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Margaret stood nervously outside the great, gilded doors, thankful for the sturdiness of Nigel’s arm beneath hers as they prepared to go into the palace before them. Her other arm was at her side, her fingers curled around Poppy’s hand. Margaret turned and looked at Nigel, smiling tentatively.
They had dressed in their best clothes for this momentous occasion: Margaret in a fine silk gown with her hair elegantly dressed; Poppy in a pale blue, lacy affair that set off her blonde curls; and Nigel in his uniform with his newest medals pinned carefully in place. Her father, standing just behind them, was in his own best, looking up at the great door with equal trepidation.
“Do we look quite presentable?” she asked in a soft voice. “Will you be proud to be seen with us, Sir Nigel?”
He smiled at he mischief in her voice. “A man could not be more proud.”
Only a few days before, Margaret had stood by his side in the intimate company of a few other officers while the honour of a knighthood had been conferred upon him by his commanding officer. They had expected to wait much longer for such an honour, if it was to come at all, considering how parliament was required to sign-off on such matters before the prince regent could give his approval. In the end, however, hardly any time at all had passed. Parliament had heard a passionate plea from one of their former members, a Lord Somerville, on behalf of his son-in-law. And when an attempt was made to investigate the history of Nigel Bateson, the same folder of flattering reports that had earned him his position in society was produced again.
Margaret could not be more proud. When she had watched him receive the knighthood, she had almost burst with delight. He was such a quiet, good man – he had only proved himself more worthy as they’d embarked upon married life together – and she believed he deserved everything that had been given to him.
Today’s visit had been a surprise as well, an invitation meant to catch them before they left London and returned to Cornwall for the season. The message had been written on elegant, gilded paper, inviting the ‘newly knighted Sir Nigel’ to a meeting in the great palace. Family had been invited to accompany him, and so they found themselves here, waiting to be admitted into the inner chamber.
A footman appeared at the door, beckoning them inside at last. The four followed silently. Margaret felt her heart beating in her throat. They came to a great room hung with tapestries, a plush rug upon the marble floor, and the most lovely furniture she had ever seen. There was a retinue of people gathered about, but it was impossible not to look at the main attraction, the couple sitting together in the centre of the room.
Princess Charlotte was quite pale, her hair worn with a middle parting, brown curls framing her face, with a crown sitting towards the back of her head. She wore a gown that seemed to be made of silk, with decidedly old fashioned puffs in the sleeve. Even so, she managed to appear grand and delighted by their appearance, her eyebrows arched in interest. Beside her, the prince regent sat stick-straight, in uniform, with his high collar completely concealing his jawline. He had curling dark hair, thick side-whiskers, and the posture of one looking down his nose, even though he was seated.
Margaret allowed Nigel to take the lead. He walked forward and bowed deeply. Elegantly, Margaret followed suit with a deep curtsy of her own and sensed rather than saw her father bow behind her. Poppy clung to her hand, looking nervously about, and gave a little curtsy when Margaret encouraged her to do so.
“We are so very glad that you found time to meet with us,” Princess Charlotte said warmly. Margaret could not help thinking how ridiculous it was that the princess was behaving as though it was an honour conferred upon royalty that Nigel had agreed to come.
“It was an honour to receive your letter,” Nigel said in a deep voice, as though reading Margaret’s mind.
“I have heard about you,” the prince regent said in a high voice. “Your case was brought before me quite recently, I believe. Your knighthood seems greatly deserved. It is so common these days to see the honour going to the highest bidder. It is gratifying to instead be able to offer it as a gift to one truly deserving.”
Margaret saw Nigel’s composure, but knew him well enough to understood what the praise meant to him.
“It was an honour to serve my country,” he said.
“You saved the life of a friend of mine,” Princess Charlotte said with a warm smile. “I understand that you are well connected with a certain Major Moorhouse?”
“I am,” Nigel said, bowing his head in acknowledgement. “He is a close friend of mine.”
“Yes, he is a worthy gentleman,” she said, a sparkle of amusement in her statuesque face. “He has spoken glowingly of you, and I must say that if you were indeed responsible for his life being saved, we are eternally indebted.”
“Whatever heroism might have been involved,” Nigel said quietly, “has been fully repaid by now.”
The prince regent beckoned for Nigel to draw near. “I hear that you are a landowner in Cornwall now. Tell me how your tenants are faring there. Has the drought hurt them this year, or did you suffer? You too, Lord Somerville.”
As Nigel and Lord Somerville stepped forward to answer him, Margaret caught the princess’s eye. She waved Poppy and Margaret over, and then patted gently at the couch nearest her as though to invite them to sit. Margaret thought about how shocked Amanda would be by the recounting of the story – imagine, being invited to sit down with the princess for a little casual conversation whilst the prince regent discussed crop patterns with her husband.
