Raising Nicholas

The Honourable Arthur Christopher Lovell was not the Viscount of Lovell, but he ran the estate. He was tall for a man, standing six feet with fair skin and hair. Hair that was pulled back in a tail while he worked, framing his sharp face and dark eyes. His wife Sophia Mary Lovell had brown, curly hair that was pulled up and showed off her green eyes. She was a thin woman and quite short in stature.

They were in Arthur’s office while he worked on the accounts, and Sophia on her needlepoint. The office’s walls were painted in a rich, dark brown hue and adorned with mesmerizing paintings of hunts, epic wars, and a stunning garden in full bloom. Above the fireplace, a captivating painting of the blooming garden hung, adding a touch of tranquility to the room. Arthur carefully placed Sophia’s second favorite chair next to the fireplace, creating a cozy space where they could enjoy each other’s company.

Sophia was thinking of making the drawing room pillows more lively, so she was working on a pattern she thought of the previous night. She was thinking of kittens playing with puppies in Ian’s garden. The room had plain wood walls, except of course for two portraits of the family. Sophia loved the artwork of her son and husband, but thought the family of the last lord and lady was stern. One would never say the late Lord Lovell was ever dotting on his sons.

" Arthur?” asked Sophia, who didn’t look up from her work, nor did her husband. Arthur grunted in response, which caused Sophia’s lips to smile. ” When will Henry be here today?”

“He was delayed due to the weather,” Arthur looks at the grandfather clock by the door; It was noon, and Henry was supposed to be home from France with his best friend last week, but the weather took an unexpected turn. “So I’m not sure.”

“How fun, traveling France with Ian.” Sophia smiled as she worked. “I do hope they had fun.”

“Knowing my brother, they did.” Arthur finally looked up from the sheet to see his wife looking very intently at her work. He smiled warmly, and started to wonder what it would be like to spend some time with her in Europe. “Maybe we should go to France.” He spoke, causing Sophia to look up at her husband while considering his proposal.

“My heart,” Sophia narrowed her eyes towards the man. He is going to try and butter her up to get his way. She might even allow it. “Nicholas is old enough to be without us for some time. We can see the sights, and you’ll find inspiration for your art.” Arthur spoke, causing Sophia to lift a brow at him inquisitively. The slightly older man gets up and moves over to the younger woman and kneels in front of her. Sophia, knowing this game, put her work into her baskets and with a smile that warmed Arthur’s heart placed her soft hands to his.“My heart and muse, your needlepoint and water paints are the pride of England and all others pale to your beauty; Let me show you off to the world.”

“I’ll think about it, Arthur.” She kissed his forehead and returned to her work. “Europe is a big trip, and we have a lot to do before the holiday and winter.”

“We can leave all that work for my lazy older brother.“Arthur quipped and sat across from her in his chair. He loved seeing her work.

“You like working with numbers. Heaven only knows why. ” She shot back. “Maybe this summer we can celebrate our tenth anniversary.”

“How about this spring for your eighth and twentieth birthday?” The younger woman glared at him through her thick lashes.

“Really, Arthur?”

“What?” The man tried to act innocent, but his voice was filled with humor.

“Do not ‘what’ me.” Sophia glared daggers at him and pointed her needle with pink thread attached at him. “You are almost thirty years old and know better than to comment on a woman’s age.”

Their moment was interrupted by a high-pitched squeal, then laughter and running footsteps towards the office. “Henry is home.” Arthur committed. There was a singular knock on the door and a young boy ran in before Arthur could even mutter a ‘come in’. A dirty blonde curly-haired boy ran towards his father with bright green eyes of excitement and joy.

“Father! Father! Father! ” The child chanted with joy. “Uncle Henry is here and he brought gifts.” Henry was at the door, his fist still up from knocking and a smile across his face. Henry was a very tall man, with dark brown hair that went past his shoulders with dark brown eyes. His navy jacket hid his tanned skin from traveling. Henry was fit from his active life and manual labor when helping with his tents occasionally throughout the year.

“Did he?”

“Good Morning, Arthur. Sophia.” Henry brought out flowers and three packages.

“Morning, Henry.” Sophia smiled at the older man. “How was your trip? Did you get Ian banned from France?”

With a laugh, Henry smiled. “Not this time.” He handed Sophia the flowers and a chocolate box. The bouquet had pansy, violets, tulips, and musk roses wrapped together with a light green cloth bound by a white ribbon.“France was beautiful, but not as much as you, sister. Every woman there pales to your beauty.”

“Stop flirting with my wife, Henry, or I will duel you.” Arthur rolled his eyes and went to help his son open his gift, sending an I-told-you-so-look to his wife. Sophia shook her head at her husband playfully.

Sophia smiled and hit Henry playfully before opening her gift of whisky chocolates. “Oh Henry, these are my favorites!”

“Soldiers!” Nicholas screamed. Nicholas takes out some generic French soldiers, but when he takes out three British soldiers Arthur gasps. “It’s Father and Uncle Henry.”

“And you’re the Drummer boy. When you get older I will make you as a General.” Nicholas runs over to hug his Uncle, who wraps his arms around the boy with a smile.

Henry turns to his Brother once he realizes the boy. Nicholas went to show his mother his new toys.“Arthur is my favorite brother.”

“I’m your only brother.”

“Open your gift.” Arthur opens the box to find a double-barrel pistol. “Now you can actually hit me when we duel.”

“Big talk from someone who can be shot by a blind two-year-old.” Arthur shot back.

“The handle is black walnut and was made by a gunsmith called François-Alexander Chasteau. It isn’t British, but it would look well in your collection.”

“Let’s go to the drawing room. I would to hear all about your adventures, Henry.” Sophia suggests as she puts her project back into her basket. “Where is Gabby?”

“Oh,” Henry smiled towards the woman. “I gave her a bouquet as well but I told her where I was heading.”

“Henry and I need to go over something,” Arthur interjected. “Why don’t you and Nicholas head down and we’ll be behind you shortly.”

" Of course.” Sophia grabbed Nicholas’ hands as the brothers talked about tents and finances.

“Mother?”

“Yes, Nicholas.”

“Can we play charades?”

“Sure. I think Henry would love to play.” The two walked down the hall to the drawing room. The room was grand with two sofas and several chairs forming a circle on the far side of the room with a piano on the other. The walls were a rich cream with a dark wood floor. On the far were two portraits. One is the late Viscount and Viscountess with her husband and Henry. The other is her family with Arthur and their son.

“My lady.” Ms. Clark walked in and bowed to the older woman. Ms Clark was barely five and twenty years old, with black hair and the same green eyes as both the mother and child in the room.

“Gabby,” Sophia’s eyes softened at the younger woman, as a smile crossed her face. Nicholas smiled and ran to show the woman his three new soldiers. “Henry told me he brought you flowers.”

“Did he tell you they had pink roses?” Ms.Clark huffed and rolled her eyes. “The scandal.”

“Were they only Pink roses?” Sophia raised a brow as she sat with Henry on the sofa, Ms.Clark taking the one across from her.

“No,” The dark-haired woman stated. “There were also several Morning Glory and Primroses.”

“I see.” Sophia nodded and smiled at the woman. “Gabby, can you bring us some tea? I do believe we are going to be playing charades before Henry heads back to his home in the countryside.”

“Of course.”