One year later
The church of All Souls was full. Fleur and Gerald had already moved to the font with their baby girl, waiting for Edwin to begin the baptism. Molly felt her happiness growing as she gazed around her at all the familiar faces.
Agnes was sitting closer to the pulpit, as befitted the vicar’s wife, and Molly was relieved to see that she was glowing with health as she approached the final stages of her pregnancy. Then there were her friends from Prospect House, filling their allotted pews, and in front of them were the servants from Newlands. Molly had watched in delight as Daisy Matthews, in her role as housekeeper, had proudly led them in, including her son, Billy, almost swaggering in his new livery as Sir Gerald’s tiger.
Beside her, Russ lowered his head to murmur in her ear, ‘Lady Kilburn is looking radiant today.’
Molly’s gaze moved back to Fleur.
‘Of course,’ she whispered. ‘She is very happy in her marriage.’
‘And you, Molly—’ his deep velvet voice sent the familiar ripple of pleasure through her ‘—are you happy?’
She glanced down at the sleeping baby in her arms. Their son, about to be christened as Charles Edwin Gerald Russington.
‘Oh, yes. I could not be happier.’
She gazed up at him, her eyes shining with love, and Russ’s heart swelled. He was overwhelmed with the pride and joy he felt for his family. He had never dreamt he would settle for life in a small town so far from London, but he was no longer a lost soul. Everything he wanted, everything he needed was here in Compton Parva.
He had come home.
Putting one arm protectively about Molly, he smiled down at her.
‘Come along, then, my darling wife. Let us join Fleur and Gerald at the font and allow your brother to do his duty.’
* * * * *
If you enjoyed this story you won’t want to miss these other great reads by Sarah Mallory:
PURSUED FOR THE VISCOUNT’S VENGEANCE
And why not explore Sarah Mallory’s
THE INFAMOUS ARRANDALES quartet?
Starting with
THE CHAPERON’S SEDUCTION
Keep reading for an excerpt from LORD RAVENSCAR’S INCONVENIENT BETROTHAL by Lara Temple.
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