“I am most gratified that you came as well today,” she said warmly. “You know, these meetings of state can often be such a bore, but you walked in today with a child – most unexpected.”
“Is it all right that I brought her?” Margaret asked quietly.
The princess only smiled in response and turned to Poppy. “Tell me, love, what is your name?”
Poppy crossed her little hands with endearing propriety and answered in clear tones. “I am Miss Penelope Bateson,” she said promptly, “but you may refer to me as Miss Penelope if you like.”
Margaret was horrified at this familiarity, but the princess only laughed. “It has been some time since someone has told me what title I ought to adhere to,” she said with a twinkle in her eye. “You present yourself quite properly, Miss Penelope, and I will add that you have a way about you that I find most courageous. Tell me, what do you intend to do while you are in London?”
“We came to see my papa get a knight,” Poppy said. It had taken some explaining to tell her what exactly a knighthood meant, and Margaret hid a smile at the realisation that all their explanations had really done little good.
“Ah,” the princess said with an answering smile. “And after this meeting today? What will you do?”
“I suppose,” Poppy said brightly, “that since I am already in London I will find a man in uniform to marry, just like mama.”
It was completely unexpected, and Margaret found herself speechless with surprise and laughter. The princess laughed, delighted. She turned and looked at the prince regent and then leaned over and spoke in a confidential undertone to Poppy. “Do you see that I had the very same idea with our most venerable Prince Leopold? He is a man in uniform, and he has served me as well as your papa seems to have served your mother.” She raised her eyes to Margaret’s face. “You have chosen well for yourself, dear. I have asked after your history, and it is my understanding that Sir Nigel came from rather humble beginnings.”
Margaret nodded. “He has made a name for himself.”
“Not all would consider that a good thing,” Princess Charlotte said quietly. “Unfortunately, not everyone understands how well it speaks of a man who is willing to work hard to raise his station. I know that it is considered presumptuous by some.”
“And by you?” Margaret asked. “What do you think?”
Princess Charlotte smiled. “I think that a good man is a good man, whatever his beginning.”
When their interview drew to a close, Margaret looped her arm into Nigel’s again and walked outside in a glow of happiness. She waited to speak until they were settled in the park across the street, quite out of earshot of the footmen and guards all around. She turned to Nigel and smiled.
“Did you ever expect that?” she asked. “In all your life, did you think that you would be chatting with the prince regent about the effect of the current weather patterns on your property?”
Her father cleared his throat and said gruffly. “I have something to say to you, young man.”
Margaret and Nigel both turned to look at him. Poppy was sitting at his side, holding her grandfather’s hand. Lord Somerville’s serious face was strained under some hidden emotion, and Margaret thought for a moment she could see a shimmer of tears in his eyes.
“I had so many opinions about you, Sir Nigel,” he said to his son-in-law. “I took you for nothing more than a gamekeeper’s son. But now I see that I was fortunate to know the gamekeeper’s humble son, for he has done more with his life than I ever did. This day, meeting the prince regent and watching my daughter talk easily with Princess Charlotte, is an honour I will cherish for the rest of my life. I am proud of you.”
“The knighthood was indeed a blessing,” Nigel answered humbly.
“No,” Lord Somerville interjected. “Not because of that. I am proud of you because you treat my daughter well, and because you are a good man.” He shook his head and dropped his gaze to his hands. “You do not know – I asked after Lord Waddington when he stopped appearing at our official functions. Apparently, there was some scandal with a woman in a foreign country – a woman who was not married to him but connected to him nonetheless – and an investigation of the scandal showed that the gentleman had chosen to escape overseas to avoid military duty. He is a coward, and apparently a bankrupt one at that. I knew that there were unsavoury things in his past, but I have evidence now that he would have continued those actions had I allowed him to marry my daughter. I shrink to think of it now, and to compare your current happiness with what might have been…”
“We don’t need to speak of it,” Margaret said quickly, pressing her daughter’s hand in her own. “The world before us is all happiness, and we need only look on the past for purposes of illuminating our present joys.”
Lord Somerville fell contentedly silent, his hand still pressed in his daughter’s. Poppy leapt up from her place at his side and stood before them, curtsying again and bobbing her head down.
“I liked the Princess Charlotte very much,” she said soberly, as though they had asked her review of the entire event. “But I think you’re much prettier, Mama, and your dress was better. Do you think you ought to give her the name of your tailor?”
Margaret let out a laugh and Nigel joined in. Together, they drew their daughter to them, and Nigel kissed her on the cheek before turning to Margaret with gentle eyes and saying, “You know that I agree with you, Poppy. Your mother is the most beautiful of all.”
