“I was married, sir, but my wife passed ten years ago.”
“You have my condolences, late though they are.”
“Thank you. I am to take Miss Harris to the moving theatre later.”
“Phantasmagoria?” Nathan asked “I’ve heard of it. So, you are taking our new housekeeper?”
“Phantasmagoria. I wonder if Lady Abigail has an understanding of that word?”
“I’m unsure, but if you wish help with what it means, I could make it easy for you and simply give you the definition?”
Fairfax actually gasped. Walter, who was sitting on Nathan’s foot and thereby turning it numb made a grumbling sound.
“I could never do that, Mr. Deville. Why, that’s considered dishonest.”
“Of course it is. Forgive my foolishness for suggesting it.”
“Hello!”
Turning to the top of the stairs, they found Ella.
“Hello. Would you like to come for a walk with me?”
The nanny who appeared behind her looked harried even though the day was not that advanced. Surely the child had not created mayhem already?
“I’ll take her, Mrs. Jenkins,” Nathan said, dropping Walter’s lead, well aware the dog would not move a muscle. In fact, if given the option, he would simply seek sunny spots about the house all day and lounge in them. Not a bad existence, it had to be noted.
Climbing the stairs, he took the hand Ella held out to him. Once the maid had disappeared, he bent down to look into the bright, mischievous eyes of his niece.
“Ready?”
She nodded, and the large floppy yellow bow tied around the ends of her hair fluttered.
“Right then.”
Nathan lifted Ella onto the bannister, then climbed on behind her. He slid them both slowly down it while she giggled. Stopping at the bottom, he handed the little girl to Fairfax and dismounted. Then taking her hand and Walter’s lead, he headed out the door the butler held open.
He’d slept as though his bed was made of hair as thoughts of Beth tumbled round and round inside his head. His eyes were scratchy, and he’d been in better shape, but right in that moment with his niece chattering about nothing he understood and Walter sniffing every post, tree, and anything else that smelled good, Nathan had to say he felt a measure of peace. But only a measure.
This could have been his life. His and Beth’s child and pet.
The day was crisp and clear, just how he liked it. There were plenty about the place, but no one who wanted to bother him. He started singing a nursery rhyme, and soon Ella joined in with her high squeaky voice. They walked at a slow pace for her little legs, and Walter seemed happy also to oblige the little girl.
“Do you have food, Uncle Nathan?”
“No, and don’t try and fool me. I know you would already have eaten, and likely more than once.”
She sighed, then swung his hand a few times.
“Peppermint sticks are my favorite.”
Nathan snorted. “Well, the shop is not far, so shall we visit it?”
Walter understood the words “peppermint” and “sticks,” so he was happy with the direction they took.
Is Beth well this morning?He’d spent the night thinking about her. Worrying about her.In the early hours of the morning, he’d conjured up all kinds of danger for the Carlow family.
“Nathan!” Turning, he found Forrest waving from behind.
