Willingden,
May 1824
Charlotte could not contain her happiness at finally meeting the newest of her nieces and nephews. Her younger sister Julia had delivered her daughter, Jane, into their world not two days ago and already the dear thing had her parents quite enthralled by her. And this joyous occasion had been made even more so by the announcement that she would soon have not one but two more nieces or nephews to smother with cuddles and kisses.
And she intended to smother her new niece very much indeed. For she would be returned once again to London in a mere three weeks where she would be staying with Lady Susan as she prepared to enter her confinement at the end of the summer. Charlotte had been made aware of the approaching addition to Lady Susan's family at their last meeting before Charlotte had returned to her lovely Surrey. Lady Susan had requested her company over the later months of her pregnancy when ready entertainment would not be so easily had.
Charlotte had, of course, been delighted to accept. She was certain she would enjoy her time with Lady Susan even in the absence of the affairs they had delighted in previously. A shrill cry shook Charlotte from her thoughts as she looked down to smile at the squirming babe in her arms. And, looking into the depths of those dark eyes so frequently seen in infants, she realised that her sister had been right.
So distracted had she been lately that barely a thought had been spared for Sidney Parker. Her soul did indeed feel lighter. There were, she pondered, a great many things in her life to be thankful for and to take joy in, not the least of which were her delightful nieces and nephews, who were even now trampling mud tracks through her sister's pristinely kept parlour.
