He set down his coffee cup and relaxed as she moved away from the topic of accompanying him and addressed the latter part of her statements. “Peter and Maggie went outside? In this cold?”
“We all bundled up quite warmly and stayed out for a very short time. Just enough for a lesson, an encounter with a beetle, and to share that we will be having a lovely Christmastide this year.” She patted his hand where it lay on the table near his cup as if to reassure him.
Normally, he would not enjoy such mothering, but if her instincts were so kind and visited upon his children, he would not discourage it. Not when she spoke about bringing back a tradition he had fully participated in as a youth. “Christmastide… It has been a long time since I took part in such festivities. Do you have great plans for Hawthorne Park, then?”
She clapped her hands together. “I have so many, and I’m pleased that you do not mind. Mrs. Torbett wanted to be sure that you approved. She’s such a capable housekeeper and very loyal to you and the children. I simply adore her.” She lifted her cup and was about to take a sip when her stomach made a noise.
Immediately, his wife’s face turned a bright red, and she hid some of it from his gaze with her cup.
Realizing that she must be hungry, he rose. “I’m anxious to hear all your plans, but first I think it best if we have some sustenance. Allow me to get you a plate.” Even as he strode toward the sideboard, he tried to remember what she’d eaten when his parents had been with them the morning after they married. Since he’d been curious about his wife since the moment he met her at the church, he’d observed her more than might be usual for a new husband. He filled a dish with items he was certain she liked, then added a couple that he liked to see where she stood on them.
After piling a dish with poached eggs, rashers, and honey cakes for himself, he returned to the table and set her dish down before her. “I hope most of this is to your taste.”
“Darius, you are so thoughtful. All of this is exactly what I would have chosen.”
He set his own plate down then resumed his seat. “Truly? All of it? Even the kippers and honey cakes?
She studied his plate for a moment before grinning. “Yes, especially the honey cakes. I see you enjoy them too. It is fortuitous that we have some things in common. And I know something else we have in common.”
Pleased by her astuteness, he raised his right eyebrow. “And what is that?”
“Your children.” She actually sighed and raised her hand to her chest. “I cannot truly express how grateful I am to you for bringing them into my care. I dearly love them both.”
He couldn’t quite believe his luck, even though it had been he who had requested a woman who would be a mother to his children when he sent Anthony in search of one. “They must be behaving very well for you to be enamored so soon. To be fair, I must be honest and admit they are not always so well behaved.”
Eleanor laughed, a loud though not unpleasant sound that seemed to fill the room. “I wouldn’t say they have been on their best behavior. No, they have been acting like children, and I absolutely adore it. I don’t wish them to be formal with me any more than I wish you to be.” Her smile left her and her mood seemed to shift even as she lifted a honey cake. “I know what it is to grow up in a formal household. It was not to my liking, and was one of the reasons I was anxious to attend the Belinda School for Curious Ladies. Everyone knows the Duchess of Northwick, who was a Mabry, grew up in a rather unusual home, and it was one I envied when I was younger. So when she openedthe school, I begged my mother to allow me to attend. It was just as I had hoped.” Her smile was back before she took a large bite.
Despite her improved disposition, he didn’t like that she’d been uncomfortable in her youth and resolved to try to be less formal. He was grateful to her for not only marrying him, but for adoring his children. “Then I must confess to you that while my upbringing was less formal, as I studied and trained to take over my duties here, I have practiced formality in all areas. So I will ask you to help me be less formal when the situation allows for it.”
Once again, she reached for his hand that held his fork, but instead of patting it, she grasped it, fork and all. “Darius, I would be honored to do so. Perhaps then you could start by calling me Ellie.”
“Ellie.” It felt strange to say it.
Her pretty blue eyes lit at his response. “Yes, exactly. Like an elephant. One of my brothers used to tease me and call me Ellie the elephant, but it was all in fun. Do you think you can do that?”
“Call you an elephant? I think not. But I will endeavor to remember you’re Ellie.” Her request made him feel as if they had a special relationship, beyond the obvious. Dinah had been called Dee by her sisters, but had never mentioned it to him. And, of course, after her discovery, they were nothingbutformal.
Ellie, as he would attempt to think of her, let go of his hand, patting his forearm once again. “Excellent. Then let me tell you about our Christmastide for Hawthorne Park.”
As his wife launched into her plans in between bites of her meal, she grew more animated. Her eyes almost sparkled with glee as she gestured here and there, sending one poor kipper off her fork and onto the floor. He tried not to watch the footman discreetly pick it up.
She was the complete opposite of Dinah, loud where his deceased wife was quiet, animated where Dinah had an economy of movement to the point of being able to sit for hours barely moving. Even Ellie’s dress stood out for its brightness, while Dinah had worn very light pastels. Hope grew inside him that, perhaps, with his first marriage being such a failure, this one could be a success.
“—hope you will allow the children to participate in the stir-up. I want them to be able to participate in almost every part of the season.”
The mention of the stir-up filled him with memories. “Of course the children must take part. I, myself, as the eldest, was the first child to stir the Christmas pudding. Lady Margaret should enjoy that honor.”
“You mean Maggie, I’m sure.” She gave him a knowing smile.
In turn, he nodded in acknowledgment of her request to be less formal. “Yes, Maggie and, though he is yet small, Peter. It seems like such a small affair with only two children to take part. I do hope we can expand upon them with children of our own.”
This time when her cheeks heated, it didn’t cover her entire face, neck, and chest as it had earlier. Instead, it made her glow quite becomingly. “Darius, I would love nothing more than to be a mother to more children.” Her gaze turned sly as one side of her mouth lifted. “I think at least a dozen, don’t you?”
Startled, he pulled his head back and cocked it as he searched for an appropriate response.
Her laughter filled the room once again. “I’m only jesting. I would be grateful to be blessed with any children.” She moved her hand to her chest once more, her strong feelings on the matter very clear.
Her happy demeanor called to him like a lost horse to his warm stall, and he found himself not simply curious about her,but attracted to her as well. “Then, my fine lady, I shall be sure to visit you tonight so that we may begin our expanding family.”
