“Never!” Jamie exclaimed. “Ask Julianna.”
Julianna, Isabella’s newest and most favorite doll, ruled their play. As soon as they returned to Casa Beaumont from church, Jamie had disappeared into his quarters and returned with a package wrapped in silver, overflowing with pink and purple ribbons and lace. Not for Nora, for Isabella, “to celebrate this most momentous day.” With wrappings ripped to shreds, Julianna smiled up at Isabella, her bisque face rosy and delicate. The little girl fell instantly in love.
Their “tea” had lasted from teatime, through dinner, and into the evening. Nora’s enthusiasm for imaginary treats waned hours before.She sat with her needlework and watched the other two. Jamie, on the other hand, never wavered.
When I met him I worried about having him around a child. It turns out he is one,she thought wryly.
Jamie pouted. “Please, Julianna, one more!”
“Julianna says you may have one more to celebrate ‘this most momentous day,’” Isabella mimicked.
She wrapped her tongue around the new English word carefully. Nora expected many things to be “momentous” in the next week or so.
Jamie soberly accepted the imaginary biscuit, took a nibble, and closed his eyes as if in ecstasy. That sight made Nora’s heart race.
He ruined the effect by opening his eyes and winking at her. “Ah, lemony,” he sighed.
Nora smiled back but gave him a pointed look with her brows raised. She tipped her head toward the child.
“Alas, I believe it is Julianna’s bedtime,” he said.
Isabella’s mouth drooped in dramatic disappointment.
“Remember? Aunt Nora said only a few moments more. Time’s up!”
A swift hug, some tickles, and a laugh later, Julianna was tucked safely in her little bed and Isabella deposited in the hands of her new nursery maid.
“We’ll come back to help with prayers,” Nora told her when she kissed the top of the little one’s head. “Be good for Alicia.”
“Alicia,” Jamie murmured when they had closed the door. “Isn’t she a bit too young?” He carried a candle and directed Nora toward their sitting room.
“Young perhaps, but qualified,” Nora answered. “She is the oldest of thirteen children.”
Jamie looked horrified. “Thirteen?”
“Imagine that,” Nora laughed. “The girl has seen her share of babies and was wildly eager to get away from home. She will do.”
“I’ll bet she was!” he exclaimed.
They reached the little sitting room between their suites. He opened the door to allow Nora in but stopped on the threshold.
“I’ll leave you to your needle business, whatever it is. Not embroidery.”
Nora’s heart sank. He planned to leave her alone on their wedding night. “Tatting,” she croaked out. She hoped the smile she gave him wavered less than it felt.
She poked at her needlework while the clock ticked, dragging out time. She tore out more stitches than she made. Twenty minutes must be sufficient time for a maid to get one little girl into her nightclothes. Nora bustled down the hall.
Shrieking alerted her. She opened the door to find Jamie tossing Isabella up and onto her bed.
“Ah, Aunt Nora is here. Now we must behave,” he said. Isabella moved toward the edge with mocking stealth. Jamie caught her and pulled her back.
“Aunt Nora will read to you and tuck you in.” He dropped his voice to a whisper. “And you must be very quiet so Julianna can sleep. She will have a very busy day tomorrow.”
“Busy?” Isabella asked. “Doing what?”
“Playing with you, of course!”
Jamie winked at Nora and left.How can I ever compete for Isabella’s affection with the whirlwind that is Uncle Jamie?