He leaned in for a kiss.
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OFFER: A BRAND NEW SERIES AND 2 FREEBIES FOR YOU!
Grab my new series, "Noble Gentlemen of the Ton", and get 2 FREE novels as a gift! Have a look here!
Hello, my dear readers! I hope you enjoyed the book and the Extended Epilogue! I am eagerly expecting your comments here. Thank you so much!
Another great read, a wonderful sweet ending.
Thank you so much, my dear Annette! I’m glad you liked the story!
Another beautiful story! Thank you for writing about such refreshing, honest people….
This book was a joy to read and I’m now going online to look for another.
God bless you with your writing, you have an amazing gift.
as usual a great story. Love the extended epilogues.
Thank you so much, my dear Rosina. I’m so happy to hear that!
I truly loved this story ! I think it is the best of all of the stories you have written and I believe that I have read them all .
Thank you for many, many hours of wonderful reading !
I can’t thank you enough, my dear Patricia. You make me so happy!
So heart warming and soul touching. I absolutely loved the story. Thank you again for another beautiful masterpiece. I am ready for the next one.
I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed the story, my dear Paula! Thank you very much for your comment!
Once again I am completely satisfied with the novel and Extended Epilogue by Miss. Barton.
Everyone should read all her books, she never disappoints.
Thank you so much for your kind words, my dear Veronica!
I can’t believe how much I enjoyed this story. I hope to read many more.
Thank you so much for your comment, my dear Brenda!
What a wonderful story showing that doing the right thing is always a good idea.
Thank you so much for your comment, my dear Sandra.I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed the book!
Great story . I loved it.keep writing.
Thank you so much, my dear Olga!
I have been away for a little while but, I’m back and really enjoyed this story very much. So happy for poppy. So glad even in that time a child was able to be saved. Thank you another great story.
Sherry
Thank you so much for your nice words, my dear Sherry! So happy to hear that! 🙂
Loved the story of honest good people winning in the end.
Their story was fun and enriching to read.
Thank you so much for your comment, my dear Karen!🙂
Thanks so much for sending me the link to the extended epilogue. I loved this book. It was well written as I have found all your books to be. Thanks again.
Thank you so much, my dear Shannon. I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed the story and the extended epilogue!🙂
I rarely see this many comments following a story. Just confirms what a great story it was. I loved all the characters, but my favorite part is the extended epilogue. Poppy is awesome. Thank you for such an enjoyable read.
Thank you so much, my dear Lynn. I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed the book!
Howdy Bridget.
What a delightful novel this was, and what an immense joy to read. I was drawn in from the very start and my attention was kept until the very end, which included the wonderful extended epilogue. My grandfather came from Cornwell, so naturally I was extremely interested in the story. It is a lovely place and the coastline while wild, is absolutely beautiful. As usual this novel was such a well written story and the characters were enthralling, even the nadty ones. The child was a delight to see change from such a sad and bewildered little girl, to a happy and carefree lass. How lovely that Margaret/Maggie held to get word even through such strife. What a wonderful character Nigel made and I loved their “happy ever after” ending. Another spectacular novel by a special and spectacular author who delivers time and time again. Thank you from the bottom of my heart Bridget Barton. Above top marks for this one. As before, please stay well and have a great day. 🌺
Thank you so much for your sweet words, my dear Jeanette!
I am truly blessed to read such a wonderful loving story. With Margaret and Nigel have grow up together as friends and in the end together as one. Loving each other and to include Poppy into their lives too. Thank you for writing such a great story for us to read.
I don’t often get emotional involved with the books I read and enjoy but I closed this book with joyful tears in my eyes. Maggie, our heroine, was everything a young woman on the cusp of growing up should be. Her love of Nigel, her father, and her friends was filled with love and understanding And empathy of their reasonings. When she accepted the care of her dying friend’s daughter, Poppy, it was with a fierce commitment to the love that this child would need. She asked for help understanding Poppy and acted upon it. What a beautiful story. It will be in my read again list!
You’re so sweet, my dear Jo! Thank you so much for your support!🙂
Many twists and turns for these strong characters. So glad for a satisfying ending!
Thank you so much, my dear Jeanette! I’m really happy you enjoyed the story!
This is my first time to leave a review, but I felt compelled to do so because the story was beautiful and touched my heart. Margaret and Nigel were beautiful heros. I’ve been waiting for a story that came to life as this one did. Thank you for your beautiful creations and art of story-telling.
Thank you so much for your sweet words, my dear Beverly! You make me so happy!🙂
Thank you for this wonderful and very well written book. This Expanded Epilogue was the crowning achievement to this story. I like all of your books so keep writing and I will keeping reading them.
