He’d learned to give hugs and wipe tears and then turn Jewel’s attention to something else. She’d obediently go along with his attempts to cheer her up. But she’d still talk about her friends being gone and ask when they’d come back. Questions he couldn’t answer. All he could do was reassure her they’d return for a visit.
This time, though, she surprised him. When Jewel turned away from the window, she seemed her regular self. The child moved toward the cat, trying to tiptoe and almost overbalancing several times. She crouched down to carefully pet the creature’s head.
Now for the other one.He cleared his throat. “Would you like some time alone? To unpack? It will be dark soon. Not really a good time for lessons.”
Ivy tilted her head, as if thinking. “I have an idea. Let me get something out of my trunk, and I’ll meet you two in the parlor.” She whirled and walked away.
Torin stared after her, mesmerized by how gracefully she moved. Then he shook his head and made himself look away. “Let’s go to the parlor,” he told Jewel. “You can bring Brave.”
When in the parlor, they usually sat together on the sofa. Jewel liked to take a seat on her own without his help before cuddling up next to him. He never minded that the way she managed wasn’t at all ladylike and hoped the governess wouldn’t reprimand her.
Jewel stopped in front of the sofa.
Apparently his daughter realized she couldn’t climb up with Brave in her arms. He could have lifted her up, cat and all. But, instead, he went around the room and lit the lamps against the descending night, sending the faint hint of kerosene into the air, and watched to see what she would do.
Jewel solved the problem by placing Brave at one end of the sofa and seating herself between Torin’s usual place and the cat.
“Just wait,” he told her. “Let’s see if Brave will come over to you.”
Sure enough, the cat watched Jewel, seeming to assess whether she’d move again, and then went to climb on her lap.
Carefully, so as not to startle Brave, Torin settled into his spot.
Ivy entered, carrying a small harp.
“Now that’s unexpected!” At the thought of music, his anticipation arose. “The ones I’ve seen are about four times bigger.”
“It’s a Celtic lap harp.” Ivy took a seat in the wing chair catty-corner to them, placing the harp upright on her lap. “It only has fifteen strings, so the sound isn’t as rich as a bigger one, and I’ve had to adapt a lot of pieces.” She smiled ruefully. “Or rather, my teacher had to, and I learned them from her. I haven’t played much in the last few months, so I’ll probably be fumble fingered.”
“We won’t be a critical audience,” he promised.
Ivy took a few breaths, obviously readying herself for a performance. Then she set her fingers on the strings and started playing “Greensleeves.” For a few stanzas, she concentrated on her fingering. But, apparently gaining confidence, she looked up, seeming to assess her listeners.
The piece was a favorite of his—one not heard forsolong—and performed quite competently. Although tempted to lean back, close his eyes, and absorb the music, Torin was more curious about his daughter’s reaction. They sang sometimes—hymns and folk songs. But the harp was a new experience.
Jewel watched Ivy, enraptured, wide-eyed, her mouth gaping slightly and her tongue protruding a bit.
Torin couldn’t take his eyes off his daughter, enjoying her pleasure. Like the harp, his heartstrings thrummed. Then a dark thought intruded.This is what Mary Beth is missing. She’ll never have the pleasure of receiving that look from her daughter.He pushed the memory of his former wife out of his head. Why had she popped into his mind so frequently lately? Usually, he’d go months without thinking of her.Dr. Angus’s fault with his talk of Jewel growing into a woman.
Ivy finally lifted her hands, shaking them as if they ached. Ruefully, she glanced at the pads of her fingers. “My calluses have softened from lack of regular practice.” She placed her hands back on the strings and started playing “Danny Boy.”From there, she went to “Scarborough Fair” and then to “Down in the Valley.”
Brave jumped down and sauntered from the room.
Engrossed in watching Ivy, Jewel didn’t notice. But she sleepily leaned her head against Torin’s shoulder.
“One last song,” Ivy said softly. “That’s all my hands can handle. But this is a good one to finish out the night.” She took an audible breath and began the hymn, “Abide With Me.”
As the music drew to an end, Jewel yawned.
“‘Fast falls the evening tide,’” he quoted. “It’s bedtime for you.”
“Not tired.”
With a raise of his eyebrows, Torin sent Ivy an exasperated look.
Chuckling, Ivy set down her harp, stood and held out a hand toward the girl. “Why don’t you show me your room?”
Jewel eagerly grabbed Ivy’s hand, towed her down the hall, and into the last doorway on the left. Torin silently followed them.
