The success of the Pemberton ball had an immediate and dramatic effect on their social standing. Over the following days, Blackwood House was inundated with calling cards, invitations, and requests for audiences with the fascinating new Countess who had so thoroughly charmed London society."The Duchess of Marlborough has invited us to her Thursday salon," Adrian announced over breakfast, sorting through the morning's correspondence with obvious amusement. "Lady Jersey wants you to join her committee for the Foundling Hospital charity, and..." He paused, raising an eyebrow. "Princess Sophia herself has requested the pleasure of our company at Carlton House next week."Felicity nearly choked on her tea. "The Princess? But surely that's... I mean, I couldn't possibly...""You could and you will," Adrian said firmly, rising from his chair to press a gentle kiss to her temple. "My darling wife, you've conquered London society in a single evening. Royal recognition is simply the natural progression.""It feels like a dream," Felicity admitted, leaning into his warmth. "Three weeks ago I was terrified of receiving Lady Margaret in our drawing room, and now princesses want to meet me.""Now princesses want to meet the remarkable woman who captured my heart and reformed my reclusive ways," Adrian corrected with a smile that made her pulse quicken. "There's a difference."Mrs. Hartwell appeared in the doorway with her usual discretion. "My lady, Dr. Harrison has arrived for your appointment."Adrian's expression immediately grew protective. "Shall I stay?""That's not necessary," Felicity said, though she appreciated his concern. "Dr. Harrison said these early appointments would be quite routine."The examination confirmed what they both suspected—Felicity was indeed with child, healthy and progressing normally. Dr. Harrison estimated the baby would arrive in late May or early June, timing that would allow her to establish herself in society before her confinement."Everything appears perfectly normal, my lady," Dr. Harrison said with professional warmth. "Though I would recommend avoiding excessive exertion or stress during these early months.""What constitutes excessive?" Adrian asked, his protective instincts clearly engaged."Long hours of dancing, perhaps, or particularly strenuous travel. The usual social activities should pose no problem, provided Lady Blackwood listens to her body and rests when needed."After Dr. Harrison departed, Adrian found Felicity in the morning room, staring out at the garden square with a contemplative expression."Regrets?" he asked, settling beside her on the silk-upholstered settee."The opposite," Felicity said, turning to face him with eyes bright with wonder. "Adrian, we're going to have a baby. A little person who's part of both of us.""Are you happy about it?" He asked the question quietly, but she could hear the underlying concern."Ecstatic," she said without hesitation. "Terrified about being a good mother, but ecstatic about creating a family with you."Adrian's relief was visible as he gathered her into his arms, his hand coming to rest protectively over her still-flat stomach. "You'll be a wonderful mother, Felicity. Kind, patient, loving—everything a child could want.""And you'll be a wonderful father," she replied, covering his hand with hers. "This baby will be so loved, so wanted."They sat in comfortable silence for several minutes, both lost in thoughts of their growing family, until a commotion in the square below caught their attention."What on earth?" Adrian rose to peer out the window, his expression darkening as he took in the scene.Felicity joined him at the window to see a small crowd gathered around what appeared to be a street performer—a raggedly dressed young woman with a child clinging to her skirts, singing in a voice that was pure and heartbreaking despite her obvious poverty."She's beautiful," Felicity said softly, watching the woman's performance with growing concern. "But she looks half-starved.""And the child," Adrian added grimly. "Barely more than a baby, from the looks of it."As they watched, several well-dressed passersby dropped coins into the woman's hat, but others hurried past with expressions of distaste, clearly finding the display of poverty unseemly in such a fashionable neighborhood."I'm going down there," Felicity said suddenly, already moving toward the door."Felicity, wait," Adrian called after her. "You shouldn't—""Shouldn't what? Show compassion to someone in need?" She paused at the door, her expression fierce with determination. "Adrian, that could have been me if circumstances had been different. That could be any woman who's fallen on hard times."Adrian studied her face for a moment, seeing the passionate conviction there, the genuine desire to help someone less fortunate. Then his expression softened with admiration and something deeper."Then we'll go together," he said simply.They made an unusual sight crossing the square—the impeccably dressed Earl and Countess approaching a street performer with obvious intent to help rather than hurry past. The small crowd that had gathered parted respectfully as they approached.Up close, Felicity could see that the young woman was indeed beautiful, with auburn hair and green eyes that spoke of better days. Her gown, though clean, was patched and threadbare, and the child—a little girl of perhaps three—was thin in a way that spoke of frequent hunger."You have a lovely voice," Felicity said gently as the woman finished her song.The performer's eyes widened with recognition and something that might have been fear. "Lady Blackwood! I... I'm sorry, my lady, I didn't mean to cause a disturbance in your neighborhood. We'll move along immediately.""Please don't apologize," Felicity said warmly. "I was wondering if you might like to come inside for some tea? You and your