Chapter 10 #2
With a scoff, she rushed up the stairs, Mrs. Wright in her wake, and Nicholas took himself to his study.
Whisky in hand, he sat in front of the fire, amused at how finding himself married did not frighten him in the least. In fact, it was his greatest challenge yet.
He took a sip and then chuckled to himself.
I will soon hear her knock on my door. I know it.
* * *
“Mrs. Wright, I would dearly love to see everything, but I would like to see the children and the nursery first.”
She kept her sigh to herself, disappointed that he’d not wished to accompany to see the children, especially after he’d asked so fervently about them at the wedding. His tenderness had surprised her.
Perhaps all he wanted to know if they were safe in body and then leave me to the rest of it.
Cordelia tried her best to not let her frustration show.
“But of course, Your Grace. I understand,” Mrs. Wright said.
She was a kindly older woman with white hair and a large bosom.
Crinkles by her eyes showed her kindness, and Cordelia was relieved to have someone near who could be a friend in this strange, new place.
It was a beautiful home but there was a starkness to it, an edge that made her uncomfortable.
Very like the man himself.
Following Mrs. Wright up a set of plush, carpeted stairs, she listened as the housekeeper explained, “His Grace personally gave instructions for the nursery room, wanting the children to have the best environment possible. I hope you too will enjoy it, Your Grace.”
“I’m certain whatever His Grace has chosen is acceptable.
And please, you must excuse the hurriedness of the wedding and the arrangements.
” Mrs. Wright held up a hand. “It is all no matter. I understand the situation well enough, and I am simply delighted that His Grace has decided to settle himself down. It was about time.”
The old woman turned to wink at her, but Cordelia had no time to utter a surprised reply, when Mrs. Wright said, “Ah, here we are. The young boy and girl playing away inside.”
She put a finger to her lips and together, they picked into the nursery. When Cordelia saw the room painted a light, fresh green, clean beds with plump pillows and bright, white sheets, and wooden boxes of various toys in a section of the room, she was shocked.
“It is all so perfect,” she said, turning to Mrs. Wright with a smile. “I had no idea that he would –”
“Oh, His Grace likes to take everything in hand himself, Your Grace. I was not surprised at all that he should get involved in these matters.” She smiled at her.
“Now, I shall leave you to spend time with the children, but your room is ready whenever you are ready. And whenever you are ready for your tour, then do let me know. I am at your disposal.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Wright.”
Slowly, Cordelia made her way into the room, her heart beating nervously.
It had all been so rushed, and she’d barely spent time with the children before being whisked away in all the wedding preparations and packing her things up to be delivered to the duke’s home.
She held her breath as she approached, but when the children looked up, Olivia began to cry, and her heart sank.
She had hoped that their time together over the last week would have helped Olivia to calm.
Tim, however, stood, and he pointed at the toy on the floor. It was a wooden duck.
Smiling, Cordelia knelt by them, and she picked up the wooden duck. “Will this be your favorite toy, Tim? I know the cloth duck is your favorite too,” she asked, but her voice only seemed to irritate Olivia further. She cried, her thumb in her mouth, her cheeks turning redder and redder.
Unfortunately, she was clutching the lamb, so that was not going to do any good now. She’d never been on the receiving end of the children’s tears. It had only been games and laughter between them.
Well, before, you were not one of two people left in the world to them. She took a breath. Oh Helen, what am I to do?
She moved over to Olivia, reaching out of her, but the young girl continued to cry and turned away.
“Mama,” she said and then burst into fresh tears.
It made Cordelia want to cry herself, cry for her friend, but she was determined to make this a success. She would not be bested by a child, nor would she be bested by grief.
“Come, Olivia. I think it is time for a nap. You are overtired.”
“No!” the young girl cried, and Cordelia sighed, trying to keep her patience.
“But you will feel better after a nap, I think. And I shall sing you your favorite song. The one I always used to sing to you.”
Olivia paused for such a moment and then shook her head.
She toddled away, picking up another toy but then plopping into the corner and continuing to cry.
Sending up a silent prayer, Cordelia turned to Tim who was watching all with wide eyes.
She picked him up and cooed at him, bobbing him in her arms. He gripped at her hair, and she feel a few pins loosening.
“All will be well, young Tim. You will see, and Olivia will see.” She looked about the room. “You have a fine room here. And all the toys you could wish for. We are all of us, very lucky,” she said, attempting to believe it herself. “What do you think of that song? Shall I sing it?”
“Sing, sing!” he said, and she started, her voice wavering a little, but it was mostly drowned out by the sound of Olivia.
She pushed on, and Olivia’s continued crying tried her nerves, and it made her want to scream herself.
She hoped that Olivia watching her holding Tim would soothe the young girl, but again, it only continued to irritate her further.
Had they lost everything, even what connection she thought she’d had with the children?
Hearing sudden footsteps, she looked up to see Nicholas rushing into the room and when he saw the chaos that was going on around him, he said, “What in God’s name is going on in here?”