“If you say so.” Caroline backed herself through the doorway. “I’ll have your tray brought up right away.”
“Caro...”
“Sleep well, dear sister and...” She smirked. “Sweet dreams.”
Leonora reached for a pillow and tossed it at her. The door swung shut before it struck its mark. It was clearly time for Leonora to prepare, because if there was one thing she knew about Caroline, it was that she loved nothing more than a brilliant match.
Chapter Four
WHEN PHILIP CAME DOWNSTAIRSfor breakfast the following morning, he was alerted to the sound of women’s laughter coming from the parlor. Pausing, he glanced in the direction of the dining room and decided to forego his meal for a moment in order to investigate.
Crossing the floor, he carefully opened the door so as not to disrupt the amusement of those within. His heart made a funny thud against his chest at the sight of Leonora standing in the middle of the room with a baby in her arms. She was bowing her head over the infant, making the silliest face he’d ever seen and then giggling wildly when the subject of her affection responded with happy chortles.
Warmth expanded inside him, pressing against his ribs until he feared he might risk overheating. This was family, the cozy comfort of home, joy in its simplest form. Everything he’d imagined he’d have with Claire, only to find himself utterly disappointed instead.
He stepped forward slowly, the need to be here, to bask in this moment of intimacy, compelling him to stay. Leonora made another silly face, and the baby waved one arm in the air, grabbing at her nose.
“You are so sweet and pretty,” Leonora cooed. “Just like your mother.” She glanced sideways at Lady Lockwood, who regarded the entire scene with sparkling eyes and dimpling cheeks.
Philip returned his attention to Leonora. In his opinion she was the prettiest girl in the room. In Sheffield...London...England...the world. He gripped the back of a chair, a little unsteadied by the sudden yearning of his heart. No. It was too great a risk. Marriage only led to disaster. But Leonora was different, he’d concluded this already. And yet...he shook his head roughly.
“Mr. Dalton?” Lady Lockwood remarked. “What a pleasant surprise. We did not hear you come in.”
Straightening, he moved further into the room. “I heard you from the hallway and came to wish you both a good morning.” He glanced at Leonora, whose smile remained warm and welcoming even though her eyes had grown wary. “I hope you can forgive the intrusion.”
“But of course.” Lady Lockwood waved him closer. “This is my daughter, Lucy. Would you care to hold her? I daresay my sister would appreciate the reprieve.”
Philip turned to stare at the baby as if it were a cumbersome porcupine he couldn’t imagine holding without dropping. “I have no experience,” he ventured.
“None is needed,” Lady Lockwood assured him. “Is it, Leonora? She held a baby for the very first time herself just a few short minutes ago and look how easy it is for her. Show him, Leonora, so you can come have some tea.”
Philip gulped, which was something he never did. He met Leonora’s gaze and saw that the wariness was gone, replaced by amusement, and just like that, all apprehension faded. The woman was laughing at his discomfort and for some absurd reason, that made him want to prove himself capable. And perhaps tease her a little in the process.
So he cast all worries aside and stepped forward boldly. Leonora’s eyes widened. Ha! She’d clearly imagined his retreat. Instead, he moved in close to her, so close they almost touched. Her breath hitched and her lips parted and by god he wanted to kiss her. But there was a baby between them now, not theirs but somebody else’s. He held up his hands and pried them under the infant’s body, which of course made them slide across Leonora’s arms.
“Help me,” he murmured, chuckling when she blinked as if brought back suddenly from a brief distraction.
