“An interesting question and one I’m not certain how to answer, because there were times over the past year when I felt slivers of discontent with my chosen lot in life. That was another reason I accepted Mrs. Parker’s offer, believing I’d have time this summer to make a few decisions regarding where I should take my life next.”
“You don’t appear to have much leisure time at your disposal.”
“Too right I don’t, especially with Mrs. Parker continuously taking up new gentlemen to sponsor. But speaking of that, allowme to return to the subject of your son. I appreciate your cautioning me against trying to secure him a match steeped in affection, but I’m still going to attempt to accomplish that feat. I was raised in a home with parents who adore each other. Our home was always filled with laughter, and that’s something that would benefit Walter’s children. I’m hoping my time with them today will help me understand what they’d like in a mother.”
“You want to discern their requirements for a new mother?”
Gwendolyn nodded. “Indeed. I’ve realized their opinions matter the most in this situation. I thought I’d take them on an outing to get to know them better.”
“Shall I arrange for the governesses to go with you?”
“That won’t be necessary.” Gwendolyn smiled. “I’ll have no trouble handling your grandchildren. I’m quite proficient with children, and I have no doubt that after spending today with them, we’ll be well on our way to becoming fast friends.”
Ethel’s nose wrinkled. “That’s some optimistic thinking, Miss Brinley. And while I hope you’re right, don’t let your guard down for a second. The twins have outwitted more adults than I care to admit. I’d hate to return home after seeking out Mr. McAllister and discover they’ve done something dastardly to you, such as lock you in a closet and lose the key.”
“I’ll consider myself forewarned.”
Nineteen
“Can you fix her, Oscar?” Gwendolyn heard Priscilla ask as she reached the nursery doorway, the pathetic note in the little girl’s voice prompting Gwendolyn to linger in the hallway instead of walking into the room.
“I can try, Priss, but I’ve never sewn an arm on before. It might not look pretty when I’m done, but at least Susie will have two arms,” Oscar said. “Maybe you should have asked Grandmother Ethel to have one of the maids sew your doll up.”
“I did. She just said she’d buy me a new doll. I don’t want a new doll. I want my Susie,” Priscilla said, her voice quavering ever so slightly.
“That’s because Grandmother doesn’t know you sleep with Susie every night. You could have told her that.”
“She wouldn’t understand.”
Giving the doorframe a rap, Gwendolyn took a step into the room. “Do you mind if I join you?”
A second later, Priscilla jumped up from her pint-sized chair and barreled across the room, surprising Gwendolyn when she wrapped her little arms around Gwendolyn’s legs and gave hera squeeze before she stepped back and beamed a gap-toothed smile at her.
“Miss Brinley, I didn’t know you was coming. Oscar’s fixing Susie. He’s never done any sewing, but Susie’s sad about her arm, and Samuel’s hiding in the wardrobe cuz he’s sad I’m sad, but now that you’re here, I’m not feeling as sad anymore, and...” Priscilla gulped in a breath of air. “I don’t want to see Miss Lowe ever again cuz she was mean to Susie, and Susie doesn’t like her now, and I was hoping you’d come by someday so I could tell you that.”
Gwendolyn grinned, unable to resist the adorable face peering up at her. Leaning down, she scooped Priscilla into her arms and gave her a hug, not setting her down because Priscilla wrapped her arms around Gwendolyn’s neck and leaned her head against her shoulder.
Gwendolyn’s heart melted on the spot as she realized the little girl in her arms, who could certainly be a terror at times, just needed what every little girl needed, someone to hug when her rag doll’s arm got torn off by a woman who wanted to marry her father.
“I’m sure Miss Lowe didn’t mean to rip off Susie’s arm. I also imagine she feels quite bad about doing that.”
“She didn’t say sorry.”
Gwendolyn patted Priscilla’s back. “I bet she didn’t beg your forgiveness because of all that rain. I saw her running toward a carriage lickety-split when the heavens opened and soaked everyone clean to the bone.”
Priscilla pulled back, her nose wrinkled. “I didn’t feel my bones getting soaked.”
“Then you should count yourself fortunate, but if you do encounter Miss Lowe again, I hope you won’t try to kick her on behalf of your Susie, even if Susie tells you she wants you to.”
Priscilla blinked. “How’d you know Susie asked me to do that?”
“Because my sister Bridget had a doll by the name of Dolly, and every time Bridget did something she knew she shouldn’t have done, it was always because Dolly told her to do it.”
“Dolly sounds bossy. Sometimes Susie can be bossy too, but I told her no more kicking from me, no matter what she wants. I don’t want God to send a lightning bolt after me.”
“God’s not going to send a bolt of lightning after you, darling. That was simply Oscar teasing you. However, God does expect you to behave, and not simply because you’re worried about a lightning strike.”
Priscilla’s little forehead scrunched. “Will it count if I try to be good but acc ... i ... dently be naughty every once in a while?”
