Chapter 9

Chapter 9

“ I have come to believe that nothing happens without your knowledge mother” Anna said joining them with her twin at her side and Stephen stopping to give instructions to a maid behind them.

“ One day, I just might end up cutting off that vile tongue of yours” Lady Arnold replied eyeing her youngest daughter.

“ Good evening your grace, you look exceptionally beautiful today” Lord Mayfair said embracing his mother-in-law in a hug.

“ I am positive you said the same thing to Mrs Cook and every other older female” she replied patting his back.

“ And I meant every single word” Lord Mayfair said.

“ My goodness, Miss Ann, where have you been?” Lady Arnold asked once she saw Ann.

“ I was just about to go to you” Ann replied.

“ What must I help with?” She asked.

“ Nothing of great importance, I have not seen you all day and was already missing your presence” Lady Arnold answered.

“ Good evening mother” Daphne said standing up to greet her mother.

“ How are you my darling” Lady Arnold cooed spreading her arms for an embrace.

“ I am very fine mother except I have missed you so much” Daphne said sniffing in her mother's warm embrace.

“ I have definitely missed you more” she replied patting her daughter's back.

“ Are you crying?” Anna asked.

“ She has been doing that all day” Richard drawled.

“I hear it is all part of the symptoms of been with child” Ara said.

“ Then I have even less to look forward to in marriage” Anna murmured.

“ There are mostly good things to look forward to in marriage, and today I have not even cried before now” Daphne explained.

“ Good evening Lord Mayfair” Stephen greeted once he joined them.

“ Lovely evening to you too Stephen, how has your farm been doing?” Lord Mayfair asked, as he brought his hands for a shake.

“ It has been very productive this pass year, thank you for asking” Stephen replied.

“ As expected, Richard and I have been thinking of learning one or two things from your on business strategies” Lord Mayfair said.

“ Of course you are always welcome to do that, since my knowledge is not vast, I am very sure I will learn a lot from you” Stephen replied.

“ Then we should talk more on it in my study over some liquor, after dinner of course” Richard put in.

“ Good evening Stephen” Daphne quickly greeted, before they decide to begin their boring business talk in the kitchen.

“ My heartfelt congratulations on your announcement your grace” Stephen said with a bow as he gave her hand a quick peck.

“ Oh it is nothing new anymore” Daphne grinned.

“ Coming from someone who can't manage the same symptoms for the

Third time” Lord Mayfair said as he wiped of some biscuit crumbs from her face with his handkerchief.

“You definitely should not blame me if it keeps repeating itself” Daphne said frowning at her husband.

“ Of course I will never blame you for such, plus I love every minute of them dear” he replied pushing a dangling strand of his wife's hair be hind her ear.

“Although I can't say I enjoy any wave, I love you more for not complaining” she said sniffing again.

“ Oh you should not cry my love, your eyes will get all puffy” Lord Mayfair replied patting her back as she stuffed her face on his chest.

“ I believe I have had my fair share of this disgustingly excessive display of love” Richard said raising his hands in surrender.

“ Which is exactly why I must show you my latest list of beautiful and eligible young ladies” Lady Arnold jumped in.

“ What list?” Richard asked, staring daggers at his mother.

“ I believe I left it on my drawing room table, could you please get it for me Miss Ann?” His mother asked, turning to Ann.

“ My sincere apologies but I have some papers work I have to get to immediately, I will be in my study” Richard said almost running out.

“ You have to see this one Richard, I am positive you will find a girl of your liking” his mother shouted at his back.

“ I am afraid if you keep making those lists he might actually run away some day” Daphne laughed.

“There is little I can do except to force him” lady Arnold sighed.

“Nevertheless, I do it to remind him but who knows it might work to our favor some day” Lady Arnold added.

“ I do not think I would enjoy getting married by picking my spouse from a list of young men” Anna said.

“ No one does, which is why he should quickly find his” Lady Arnold replied with a grin.

“ I would like to check on the children before the evening begins” Daphne said.

“As you wish” Lady Arnold said waving them away.

“ I was just about to ask where they have been the whole afternoon” Anna said.

“ Their carriage did not arrive early, so I retired them with their governess in the nursery in other to be well rested for the evening” Daphne replied.

“ Miss Ann, Can you please help us watch the children for the evening? That is, if you are not occupied with something else, I am quite positive their governess must be very exhausted from the journey” Daphne asked turning to Ann.

“ I am sure I can survive not seeing you for the evening” lady Arnold said once Ann turned to her for permission.

“ I find it delightful to enjoy the company of children, and I will be happy to help” Ann said with a smile.

“ Thank you my friend” Daphne replied smiling back.

“ My pleasure” Ann said with a slight bow.

“ I believe we should be on our way now” Lord Mayfair said.

“ I can not wait to see their lovely faces” Ara grinned.

“ They have missed your presence quite a lot” Daphne said.

“Roberta has not stop asking about the lovely Lady who gifted her a pony for her last birthday” Daphne said.

“ I told you she would love it” Ara grinned poking her twin's arm.

“ And how did George find his doll” Ara asked.

“ You got a doll for a five-year-old boy?” Anna laughed.

“ I assumed he would like it since his sister did” Ara said.

“ Then I suggest you require scrupulous supervision whenever you buy gifts” Anna said as they climbed the stairs.

“ And what did you present him?” Ara asked.

“ I got him an eye patch” Anna grinned.

“ He only takes it off when he is in the bath” Daphne drawled.

“ He is convinced that he is a sailor, I guess he got his fair share of stubbornness from Anna here” Daphne added laughing.

“ I believe I am everything but stubborn” Anna said in her defense.

“ Tell that to the whole of London” Daphne laughed.

Ann as usual silently watched them argue and laugh about something or another. Everyone looked happy, well who would not to be contented, they had one another to lean on even when everything was not perfect. Ann turned to Lord Mayfair who was laughing about something his wife had said, he stood tall slightly above Richard's height, except Richard was broader than he was. He was quite handsome, and she was positive the ladies must have swarmed around him just like they did with Richard. But even a blind person could have seen how much he loved his wife, and he was never embarrassed to display his affection in the presence of thousands of crowd. Ann thought he was like a living proof that reformed rakes makes the perfect husbands.

Ann wondered if there was a lady out there that could successfully reform terrible rake like Richard. Such woman must possess quite a character she taught.