“Would you like to tell your uncle what sort of sports you like?”
Edwin and Ernest were shy at first, but Frances did not relent. “Perhaps it was horse riding that your father was so fond of?”
“We have never ridden a horse,” Edwin admitted.
“Oh, how lucky then that your uncle has stables right on the estate.” Frances grinned at Christopher—the hint to take over from here.
“Ah, yes. Would you like for me to teach you?” Christopher softened his voice. “I could do that well.”
Edwin’s eyes lit up. “Yes, please. Father promised that he would teach us once we were older.”
“Then I promise you, I will make it happen,” Christopher assured.
Even Ernest was looking more interested now, his initial wariness fading.
As they talked, Frances began to set up the lunch that she had packed for everyone.
The picnic was going right as planned so far, and she could not be more delighted.
After lunch, the boys started running around. Christopher watched them, a small smile forming on his lips.
“It’s nice to see them act like children again,” he remarked.
“Oh, you should join them,” Frances encouraged. “I am sure that they would like that a lot.”
Christopher shook his head. “I am afraid that I am a bit too old to be playing like this in the garden.”
“It would help them grow closer to you,” she pushed, a flicker of determination in her eyes.
“That is your mission, after all?” he questioned.
“Indeed, it is. I believe that we have already made some remarkable progress, as is.”
Christopher took his head, laughing to himself.
“I cannot believe I am doing this…” he scoffed, and then chased after Ernest, who let out a delighted shriek. Edwin joined in, and soon the area was filled with the sounds of laughter and playful shouts.
Frances watched them with a smile, feeling a sense of contentment.
I hope you can see how happy they are, Lydia.
“Are you not going to join in?” Christopher ran to her, grinning wildly. “It is unfair that we have all of the fun. Is it not, boys?”
“I do not think that it would be proper,” Frances protested feebly.
She thought back to her mother, who would wholly disapprove of her daughter running around in a dress.
Highly unbecoming of a lady. You should know better,Albina would have said.
“I am sure that the children would love nothing more,” Christopher urged.
Frances looked back at their faces and did not have the heart to disappoint them.
Well, what Mother does not know, won’t hurt her.
Perhaps she could make an exception, just this once.
She decided to join in the fun and ran after Edwin, her laughter mingling with theirs.
