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Who would look after the orphans if she left?
Love them like she did?
Folding his arms, the fabric pulling taut over his biceps, Zander rested his lean hip against the table and unabashedly stared at Lilly as she tended to Eddy.
What was he thinking?
She ought to tell him to stop gawping before a maid noticed and misinterpreted his interest; but chastising him now would only draw unwanted attention.
As Lilly cared for the child, Florence headed toward the kitchen, carefully balancing dishes in her arms. Having collected the larger broken pieces, Martha swept up the last of the remnants of the dishes and glasses.
“Thank you, Florence and Martha.” Lilly smiled at the maids.
They smiled in return before dipping half curtsies and disappearing into the kitchen.
Lilly finished cleaning Eddy’s cut and covered the wound with beeswax and comfrey ointment to protect it from infection.
“I do not think you need a bandage, Eddy.” She glanced at Zander, still studying her with unnerving intensity. “What do you think, Mr. Brook?”
A half-smile cocked his mouth up on one side.
He leaned close—too close.
Lilly inhaled his musky manly scent, and her stomach did that strange thing it did when she was near to him.
Florence returned to gather more dishes, and Zander retreated to a respectable distance.
“I agree.” Nodding, he ruffled the boy’s raven hair. “But you must take care not to touch or bump the cut, lad. You do not want to contaminate it or cause it to start bleeding again.”
“Yes, Mr. Brook.” Eddy nodded and eyed the ginger biscuits longingly. “Can I have a biscuit now?”
“You may have two for being such a brave soldier.” Lilly passed him two biscuits. “Do you feel up for the nature walk, Eddy?”
Chewing happily, he nodded again. “Yes. I want to find a snake.”
“Go along with you, then.” Lilly kissed the crown of his head. “Florence, will you please escort Eddy to the terrace to join the others? Make sure he wears his coat and cap.”
“Yes, Miss Granger.” Florence extended her hand and wiggled her fingers. “Come along, Eddy.”
Without a jot of hesitation, Eddy entwined his small fingers with hers.
Lilly bent her mouth into a pleased smile.
He was adjusting and would continue to do so.
She just had to keep reassuring him.
A month ago, he would not have trusted Florence enough to hold her hand.
After they had gone, Zander gently touched Lilly’s cheek as she put away the medical supplies.
“You would make a wonderful mother, Lilly.”
His gesture and words so startled her, she fumbled with the lid to the ointment, nearly dropping it.
“Do you ever long for your own children?” he asked.
Nineteen
