“By saving this little monster from breaking my floor?” he asked, with a grin for Sophie.
“I climbed to the top,” Sophie announced proudly. Then suddenly, her face crumpled a bit. “But I forgot to prepare for ‘sploring.”
“I suspect you won’t again, poppet,” he said, stepping all the way into the breakfast room. “Did I hear there were cinnamon rolls?”
“Here, Uncle Grey!” Amelia piped up. She tried to lift the plate with her chubby little four-year-old fingers but only ended up sliding the remaining rolls off onto the table. One hurtled over the side to be devoured in one gulp by the mass of grey fur and sharp teeth crouched below the table.
“Oh, no,” Amelia groaned, squeezing her eyes shut and scrunching down in her seat so that her fine blonde hair covered her face, an instinctive move of protection Grey had seen too often from both girls.
For a moment he froze. He didn’t know what to do with little girls, especially little girls who betrayed a past he didn’t even want to consider. He was the only one here who should instinctively anticipate violence.
There was nothing for it. With a quick look up at the stranger whose expression betrayed her own cautious dismay, he stepped up to crouch beside Amelia’s chair.
“I believe,” he said, knowing his voice was too gruff, “that your...puppy,” he said with another quick look at their guest, “is happier than I have seen him. I also believe I can spare a roll for him. As long as he has the manners not to deposit it back upon my carpet.”
She was still curled in a defensive position. “I should have ‘pared,” she whispered, sounding anguished.
“Oh, dear,” the strange woman murmured, sitting Sophie back in her seat. “I didn’t mean to...”
Grey smiled quickly up at her. “Amelia was trying to help. Helping is a wonderful thing.”
“It is indeed,” the woman said. “Both girls offered to help me finish a cinnamon bun. They were gracious enough to take two pieces, so I didn’t have to eat the whole thing by myself.”
Finally, she got giggles from both little girls, even though a bit weak.
Grey regained his feet. “Can I assume you are the lady who wishes to see me?”
Her smile was less assured. “I am. If I could have a few minutes of your time?”
“Did you ‘pare for the consequences?” he asked.
Her smile grew a bit. “I certainly hope so.”
“Then, ladies,” he said, with a bow to the girls. “If you will excuse us for a minute.”
“Talk here,” Sophie commanded. “We like her.”
“Sophie,” the woman said. That was all. Sophie.
And Sophie ducked her head. “Please.”
“We cannot,” she said. “But I will stop back in to say goodbye. Would that suffice?”
Amelia scrunched up her face. “Suff….”
The lady smiled. “My apologies. I got ahead of myself. Would that be all right? Please?”
Both little girls grinned and nodded before returning their attention to breakfast.
“There had better be at least one of those left when I get back,” Grey warned. “You know I have a great appetite.”
“Pro-dijus.” Sophie nodded, proud of the word she’d picked up from him.
“Pro-digious,” he agreed.
Quickly bending, he dropped a kiss on one white-blonde little head and another caramel-colored. The dog momentarily looked up as if expecting his own tribute, sighed, and dropped his chin back to the floor.
The nursery maid finally made it into the room as Grey escorted his guest out.
