“Because if she finds fault, she will use it against him.” It was not phrased as a question.
“Perhaps.”
Ella absorbed this in silence. Then she said quietly, “We cannot let her take us. This is our home. Uncle Nate is our family. I know he struggled before—but he’s better now. He has been, for weeks. Ever since you came.”
The words cut deep.Ever since you came.And now—because of her—everything stood in jeopardy.
“I know,” Serena said softly. “And I promise you, Ella, I will do everything in my power to ensure you remain here, with your uncle, where you belong.”
“You won’t leave?” Ella’s voice wavered, the child breaking through the composure. “Promise me you won’t go. Not while she’s here. Not—” She swallowed. “Not ever.”
Serena’s heart clenched. She thought of the letter she might one day have to write, of the farewell she might one day be forced to make. Of Nathaniel’s request for restraint, for distance, for the quiet erasure of what lay between them.
But she looked at Ella—brave, frightened, trying so hard to be strong—and knew she could not abandon them now.
“I promise,” she said. “I am not going anywhere.”
Ella studied her face intently, searching for any hint of evasion. At last, she nodded.
“Good. Then we have work to do.” She straightened, resolve settling over her features. “Aunt Elspeth notices everything—dust on the mantels, creases in the linen, scuffed floors. If we mean to give her nothing to criticise, everything must be immaculate.”
“That is a very sound assessment.”
“And Samuel and Rosie must be prepared—Samuel especially. He has been doing so well, but if Aunt Elspeth presses him, if she tries to force conversation…” Ella frowned. “He might retreat again.”
Serena reached across the table and laid her hand over Ella’s. “We will not allow that. We shall prepare them gently, and remind them—again and again—that they are safe, and loved, whatever happens.”
“And Uncle Nate?” Ella asked, striving for casualness. “Will you make sureheis prepared? When he is under strain, he sometimes withdraws.”
Serena thought of Nathaniel’s face as he handed her the letter—the fear, the resolve, the fierce need to protect.
“Your uncle understands the stakes,” she said. “He is determined to safeguard you all.”
“I know.” Ella’s expression softened. “He has changed, hasn’t he? Since you came. He’s more like himself. Like before.”
Serena wondered if Ella realised just how true that was.
“Your uncle loves you very deeply,” she said, choosing the one truth she could offer without reservation. “Everything he does is for you.”
“I know,” Ella replied. Then, more quietly, “I love him too.”
Serena felt her eyes sting.
“We will face this together,” she said. “And we will show Lady Crane that this family—unconventional though it may be—is precisely what you need.”
Ella nodded. “Together.”
They sat in silence for a moment, united in purpose if not in full understanding.
Then Ella smiled faintly. “I suppose I should warn Samuel and Rosie that they must be on their best behaviour—though persuading Rosie not to mention Marianne’s imaginary tea parties may prove a challenge.”
Serena laughed despite herself. “Marianne is a very important member of this household. I see no reason she should be excluded from conversation.”
“Aunt Elspeth will think it childish.”
“Aunt Elspeth is free to think as she pleases. Our task is simply to show her the truth—that you children are happy, well cared for, and thriving under your uncle’s guardianship.”
“And under yours.” Ella held Serena’s gaze steadily. “You are part of this family too, Miss Collard. Whether you choose to admit it or not.”
