They had told him they didn’t like their nurse; he hadn’t listened.
“It’s not your fault, Father,” Amanda said.
It was, but there seemed little point in belaboring the fact. Not now, not when the time was ripe for a fresh start.
“We’ll find you a new nurse,” he assured them.
“Someone like Nurse Millsby?” Oliver asked, sniffling as his tears finally subsided.
Phillip nodded. “Someone just like her.”
Oliver looked at him with great sincerity. “Can Miss—Mother help to choose?”
“Of course,” Phillip replied, tousling his hair. “I expect she’ll want a say. She is a woman of a great many opinions, after all.”
The children giggled.
Phillip allowed himself a smile. “I see you two know her well.”
“She does like to talk,” Oliver said hesitantly.
“But she is terribly clever!” Amanda put in.
“Indeed she is,” Phillip murmured.
“I rather like her,” Oliver said.
“As do I,” his sister added.
“I’m glad to hear that,” Phillip told them. “Because I do believe she is here to stay.”
And so am I,he added silently. He’d spent years avoiding his children, fearing that he’d make a mistake, terrified that he’d lose his temper. He’d thought he was doing the best thing for them, keeping them at arm’s length, but he’d been wrong. So very wrong.
“I love you,” he said to them, hoarsely, with great emotion. “You know that, don’t you?”
They nodded, their eyes bright.
“I will always love you,” he whispered, crouching down until they were all of a level. He drew them close, savoring their warmth. “I will always love you.”
Chapter 17
... regardless, Daphne, I do not think you should have run off.
—from Eloise Bridgerton to her
sister the Duchess of Hastings,
during Daphne’s brief separation
from her husband,
mere weeks into their marriage
The ride to Benedict’s was rutted and bumpy, and by the time Eloise stepped down at her brother’s front steps, her mood had gone from bad to foul. To make matters worse, when the butler opened the door he looked at her as if she were a madwoman.
“Graves?” Eloise finally asked, when it became clear that he was beyond speech.
“Are they expecting you?” he asked, still gaping.
