moment, he wanted this kiss to last forever.

The End