The Countess' Lucky Charm (36 page)

“Let us cross that bridge when we come to it, shall we?” Temple smiled. “Why are you so sure it’s a sister? What about a brother for Bella?”

“This one kicks just as much as Isabella. Therefore, it must be another girl.” She gave him a triumphant look at her reasoning.

“Papa, come with me,” Isabella pleaded. “There’s a pony.” The little one darted away again toward a plump black pony being lead toward the orphanage by one of the Leavenby Manor stable lads.

“Yes, Bella, Papa’s coming. And you,” he said, tweaking Simone on her nose, “must rest.”

“My, you are impossible. I will rest but not until I speak with Mrs Dougherty about the new schoolmaster for the children.”

“Darling, I see her coming now.”

“Go.” She gave him a little push. “Or you shall lose Isabella somewhere in the milling crowd.” It was true, shouting, clamouring children now surrounded the patient pony.

“Lady
Leavenby
,” Mrs Dougherty said, dipping her head.

“Please, call me Simone. Lady Leavenby makes me sound like Temple’s mother.”

“Nay, it isn’t proper. Ye be the Earl’s lady and that is just how it is. Speaking of your mother-in-law, how is she?”

Simone sighed. “I don’t suppose we shall ever be fast friends. But at least now and again she comes to visit. More so for Isabella than Temple or me, I am sad to say, however, it’s a beginning. Enough about me. What about you?” She leaned over and squeezed Mrs Dougherty’s hand. “Is being the matron of the Leavenby Home for Unfortunate Children all you had hoped?”

“Oh, aye,” beamed the other woman. “All that and then some. The children are content and so excited about the new schoolroom. As for me—” She tipped her head back to look at the blue sky. “I’m back where I’m the happiest, away from the smut and smudge of London city.”

“You have a home here as long as you wish.”

“I second that,” Temple chimed in as he strode up, a red-cheeked Isabella sitting on his shoulders. “The children love you.”

“Oh. I love them too. It is so different here than the Bishopsgate workhouse. Here the children are valued.”

“Thanks to your excellent care,” said Temple. “If I may claim my wife? Lady Joanna arrives this evening and Simone needs her rest. ”

“Of course, my lord, if you would excuse me.” A visibly pleased Mrs Dougherty plodded off in the general direction of the mayhem surrounding the pony.

“You do so enjoy ordering me about, don’t you?” Simone pretended to pout.

“Indeed I do and that shall never change so you had better become accustomed to it.”

“I suppose I shall. One day.”

“Who would think Lord Scoundrel would leave behind his wild ways and become a gentleman farmer and proprietor of an orphanage,” Temple mused as they began the trek back to Leavenby Manor.

“And who would think Mona Dougherty would leave behind her thieving ways and become a proper lady?” Simone teased.

“Well, thanks to those thieving ways, you have plucked the one prize I never thought to lose.”

“That is…?” Her question drifted on the breeze, mingling with the nonsensical burbling of Isabella.

“My heart. You have stolen my heart.”

“For now and forevermore, I hope.”

“Aye.” He clasped her hand, raising it to drop a kiss on her fingers. “For now and forevermore.”

The End

Author’s Note:

New Caledonia
is now known as Washington State and British Columbia. Stuart Lake Outpost, the administrative centre of New Caledonia for the North West Company, is modern day Fort St. James in the province of British Columbia. In 1820, the North West Company merged with its chief rival, the Hudson’s Bay Company, which is still in existence today.

Daniel, Lisette and Polly Harmon, Baptiste Boucher and Chief Kwah were all real people. Many of the details about daily life in Stuart Lake Outpost I learned from Daniel Harmon’s journal.

For the sake of the story, I’ve glossed over some facts. The first white woman did not live in Stuart Lake Outpost until the late 1800s. Also, the journey from Montreal to Stuart Lake Outpost took nine months and I didn’t wish to impose a trip of that length on Simone and Temple!

From vikings to viscounts, join the adventure, live the romance.

Living by the motto "You don't know unless you try", A.M.Westerling started writing historical romance because she couldn't find the kinds of stories she enjoyed. After all, she thought, who doesn’t enjoy a tasty helping of dashing heroes and spunky heroines, seasoned with a liberal sprinkle of passion and adventure?

Westerling
, a former engineer, is a member of the Romance Writers of America and active in her local Chapter. As well as writing, she enjoys cooking, gardening, camping, yoga, and watching pro sports.

Visit her at:

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