“Even better. Except that he was obviously trying to miss you. Which was the gentlemanly thing to do. You know his aim has to be better than yours. But I’m glad you showed him that you always play to win.”
“I did show him that,” she admitted, but didn’t add it was a bit more complicated than a playful game. Changing the subject, she said, “I was going to ask in the morning, but since you’re here now, may I use the carriage tomorrow? I’d like to take Heron and Fallon on a ride through the woods in the afternoon while the snow’s still fresh.”
“Of course it’s all right. I’ll arrange to have it ready.”
Lillian gave her a wry grin. “Would you mind including refreshments for us?”
“Lillian, you don’t even have to ask. What kind of outing would it be without hot chocolate?”
“Thank you Gwen. You’re a good sister.”
Gwen reached over and patted Lillian’s hand. “And don’t you forget it. I must say, you seem to be going to great lengths to impress the marquis on how well you can take care of children considering you don’t approve of how he teaches them.”
“I’m not doing this to impress him,” she insisted, but wondered if perhaps there was a little truth in her sister’s words. Some, at least. Maybe more. “I don’t recall our mother, but I do remember Papa and Nathan, and our first Christmases without them. I’m doing this because I know how sad Fallon and Heron must feel at times after having lost their parents just last year. Although we sisters had each other, and one of us was always talking, squealing, crying, or laughing, the house had a certain loneliness to it at Christmastide.”
“I remember that too,” Gwen said softly.
“I want this visit to Hurst to be a happy occasion for those two boys and not just for their uncle.”
“And it will be. You know, there’s a small, shallow pond on the north side of the estate. Why don’t you have the driver take you by it tomorrow and see if it has begun to freeze? If it has and the weather stays this cold for the next few days, maybe we can all go skating on Christmas Day.”
“Oh, the boys would love that, but they probably didn’t bring any skates with them.”
“I don’t think that will be a problem. Because Crispin has so many brothers and sisters, there are skates of all sizes here. I’m sure we can find a pair that will fit Lord Wythebury’s nephews well enough they can skate for a little while.”
“We’ll definitely go by and see, but I don’t think you should be doing any ice skating in your condition. If I remember correctly, you aren’t very good on skates anyway.”
“Neither are you, but I would only be watching. As you said, masters Fallon and Heron would love it. And, I think perhaps I should seat you beside the marquis tomorrow night for dinner?”
Lillian looked at the stack of lessons on the table beside her sister.
“You best not,” she said. “I may be tempted to throw a few peas at him.”
Chapter 5
“How quickly plans can change,” Seth mumbled to himself as he strode down the corridor toward Fallon and Heron’s room.
It had been a cold but invigorating day. The pheasant had been plentiful, most of his shots accurate, and the conversations with Crispin and the other gentlemen in their hunting party had been a welcomed change from his daily routine of the past year. The entire day had been a good one, but the outing hadn’t been without constant remembrances of Miss Lillian Prim.
More than once the outspoken miss had entered his mind to take control of his thoughts.
Lillian.He liked her name. It was musical. Perhaps he’d start calling her Lillian. It was much preferable to Miss Prim. He had no doubt she was still an innocent, but there was nothing about her that was prim.
Seth shook his head in wonder. He’d come to Hurst thinking to enjoy a perfectly fine and uneventful Christmastide at Crispin’s house until he met Lillian. The desire to have a woman in his bed was still great, only now, the golden-haired beauty, Lillian, was the only one he wanted. All other bachelor pursuits were a far-distant memory.
Eager to hear about the lads’ day with the indomitable Miss Prim, he picked up his pace. Seth had his doubts whether the carefree miss had actually gotten Heron and Fallon to finish their studies before she gave in to their whining and allowed them outside to frolic. He smiled to himself. He’d tried to tell her how rowdy the lads could be at times.
Seth knocked on the bedchamber door and then opened it. His nephews were dressed in their nightshirts, sitting on the rug in front of the fireplace. Heron’s light brown hair was neatly combed in place while Fallon’s darker hair looked as if it hadn’t seen a comb in days. Tabard probably didn’t have the patience to argue with the testy lad about the tidiness of his locks.
Wood carvings of military soldiers, some painted to represent Napoleon’s army and others in red coats to represent the British, were spread between them. Men, horses, and cannons were strewn in a wide path across the rug. Some were standing while others had been overturned, indicating a fierce fight had been going on. Seth remembered Mr. Nash talking about the British Royal Navy and made a mental note to have some wooden ships and small boats carved for the boys to add to their display.
The brothers looked up at him and in unison said, “Good evening, Uncle.”
It didn’t appear as if anything horrible had befallen them while he was gone. He walked over to the low-burning fire, knelt down beside the lads, and appeared to study their battlefield.
“Which of you is Wellington tonight?”
Fallon pointed to his brother. “I’m Emperor Bonaparte again.”
