“You think of everything.”  Bess gave William another kiss.  He knew her tastes as well as she herself did, and she was certain that the gowns he had picked out would please her.  And it was fun to be surprised with new clothes.

She had never even considered that he would leave Stephanie behind.  The girl was his niece and she was now part of their family, whether she liked it or not.  Sometimes Bess saw a wild look in her eyes and feared she might run off to London again and become involved in that theatre William had found her in.

Stephanie seemed to be torn between the aristocratic privilege into which she had been born and the life of a street rat that had been thrust upon her.  Now she was living between the two extremes but being subtly pushed toward the former.  She was a wealthy heiress and eventually needed to embrace that destiny.

They went inside the house.  They had only just moved in when William had left and now Bess hoped it looked more like a home.  She had added a lot of personal touches and added to their furnishings with new pieces that she had bought.

Will rolled his eyes at his father’s teasing.  “I haven’t grown that much, but James still can’t walk.”  Playfully he punched his little brother’s arm.  James stumbled slightly and then quickly regained his balance.  “See?”

“No fair!” James protested.  He launched himself at Will, who deftly stepped aside, causing the younger boy to stumble again.

“Be nice, boys,” Bess admonished.  “Or you won’t get any gifts at all.”

Within seconds, the boys looked like perfect little angels, smiling up at their father.  “What was London like, Papa?” Will asked.