Griffith tugged at the door handle the moment the carriage stopped, though he struggled to get it open. Reaching around him, Silas turned it, and the door swung open. The boy launched himself through the opening, staggering as he hit the ground, though he managed to keep his feet (however unsteadily). Silas called out to him as Griffith sped away, and though he paid his father little heed, he slowed when Miss Delmonte echoed it; Silas brushed away a jealous prick in his heart and stepped out to give the governess a hand down. Miss Delmonte released Leah, and the child sped after her brother in a flurry of linen and ribbons with the governess following quickly behind.
Turning back to the carriage, Silas found Helen standing in the doorway, moving to take the steps on her own despite his hand being extended to assist her; the girl was as stubborn as ever, refusing to meet his gaze as she gripped the side of the carriage instead of him.
But Silas drew his hidden hand from behind his back, extending a book towards her. She might not accept his help, but Silas felt certain she would accept his gift. Helen’s dark gaze rose from the book to his eyes, her brows pulled tight. She did not ask the question, and Silas offered no explanation for the offering, simply presenting it to her and allowing her curiosity to do the rest. Slowly, she reached forward and took it. Looking to the spine, her eyes widened, and Silas held out his free hand, giving her the option should she wish to take it.
She did not. Giving him a wide berth, Helen stepped down and onto the path that led them to their beach—but she clutched the book to her chest as she sped away. Silas watched her for a long moment, his chest expanding like a preening peacock when Helen gave him one curious look from over the shoulder.
Silas strode down the path, the pebbles crunching beneath his boots as he wound his way to the shore. Helen stumbled a few times when her feet hit the beach, her shoes digging past the thick layer of rocks and shells and into the sand beneath. Moving quicker, Silas came up behind her, close enough to lend assistance when necessary, though he did not reach out to steady her—no matter how much he wanted to.
“Be careful, Leah,” called Miss Delmonte as the child chased the edge of the water, running towards it and then away when it shifted to pursue her. Griffith, for his part, was doing precisely what he loved to do—throwing rock after rock into the water, watching each hit the surface with a splash before it disappeared into the blue.
The groom was busy unloading the supplies they’d brought, and with quick work, the blanket was laid out and the basket set in a place of honor. Though Silas wished for a touch warmer temperature, he couldn’t fault the chill in the air, for it kept the beach empty, leaving it entirely to his little family. The situation was quite perfect.
Miss Delmonte moved towards the blanket, and Silas offered her his hand. She stared at it for a moment before her gaze rose to meet his, her brown eyes sparkling in the sunshine. Giving it only a moment’s consideration, the lady took hold of him, and he helped her down before taking a seat beside her.
Griffith and Leah ran along the beach, rushing to and fro with a vigor Silas wished he still had. Helen stood to one side, her gaze fixed on the ground, and Silas pretended not to notice her glancing his way for a quick moment before opening the book. Her lips pulled into a smile as she flipped through the pages, and Silas ignored that, too; no doubt it would disappear in a trice if she realized she was grinning, but she could not hide her excitement entirely. Squatting, she examined the offerings on the ground around her, picking at them with one hand with the book balanced on her knees, ready to be consulted.
“She may not like me, but she certainly likes my gift,” he said.
Miss Delmonte turned her attention from Griffith and Leah to Helen, a faint smile lifting her lips. “What did you give her?”
“A book about shells found along the southern coast. The bookseller assured me it was the most extensive on the subject and includes a wide array of illustrations to aid in identifying them.”
The governess straightened a touch, her smile deepening. “That is possibly the most perfect thing you could’ve given her. I fear I do not have access to many books of that nature, and I’m struggling to keep up with her passion.”
Silas kept his face turned to the children, though his gaze slid to the lady at his side. Miss Delmonte was such an odd creature, and he found himself wondering at the puzzle she presented. Prim and proper like any good governess, yet there was passion beneath the posturing timidity. She showed glimpses of her fire at times, and they were coming with more frequency. As she had reacted beautifully with a bit of needling the last time they spoke, Silas found himself wondering what she would do with a bit more. It was better than sitting here without speaking.
“No doubt her mother did not wish to encourage such bluestocking behavior.” Silas kept his tone even, though he smiled within.
Miss Delmonte stilled, her gaze fixed on the children, though her attention was not there. Having claimed Helen was undertaking a rigorous study approved by his wife, Miss Delmonte must uphold the fib, yet to correct a superior was unthinkable.
“Are you trying to bait me?” she asked, and Silas could not keep his grin contained any longer.
“That is quite an accusation,” he said with a tone that was a mixture of primness and mockery.
The governess turned her gaze to him. “I was warned about your ridiculousness.”
“That sounds like a quote from Mrs. Byrnes.”
But Miss Delmonte’s brow rose at that, and a fleeting smile stole across her face before she replied, “That particular warning came from Mrs. Byrnes’s sister.”
Silas smiled to himself. “A lady who dislikes me nearly as much. Though I cannot believe my wife didn’t express a similar opinion.”
Miss Delmonte fiddled with the spread around her, straightening and reorganizing dishes and the edge of the blanket, though they’d been expertly laid out by the groom.
“I assure you I am well acquainted with my wife’s low opinion of me,” said Silas. “You needn’t feel uneasy when I jest about it.”
Her gaze drifted to him, though she viewed him only from the corner of her eye. Miss Delmonte gave him another nod, but it was far too similar to the stiff ones she’d given before, and Silas shifted in his seat.
“I see I have shocked you with my candor, Miss Delmonte.”
“You have every right to speak as you see fit.” The lady turned her gaze to the children.
Silas frowned, his heart sinking as he let out a low sigh. The emotional distance Miss Delmonte placed between them felt far heavier than before, and he turned his scowl to his trousers as he picked off a few stray grains of sand. Though he couldn’t help but twit her once more.
“And now, you are to put distance between us once more? I had thought we were beginning to rub along.”
But as much as he tried to keep his tone light, there was an edge he couldn’t hide. Hatch was hardly a source of lively conversation, and his children were either incapable or unwilling to do so, and as a whole, Silas’s world was far too quiet. Something he hadn’t noticed until now.
