Snowdrops and Winterberry by Sarah M. Eden

Author:Sarah M. Eden [Eden, Sarah M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.
Published: 2024-10-08T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

The Christmas celebration had gone as well as Robbie had hoped. Better, in many ways. Adam had clearly been confused at first, but he’d quickly embraced the joy of it. Watching him play with such abandon and glee had done her heart good. He’d always been such a serious child. With so few opportunities to play with other children, he didn’t really know how.

Lord Jonquil was proving an oddly perfect playmate. He’d a restless joyfulness about him that was infectious. His boundless enthusiasm helped Adam feel courage enough to participate in something so unfamiliar to him. But the gentleman was also attentive and quick to address the wee boy’s struggles and concerns.

Again and again her thoughts had returned to that moment when, without warning, Adam had burst into tears. Lord Jonquil had held him and comforted him precisely the way a loving father would. Seeing it had offered Robbie’s heart a little respite from the worry that had rested there for months. She felt so terribly alone in her efforts to give Adam stability and reassurance.

She stood at a small window near the back of the house. Though she told herself she hadn’t any particular reason for placing herself in that specific spot, the more honest part of her knew why she was there. Through the glass she could catch the smallest glimpse of Howard working out in the garden corner. His stone had finally arrived, and he’d hired on local men to help with building the garden wall. They were making quick headway. She enjoyed watching him take pleasure and satisfaction in his work.

Adam had spent time that morning studying the horse Howard had carved for him. He’d listed for Robbie all the bits of it he found interesting or lifelike. Her little lad appreciated the gift, and receiving it served as a testimonial that he was thought of and cared about. What a good and kind man Howard was proving himself to be.

And, oh, the tender moment they’d shared the night it had rained. Warmth spread from the top of her head to the tips of her toes every time she thought back on it. Nothing in that brief touch of his arms to hers and her lips to his cheek ought to’ve impacted her as much as it had, and yet she felt in many ways as if everything had changed in the length of those few breaths.

Into her reverie came the sound of footsteps. She assumed a neutral expression and looked over her shoulder to see who was passing by. It was Lady Jonquil. She didn’t continue on her way but stopped at the window as well.

“Forgive the intrusion,” she said.

Flustered and a bit embarrassed, Robbie said, “Nothing to interrupt, I assure you.”

The lady nodded but not as if she fully believed Robbie’s assertion. “I’ve been meaning to ask you, since you are better acquainted with Her Grace than I am, whether or not you think she is likely to allow Adam to spend his school holidays here.

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