Chapter 7 #2
I couldn’t help smiling inwardly. They bickered back and forth, but I’d also seen Annabelle put her head on Samuel’s shoulder while he patted her arm.
They only did it when they thought no one else was looking, and five minutes later they’d be bickering again.
But I hadn’t seen any evidence of cruelty or menace from them, and though I’d had little experience observing siblings, I’d heard stories from the other girls I’d grown up with at school.
Annabelle and Samuel made me hope I had twins someday, a boy and a girl.
I sat between them so they wouldn’t start teasing each other and got them started on our lesson for the day.
Two hours later, Lord Brookhaven appeared in the doorway to the schoolroom holding a ball of fur with two dark eyes and a little tongue sticking out. One of the footmen stood just behind him with a second wriggling puppy.
“I have a surprise for you.” Lord Brookhaven was genuinely smiling, which made my stomach flip.
“Ohhh!” Annabelle cried out.
“Is one of them mine?” Samuel said, and both children ran toward their older brother.
Lessons were obviously over for the day.
Lord Brookhaven knelt on the floor with the two puppies as the children oohed and aahed over the furry pets.
“This one is a Pomeranian, for Annabelle,” he said, pointing to the ball of light brown fluff. “And the other”—which Samuel was already petting—“is a cocker spaniel for Samuel.”
The children were holding the puppies, which were licking their faces and making them giggle. When the puppies wagged their tails, their whole bodies wriggled.
“You must share them with Miss Robbins,” Lord Brookhaven said, sneaking a look at me.
“Oh, Miss Robbins, come see how soft she is,” Annabelle gushed.
I knelt beside her and touched the little ball of liveliness. “Indeed, she is very soft.”
I had tears in my eyes, I didn’t know why. Perhaps because the dogs were so full of life and joy and innocence. But it was more the sight of a man like Lord Brookhaven doing something just to make the children happy, children I had come to love.
His face was split in a grin as he watched the chaos, the puppies yipping and yapping in high-pitched playfulness.
Mrs. Merryweather came rushing in. “What in the name of . . .” She stopped and stared, then walked away, mumbling, “Lord bless me.”
“You’ll have to name them,” Lord Brookhaven said. “What do you think?”
“Maizie,” Annabelle called out, just as the ball of fur licked her in the mouth, making her squeal.
“I think she likes her name,” Lord Brookhaven said. “Maizie it is.”
“I’m naming my puppy Ernest,” Samuel said.
“Maizie and Ernest. Those are splendid names.” Lord Brookhaven winked at me, smiling widely. “What do you think, Miss Robbins?”
“I think they’re wonderful.” I laughed even as I wiped away a tear. How sentimental I was!
We played on the floor with the dogs until Hannah came and took the children for their midday meal, and a new maid, who’d been hired to help care for the dogs, came and took the canines away.
Lord Brookhaven and I were left alone in the schoolroom.
“Thank you,” I said. “You have made the children very happy.”
“Are you sure you should be thanking me? I’m not certain you will be able to get them to do any schoolwork at all now.”
“Well, they will be happy, at least.”
“And you, Miss Robbins? Are you happy?”
I opened my mouth but then shut it. I didn’t know how to answer.
“Never mind. I saw how pleased you were for the children. You are a generous soul, Miss Robbins.”
He looked at me quite intently, and the longer he gazed at me, the harder it was to hold back the threatening tears. What was wrong with me?
“Well,” he said gently, “you may go and take your rest. Your duties are complete for today. Good day, Miss Robbins.”
The next day, the children had just finished their lessons and gone with the nurse. I was putting away our books when a handsome middle-aged lady appeared in the doorway.
“Miss Robbins? Forgive me for my lack of manners.” She stepped toward me.
Lord Brookhaven came into the room right behind her. “Lady Derringer, this is Miss Charlotte Robbins. Miss Robbins, this is my aunt, Lady Derringer.”
We exchanged polite greetings. She was so elegant, both in her dress and her manners, but not in an off-putting way. She possessed an easy grace and an utter lack of haughtiness in her demeaner.
“I have spoken to the dressmaker,” Lady Derringer said, “and I like what she has planned.”
I got the feeling she was studying me as we talked about the dresses that were being made for me, discussing colors and styles and fabrics.
She was certainly thinking of what would look best with my complexion and eye color, but there was more to her scrutiny than just choosing the most flattering clothes.
I felt as if she was trying to decipher my character.
“Well, if you’re going to talk only about muslins and lace and pink embroidery—” Lord Brookhaven said, taking a step toward the door.
“There, there,” Lady Derringer said, more in irritation than placating.
“I am done with that. Besides, we have a lot to do before your guests arrive.” She turned to me.
“Miss Robbins, it was lovely meeting you. I hope you will enjoy the party, and I shall enjoy getting better acquainted with you in the coming weeks.”
They were gone, and I was left with two impressions. One, that Lady Derringer was as genuine and unpretentious as her nephew, and two, that Lord Brookhaven had been nervous for her to meet me.