Sophia and Lydia spied their brother, yelped with joy, and rushed toward him.
Sophia jumped on his lap and looked over at Madeline. “You are the lady who saved our brother Robby.”
“Sophia,” Mr. Oswyn said. “Remember your manners. I must introduce you to Miss Mercer first. Then you may speak.”
Madeline laughed and gave Sophia a wink. “I am not fond of manners or rules. My mother says that when I was your age, I loved to climb trees and play games of all sorts.” She smiled at the twins. “Your brother also saved me. He is a very brave man.”
“I like her,” Lydia said. “She called Robby brave.”
“I like her too,” Sophia said, nodding until her curls danced around her face.
Lydia drew nearer to Mr. Oswyn, resting her head on his shoulder and looked over at Madeline’s drawing. “That is a picture of our dog, Toby.”
“Let me see,” Sophia said. “You drew Toby wearing a red bow.” She frowned. “He never wears a red bow.”
Madeline laughed. “He wears one in my imagination.” She tore two pieces of paper from her sketchbook and handed one to each of the girls. “Would you like to draw a picture for your brother? I wager that will cheer him up.”
Both girls nodded and scooted onto chairs as Madeline set them up with paper and drawing pencils.
Lydia heaved an exaggerated sigh and added a pout. “Mother said that Robby is sleeping, and we are forbidden to visit.”
Mr. Oswyn frowned. “I am not allowed either,” he said in hushed tones.
Madeline lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Well,” she said exaggerating the word. “When we show your mother these wonderful pictures that we have drawn for your brother, I think she will have to approve our visit.”
The girls giggled and set to work.
Lydia paused and glanced toward the window. “Will you help us build a snowman?”
Madeline smiled at the rapid change of topic. She loved that about children. They were so spontaneous.
Mr. Oswyn chuckled, kissing each of his sisters in turn on the check. “My darling sisters, it is not snowing.”
“But you must promise that you will help us when itdoessnow,” Sophia said.
He laughed and glanced in the direction of the governess. “I promise. When snow does fall, we will ask your governess, Miss O’Brian, to help us build the grandest snowman in the area. Now back to work on your drawings for Robby.”
“I am in your debt, Miss Mercer,” Mr. Oswyn said. “My brother is very dear to me. I say, would you like a tour of the castle and its grounds?”
She shook her head. “I think I will stay here. My mother mentioned a fitting for the Christmas Ball. And it seems there might be more than one.”
“I fear so. My mother is insistent her sons find wives before the New Year. I had a respite after my elder brother’s engagement to Lady Montgomery, but now she has resumed her campaign. She is more insistent than ever that I find a bride.” He cast a glance toward Miss O’Brian, and then dragged his gaze back toward Madeline, but not before Madeline noticed the longing in his gaze when he looked at the governess. “The prospect of a lifetime in a loveless marriage is a bitter pill to swallow.”
The sky darkened as a light snowfall drifted against the windowpanes. “Interesting. I never looked at that from a man’s point of view. Women, me included, long for love, and to be loved in return. But it is more a young woman’s dream, and thus we count our blessings if a marriage brings us security and a kind husband.”
“A sad commentary that we are content to settle.” He glanced over his shoulder as though worried that they might be overheard.
“It is snowing,” Sophia squealed, jumping to the window. “Now can we build a snowman?”
Chapter Fourteen
Madeline enjoyed the snowfall. It reminded her of the winters in Boston. The weather continued to cooperate, dumping snow in the morning, then pausing long enough to allow a break where the sun could peek out from the clouds. It was at this moment that William declared it was the perfect time to build snowmen.
In the grand hallway of Conclarton Castle, Madeline stuffed into her pockets the treats she had secured from the kitchen. The treats weren’t for her but for the girls, of course. She then buttoned her long coat and tied her bonnet in place while she and Mr. Oswyn waited for Miss O’Brian to help Sophia and Lydia with their coats and gloves. Sophia and Lydia declared that there was enough snow to build a family of snowmen, women, and children, and the adults could not refuse.
Madeline’s mother would not have approved of her inviting the governess on the tour of the castle with Mr. Oswyn. Madeline’s goal was to secure Mr. Oswyn’s affection, not encourage complications. She could hear her mother say that she had squandered the perfect opportunity to spend time with Mr. Oswyn alone.
Her retort to her mother’s disapproval was easily explained. A single, unwed lady, when accompanied by a gentleman, must be chaperoned. Miss O’Brian accomplished that requirement.
