Chapter Thirteen
“What’s that?” Maggie pointed to Peter’s drawing.
“A planet.”
“A planet can’t be square.”
“Yes, it can.”
“No, it can’t.”
Peter stood, holding his paper aloft. “Yes, it can!”
“No, it can’t!” Maggie rose. “Mother!”
Ellie strode toward the table where the children stood. “There’s no need to raise your voices.”
Peter pointed to his sister. “She said I can’t have a square planet. But you said there is a lot of the universe we don’t know about. So just because she doesn’t know about a square planet, doesn’t mean there isn’t one.”
For a five-year-old, Peter’s logic was impeccable.
Rather than explain why that was highly unlikely, Ellie decided they needed a distraction.
It had been raining for five days straight, and the children seemed to be on edge.
Probably because St. Nicholas Day, which they couldn’t wait for, was only two days away.
When she was young, she’d walk in the garden when she was upset by something her brothers had said to her, but there was no walking in the garden today. However…
“Let’s go for a walk.”
Maggie frowned. “We’ll get wet.”
“Yes!” Peter dropped his drawing on the table. “I’ll go.”
Ellie chuckled. “No, we’re not going outside.”
Peter crossed his arms. “Then I don’t want to go.”
“Where are we going to walk, then?” Maggie looked at her curiously.
Ellie put her hand on her hip. “I propose a race.”
Peter dropped his arms, but didn’t say anything.
Ellie continued, “And I know the perfect spot. Of course, Peter, if you don’t come, then you lose.”
“Where?” He looked at her skeptically.
In that moment, she could see Darius in him. His little eyebrow actually lifted a bit. “Well, if you want to find out, you’ll need to follow me.” She turned her back. “And do keep up.” She headed for the door, but didn’t look to see if they followed.
Once outside the nursery, she turned down the corridor and headed for the stairs.
She distinctly heard two sets of footsteps behind her and grinned.
When she reached the grand staircase, she descended the five steps to the center landing, then went up the five steps to the other side of the house.
Once she was in that corridor, she picked up her pace.
When she reached the end, she turned to face the long corridor that ran south to north and ended at the back of the house.
In her opinion, Hawthrone Park’s square layout was perfect for rainy days.
“Are we going to run down there?” Peter stepped up next to her and pointed.
“Yes, we are.”
Maggie came to stand next to them. “I don’t think Father would approve.”
Ellie laughed. “Oh, I don’t know. I think we could convince him that it would be fun.”
Both children stared at her as if she’d grown antlers out of her head. She just smiled at them. “Are you ready to run?”
Peter’s face split into a big grin before he turned his head and ran down the corridor.
“Hey, that’s not fair.” Maggie ran after him.
Ellie held up her skirts so she wouldn’t trip and set out after them. About halfway down the corridor, she came up behind Peter. “I’m going to pass you.”
He didn’t even look at her. “No, you’re not!” He increased his pace, almost catching up to his sister.
Ellie wasn’t about to let the boy lose, so she slowed down a bit until he reached the end after Maggie. When Ellie reached them, they were both smiling.
“Can we do it again? Please?” Peter waved his arms in front of her as if she couldn’t see him.
“Well, I will need to rest. So why don’t you two run down and back to me?”
“Yes!” Peter jumped up before heading back down the corridor, his sister catching up.
Ellie leaned against the wall, pleased to note that even as an adult, she felt happier after a little run.
She was also pleased that she hadn’t tripped or bumped into anything, one reason she’d chosen the east wing.
It was rarely used and so had no statues or obstacles that could get in her way.
She had to admit that she’d been a bit short in patience herself.
She couldn’t wait for her classmates to arrive in just ten days.
If it hadn’t been for the nightly attentions of Darius, she was sure she’d be willing to run even in the rain.
She felt her cheeks heat, thankful the children hadn’t reached the other end yet.
Darius was teaching her so many ways to enjoy their time together in her bedroom.
He insisted on leaving after making love, as he didn’t wish to impose upon her, since she was new to the experience.
He said if he stayed with her, he wouldn’t be able to resist her, which was so sweet.
He wasn’t home, having gone with his steward to review an issue with a tenant, so it wasn’t as if he’d sought her out due to being cooped up in the house for days.
In fact, the last three days, he’d been out and about quite a bit, insisting she stay inside for fear she’d fall ill.
He obviously didn’t realize she had a very sturdy constitution.
