“If I did, I’d share the money back with you,” she said brightly.
Yes, she would. She was the sort of wife one should be grateful for, and he was going to be more grateful from this moment on. No more speculating about might-have-beens with Ophelia. From now on, he resolved to leave that madness behind.
Chapter Thirteen
Princess Felicity
Prince Carlo and Princess Felicity, Royal Highnesses of the Duchy of Tuscany, arrived on a breezy, sunny day, sailing up the Thames to the center of London on a beautifully festooned state ship. Jane stood at the landing with Edward and his family at the appointed hour to see them arrive, along with many other friends and well-wishers. The duchess seemed nearly beside herself, she was so excited to see her oldest daughter and her beloved grandchildren.
When the travelers appeared, waving and hurrying down the gangplank, the crowd burst into excited applause. Felicity was a Townsend through and through, with long, dark, wavy hair and gorgeous features. Her husband was shorter and less imposing than Jane had imagined a prince might be. He seemed very kind in temperament as he guided his wife and children, making sure they didn’t trip. They didn’t wear crowns or display any outward signs of royalty, but they held themselves in that manner, at least until they reached the land and Felicity threw herself into her parents’ arms with joy. It was a lovely welcome, full of laughter, exclamations, and some tears.
So important were Jane’s new sister-in-law and Prince Carlo that His Majesty the King sent a retinue to the dock to welcome them as well. The Italian royal couple were invited to the Palace for a reception with King George that very afternoon, and while Townsend’s parents, the Duke and Duchess of Lockridge, were included on the guest list, she and Edward were not. Which was just as well, for Jane was sure to embarrass herself and everyone around her in a royal audience. Instead, they were asked to look after the couple’s three children, Flavio, Graziella, and Sofia, who were too wound up to endure a royal gathering after the excitement of their arrival.
“This is your chance to become their favorite aunt,” Edward teased, though so many family and friends traveled with them to the Lockridge mansion, she couldn’t believe the children would remember her at all. There was also the language barrier, somewhat mitigated by bilingual Italian nannies, bodyguards, and servants. The older two children had very good English and a memory of their relatives from earlier visits, so “Zio Edoardo” was already ahead of her in their affection.
But they would be in England for nearly a month, so there was time to build a relationship. Young Prince Flavio told her very politely he was happy for their recent marriage. With his dark, handsome features and formal manner, he was sure to be an object of much admiration when he came of age to marry. Princess Graziella was amiable and mischievous in nature, and the baby Princess Sofia too adorable for words.
Lady Wescott asked to hold the baby and took over her care, while people smiled and murmured that she must practice. Wescott’s sister Elizabeth whispered to Jane that Lady Wescott was early with child. It explained the beatific way she cradled the child. Jane noticed her husband stealing glances at them and wondered if he was thinking of fatherhood. Goodness, would she fall pregnant soon? Would motherhood come as naturally to her as it came to the women around her, who corralled nieces and nephews and cousins with laughter and affection?
The happy gathering continued even after the royal children were put to bed alongside their sleepy cousins. When Carlo and Felicity returned from their audience, they shared news of the palace and the king, praising his spirits and good health.
As the night wore on, Jane began to put together the names and faces around the room. There were the Lockridges, with Townsend and Felicity and their other five siblings; the Arlingtons, who claimed Lord Wescott, his younger sister Elizabeth, and their four siblings. There were also the Marquess and Marchioness of Barrymore, Lord Augustine’s parents; and the Earl and Countess of Warren, Lord Marlow’s parents, along with more handfuls of siblings, all of whom had grown up together through the years.
What a jolly crowd they made now that they’d all come together to celebrate Felicity’s anniversary visit, with a ball still to come. Jane had lost track of her husband entirely when Felicity approached her sometime after midnight.
“Dear sister-in-law,” she said, holding out her hands. “How pleased I am to finally meet you in person. Mother has written and told me what a lovely woman you are, and how happy you’ve made Edward. I’m sure he would have written too if brothers were good at that sort of thing.”