The Christmas Foundling: A Christmas Regency Romance (Belles of Christmas: Frost Fair Book 5)
Page 19
Epilogue
December 18, 1815
The carriage clattered and jostled over the cobblestones, finally rolling to a stop after passing through the wrought-iron gates.
Thomas slapped a hand against the coach window, and Lydia took in a deep breath.
“Are you ready?” Miles asked, peering over her shoulder at the prospect of the Foundling Hospital. There was no snow on the ground this year—December had been mild. They would make their way to Staffordshire tomorrow, where Lydia’s own family would join them for Christmastide.
Lydia looked at Miles with a smile and nodded, though butterflies flapped within her stomach in mixed anticipation and nervousness. “I am.”
He helped her down from the carriage then turned for Thomas, who was ready to attempt the descent himself. He was determined to demonstrate his skills as a walker—and an aspiring runner—whenever the opportunity presented itself.
“No, no, Tommy,” Miles said, helping him down. “We will practice that another day. We mustn’t keep them waiting.”
Two wagons waited behind their coach, and servants emerged, ready to be instructed.
“Wait here,” Miles instructed them. “We will be out shortly.”
The three of them headed toward the main building just as a queue of children filed out of the edifice to their right. Lydia slowed her pace, and Miles followed suit. Together, they watched the children cross the courtyard to the building opposite, many of them sending curious glances toward the three of them.
Lydia sighed, and Miles looked at her with an understanding grimace, while Thomas watched the children, entranced into stillness for a brief moment.
“I wish we could help them all,” Lydia said, looking at each face.
“I know, my love. And we are. Not as much as either of us might wish, perhaps, but still. They will have a happier Christmas for our gifts.”
He was right, of course. The gesture might be small, but it would mean something. “I wish we could deliver them ourselves like we did last year,” Lydia said as they continued to the doors, “but I suppose the important thing is that they receive the gifts.”
Once inside, they were greeted by Mr. Moss, who smiled at them genially.
“Lord and Lady Lynham,” he said. “We are honored to welcome you here again.”
Miles inclined his head with respect as Thomas wriggled in his arms. Miles set him down, and a large grin spread across the toddler’s face at the freedom presented. Lydia couldn’t help but think how grateful she was that this would be his experience of the hospital—visiting with his mother and father. Just a month ago, the Court of Chancery had granted Miles legal guardianship over Thomas. Things might have been quite different for him.
“There are two wagons in the courtyard,” Miles said to Mr. Moss. “The servants are waiting to be instructed where to deposit the gifts they contain.”
Mr. Moss instructed one of his men to go attend to it, and they were left alone with him again.
Thomas hung on Lydia’s skirts, and she gave Miles a light nudge with her elbow.
He cleared his throat. “As for the other matter, I trust all is in order.”
Mr. Moss nodded. “Indeed. I will warn you that he can be a bit difficult. He has never been one for many words and will need time to accustom himself—a significant amount of time, perhaps.”
Lydia nodded hurriedly. “Of course. We quite understand.”
Mr. Moss hesitated a moment then turned, disappearing through a door behind him.
Lydia grabbed Miles’s hand and squeezed it, and he returned the pressure.
The door opened again, and Lydia straightened. Mr. Moss emerged and, behind him, a boy. He was much taller than Lydia had remembered. He was ten years old now, as far as the hospital had been able to estimate. His dark hair looked to have been recently cut, so blunt were the ends, sitting across his forehead. He put a hand to the hair, pressing it down in a self-conscious gesture that wrung Lydia’s heart. She knew what she would see on that hand—scars from lashings, hopefully faded by now.
“Good day, Matthew,” Lydia said, and her voice trembled, part emotion, part nerves.
He said nothing, holding his hands behind his back and looking down.
“Come, Matthew,” Mr. Moss said. “Lady Lynham is speaking to you. It is uncivil not to respond.”
“Good day, ma’am,” said the boy in a reluctant, dark tone, while his eyes looked anywhere but her face.
She and Miles shared a look. This would be difficult. They had known that. But, when they had decided to take in another child, Lydia had immediately known that it was Matthew she wished to welcome into their home.
“Thank you, Matthew. There is no need to speak if you don’t wish to, though. I understand this must all be very strange to you.”
He said nothing, and, with a tight-lipped grimace, Mr. Moss took Miles with him to sign a few papers, leaving Lydia, Thomas, and Matthew alone.
Thomas toddled over to Matthew, who watched him with wariness. He had likely never been around a baby before. There would be many new things for him to get used to.
Thomas tugged on Matthew’s finger, and Lydia came over, pulling Thomas away. “He likes you. He wants to play with you, I think. It is one of his favorite games, see?” She put out her palm, and Thomas smacked it with his own hand.
