The room had become a sanctuary for the family. Lady Sarah, also retired here most evenings as the house was in an uproar with the forthcoming Christmas House party they were hosting.
Molly sat before the fire on the floor, going over all the acceptances they had received. So many people seemed only too pleased to believe the new Duke of St. Albans of his innocence in his brother’s dealing with Miss Cox. With the help of the Duke of Whitstone, other friends, and that of her aunt who had made an appearance at a London ball, had gifted Hugh his absolution of doing anything wrong. Had placed the blame solely on who it was who had done the unforgivable damage, Henry, his brother.
"There are so many people coming. You have twenty acceptances here alone. Are there many more who will be in attendance?" Sarah asked, sitting on the settee and staring down at the letters scattered about the floor.
"No, this is all of them now. I did not think that so many people would agree to attend. It is winter, after all. Terribly cold time to travel." Molly chuckled, marking off the names on her list. "I suppose it is only fortunate that your home is so very large. We shall at least be able to give everyone a room to themselves."
"Our home," Hugh said, meeting her gaze, his eyes heavy with sleep.
She sighed, adoring him more and more with every passing day they were here. "Our home," she corrected herself. She turned back to Sarah, raising her brow. "You did not want anyone to attend? It is not too late to invite someone if you wish."
"No, there is no one I would suggest. As far as I'm concerned, society can go hang after what they did to Hugh for all those years. In turn, made me have to live here in England with Mama and Henry. It was not to be borne."
Hugh chuckled, the baby fussing in his arms at the sound of his words. "Had I known it was so very bad for you here, Sarah, I would have come home and taken you back to Rome with me."
She shrugged, giving her brother a small smile. "I do not blame you, Hugh, but I am holding you to your promise to take me to Italy after winter. I'm so in need of an adventure. I want to see where you have made your second home and see Rome and its history."
"It is a marvelous place that will forever hold a special place in my heart." Molly glanced at Hugh, the love burning hot in his eyes stealing her breath.
"And I, my love." Their son started to cry, and Hugh’s soothing voice calmed him. He lay him over his shoulder, patting his back, and within a moment, the baby was settled once again.
"How many weeks are we to endure these guests?"
Molly chuckled at Sarah's question. "Only four, which is not too many, I think. And you will love my friends, Sarah, just as much as they will love you."
"I'm sure I will, and they will be the only ones, but mark my words that if anyone should even mumble anything about Hugh and the scandal that followed him about for all those years, I shall not be held responsible for my outburst. Nor will I take well to having a set down from my brother concerning my sticking up for you either."
Hugh nodded, kissing their son on his little bald head. "I promise not to chastise you should you say something in my defense."
"You needn't worry about that, however." Molly stood, placing the replies on Hugh's desk before coming back and sitting next to her husband. "I did not invite anyone whom we're not on close terms with. Everyone coming will be jolly and happy to be here to celebrate the Christmas period, and Hugh's return to England after all these years."
Sarah sighed, smiling at them both. "I am happy for you, Hugh and Molly. You deserve happiness after all that you endured. I promise to be on my best behavior."
Molly smiled. Hugh chuckled, a disbelieving tone to his laugh. "I shall believe that when I see it, sister dear. If what I remember of you and your antics, you were always a little rascal."
Sarah raised her chin in defiance. "I have never been a rascal, merely a woman of independent thought. Like your wife."
Molly met Hugh's eyes, reveling in the love that she saw staring back at her.