‘Well then, let’s do it,’ she said, squeezing his arm with the one she wasn’t using to hold Simon. ‘The house is just the right size for us.’
Riley nodded his agreement. Several large reception rooms and six commodious bedrooms, as well as servants’ quarters in the attics, was more than enough space for his growing family. It left room for the occasional guest, but not so much space that Riley’s mother would feel inclined to inflict herself upon them for too long. Such a relatively small establishment would definitely be beneath her dignity.
‘We will keep our saddle horses down here,’ he said, his own enthusiasm growing as he anticipated taking long rambles on horseback across the local countryside with Amelia at his side. ‘We seldom ride in London. And we will be able to have ponies for the children in due course.’
Amelia nodded eagerly. ‘But your work. I worry that you will spend all your time on a train.’
Riley laughed. ‘A small price to pay for all this freedom. Besides, I shall keep my town house in Sloane Street. That will more than suit our needs if you are not intending to spend much time in London.’
‘I don’t imagine ever wanting to leave this haven of tranquillity.’
‘In that case, with your approval, I will put the Eaton Square house on the market.’
‘Please do. But what of the servants?’
‘Most of them will come to Bromley with us. Those who would prefer not to can form a skeleton staff in Sloane Street.’
‘I can see that you have it all worked out, and that I have nothing to think about at all.’
‘Certainly I have. And as to my work, if I get embroiled in a difficult case, I can stay in town if needs be. As it is, Charing Cross is less than ten miles away by train and Stout can drive me to the station. Don’t worry about me, my love. I shall enjoy having the best of both worlds.’
Amelia’s captivating smile was all the reward that Riley required. Amelia and Simon had made his life complete. With another child to look forward to, he was without doubt the luckiest man alive. He kissed his wife, ruffled his son’s downy hair and made his way into the house to track down the agent, Bruno at his heels. Matters were quickly settled between them and the delighted agent assured Riley that he could have the contract ready for his signature and sent to his legal people early the following week.
With nothing else left to resolve, Amelia and Riley returned to their waiting carriage. They had been driven down by Riley’s long-standing manservant, Stout.
‘Well, Stout, I hope you like Ashdown because Lady Riley and I have just agreed to purchase the estate.’
‘Very suitable for a growing family, my lord,’ Stout replied as he helped Amelia into the carriage. The ordinarily dour man grinned broadly when Simon gurgled at him.
Riley and Bruno climbed into the carriage in Amelia’s wake, and Bruno proceeded to take up most of the floor space with his rangy body.
‘I am so glad that Stout approves,’ Amelia said, smiling. ‘Otherwise you might have been obliged to look elsewhere for the sake of a quiet life.’
Riley smiled. ‘Stout is in danger of becoming sociable, at least insofar as you and Simon are concerned. You both make him smile, which is a feat I have seldom managed to achieve in all the years he has been in my service.’
Amelia laughed. ‘He is devoted to you and well you know it.’ She glanced out the window at the passing scenery, taking an avid interest in surroundings that would soon become familiar to her. ‘When do you intend to tell your mother about our plans? I know you didn’t want her to know before we decided upon a place in case she tried to influence our decision. But now that it’s settled I dare say Sophia will want to help with the furnishings and decoration, so word will get back to Dorothea. It would be unkind if she didn’t hear it from you.’
‘You cannot expect to be spared from Sophia’s company now that she spends the majority of her time in London,’ Riley replied, smiling with affection at the thought of how much his exuberant niece would enjoy the new house.
‘I am happy spending time with her.’
‘When it comes to choosing furniture her taste will be modern—but be warned, my mother is a traditionalist. Anyway, we will tell Mother about the house and the new baby at the same time. With great good fortune, the latter will prevent her from interfering too much with the former.’
Amelia cradled Simon in the crook of her left arm. The movement of the carriage had lulled him to sleep. ‘He is so much more adorable when he’s asleep,’ she said, making them both smile. ‘Anyway, Riley, I am so very happy, and I know that I shall enjoy making a home for us in Bromley.’
‘Did you know that it was first recorded in a charter way back in 862 as Bromleag?’
Amelia blinked at him. ‘Bromleag?’
‘It means a woodland clearing where broom grows.’
‘How on earth do you know all these obscure things, Riley? Really, you make me feel quite dense at times.’
He chuckled. ‘Much as I would like to bask in your admiration, I must admit to having looked up the history of the place when we thought to settle here.’
‘Of course you did,’ she replied, rolling her eyes. ‘Always the detective…’.
They arrived back at Eaton Square and Amelia passed Simon to his nursemaid before herself going to change. Riley enjoyed a rare evening dining at home with his wife, free for once of other social engagements and the demands of his occupation as a
