Beauty in Disguise by Mary Moore

Author:Mary Moore
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Romance, Love Inspired Historical, Historical
ISBN: 9781460301258
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-01-01T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Lord Dalton no sooner returned midday from his trip than Master Jacob began triumphantly spreading the news that he had promised to spend the afternoon with them for the express purpose of building a moat. It appeared to Kathryn that Lord Dalton was surprised to hear it, but he never gave the child one cause to doubt him.

He bowed in earnest, greeting each occupant with a smile. “Miss Montgomery, I hope you are going to join us.” Kathryn became wary, but he bowed and she gave the required curtsy.

“Lord Darling, you must stop smiling at Miss Montgomery and help me.”

“You will wish I was smiling once you discover what a taskmaster I am,” Dalton said, though ruffling the boy’s hair belied his words. “But we will go softer on the ladies, I think, Master Jacob. What say you?”

“Oh, no, my lord. Lacey and I have our own plans for the morning. Have no fear.” Kathryn hoped he did not see Lacey’s face fall, or he would know how much the little girl wanted to be included.

“Not so fast, ma’am. Jacob and I will need underlings to do our bidding. We could not possibly dirty our hands with the project!”

Kathryn did not understand the change in him, and did not relish the idea of such close proximity to him for the entire morning. But he insisted it was a group project; she must stay.

She feared there was more to this visit than a simple promise to an eight-year-old, but as a relative servant, she could not gainsay an earl. She accepted, therefore, with more grace than she felt. Much of the night she had lain awake, thinking about the severe set down she had given him the night before. She believed her disguise hurt no one in the Dinsmore family. Lord Dalton’s awareness of the lie perpetrated on them changed everything.

Lacey was delighted to be included and clapped with glee, making Lord Dalton laugh. Kathryn admitted defeat. It appeared Lacey did not feel the same about the fun they would have had on their own, after all. In short shrift, all four sat cross-legged on the floor around the tower. The children’s nurse, knitting in the rocker by the window, chuckled several times to herself.

After deciding on the basic materials they would need for construction, Jacob raised the question that seemed to be pressing most on his mind. “But sir, how will we keep the water from leaking out? Nurse would scold us if we made such a mess on the floor.”

Kathryn hated to be the bearer of bad news, but she reminded him of his promise. “Jacob, I am sorry, but you may not use real water at all. You agreed to that the day we decided to build it.”

“Jacob,” Lord Dalton chimed in, “a man always keeps his word. So, I have been pondering the problem and I believe I have finally hit upon a solution that will satisfy all of our needs.”

Kathryn and the children watched as

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