If the sun came out tomorrow, she would make sure they all went for a walk, even Darius, no matter how cold it might be.
Maggie came running toward her and yelled, “I win!” She jumped up and down a moment then looked at Ellie.
Before Ellie knew what she was about, Maggie had thrown her arms around her hips and hugged her. “Thank you for being our mother.”
Ellie wrapped her arms around the girl, swallowing a lump in her throat the size of Mars. “Thank you for being my daughter.”
At the sound of Peter’s footsteps, Ellie looked up.
The little boy ran full tilt into both of them, wrapping his arms around Maggie and a bit of Ellie.
She grabbed on to him, even as her behind hit the wall.
She should say something, but her heart was bursting with joy, completely closing her throat.
Peter stepped back, and she let him go. “I heard someone coming. We better behave.”
She stifled a chuckle as Maggie let go to peer down the corridor. “I hope it’s not Father.”
Ellie looked into the somewhat darkened space. “No, it’s not your father.” She watched the stride and the way the person moved. “I do believe it’s Beacham.”
Peter waved his hand. “Then we can run again.”
Before she could suggest they not, he was off.
“I’ll get him.” Maggie ran after him.
Ellie shook her head as she strode forward to discover why Beacham searched for them, if he had. Peter sped past the man, Maggie after him, before Ellie reached the butler. “I hope we aren’t disturbing anyone.”
“No, my lady. I only sought you out because you have a caller.”
She blinked. “Me?”
Beacham nodded confidently. “Indeed. The Baroness Watkins specifically asked for Lady Ferncroft.”
She’d been so focused on her husband, children, and Christmastide, she’d forgotten her neighbors may call. “Then I’d best go to the parlor immediately. Please have tea brought for my guest. Thank you, Beacham. Oh, and would you be so kind as to ensure the children are returned to the nursery?”
“Of course, my lady.”
“Thank you, Beacham.” She strode toward the end of the corridor at a quicker pace than normal. When she reached the children, she stopped. “I have to attend to a guest, but I will check the sky again after dinner to determine if we can see anything tonight.”
The two children nodded, smiles still on their faces from their races.
Quickly, she descended the staircase, holding on to the balustrade. When she reached the bottom, she paused and took a deep breath, patting at her hair, hoping it hadn’t come too loose. Holding her head up and her shoulders straight, she breezed into the room. “Baroness, what a lovely surprise.”
Prudence, the Baroness Watkins, sat on one of the pale-blue chairs, her sage-green day dress making it appear as if the chair were the flower and she the leaf.
Her hair, liberally sprinkled with white, was pulled back in a tight bun as if she sought to erase the wrinkles in her face.
Her brown eyes missed nothing, and she had a rather large nose, which she managed to look down, despite the fact she sat and Ellie still stood.
“I thought you might enjoy some company on such a dreary day. I believe the chill in the air could go right to one’s bones.”
Ellie sat in the chair adjacent to the older woman. “I haven’t been out today, more’s the pity. I do enjoy the fresh air.”
“You would not enjoy it out there today. There is a mist hanging in the air that is sure to bring sickness to those out in it.” The woman waved her hand and smiled.
“But I am not here to discuss such a sad subject. Here you are, newly wedded and a dear neighbor. Do you find Hawthorne Park overwhelming? I’m not far if you need any advice. ”
Ellie smiled, ignoring the subtle hint that she wasn’t quite able to handle the house.
The woman was just being neighborly. “I admit to quite enjoying my new home. The servants are so good at what they do, the children are a joy, and my husband is a wonderful companion.” She felt a blush starting in her cheeks, but luckily a footman entered with tea service at just that moment.
Lady Watkins didn’t reply while the footman was in the room, but as soon as he left, she spoke. “I do hope the children are not too much trouble. Lady Ferncroft—I mean the late Lady Ferncroft, Dinah—said they could be rather untamed. Yes, I believe that was the word she used.”
Surprised, Ellie dropped the spoon she’d picked up. “Untamed? That is a rather odd description to use about one’s own children. I find them absolutely delightful. Sugar?”
“No, just black.”
She handed the woman her cup then proceeded to make her own. “Do you have children, Lady Watkins?”
“Indeed, I do. My eldest son is currently studying at Cambridge, my other two sons are at Eton, and my daughter is at a finishing school. They’ll all descend on me in a fortnight.” The baroness seemed to be proud and yet put upon at the same time.
“I’m sure you’re anticipating their arrival.” Ellie took a sip of her tea.