Grace turned and looked at Edward, satisfied. “I would like to sign the papers now.” She could not stop herself from smiling if she tried. She rose from the floor, dried her hands, and, on unsteady legs, walked across the room to the writing table near the piano.
Richard did the honours, dipped the pen in the ink, and handed it to her. “This is a historical moment, Grace.”
“I feel there will be more days like this all across the British Empire,” Edward said solemnly.
Grace took hold of the pen from her husband, steadied her hand, and with a flourish wrote her name on the document, making Mina a free woman with immediate effect.
Chapter Twenty
It took a lot of hard work, effort, and diligence to help Mina become accustomed to the fact that she was no longer a slave. She was shown her duties by Florence, but it was quite a struggle for her to not follow Grace around all day. She preferred her own sari, which was carefully washed and mended. Grace liked to see her in it, and Edwina said it brightened up the house.
Richard found it amusing to watch Grace teach the young girl how to not be a slave. He turned to his brother, who stood beside him in their salon. “You know, there may be a business opportunity here, if your Wilberforce actually gets Parliament to sign the abolition of slavery act.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, someone is going to have to teach them how to be free.”
“It is not easy, by the looks of it. Grace has her hands full there.” Edward nodded towards the young ladies.
“Yes, she does. But even if I do say so myself, I think she’s doing a tremendous job.” Richard radiated with pride.
“Yes, she is. You are right to be proud of her. All things considered, I think everything has turned out well. Do you not agree?” Edward turned and headed out of the room.
Richard followed him. “Yes I do. Things could have been much worse.”
“Indeed they could,” Edward snorted. “We could have been forced to endure more feminine histrionics.” They laughed companionably and made their way down to the billiards room, where Edward stabbed at the fire with the poker and threw another log upon it. “I hope we have seen the last of overreacting females.”
Richard laughed at his brother as he set the table for a game and shook his head while Edward built up the fire. “By the way, Grace hears regularly from Mrs Phillips in Manchester. Apparently, the incident has had a profound effect on her husband. Things are improving gradually between them. Grace even says Eliza sounds happier.”
Edward hesitated in his actions. “I am pleased. I lost my temper when she was here. I panicked. I was a fool, and I am glad things are getting better for the poor woman.”
“Apology accepted.” Richard turned back to the table. “Do not forget, though, dear brother, that you are in pursuit of a wife of your own.”
“Ah, yes! But I will be choosing a lady from society, well bred, genteel, with emotions under control, God willing.”
“Do you think such a woman exists?” Richard asked feigning bewilderment.
Edward withdrew from the fireplace and picked up the cues. “Of course she does. I just have to find her,” he said confidently.
He handed a stick to Richard, then sighed with relief as he sank down into the plush armchair, allowing Richard to begin the game. “But now, with any luck, we shall be able to get back to the peace and quiet of a normal life. Won’t that make a nice change?”
Richard stared at his brother with disbelief. Then threw back his head and roared with laughter.
“What’s so funny?” Edward asked him nonplussed.
“Edward,” Richard rounded the table and clapped him on the shoulder, “I don’t believe that from now on we will ever have such a thing as a quiet and peaceful life. I believe this is just the beginning.”
The End
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The Spice Bride (The Emberton Brothers Series Book 1) Page 17