Lord Whitsnow and the Seven Orphans by Em Taylor

Author:Em Taylor [Taylor, Em]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2018-07-08T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

When they arrived home, Emily met them at the door, Eleanor in her arms.

“She seems quite distressed. She was fine most of the afternoon but this past half hour she has just cried and cried. Her tears are silent. It is just heart-breaking.”

Emily smiled at Robbie’s sister. “She shall be fine. She still finds this large house a little strange and is not used to you or the servants yet. Give her to me and I shall settle her.”

“Did I do something wrong?” Emily’s eyes were wide with fear.

“No, of course not. Eleanor is different to other children. She takes a little more time to adapt to her surroundings. It is difficult to explain things to her.”

“It is why she needs a tutor who is trained to work with deaf students,” muttered Robert.

Lucy frowned at him. How dare he use this situation to try to coax her into marriage.

Emily still looked unconvinced. “Emily, she was like this a few times with Susan.”

“Susan was cruel.”

“Mayhap sometimes but I do not think she was cruel all the time. I have seen Eleanor like this when I have had to leave her with a friend once before. Even the presence of the boys cannot soothe her. She needs me. I am sorry to have been away so long.” She gave Robert a significant look. He did not flinch or look at all chagrined.

“Well, as long as it was nothing I did.”

“No dear. I am sure you were fine.”

“I do worry that I shall be a terrible mother.”

“Oh Emily, you shall be a wonderful mother.”

“I keep telling her that,” It was Lord Beattie, entering the hallway. “There, did I not tell you the child just needed her mama.”

“Oh, I am not her mama.” The lie sliced through Lucy like a knife, but Lord Beattie gave her a curious look and Emily gave a tiny shake of her head. He had obviously assumed or thought all the orphans considered her their mama.

“I should take Eleanor up to the nursery,” she said.

“No please, stay and have tea with us. I saw the horses approach and ran for it. She seems quite settled now. Eleanor is welcome in the drawing room. Nurse is looking after the boys.”

Lucy did go to the drawing room for tea and discussion turned to rather mundane topics, such as the weather, the May Day fair, the boy’s schooling, and events in the village. When tea was over, Lucy excused herself and took Eleanor to the nursery. But Eleanor would not be settled. It took until after ten o’clock before Eleanor eventually fell asleep in her arms. Lucy had sent her apologies that she would not be down for dinner. A tray was duly sent up, but she did not eat it. She did try to convince Eleanor to eat a little with some degree of success.

When she arrived back in her bedchamber sometime after ten o’clock, there was a letter lying on her bed. Thinking it may be a note from Lord Whitsnow, she opened it.

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