twins, didn’t you? How did you do that?’
‘I get pictures inside my head sometimes.’ She lowered her voice. ‘But don’t talk about it because it upsets Grandpa.’
John crouched down so that he was level with her eyes. ‘Does it? Then we won’t mention it in his presence.’ He stood up again.
‘What are their names, Papa?’
‘Did I forget to write that?’
‘You most certainly did, my boy.’ This from Sir Gabriel. ‘What are you calling them?’
‘Jasper and James. They are truly identical, Sir. I think you will really love them.’
‘I wish I could see them.’
And there was a wistful sound in the old man’s voice. John stared at him and saw that the years were beginning to sit heavily on Sir Gabriel’s shoulders.
‘Come with me, both of you,’ he said impulsively. ‘I shall be returning to Devon in the next few days. Please regard this as a holiday and keep me company, do.’
‘But the Marchesa,’ said his father, ‘we cannot intrude on her hospitality.’
‘She invited you both,’ lied John. ‘And if she should find it too much to cope with there are plenty of places in Exeter where you might stay. Please come with me, Pa. I really want you to see my sons.’
‘Yes, Grandpapa,’ echoed Rose. ‘You know you will enjoy it.’
Sir Gabriel folded the magazine and laid it on the table, putting his spectacles beside them. Then he sat in silence before announcing, ‘By Jove, I will come with you. As I remember it the Lady Elizabeth plays a damned good hand at whist. I shall enjoy seeing her once more. When do we leave?’
John went up and hugged him, then planted a kiss on his cheek. ‘Father, you have made me totally happy. The journey would not have been complete without you.’
‘And me,’ said Rose quietly.
‘And you, darling girl,’ said John, lifting her up to his shoulder height.
And let it just be hoped and prayed for that Elizabeth will be in agreement, he thought to himself.
Three days later they left London. Irish Tom, pleased as punch to be driving to Devon once more, took the coach and the pair of horses out along the route used by the stages and some of the flying chaises. John had considered that the other means of transport would prove too much for the two vastly differing ages that were to accompany him. So the journey took somewhat longer than usual as Tom kept his team throughout, resting them overnight. Sir Gabriel, with great spirit, enjoyed the journey almost as much as Rose, peering out of the window and exclaiming at the various objects of interest they passed. The fourth member of the party, a nursery maid belonging to Rose, sat beside Irish Tom, much to the enjoyment of both of them.
Deciding that tact was by far the best option, the Apothecary left his father and daughter settled comfortably in an inn in Exeter and took the high road to Elizabeth’s house while daylight still held. Once arrived, he sent Irish Tom to the kitchens and announced himself at the front door. A footman answered.
‘Come in, Mr Rawlings, Sir. The Lady Elizabeth is dining at the moment with the Lady Felicity Sidmouth and the Honourable Miranda Tremayne. Should I announce you?’
‘Yes, if you would.’
The footman knocked on the dining room door and another footman answered. There was a deal of whispering and then the Apothecary was announced in ringing tones. Elizabeth swept to her feet in a rustle of taffeta.
‘My dear, I had not expected you back quite so soon. But I am delighted to see you. Have you dined?’ John shook his head. ‘Then pray join us. You know the other two, of course.’
He bowed to each female present very courteously, his most graceful bow of all being saved for the Honourable Miranda who regarded him with a glittering cat’s eye.
‘And how was London, Mr Rawlings?’ she said, raising her hand to her chin in a delicate gesture.
‘The same,’ he replied cheerfully. ‘Still full of whores, beggars and thieves. Not very different from anywhere else actually.’
‘Oh fie,’ Miranda answered, ‘surely that could not be said of Exeter?’
‘I think it could be said of any metropolis in the world,’ John answered, taking his seat on the Marchesa’s right.
‘You have travelled widely?’ asked Miranda, knowing full well that he had never left the country.
‘Unfortunately my Grand Tour was disturbed by the war but I have met many people who have had experience of living abroad. One in particular was Sir Francis Dashwood. You have heard of him perhaps?’
‘No,’ said Miranda, lying.
‘Well, I have,’ put in Felicity. ‘He’s a notorious rake and ne’er-do-well, I believe.’
‘Remember you are speaking of a peer of the realm,’ Miranda rejoined sharply.
‘I am only telling the truth.’
‘Oh pooh,’ said Miranda.
The two girls were glaring at one another, and to break the awkward silence that fell Elizabeth said, ‘The twins are very well, John.’
He was profuse in his apologies. ‘I am so sorry I didn’t ask. But I thought somehow they would be. With a mother like you how could they be anything else?’
‘How sweetly put,’ said Miranda, dripping honey. ‘Montague and I hope to have several children.’
‘You’ll be lucky,’ Felicity answered spitefully.
‘That’s all you know.’
‘Ladies, please,’ said Elizabeth. ‘I do not think the dinner table a suitable place for such a conversation. Let us reserve it for when we are in private.’
Miranda shot a look in John’s direction and said, ‘Of course. How remiss of me. Gentlemen present and all that.’
‘Yes,’ John answered. ‘I am very much present and intend to remain so for some while. When are you getting married, Miss Tremayne?’
‘In six weeks’ time. The invitations are about to be sent out.’
‘I shall look forward to receiving mine.’ This from Elizabeth.
‘Before then we are giving a betrothal party. Everyone will be there. You must come, Marchesa. And you too, Mr Rawlings.’
For the first time since the Apothecary had arrived, Miranda said something without a sarcastic undertone. Indeed she momentarily looked like an excited child as she glanced from one to the other, her eyes on fire with excitement.
‘I must go to the manteau makers in Exeter,’ Elizabeth said promptly. ‘I have nothing to wear at all.’
John glanced at her, noting her figure, which was rapidly restoring itself to its pre-pregnancy suppleness. ‘Well I have brought a great trunk packed with clothes for both day and night,’ he said. ‘I am sure something will be suitable.’
Elizabeth looked at him, smiling. ‘So you’ve come in your own coach? In other words, Rose has accompanied you.’
‘Yes,’ he said, ‘and also Sir Gabriel Kent, who is very old now and was so anxious to know the twins.’
‘How lovely,’ she answered. ‘It will be a pleasure to see him again.’ She smiled round at the others. ‘You really must meet Rose, John’s little girl. She is quite adorable.’
‘Just like her father,’ said Miranda, and once more her eyes were full of sarcasm.
After the two visitors had left, John and Elizabeth withdrew to the Blue Drawing Room for a few moments, then crept up to the nursery. The Apothecary felt as if his heart would shatter as he looked at the two small faces, fast asleep, so innocent, yet to learn the wicked ways of the weary world. ‘Oh, how I am going to miss them as they grow older,’ he said with a deep sigh. ‘Elizabeth, could you not change your mind about coming to live in London?’
She laughed humourlessly. ‘And give up this house and this glorious countryside? Never. But surely it would be easier for you to move to Devon?’
‘In a way it would. But my life is in London. My shop is there and now my new business is taking off I would be loath to leave.’
