Page 70 of Six Nights to Marry a Marquess

They will be with you in three days, my dear. We hope that this visit will bring you the comfort and joy we know you deserve. Know that you are always in our thoughts and prayers, and we eagerly await the stories you will share upon your return.

With all the love we can send,

Caroline

This was the best news, for it made her long and miserable day suddenly feel lighter. The weight of her troubles seemed to lift slightly, giving her a momentary reprieve from the emotional turmoil that had been her constant companion.

Three days later, Agnes rushed to the front of the manor as a carriage approached. She had been by the window all morning, waiting for its arrival. A small hand popped out of the window of the carriage just then, frantically waving a small tree branch.

“Agnes, Agnes!” she heard Georgie calling out as his tree branch matched his excitement in the air. Agnes heard a fond little chuckle escape her as she wondered where and how he obtained the branch.

The moment the carriage halted before the entrance, the door practically burst open before the footmen could reach it. Georgie and Harry tumbled over each other in a fit to get to her. And before she could register further, Agnes felt herself land squarely on her bottom, while the boys covered her with hugs and kisses. She laughed.

“One would say Mother never invested any time into your manners,” Philip clucked his tongue at his excited brothers. She looked up to see his smiling face. He bowed elegantly. “What a pleasure to see you again, Lady Gillingham.”

He plucked George off Agnes then and helped her to her feet before giving her a more civilized embrace. “Oh, how I’ve missed you all!” Agnes cried as she squeezed Philip back warmly.

“Your frock is all soiled, Agnes,” Harry observed now, a note of concern in his voice.

“Thanks toyouand George,” Philip said to his brother, his tone half-teasing, half-reproachful.

“It’s Georgie! He always forgets his manners,” Harry grumbled back, shooting a playful glare at the youngest.

“He never had them to begin with,” Philip whispered to Agnes now with a little conspiratorial wink, causing her to let out a soft laugh.

“Manners are boring,” George called out from where he’d moved to, his attention now captured by some hedges in the garden.

The boys met Harriet and Leslie in the drawing room. Greetings were exchanged, filled with the warmth and chaos of children and young ladies.

“Where’s the Marquess?” George bounced on his feet, his spirit seemingly boundless. “And where is the pond?” he added before anyone could respond, his eyes darting around the drawing room as though expecting to find the body of water there.

“The marquess is out on business and shall return soon.” Agnes calmed her excited brother with a gentle reassurance. The truth was that she did not know where Theodore was. She only saw him at mealtimes and their interactions were tense and detached. He had attempted to see her, knocking at her bedchamber door, but she had refused to respond. Agnes was not ready to face him, and worse, the wounds his words had inflicted were far deeper than she thought. Perhaps she would feel differently with her brothers present.

“Whose violin is this?” Harry called out, pointing at the instrument Leslie had left there last night after dinner.

“Do you play?” Leslie, suddenly anticipating a fellow string instrument lover, quickly got to her feet and joined him by the violin.

“Oh yes,” Harry nodded enthusiastically. “But I’m not very good, I’m afraid,” he confessed, a slight blush coloring his cheeks. Agnes recalled Harry’s love for the instruments and smiled at his modesty.

“Oh, it’s all right. We are all still learning, after all,” Leslie reassured him with a gentle smile. “I can be your coach while you’re here,” she added, sparking a happy little squeal from Harry, delighted at the prospect of learning more.

While the children acquainted themselves with each other and their mutual love for music, Agnes decided it was a good moment to change out of her soiled frock. She opted for a darker color now. One could never tell when George would knock her down again.

When she returned to the drawing room a little later, she was surprised to find it empty. She heard movement behind her just then and whipped around to the sight of the housekeeper.

“The children are out in the gardens, My Lady,” Mrs. Davis supplied helpfully before she even asked.

Agnes was further surprised when she went to the gardens and found some men planting flowers around. The place was coming alive with color. She spied some marigolds and peonies, their vibrant hues adding a lively charm to the scene.

Even the air was richer in fragrance, and she inhaled contentedly. Walking down the cobbled path, she sought her family. A giggle told her George was nearby, and when she emerged from behind a tall hedge, she received yet another surprise.

Kneeling in front of a flowerbed were Philip, George, and Theodore, their sleeves rolled and their hands dirty, planting flowers.

Agnes paused to watch her husband and brothers, feeling something both tighten and bloom in her chest.When will I be rid of this ache?

“We found Gillingham, Agnes!” A muddied George called out as she approached, his face smeared with dirt but his eyes sparkling with mischief and delight.

“And I see you found some dirt,” Agnes chuckled, appreciating the joyful chaos George always seemed to bring.

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