Chapter 8 Sinclair
We walked with my aunt and parents to the royal dining room. I carried JJ in his carrier. I had no intention of putting him on the floor, but an extra chair could easily be brought in. Then I’d set him between Jayne and me. She’d want to be able to watch him.
Almost like I wanted to be able to watch her. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little worried about my wife. I didn’t know a lot about postpartum depression, but that phrase kept popping into my head. Was that what was happening to her? Why she cried so easily?
It couldn’t be, though. A thing like that wasn’t cured with sugar. Was it? I needed to do some research. Maybe speak to Dr. Northwind. I wasn’t going behind Jayne’s back; I just wanted to know how to help her. Or at least what I should be doing to help.
I didn’t want her going through this alone. She and JJ were my world. I would do everything I could to keep them safe.
Footmen opened the doors for us as we approached. The dining room was a beautiful space, and the table had been set to impress with crystal, silver, and flowers, although I supposed that was the case no matter who was dining here.
Jayne’s parents and aunt and uncle were already in the room. They greeted us, we greeted them, and everyone greeted JJ. He was, unsurprisingly, the star wherever he went.
I could only imagine what would happen when he got older.
I requested an extra chair from one of the footmen, and we took our seats. The chair soon arrived and was placed between us. I set the carrier on it. Jayne looked happy.
Dinner was served, a simple meal of salad, lobster ravioli with a white wine butter sauce, fresh steamed snow peas, crusty bread, and plenty of desserts, including a standout chocolate hazelnut cake that we were eagerly awaiting.
We talked and laughed and listened as Kris, Jack Sr., and my dad told stories about their vast life experiences.
None really beat hearing Santa Claus himself regale us with all the crazy things he’d happened upon while slipping into houses on Christmas Eve.
No wonder some people ended up on the naughty list.
It was a great night. Jayne seemed very much like her old self, and JJ never fussed once, although he did eventually fall asleep.
Not even our laughter bothered him, which amazed me. The kid was something special.
As the night wore down, dessert was up next, and coffee was being served. Jayne chose that moment to pose a question to her parents. “Mom, Dad, how well do you know Flora Merriweather?”
Klara looked at Jack. “You hired her, so I guess that’s a better question for you to answer.”
“She came highly recommended. She used to run events at the Icelantic Hotel downtown. Why?”
Jayne shook her head, then smiled like it was no big deal. “I was just curious.”
I knew it was more than that but got the sense she didn’t want to get into it over dinner. Or maybe in front of my family. Besides, the cake was being cut and plated.
JJ decided this was his moment to wake up and let us know he was no longer happy. I pushed my chair back as Jayne did the same. “We’d better get him home.”
Jayne nodded. “You all stay and chat. Don’t let us ruin the evening.”
We said our goodbyes and headed back to the apartment. I had the carrier while Jayne had JJ on her shoulder and was patting his back. “Almost home, sweetheart. Are you hungry?”
“Probably mad he couldn’t have any of that chocolate cake.”
Jayne laughed. “That did look good. Now I’m kind of mad I didn’t get any.”
“How about I run back and get us two pieces?”
“That would be amazing. I love you.”
“I love you more,” I said over my shoulder as I sprinted, carrier in hand, back to the dining room. Everyone was still sitting there, chatting over cake and coffee. They looked at me as I came in.
“Um, Jayne and I would like two pieces of that chocolate cake to go. Two large pieces.” She could even have mine, if she wanted it.
Kris laughed, his unmistakable boom filling the room. “Can’t say I blame her. It was delicious.”
Jack gestured to a footman. “Sam, will you take care of that?”
The footman nodded and turned to me. “I’ll have the cake sent up to your apartment, sir.”
“Thanks, that would be great.” I gave them a wave. “Night again. Thanks, Jack.”
“You got it.”
I walked out of the dining room but broke into a jog once I was out of sight. When I arrived, Jayne was already in the nursery, feeding JJ. Spider and Sugar were in the crib. I rolled my eyes at that and laughed. “Really? Shouldn’t you two be somewhere else?”
“It’s better than Spider trying to sit in my lap,” Jayne said. She looked at my hands. “Was the cake all gone?”
“Nope. It’s on its way up.”
She grinned. “My hero.”
I stood in the doorway, admiring my beautiful family.
“Whatcha thinking about?” she asked.
“Nothing much. What were you trying to find out from your dad?”
“You mean about Flora? I don’t know, really. I guess maybe I thought his answer would give me some kind of new information.” She shook her head. “That name on the guest list is really bothering me.”
“It is curious. But you said that some names stayed on the list for years for … historical reasons?”
“Yeah. That and tradition, apparently.” She glanced at JJ. “Naming Day is a big deal. I don’t want anything going wrong. Or getting weird.”
“I don’t either. So who would know about past Naming Days? Because it seems to me that looking at previous guest lists might give you more answers.”
She looked up. “That’s brilliant. Um, we should probably check the palace archives. They’re overseen by a man named Delton Tinselwick. Cranky but very knowledgeable.” She laughed. “I interviewed him for a school project years ago, but I bet he’s still there.”
I nodded. “People seem to hold their jobs a long time in this place.”
“Unless they get promoted, and Del is already the top man.”
“Let’s go see him tomorrow and figure this thing out once and for all. What do you say?”
“I say that sounds like a good plan.”
“You know where his office is?”
“He works out of the archives, unless that’s changed and I doubt it very much.”
“I’m sure you’re right. And look, if he can’t help us, I’d bet he’ll know who can. Either way, we’re bound to get some answers, don’t you think?”
“Definitely. And thanks.”
“For what?”
“For not acting like I’m overthinking this.”
“Sweetheart, if you’re concerned, I’m concerned.” I straightened. “You need anything?”
“Just that cake.”
The door chime sounded. “Look at that.” I wiggled my brows at her. “You really are magic.”