The shop was closed today and Bess was pleased to have a little time to spend at home. Running the store on her own was exhausting. She could hardly wait until William returned from London. It felt as if the most important part of her was missing. She still reached for him every morning when she woke up, but of course his place was always empty. Hopefully he would be staying home for good once the new shop was established.

She sat in a rocking chair reading a book. The boys were upstairs playing and she could hear the hum of their voices. Stephanie was with her governess. As usual, she had complained about having to study while her cousins were out of school. Bess had gently reminded her that if she had not missed so much school while traipsing around a stage, she would have been free during the summer too. Parenting was also easier with William by her side.

She had been reading for about half an hour when one of the maids came rushing into the parlor, carrying a wet rag that was dripping over the floor. “The master is home, ma’am!” she exclaimed. “I seen him while cleaning the window!”

Bess jumped out of her chair and hurried to the front door, flinging it open. And there he was, her beloved husband, approaching the house. “William!” she exclaimed. Pulling up the hem of her skirt, she ran over to him and threw herself in his arms.