“There are so many other things to take care of around the estate, I think I’ll have to hire a gardener,” he said with a chuckle. “My father made running the estate look easy. I’m not finding that ease yet.”
“You will, my darling. It will take some time, that’s all,” Kathryn said.
After catching up for the next half-hour, Lady Devon stood. “If you’ll excuse me, I’d love to visit with my grandchildren for a bit. Stay and enjoy your tea. I’ll see you at dinner.”
Sam stood as Lady Devon swept from the room. “Thank you, my lady.”
Kathryn turned to Sam when he sat next to her again. “Thank you, my darling, for bringing me to visit my parents. I’ve missed them, and I know they miss the children.”
“Of course. Do you know what events your parents are attending while we’re here? I don’t relish attending any of them, but I certainly will if you’d like to. I’ll leave that decision entirely up to you.”
“I’m not sure what invitations have been received. I’ll ask my mother what she has planned, although I can’t say I’d be thrilled to attendtonactivities either. When I was in London for my Season, it was an utter failure.”
Sam picked up her hand and brought it to his lips for a sweet kiss. “Lucky for me that it was. I cannot imagine my life without you by my side, my love,” he said.
“I know. I count myself so blessed that I said yes to accompanying the Fletchers to Dandridge Manor that summer.Otherwise, I would have missed out on the greatest joy in my life.”
“And you aremygreatest joy,” Sam said, taking Kathryn’s teacup from her hand and setting it on the table before he pulled her into an embrace for a kiss. “I’ve been waiting to do this for long enough.”
The next afternoon, Eastonwas having a drink with Chandler and Ludlow at their club. “Easton, we’re heading out to Vauxhall Gardens this evening. Care to join us?”
“I would, but my sister is in town, and my mother is hosting a dinner for her this evening.” Even though Easton would like nothing more than to join his friends, he wanted to see Kathryn. It had been too many months since their last visit, and he was eager to see her again. As he grew older, he’d come to cherish his family more and more and didn’t want to miss a chance to spend time with them.
“Maybe next time then, ” Chandler said.
“Absolutely,” Easton said. “Now, gentlemen, I must be off. Enjoy yourselves this evening, but not too much,” he said with a chuckle.
“We’ll do our best,” Chandler said. “Pass along my greetings to your sister.”
“I will.”
“I’ll see you at our next session at Gentlemen Jack’s,” Ludlow said. “I could use a good sparring session.”
“You mean a good trouncing,” Easton said with a chuckle before he headed back to his rooms at the Albany to change for dinner. He was looking forward to seeing Kathryn and Sam this evening and to hearing how things were going on the estate. He’d only been out to Faulkner Manor once, and theestate was bigger than he’d expected. Even though he knew his sister had been happy when she married Sam, many in the ton would believe she had made a foolish mistake by marrying so far beneath her. The irony of that wasn’t lost on him, as he’d supported her decision to marry a commoner in the first place.
Even though his parents eventually approved of Kathryn’s marriage to Sam, he knew his father was happier now that she was part of the aristocracy once again. Having nothing to compare it to, Easton had no idea whether he could live without the trappings of his aristocratic lineage, but he had no wish to even envision it. He was quite comfortable with his lot in life, though after reading his father’s bill to abolish slavery in the Caribbean, he’d become more aware of the injustices in the world and wanted to help make it a better world for everyone, especially the poor.
He’d told his father he wanted to lend his support to causes near and dear to the earl’s heart. His first meeting with some of his father’s constituents was an eye-opening experience, and he realized there was no easy fix to make people’s lives more bearable. There were many other lords who couldn’t care less whether the poor had an easier time of it. He vowed never to become one of those kinds of men—the ones who looked the other way when they could help. In the end, he’d given his mother a sizable donation to support her endeavors with one of the local orphanages.
She’d even convinced him to visit them with her, and he was amazed at how well-behaved the children were. The orphanage was in an older building. The outside was a bit worn, but the inside was clean and tidy. When he offered to tell the children a story, he’d enjoyed it as much as they did and promised to return again soon.
He pulled on his coat and took one last look in the mirror before heading out to Devon House, pulling his hat down fartherwhen he stepped outside. There was a brisk wind blowing, and the temperature had dropped throughout the day, which was not unusual for April, but it would make walking all the way to Mayfair rather unappealing.
He hailed a hackney.
“Where to?” the driver asked, stopping the hackney beside him.
“Devon House, Mayfair,” Easton said as he climbed in. Though certainly not luxurious, the hackney at least kept the wind from howling around him. Thankfully, it didn’t take long to reach Devon House, and he exited the carriage, flipping a coin to the driver.
“Thank you, my lord,” the driver said before setting the horses in motion again.
The butler had the door open before he walked up the stairs. “Good evening, Lord Easton.”
“Good evening, Jeffers.”
Jeffers took his hat and walking stick. “The family is in the drawing room.”
Easton nodded and made his way into the room where his parents, Sam, and Kathryn were enjoying drinks. “Good evening, everyone.”