Page 44 of What a Widow Wants

Fanny managed to maintain a pleasant demeanor, but the words ate at her. Her life had better be much different than her previous marriage.

The footman entered and placed the tea on the table next to Fanny. “Thank you, Thomas.”

“My lady.” He bowed and left, shutting the doors.

“Do you take milk and sugar, Lady Lathbury?”

“Yes, thank you. Two good-sized lumps, please, and a trickle of milk.” The countess gazed about the small but well-appointed room.

Fanny had chosen it over the larger receiving room because it was a soothing pale blue color and the furniture looked brighter as it was seldom used. She hoped its small size would foster a sense of intimacy between herself and the countess. And not overwhelm Ella as the family drawing room was wont to do. The child should be here at any moment.

Remembering how Lady Beatrice and Matthew took their tea, she hurriedly poured and fixed them, handing the cups round with an efficiency that she seldom achieved. She had just poured her own cup and dropped in the sugar when the door opened, and Fanny sent up a heartfelt prayer that nothing would go amiss with this meeting.

CHAPTER 18

Hand clasped firmly in Nurse’s, Ella walked through the door in her white new gown, trimmed with pretty crocheted lace and a delicate pink sash. With her fair complexion and dark hair she looked like one of the pretty porcelain dolls in her room. Eyes wide, staring at the strange people before her, Ella started to tremble.

Fanny caught her eye and put her fingers to the corners of her mouth, to remind the child to smile, as they’d rehearsed just that morning. Then held her hand out to her daughter. “Ella, my love, I would like for you to meet some friends.”

“What a lovely child.” Lady Beatrice smiled encouragingly.

Letting go of Nurse’s hand, Ella ran toward her mother, until remembering her manners, she slowed to a walk. Once she stood before Fanny, she curtsied prettily. “Good afternoon, Mama.”

“Good afternoon, my dear.” Fanny smiled and nodded. So far, so good. “I would like to introduce you to some of my friends. Would you like that, Ella?”

“Yes, Mama.” The child sighed gravely.

“Then first, Lady Lathbury, may I present my daughter, Miss Ella Tarkington? Ella, make your curtsy to Lady Lathbury.” Fanny held her breath.

“How do you do, my lady?” Ella carefully bent her knees, her face tense with concentration.

“I am very well, Ella.” Lady Lathbury peered at the girl. “How old are you, my dear?”

With a quick look at Fanny, Ella straightened as tall as she could and said, “Six years old.”

“You are quite tall for your age, I see. I would have thought you at least a girl of eight years.” The countess continued to peer at the child. “You have your mother’s coloring, I see. Unless your late husband was also dark?”

“No, my lady. He was very fair.” Fanny hastened to add, “But she takes after him in other ways. Lady Theale often remarks that Ella is very like Lord Stephen, save in the color of her hair.”

“I see.” Lady Lathbury sipped her tea, her gaze still on Ella.

“Lady Beatrice, my daughter. This is Lady Beatrice, Lady Lathbury’s daughter. And this”—she steered Ella toward Matthew after she’d bobbed another brief curtsy—“is Lord Lathbury, Lady Lathbury’s son. We talked about him, do you remember?”

Ella nodded then craned her head back to look up at Matthew. “You’re tall.”

“I am indeed, Ella.” He grinned down at her. “As my mother pointed out, you are tall as well. So is my sister. And your mother is taller than most women.” Suddenly he stooped and scooped her up in his arms, making her shriek with laughter. “Now you are as tall as I am.”

“I am, I am!” Ella gazed about from her new vantage point, a grin reaching from ear to ear. “Can I be taller than you?”

“Well, let’s see.”

“Matthew—” Fanny tried to intervene before the visit spun out of control, but Matthew ignored her.

“Let me lift you, there.” He raised Ella until her head inched just above his. “Now you are the tallest in the room.”

“I am, I am.” Ella giggled and threw her arms around Matthew’s neck. “We are the tallest people in the world.”

“And the smartest and the prettiest.” Matthew laughed along with her, his face pressed close to Ella’s.