“I cannot see how the sound of us bickering is soothing to her,” Simon replied pointedly, “But perhaps she seems to enjoy fresh air.”
“Did you ever…” Harriet struggled to frame her question in the right manner, “Simon, do you have any experience with children? I am the youngest born in my family, and therefore have nothing to offer in that realm. But I have heard from the staff that you have a younger brother.”
Simon seemed to stiffen at the mention, causing Harriet’s mind to swell with curiosity.
That was a strange reaction.
And the more she thought about it, she realized how strange it was that she had never heard from this little brother, despite being married into the family for a better part of a year now.
But, just when she was about to press him for more information, he blurted out, “my brother and I only have a few years of difference in age. It hardly counts as experience, as I was a child myself,” he said.
His reply was straightforward, but Harriet could not help but feel that perhaps he was hiding something.
She slackened her shoulders, and decided that it was best to move from the topic. If they were to spend the entire time bickering, it would really take away from the purpose of bonding.
“Well, perhaps we can learn together,” she admitted, softly.
Simon observed her from the side as they walked, “Perhaps so.”
“Do you believe that you have a natural talent when it comes to dealing with children?” she asked.
Simon shrugged his shoulders. “I am afraid I have never been in a situation where I could verify. But surely, it cannot be too difficult.”
Harriet shot him a look. “Simon, you should not speak as though taking care of a child is easy work. Have you not heard the old adage? It takes an entire village to raise a child.”
“I am sure that is a way to make the process more efficient,” he maintained.
“Then, I shall like to see you try,” Harriet challenged. “Do you believe that you would be able to take care of little Catherine without the assistance of anyone?”
She could see the duke stumble on his words briefly, but then decide not to back down. “Of course.”
Harriet narrowed her eyes at him. “Are you certain? There is nothing wrong with admitting that some things are out of our skillset.”
“Please—” he held up his hand. “I am sure that it cannot be so difficult.”
“Well, then,” Harriet’s lips curled into a smile. “We shall see. One of these days, you should take care of little Catherine for some time. We shall find out then.”
Simon stopped walking, and instead held out his hand for Harriet to shake. “We have ourselves a deal.”
Deep in the garden now, their gazes met, and once again, Harriet felt as though she could lose herself within those emerald depths.
It took Catherine to make some noise to break them out of their little moment, followed by awkward coughs and pacier steps.
“The garden…” Simon said, clearing his throat. “We should continue north.”
“Uh.. um.. Yes, of course.” Harriet kept her head down, focusing on dragging the pram.
But deny as they might, the tension between them crackled like firewood. One strong blow of the wind, and it had the potential to light up in flames.
CHAPTER 10
The next morning, Harriet rose from her bed with a sense of apprehension. Today, a nursemaid would be arriving to visit the estate, and while she should have felt relief, an inexplicable unease nagged at her.
She dressed quickly, choosing a simple yet elegant gown of pale blue muslin that complemented her eyes. But before she made her way downstairs, she could not help but make a stop at the nursery.
The baby was still asleep, her tiny fists curled under her chin, her breathing soft and steady. Harriet felt a swell of affection for the child she had grown so attached to in such a short time.
“I hope you slept well, angel,” Harriet whispered under her breath, watching her from a distance.