I love this book. I can’t find a favorite, as I’ve truly enjoyed each of your books. The characters in this one are among your best and the story is wonderful.
Thank you so much for your comment, my dear Lynne. I’m happy you enjoyed the story!
This is the first one of your books I have read, but it won’t be the last. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Thank you so much for your comment, my dear Carol! 🙂
Yes another wonderful story of true love!
Thank you! I will tell my friends not to miss
this lovely romance! Such great charactors!
Thank you so much for your comment, my dear Janiece!
Another brilliant story by an equally brilliant author. I really enjoyed this book. It was full of emotions dread and eventually happiness. The extended epilogue completed the story well
So lovely! I want to spend more time with Maggie, Nigel and Poppy.
Thank you so much for your comment, my dear Mary. I’m so happy to hear that!
This book was wonderful. I really enjoyed the characters. You make reading enjoyable. Well written. Thank you,
Liz
Thank you so much, my dear Elizabeth! I’m so glad you enjoyed my story!🤗
Oh, my! Another lovely and satisfying book. Congratulations Ms. Barton. I have read a few of your books and I will continue to look for more.
I’m so happy to hear that, my dear Marina. Thank you so much!
What another fantastic and honest read. I say honest because it has shown where more than once there are ladies and men even in present day society, who would forgo real love because of what society may think of them. Sometimes it is good to fight for what we need and not what we want. Life is like a continuous round of job interviews where one may never be considered good enough or may be seen to be doing too much but if your heart is involved in something one needs, one should never give up. Just a summary of my thoughts on a good book and of a lesson learned. Thank you once again.💞
Wonderful! Glad you liked it, my dearest!
The dedication and love by the heroine, and the humility of the hero were the best I have read in a long time. I could not quit reading until the end.The villain was one of the worst men ever and his defeat was so great, I had absolutely no sympathy for him. Thank you for this lovely, clean entertaining romance.
Thank you so much for your sweet words, my dear Barbara. You make me so happy! 😊
Enjoyed this so much that I couldn’t put it down for long. Poppy is a sweet heart.. I love that you describe the dresses.
Thank you so much for your kind words, my dear Diane!You make me so happy!
I loved this story and read it in one day. My dogs were upset, but I had to know the rest of the story. The dogs got their walks, but I was distracted and hurried back to read. Thanks for a great way to spend a vacation day!
Thank you so much for your comment, my dear Jessie. So happy to hear that!
Fantastic book, this is the second time reading it and I loved it just as much as the first time. Definitely one of the best books that Bridget has written.
Thank you so much, my dear Tracey! Stay tuned because there are more stories coming soon!
I enjoyed reading the story and what a lovely ending. Please keep writing.
Thank you so much for your kind words, my dear Sue. I truly appreciate it!
What a delightful story. An honest, caring and compassionate woman and so not accepted in her time period. I so liked the descriptions of the area and the delightful characters especially Poppy. The darling little one who did not deserve the things that happened to her. Nigel such a wonderful guy and the way Margaret’s dad turned around was the best. Keep writing these delightful romances.
Thank you, my dear Donna. So happy to hear that you enjoyed the book!
What a beautiful storyline and a wonderful ending. I spend most of my time reading and it is such a joy to feel so uplifted every time I read your work! Please keep writing and don’t forget the epilogues!
Thank you so much for your kind words, my dear Debbie!
This enthralling, entertaining, poignant Romance was an amazing excellent exciting read. Thanks for another fascinating Novella.
Thank you so much for your comment, my dear Greer. So happy you enjoyed my book!
Another lovely, exciting story.
Thank you so much for your nice words, my dear Barbara!
I totally enjoyed reading about Margaret and Nigel and their strength of character to do what is right, not what is considered socially correct. The storyline kept my attention to the end.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment, my dear Ann. You made my day! 😊
This was a fantastic read and I was so enthralled with your wonderful characters I read it in two days. I didn’t want to put it down. Thank you for the continued story of Margaret and Nigel. Such a happy ending was totally worthy continuing.
Thank you so much dear Marlene! Your heartwarming comments mean the world to me!
This was a fabulous read. Enjoyed the honesty and strength of the characters. The epilogue was a sweet finish.
All of the characters were well written, Poppy was a delight.
Looking forward to the next novella.
Thank you kindly dear Margaret! I am glad you liked it as much! 🌺
What a wonderful story of compassion and honor. Margaret and Nigel were beautiful characters as was Poppy. The storyline was very compelling and I enjoyed reading it very much.
Your sweet comment and support put a smile on my face! Thank you Beth! 🥰
One of your best books ever!! And the best extended epilogue! I didn’t want it to end!!
I am so glad you liked it as much dear Mary! 🥰