daughter both look as though you could use a warm meal."The woman stared at her in shock. "Inside? But my lady, I couldn't possibly... it wouldn't be proper...""I think," Adrian said quietly, "that my wife's invitation is the very definition of proper. What's your name?""Sarah, my lord. Sarah Mitchell. And this is my daughter Emma." The little girl peered shyly from behind her mother's skirts, thumb firmly planted in her mouth."Well then, Sarah and Emma Mitchell," Felicity said with a warm smile, "would you do us the honor of joining us for tea? I confess I'd enjoy the company."An hour later, they were seated in the informal dining room while Sarah and Emma made remarkably quick work of sandwiches, cakes, and fresh fruit. The little girl's eyes were wide with wonder at the elegant surroundings, while her mother seemed caught between gratitude and embarrassment."You're very kind, my lady," Sarah said quietly. "We haven't eaten a proper meal in... well, in some time.""What happened?" Felicity asked gently. "If you don't mind my asking."Sarah's story was heartbreakingly familiar—a husband lost to fever, creditors who seized everything of value, employers who wouldn't hire a woman with a child. She had turned to street performing as the only way to earn enough coin to keep them both fed and sheltered."I have some education," Sarah said with quiet dignity. "I can read and write, do simple arithmetic. Before I married, I worked as a governess for a family in Bath. But now..." She gestured helplessly. "No respectable family wants a governess with a child of her own."Felicity looked at Adrian, seeing her own thoughts reflected in his expression. Here was a woman of obvious intelligence and character, reduced to poverty through no fault of her own."Sarah," Felicity said carefully, "how would you feel about working as a companion? Someone to help with correspondence, perhaps assist with social arrangements?"Sarah's eyes widened with hope and disbelief. "You would... you would consider employing me, my lady?""I would consider it an honor," Felicity said firmly. "You would have comfortable rooms, fair wages, and Emma would be welcome here. Mrs. Hartwell has mentioned that the staff children often play together in the servants' hall.""I..." Sarah's voice broke with emotion. "I don't know what to say, my lady. Such kindness...""Say yes," Adrian said with a smile that transformed his entire face. "My wife has excellent instincts about people, and I trust her judgment completely."Later that evening, after Sarah and Emma had been settled into comfortable rooms in the servants' quarters and Mrs. Hartwell had been apprised of the new arrangements, Adrian and Felicity sat before the fire in their private sitting room."You realize," Adrian said, pulling her close against his side, "that what you did today will be all over London by tomorrow? Taking a street performer into your household, treating her like a guest rather than a charity case?""Are you concerned about the gossip?" Felicity asked, though she wasn't truly worried about his answer."I'm concerned," Adrian said, pressing a kiss to her hair, "that London society has no idea what they're dealing with in my wife. You've shown them grace and charm and beauty, but today you showed something far more important.""What's that?""Heart. Real compassion for someone in genuine need, without thought for social consequences or appearances." His arms tightened around her. "Do you have any idea how extraordinary you are, Lady Blackwood?""I'm not extraordinary," Felicity protested. "I simply saw someone who needed help.""And that," Adrian said softly, "is exactly what makes you extraordinary. Victoria would have walked past Sarah without a second glance. Most of society would have. But you saw a person in need and acted without hesitation.""You helped too," Felicity pointed out. "You supported my decision completely.""Because I love you," Adrian said simply. "Because watching you show such kindness only makes me love you more, if such a thing is possible."The fire crackled peacefully in the grate as they sat together, planning for their growing family and discussing the upcoming royal invitation. But Felicity found herself thinking about Sarah's gratitude, about little Emma's wonder at the elegant surroundings, about the power they now had to change lives for the better."Adrian," she said softly, "I want to do more. Not just charity committees and patronage, but real help for women in situations like Sarah's.""What did you have in mind?""I'm not sure yet," Felicity admitted. "But there must be others—women who've fallen on hard times through no fault of their own, who need more than just temporary charity. Perhaps we could establish something more permanent, more meaningful."Adrian's smile was brilliant with pride and love. "My magnificent wife, planning to reform all of London's social problems single-handedly.""Not single-handedly," Felicity corrected, turning in his arms to face him. "With my husband as my partner in everything.""Always," Adrian promised, sealing the vow with a kiss that tasted of love and shared dreams. "Whatever you want to accomplish, whatever lives you want to change—we'll do it together."As they prepared for bed that night, Felicity reflected on how much her life had changed. Not just in material circumstances—though the silk nightgown and elegant bedchamber were certainly beyond anything she had ever imagined—but in her sense of purpose and possibility.She was Lady Blackwood now, with all the privileges and responsibilities that entailed. But more than that, she was a woman who had found her place in the world, her voice, her power to make a difference.And tomorrow, she would begin using that power to help others find their places as well.After all, fairy tales were best when they inspired others to believe in happy endings too.
