Chapter 2

Lord Anthony James finally stepped back through the grand front door of his family's London town house, a strange sensation settling over him as he inhaled deeply. The familiar scent of polished wood and lavender greeted him like an old friend. He might have been away on his Grand Tour for many years now, but the moment he stepped inside the house, it was as if he had never left.

"Anthony!" It did not take long for his mother to realize that he was home at long last.

"Mother," he chuckled. "I have returned."

Lady Leonora James hurried towards him, excitement flooding her face as she raced to greet him. His younger twin sisters, Hannah and Caroline, followed close behind, their faces lighting up at the sight of him. In that moment, he realized that he had been gone for far too long. He might have been many exciting places in the world, but there was nowhere quite like home.

"I have missed you," Anthony declared, his voice thick with emotion as he enveloped his mother in a warm embrace. "I am so grateful to finally be home."

She held him tightly, as if afraid he might vanish again.

"Oh, how we have missed you," Leonora murmured, stepping back to look at him, her eyes shining with tears. "It has been far too long since you have been home."

Before Anthony could respond, Hannah and Caroline flung themselves at him, their arms wrapping around him in a flurry of laughter and tears.

"Anthony, you are finally back!" Caroline exclaimed, her voice muffled against his shoulder. "It is so good to see you."

"We have so much to tell you," Hannah added, her eyes wide with happiness. "Do you have any gifts for us?"

"Of course! As if I would return without gifts. Come on, let us sit down and I will show you what I have."

In the drawing room, Anthony presented his mother and sisters with delicate lace shawls from his travels, each one carefully chosen to suit their individual tastes. For his mother, he had chosen subdued colors, sweet like her. One that would keep her warm even on the coldest of days. For Hannah, he had gone much brighter, to suit her bold spirit. The lace patterns were more intricate, more complicated. More exciting, because she had an adventurous spirit, one that reminded him of himself. And for Caroline, he had chosen pastel shades because of the way that she always had her head in the clouds, day dreaming. It was one that she could wrap herself up in while reading yet another romance novel.

Leonora took her shawl with a gasp of delight, before she immediately wrapped it around her shoulders. "Oh, Anthony, it is beautiful. Thank you."

Hannah and Caroline eagerly took theirs, their eyes wide with wonder and admiration.

"Where did you get these?" Hannah demanded. "I would love to hear all about your travels."

"Me too," Caroline agreed. "This is utterly beautiful."

Anthony settled into the comfortable chair that he had missed so much, his heart warming at the sight of his family's joy. In this moment, he never wanted to leave London again.

"I found them in a bustling market in Venice," he began, a smile spreading across his face. "The colors and craftsmanship were exquisite, and I knew they would be perfect for each of you. I, of course, was thinking about you the whole time that I was away."

"You must tell us more about Venice," Caroline said, her voice filled with awe. "It sounds so magical."

"It truly is," Anthony replied, his eyes twinkling with fond memories. "The canals, the architecture, the art… it is like stepping in to another world. I really did enjoy exploring Italy. It is nothing like England. Nothing at all."

Lady Leonora smiled, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. "It sounds enchanting. Did you visit any other places in Italy?"

"Indeed, I did," Anthony replied. "I visited Florence, where I was mesmerized by the art in the Uffizi Gallery. The paintings and sculptures there are masterpieces beyond anything I had ever seen. I also ventured to Rome, where the ruins of the Colosseum and the grandeur of the Vatican left me in awe. Each city had its own unique charm and history."

There was a little twang in his chest. He had enjoyed his travels and had most certainly learned a lot about himself along the way. But he was still very grateful to be home.

"Where else?" Hannah demanded. "It must not have been just Italy. What other souvenirs did you bring back?"

Anthony chuckled. "I actually have a small collection of trinkets and mementos from each place I visited. From Paris, I brought back a set of delicate porcelain figurines. From Vienna, a music box that plays the most beautiful waltz. And from Greece, a set of hand painted pottery."

Caroline's eyes widened. "A music box? Can we see it?"

"Of course," Anthony said, retrieving the ornate box from his travel bag.

He opened it, and a soft, melodious tune filled the room. Anthony could see the girls losing themselves in the music, just as he had done when he first heard it.

"One of the most thrilling parts of my journey was sailing along the Mediterranean coast," he continued as the music played. "The crystal-clear waters and the vibrant marine life were breathtaking. I even had the chance to dive and explore some underwater ruins near the coast of Crete. It was like being in a whole different world."

"Did you see any mermaids?" Caroline gasped.

Anthony shot her a playful wink. "I can not be sure. Mermaids are not easy to spot, but I did see a flickering purple tail as I swam."

Caroline's eyes glazed over, probably already imagining what it was like for Anthony to see such magic around the world. And it did feel like magic. At the time, he had been thrilled to see a world outside of London society and the ton, but now it was time to get back to reality. Whatever that was going to look like. Anthony's stories captivated his family, each tale bringing a spark of wonder to their eyes.

