“Because we’re having a baby goat join us,” he said.
Her eyes widened. “A baby goat tea party? You’re willingly eating with an animal?”
Yes, it was out of character for him, but she didn’t have to act so surprised.
“For Liliana,” he said.
And because it was an excuse for Sophia to join him.
Not at all because he wanted to have a tea party with a goat.
“Can you prepare enough for at least three of us, maybe more?” he asked.
Cook huffed, but she adored Liliana. She wouldn’t say no.
“You’re the best,” he said, patting her on the shoulder as he hurried toward the door and made his way through the manor to the family’s wing.
“Lil?” he called as he entered the schoolroom. “Are you in here?”
Liliana looked up from the book she was reading and squealed. “You came for me,” she cried, dropping her book and running at him. “Please tell me we can have a tea party,” she said. “I’m tired of reading this book.”
Caspian grinned. “How about a tea party with a goat?” he asked.
Liliana’s shriek of excitement was probably loud enough to be heard through the entire manor.
“You’ve got to get dressed,” Caspian said, surveying the frilly dress she wore. “I know Mollie will decimate that dress in a matter of moments if she gets anywhere near it.”
“What does decimate mean?” Liliana asked.
“Destroy.”
Liliana nodded, running her fingers along the fine lace that edged her sleeves. “Yes, you’re right, she would absolutely decimate this dress. Do you think my red dress is dressy enough for a tea party but not too dressy for Mollie?”
Caspian frowned. “I don’t know,” he said, not sure how to tell her that he had absolutely no idea what dress she was talking about.
“I’m gonna go look,” she said, running out of the schoolroom, nearly colliding with Kellan on her way out the door.
“What’s happening in here?”
Caspian grinned. “I told Little Bit it was time for our tea party. She’s a little excited.”
Kellan sighed. “I’m glad you’re spending time with her. She misses you, you know.”
“I know.” Caspian shrugged, raising his hands. “But what can you do? I can’t take back being in Riyel for the past two years. All I can do is try to make up for it now.”
His brother shifted and crossed his arms across his chest. “Well, it’s good that you’re home now. We all missed you.”
Caspian put his hand up to his ear. “I’m sorry, what was that?”
“I missed you, you idiot,” his brother said, shaking his head. “You’re such a pain.”
“And yet, you missed me,” Caspian said with a grin.
“Yeah, yeah, I already said it once, don’t make me say it again.”
“Say what again?” their other brother asked, appearing in the doorway.
“Kellan said he missed me,” Caspian said.