The corner of Matthew’s mouth pulled up, but he quickly controlled it.
The momentary flicker gave Lydia hope, though. Perhaps Thomas would do for Matthew what he had done for Miles and Lydia—generating interaction and joy where it had long been absent.
Miles emerged shortly and came to Matthew’s side. “Are you ready, Matthew? Our carriage is just outside, waiting for us.”
Matthew’s eyes showed the first signs of fear, and he looked to Mr. Moss, who nodded.
“They will take good care of you, Matthew,” said Mr. Moss.
Matthew gave a slight nod, and they bid farewell to Mr. Moss.
They let Matthew climb into the carriage first, and he scooted as far into the corner as he possibly could. Miles took the seat beside him, giving him his space. Lydia wished she could wrap her arms around the boy and reassure him that all would be well.
All in good time.
“We are very happy to have you joining our family, Matthew,” Miles said as he knocked his hand to signal the coach driver.
“We truly are.” Lydia pulled Thomas back down onto the seat as he tried to stand up. “I hope that you will be happy with us, too. In time.”
Matthew remained silent, and Miles smiled at Lydia across the coach. This would be a new adventure together, and she was grateful she would have Miles beside her for it.
THE END
Also in this Series
Belles of Christmas: Frost Fair
Her Silent Knight by Ashtyn Newbold
All is Mary and Bright by Kasey Stockton
Thawing the Viscount's Heart by Mindy Burbidge Strunk
On the Second Day of Christmas by Deborah M. Hathaway
The Christmas Foundling by Martha Keyes
Belles of Christmas: Masquerade
Unmasking Lady Caroline by Mindy Burbidge Strunk
Goodwill for the Gentleman by Martha Keyes
The Earl’s Mistletoe Match by Ashtyn Newbold
Nine Ladies Dancing by Deborah M. Hathaway
A Duke for Lady Eve by Kasey Stockton
Afterword
Thank you so much for reading The Christmas Foundling. I hope you’ve already had the opportunity to read and enjoy the other books in the series.
I have done my best to be true to the time period and particulars of the day, so I apologize if I got anything wrong. I continue learning and researching while trying to craft stories that will be enjoyable to readers like you.
If you enjoyed the book, please leave a review and tell your friends. Authors like me rely on readers like you to spread the word about books you’ve enjoyed.
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Other titles by Martha Keyes
If you enjoyed this book, make sure to check out my other books:
Families of Dorset Series
Wyndcross: A Regency Romance (Book One)
Isabel: A Regency Romance (Book Two)
Cecilia: A Regency Romance (Book Three)
Hazelhurst: A Regency Romance (Book Four)
Phoebe: A Regency Romance (Series Novelette)
Regency Shakespeare Series
A Foolish Heart (Book One)
My Wild Heart (Book Two)
True of Heart (Book Three)
Other Titles
Of Lands High and Low
The Christmas Foundling (Belles of Christmas: Frost Fair Book Five)
Goodwill for the Gentleman (Belles of Christmas Book Two)
Eleanor: A Regency Romance
The Road through Rushbury (Seasons of Change Book One)
Join my Newsletter to keep in touch and learn more about the Regency era! I try to keep it fun and interesting.
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Acknowledgments
I have my own life experience to thank for this work, first and foremost. It has shaped me in ways I perhaps never wanted but certainly needed. I acknowledge God’s hand in that and in turning pain into joy as only He can.
My husband has lived through it all with me, and he continues to support me in the most winning ways as I’ve gotten this story down.
Thank you to Micah, Jonah, and Zachariah for teaching me so many of the lessons in this book. You are everything to me.
Special thanks to my fellow authors in the series: Ashtyn, Kasey, Mindy, and Deborah. You are the dream team to work with. Thank you to my critique group partners for helping me iron out kinks and issues in the early stages.
Thank you to my editor, Jenny Proctor, for her wonderful feedback—I’m so glad I have you!
Thank you to my beta readers and Review Team for your help and support in an often nerve-wracking business.
And as always, thank you to all my fellow Regency authors and to the wonderful communities of The Writing Gals and LDS Beta Readers. I would be lost without all of your help and trailblazing!
About the Author
Martha Keyes was born, raised, and educated in Utah—a home she loves dearly but also dearly loves to escape whenever she can travel the world. She received a BA in French Studies and a Master of Public Health, both from Brigham Young University.
Word crafting has always fascinated and motivated her, but it wasn’t until a few years ago that she considered writing her own stories. When she isn’t writing, she is honing her photography skills, looking for travel deals, and spending time with her husband and children. She lives with her husband and twin boys in Vineyard, Utah.