He angled a glance in Miss Halliday’s direction. “Would you prefer I stay behind, too? Do you really not want assistance?”
“I was beingnice. They outnumber me five to one. Of course I want your help.” She laughed. The sound of it was rich and pulled a smile from him. “I would be lost without you. I feel quite out of my element sometimes.”
“You have handled country life very well. It is hard to believe you never ventured from the city until your sister married Beckford.”
“It is a nice life,” she said. “I expect many years of happiness at Blackwood Castle.”
His heart burgeoned with hope before it realized she meant that she would be staying on as the governess, and it was in that moment he realized his heart had known his desire for days now. He drew her closer to his side and smiled when she leaned into him.
Rebecca hung back with them, walking only a few paces ahead. “Mama said Dr. Campion and his bride returned yesterday.”
“Yes, and just in time,” Miss Halliday said. “My sister expects she will have her baby any day now.”
Rebecca spun around, walking backward while she addressed her governess. “May I visit Danby Castle after the baby is born? Would your sister allow me to see the baby?”
“I am sure Felicity would love to show you her newest son or daughter. She might even allow you to hold him or her.”
Colin’s oldest niece giggled and twirled back around to see where she was going. Rebecca had begun talking more over the last week, shedding her shyness around her governess. It was a splendid development, and even more evidence that Miss Halliday belonged at Blackwood Castle.
As their group neared the barn, one of the collie pups ventured outside, spotted the girls, and clumsily bounded toward them. His brothers and sisters, hearing delighted squeals, waddled outside to investigate. Their full bellies nearly dragged the ground as they trotted across the packed dirt to greet them. Each of Colin’s nieces chose a favorite pup to lavish with hugs and kisses. Miss Halliday dropped his arm and hurried forward to kneel beside the youngest girl.
“We have to be gentle,” she said to Nora when the girl tried to lift the puppy by his neck. “He is only a baby. Do you remember how I taught you to hold a baby?”
“Yes, Miss Halliday.” Nora created a cradle with her arms, and Miss Halliday carefully gave her the pup. His pink tongue swiped Nora’s chin, and she grinned, her dimples appearing. “Helickedme!”
Her teacher laughed. “Just don’t lick him back.”
“Ew!” Nora wrinkled her nose. “That would taste bad.”
“About as bad as the biscuits around here, I imagine,” Miss Halliday mumbled to herself, but Colin caught every word and chuckled.
Caroline’s pup slowly began to slip through her arms, its hind legs dangling several inches off the ground.
“May I hold him?” Colin asked and held out his hands.
Caroline furrowed her brow as if considering his request.
“Please,” he said, drawing out the word and flashing what he hoped was a winsome smile.
Eventually, she inclined her head with an exaggerated huff and surrendered the puppy. “She is not a boy. Her name is... Lady Harriet, uh...”
“Lambkins?” he teased.
“No, Uncle.” She lifted her small chin, reminding him of her mother. “It isPuppykins.”
Colin tweaked her sweet pink cheek. “You are much too clever, Caro.”
The girl clasped her hands at her chest and flashed a wide smile at his sincere compliment. His nieces surprised him at every turn with their absolute brilliance.
Miss Halliday helped Nora place the puppy on the ground then stood. “Who can tell me why Blackwood breeds collies rather than pugs or poodles?”
“What is a pug?” Iris asked.
Her oldest sister Rebecca shushed her before answering Miss Halliday’s question. “Collies help herd the sheep and protect them from predators.”
Iris shot her hand into the air to hail her teacher’s attention. “What’s a predator?”
“Don’t be an imbecile,” Emily said and elbowed Iris in the side. “Everyone knows it is a wild dog.”
