Twice Upon A Time (Unfinished Fairy Tales #2)(48)

I squeal and coo over the tiny babies, marveling at how perfect they look and how minuscule their hands and feet are. “Oh dear, I can’t tell them apart.”

“The one on the left is Sebastian Jonathan Montgomery, after his grandfather and father.” Elle offers. “And the right one is Katriona Olivia Montgomery. After you and her grandmother.”

Seeing my look of surprise, Poppy adds, “It was my idea. Without you, Kat, we couldn’t have gotten married.”

“Oh.” A voice whispers that this isn’t my real name, but it isn’t the time to protest. “I’m honored. It’s the first time that I’ve had a baby named after me.”

“We are the ones who are honored,” Sir Montgomery says. He coughs when I glance in his direction, seeming embarrassed. I recall his look of disbelief when Bertram announced I was Edward’s future bride in Ruby Red.

“It’s mostly Bertram’s doings,” I say. “Actually, Edward should take the credit, because he sent Bertram to accompany us.”

Poppy glances at Edward, and her smile widens.

“Thank you, Your Highness.” A playful look appears on her face. “When is your turn, Kat?”

I feel my lip twitch, but all I do is shrug and smile. “Someday.”

One of the babies—Sebastian or Olivia—sneezes, and Poppy instinctively adjusts the flannel towel, covering the baby’s tiny head like a hood.

“You are going to be a very busy mother.”

She smiles. “They are going to be worth it, I know.”

Mr. Davenport places a hand on her forearm. “If you cannot handle the babies, I will hire additional help. I want my children to grow up healthy and happy.”

“That’s why we came to the capital,” a man says. Judging from the resemblance, he must be Mr. Davenport’s father. “If you have any trouble, all you need to do is to send us word. We should know, after raising eight children.”

“We’ll come over every day,” Sir Montgomery says briskly, as if it’s some kind of competition. “We’ll see that our grandchildren will not want for anything.”

At that moment, Sebastian starts making a queer noise and stretches his tiny legs into the air.

“He’s hungry,” a dumpy woman says. Judging from her plain clothes and rough accent, she is probably the midwife. “Best that the mother starts breastfeeding. It’s a good thing to give the babies something to warm up their tummies.”

That’s the cue for us to leave. Before I go, I clasp Poppy’s hand. “I’ll come by some other time. I need to get acquainted with my godchildren.”

Poppy brightens and squeezes my fingers. “Promise me it’ll be soon, Kat.”

We smile at each other. It’s then that I realize how I miss having a female friend in Athelia. Amelie and Mabel are my age, and we often laugh and joke with each other, but there’s still a subtle difference when they are paid to serve me. Edward is the closest thing to a best friend, but his affection is too mixed up with sexual desire. As much as I enjoy his companionship, I do need other friends like Poppy and Elle.

We chat for a while until the housekeeper comes and asks if we’d like to partake of some tea and refreshments. Sir Montgomery is quick to accept, for he only arrived this morning. Seeing that both Poppy and Mr. Davenport are looking exhausted as well, we wish them good luck and head out of the room.

As the housekeeper offers us tea, I notice Elle sitting in a corner, looking a bit lonely. No wonder—this room is filled with couples—me and Edward, Sir Montgomery and his wife, and Mr. Davenport’s parents. When Sir Montgomery approaches us, I whisper to Edward that I need to talk to Elle, and let go of his hand.

“Elle.” I hurry over to her. “I haven’t seen you for a while. How are you doing?”

“Very well, Kat. Life is busy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Aren’t those babies adorable? I look forward to seeing your own.” She attempts a mischievous smile, but there is a sadness in her eyes.

“And how is your family doing?”

Mrs. Thatcher is well and even joined a crochet society. Billy is going to school. After all, Elle can afford his education now. She sent him to one of the best elementary schools in the capital, though he still goes to Mr. Wellesley’s on the weekends.

“Billy is doing better than we expected. Maybe it’s Mr. Wellesley’s influence,” Elle says, smiling at the mention of her little brother. “He’s fascinated with insects and bugs and small animals, in particular. Mamsie is forever telling him to stop bringing pet mice and lizards into the house, especially after that day . . .” She looks down, seeming to be embarrassed.

“That day?” I say, sensing there’s something more to her words.

Elle sips some tea before speaking. “Oh, it shouldn’t have happened, but I suppose even if it didn’t, her ladyship would still disapprove of me.”

My mind goes blank for a moment, then I realize who she must be talking about. “Henry’s mother?”

She nods. “When Henry broached the possibility of us marrying, her ladyship paid us a visit. I wasn’t at home. Mamsie made sure to clean the flat, but she missed Billy’s pet frog that was hiding under a chair.”

Oh, dear. I have a suspicion what the disaster is.