"Did you make any new friends on your travels?" Hannah asked, her curiosity insatiable.

Anthony nodded, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "Yes, indeed. I met many fascinating people, each with their own stories and perspectives. There was Pierre, a French artist with a passion for capturing the essence of everyday life in his paintings. And then there was Elena, a Greek historian who could recount the myths and legends of her homeland with such vivid detail that you felt as if you were living them."

Caroline leaned in, her eyes wide. "Did you meet anyone special?"

A flicker of a smile played at Anthony's lips as he thought of the people he had encountered. "Special in their own ways, yes. But no one quite like those I left behind."

Leonora, watching her son with a mix of pride and curiosity, gently touched his arm. "And what about your heart, Anthony? Have your travels helped you find clarity?"

Anthony looked into his mother's eyes, feeling the weight of her question. "I believe they have, Mother. I have seen so much and learned even more. But in all my travels, there was always a part of me that longed for the familiarity and love of home."

Hannah and Caroline exchanged knowing glances, their excitement barely contained.

"Does that mean you will stay for good?" Caroline asked, hope lacing her words.

Anthony smiled, his heart full. "For now, I am home. I have missed you all more than words can say. And there is much to catch up on."

The conversation drifted to the upcoming social Season, the balls, and the gatherings that were sure to follow Anthony's return. Leonora spoke of the many invitations that had already started to pour in, eagerly anticipating his presence. Anthony was not entirely sure how to feel about the Season. He had not returned to London, eager to throw himself back in to society. But it was springtime, there was nothing that he could do about it.

"We will have to find you a suitable match, Anthony," Leonora said with a twinkle in her eye. "There are many young ladies who would be delighted to meet you."

Anthony chuckled, though his thoughts wandered to Chloe Swift. He wondered how she had fared during his absence. Had she found someone who cherished her as much as he always had? The thought stirred something deep within him, a longing that had never truly faded…

As the evening wore on and the James family basked in their reunion, Anthony's heart remained divided. The adventures of his Grand Tour had given him many things: knowledge, experience, and a broader perspective. But there was a part of him that still yearned for the simplicity and joy of his past with Chloe. He had never given up those memories, and it left him curious…

Would she remember their promise to always be there for each other? And if she did, could they rekindle what they once had, or had too much time passed? Did it even matter? Anthony had left for a reason, and that was not something that would ever change. These questions lingered in Anthony's mind as he tried to mentally prepare for the inevitable return to society that came with his return to London. The Season promised excitement, challenges, and perhaps, the answers he sought.

As the night deepened, the girls eventually went off to bed, their chatter and excitement still lingering in the air. Anthony and his mother remained in the drawing room, the fire casting a warm glow around them.

Leonora looked at her son, her expression softening. "Anthony, I am so glad you are home. But I know it is not just for the social Season that you have returned."

Anthony nodded, his demeanor growing somber. "Yes, Mother. I came back because I know it is time for me to take on the responsibilities of the estate. With Father gone, it is my duty to ensure everything runs smoothly."

Leonora's eyes filled with sorrow at the mention of her late husband. "Your father was so proud of you, Anthony. He always spoke of how he knew you would be a wonderful steward of our family's legacy."

"I hope to make him proud," Anthony said quietly, feeling the weight of his father's expectations settling on his shoulders. "I regret not being here for his final days. It was a difficult time for you and the girls, and I should have been here."

"You were following your path," Leonora replied gently, placing a hand on his. "Your father understood that, and he wanted you to see the world. He believed it would make you a better man and a better leader. Do not forget, your father used to sit here, just like this, sharing stories of his own travels. He was not surprised that you wanted to follow in his path.

Anthony smiled, the warmth of his mother's words enveloping him. "He did have a talent for storytelling. I remember sitting by his side, completely enraptured by his tales of far-off lands and daring adventures."

Leonora's eyes sparkled with fond memories. "Do you recall the story he used to tell about the time he climbed the Matterhorn? He would describe the sheer cliffs and the treacherous paths as if they were just outside our door."

Anthony chuckled. "Yes, and how he almost lost his hat to a sudden gust of wind at the summit. He always made it sound so dramatic, as if the hat was the most valuable thing in the world."

"It is so hard without him here," Lenora sighed. "Sometimes I do not know how we are going to survive."

Anthony sighed, his heart heavy. "It has been a lot to process, Mother. But I am here now, and I am ready to do whatever it takes to honor Father's memory and take care of our family. We will be just fine, I will make you proud."

Leonora smiled, her eyes shining with pride and love. "I know you will, Anthony. And remember, you are not alone. We are all here to support you."

"Thank you, Mother," Anthony said, squeezing her hand. "That means everything to me."