“What is it?” he asked, glancing down at himself. “Should I have worn something a little more casual?”
Dorothea’s mouth snapped shut. For a few seconds, she stood there, gripping the side of her lovely little dress, hands shaking. And then her bottom lip began to shake. Before Joseph could understand what was happening, she launched herself across the room, throwing her arms around his legs with a sob.
Joseph shot a horrified look in Catriona’s direction, but Catriona still smiled at them as if she couldn’t be happier at what she was witnessing. She approached as Joseph lowered himself to crouch, enveloping Dorothea into his arms.
“She didn’t believe me when I told her that you were coming with us to our picnic by the river today,” Catriona explained. “I think she’s just a little surprised.”
“She’s crying,” Joseph whispered, as if Dorothea would not be able to hear him.
Catriona nodded, tilting her head to the side. “Yes, she is. I suppose she is simply overwhelmed by your presence.”
Joseph could say the same. He felt a traitorous lump in his throat as he slowly pulled away from his daughter. He wiped Dorothea’s tear-streaked face. “Don’t tell me you were hoping to have Catriona all to yourself?” he said to her.
Dorothea shook her head, her bottom lip still wobbling. “Will you truly come with us?”
“If that is what you wish.”
She was already nodding her head so energetically, Joseph wouldn’t be surprised if she gave herself a headache. “If you come with us, then I could show you the tricks I was teaching Nina last night. She’s really quick at learning. Isn’t that right, Nina?”
Joseph hadn’t even noticed the cocker spaniel napping in the other corner of the room, but he wasn’t at all surprised when she got to her feet and lumbered over to where Dorothea stood. She nudged her wet nose into Dorothea’s side, making her giggle.
“I think that is a yes,” Joseph commented. “I look forward to seeing them.” He brushed her chin tenderly before rising. “Shall we go then?”
Catriona nodded. “Yes, let us.”
Dorothea was all smiles now, skipping out of the drawing room with Nina on her heels. Joseph caught himself smiling after her. and when he looked at Catriona, he saw her doing the same. Shewas unaware of his gentle scrutiny, eyes shining with such love that he couldn’t believe that she hadn’t even known of Dorothea a few weeks prior. One look at her and one would think that she had birthed Dorothea herself.
She could be the mother Dorothea never had the chance to have. She could do what Hannah had never been able to do…
A pang hit his chest at the thought, and that traitorous lump in his throat seemed to double in size.
“Joseph?” He felt her hand on his arm. He hadn’t even noticed that she’d moved to his side. “What’s the matter?”
He was already shaking his head. There was no use telling her anything now. No use bringing up old wounds he’d spent years trying to bury. Catriona wasn’t here to replace Hannah as Dorothea’s mother, after all. She was only to be his wife and a positive influence on Dorothea. That was all he needed.
That was all he thought he needed. Now, he wasn’t so certain he was on the right track.
“I’m all right,” he said when he realized he’d let too much time pass after her question. He was only worrying her further, and he didn’t think he could deal with the questions right now. Not when today was supposed to be a positive one.
But she did not seem convinced. “Are you certain?”
“Well, I am concerned that Dorothea is getting too far ahead of us while we linger here.”
Catriona moved her hand. He suddenly felt odd without her comforting touch. “You needn’t worry. She has Nina with her.”
Joseph couldn’t help raising a brow at that. “And what good is a dog going to do?”
“Nina is quite smart as you should be able to tell. She won’t let anything happen to her.”
Joseph only gave her an incredulous look which made Catriona laugh. The sound easily cleared the dark clouds that had been gathering over his head at the memory of Hannah. “All right, I suppose we should get moving. Dorothea is probably waiting for us.”
Dorothea was indeed waiting for them in the garden though she seemed quite entertained chasing Nina around. Both girl and dog took notice of them then rushed on ahead, leaving Joseph and Catriona trailing after them.
“Don’t go too far ahead!” Joseph shouted after her.
“Yes, Daddy!” Dorothea shouted back, slowing her pace just a little, but it was clear that she was overcome with joy and excitement, and Nina spurred it on, prancing around Dorothea with energy Joseph had never witnessed in the dog.
“I think I should warn you, Joseph,” Catriona said as they neared the river, “Dorothea is going to ask you for a dog of her own. And before you say?—”
