Page 19 of Pining for Lord Lockhart
“Julian is as good a baby as any I’ve seen.” June smiled. “We are blessed.”
“She hardly lets the nursemaid have a moment with him.” Lucy laughed.
“And how is the castle?”
“The renovations are complete. The old artifacts and scrolls and history is being
considered by experts. And some of it will become part of a museum collection.” Lucy smiled. “The rest of it will be on display in a new room we have dubbed the Standish O’Sullivan
personal museum. And we are carefully preserving and putting on display some of the featured
pieces, the armor, the suit of arms, the O’Sullivan ring, the rattle.” Her face lit with excitement.
“I will invite you all down for an extended stay when the room is complete. We must celebrate.”
Andrew watched them talking and wished more than anything to be a part. He had so
little by way of family; the Standish sisters seemed to have it all. They loved and laughed, and he already knew how fiercely they defended one another. What did he have left? His dear Aunt Victoria. And grateful he was for her.
While his eyes hungrily drank in the feelings of love and family that surrounded him, he knew he could start working on his own at any time. Charity laughed louder than the others in a beautiful and unrestrained way. Was he working on his future family already?
Thoughts of Penny and her mother and the years when they were his family nudged his sense of gratitude and responsibility. He had more than he gave himself credit for having. And it would do him good to remember.
But Penny and her family had nothing like what the Standish sisters had. No joy. No unity that he ever noticed. No love.
He’d thought there had been love between he and Penny. But after knowing Charity, after seeing more of the world, he knew that what he’d felt with Penny was perhaps but a need to assuage his loneliness, a companionship when they’d both needed someone.
But he had moved on to more and better while she had not. She was still there, in Buckinghamshire, with her family…such as it was.
Charity stepped closer and squeezed his arm in her hands.
“I apologize. I’m woolgathering. What have I missed?”
They laughed and June shook her head. “We have been rhapsodizing over your great efforts to help in the cause. Charity just mentioned a school now, too?”
“Oh yes. Those ideas are as new as any we’ve had. I hope you can linger after to help us work through some of the specifics?”
“Charity’s already roped us in. We will be there.” Kate laughed.
“She ropes in everyone eventually. It’s the Charity way, there’s no resisting her.” Lucy had seemed to grow in appreciation for her sister as the Season progressed last year. Andrew was relieved she’d married who she did. Though he had no business having a preference one way or another, he greatly preferred Mr. Sullivan.
The room filled with guests. He took his seat on the front row next to Charity, who would be conducting the meeting.
And still no sign of Mr. Lawrence Hamilton.
Andrew took the small pocketsize book of essays out of his jacket.
“I didn’t know you had that.” Charity tried to read over his shoulder, so he moved it closer to be shared between them.
“When I heard he was a favorite, I ordered it straight away.”
She shook her head. “You are maddening at the same time you are impressive, my lord.”
“And why are you my lording me?” He narrowed his eyes in suspicion.
“I didn’t notice that I was.” She turned to the door. “What if he doesn’t come?”
The room was full. The conversation had hushed. It was time to begin, and everyone was waiting.
