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“You argued with Edward? What about?”

“Max. It was all because we talked about the painting to be commissioned by Dunstan.”

“Ah,” his mother said.

“Ah?”

“He said he was having it commissioned for you because you will be living in London.”

“He told me the same but, well, I do not want it. Unlike him, I will be returning to Ashtonvale every Christmas.”

“Oh, I am so happy to hear this.”

The midwife knocked on the open door early in the morning. The dowager had fallen asleep in her chair with a book on her lap. Marianne was snuggling with Sasha, and Tony was still pacing.

“Sorry to interrupt, my lord. I thought you might like to know you have a son.”

They all jumped up and hugged each other. Tony sat heavily on the sofa, relief making him smile. “And my wife?”

“She is well and already smitten with her babe. You may come up and see her now.”

Following the midwife up the stairs, they all gathered in the dark room. A small brace of candles lit the bed and its occupants. Tony went straight to her side, kneeling beside the bed and taking her hand. The rest of them hovered just inside the door to give the couple a little space.

“Is he not perfect, Tony?” Lucinda said, pride evident in her voice.

“He is, my love, and so are you.” He kissed her cheek. “Are you all right? I have never been so worried in my life. Well, maybe one other time.”

“I am well. Here, take him and introduce him to our family.” She placed their child in his arms.

Tony then carefully walked over to the rest of them. “Everyone, this is William George Ashton. William after Father and George after Lucinda’s father.”

“Very appropriate, my dear. Your father would be very happy,” his mother said, with a tear in her eye.

Tony laughed. “Marianne has William already wrapped around her finger, literally.”

Marianne grinned. “His little grip is quite strong for one so small. He is perfect in every way. Well done, Lucinda.”

“I cannot wait to take him home, but the midwife says I must rest.”

“You stay as long as you need. I will get May to bring you up some food. You must be so hungry. I promised the job to her,” Marianne said.

“Oh, yes please. I would love May to come and see the baby.” May was Marianne’s lady’s maid but had helped Lucinda too when she had been living at Warrington House, and the two had become close. “I am starving, and maybe some for Tony too, as I am sure he ate nothing at all.”

“I will see to it straight away,” Marianne said as she kissed little William on the forehead and released herself from his grip.

Rose stepped forward to admire the baby safe in his father’s arms. This was what Max should have had. Tony was beaming with pride at his son, but poor Max had been given only a glance and had then been ignored by her father. It ripped at Rose’s heart. She remembered the love that had always surrounded her at Brookhaven. Especially once Cecil went to school, and it had been just her and her father. She wanted that bond for Max and Edward, but was it a lost cause?

Excusing herself, she went back down the hall to her own room but saw the now-closed door of Edward’s study. Had he returned? Should she knock and find out? No, definitely not. So she opened her door and walked in, Elsie’s smiling face a relief after the stress of the day. And she had not even had the baby.

“Has the babe been born?”

“Yes, William George.”

“William George, what an excellent name for a boy. Lady Maxine will be over the moon.”

“Yes, she will. I will let Marianne write the news to her. She will be desperate to see him, but it looks like she will have to wait until Christmas.”

“You should do one of your sketches. A picture to send to Lady Maxine.”