The Resurrection of Lady Ramsleigh by Chasity Bowlin

Author:Chasity Bowlin
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: 0
Published: 2018-07-16T21:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

NICHOLAS APPROACHED THE nursery but paused just outside the door. He could hear splashing and the tinkling peal of childish giggles. As he listened, Viola began making kissing noises and talking nonsense to the baby who then laughed even harder. He was smiling as he pushed the door open and observed them. The boy was standing naked in the tub, splashing water on himself, his mother and the surrounding carpets.

“You must stop,” Viola scolded. It was less than effective as she was giggling herself.

“I daresay, the floors have survived worse,” Nicholas murmured. “Your gown may not recover, however.”

She turned and glanced back at him. “He’s always loved his bath time. Any body of water, in fact. He’d be splashing in the waves on the beach right now if he could get to them.”

“Then when the weather warms, we shall take him,” Nicholas offered.

“You needn’t do that,” she said. “I understand your interest in me, Nicholas. And obviously your interest is returned—I have not yet decided whether or not to act upon that interest,” she warned, “but you needn’t play nursemaid to my son in order to court my favor. I do owe you my life, after all.”

“You owe me nothing. As for playing nursemaid to curry your favor, that is an insult to all of us. I like children, Viola. I find their company and their exuberance in all things to be rather refreshing. They are so much more honest than the rest of us.”

“I’ve offended you and that was not my intent,” she offered apologetically.

“No. You haven’t. You have, however, underscored for me just how utterly deplorable most of the men of your acquaintance must have been. Rest assured, there are men who are capable of honesty and action free of ulterior motives.”

At that moment, Tristan showed his displeasure at having to share his mother’s attention and let out a viciously shrill screech, accompanied by a healthy splash of his bath water which thoroughly drenched Viola.

She sighed and turned back to the boy, lifting him from the tub and wrapping a towel about him. He kicked in protest and screamed again. Both of which were dealt with in a patient and unfailingly kind manner. She distracted the boy with tickles and funny faces as she dried him and fastened a nappy over his bottom and dressed him in a simply-embroidered gown.

“Perhaps we can court his good humor with some of the scones I bribed from the cook?” Nicholas suggested, and pulled back the serviette that covered the small platter he carried. It was piled with cold meats, cheeses, breads, and the aforementioned scones drizzled with a still warm sugary glaze. There was also a serving of mashed vegetables for Tristan.

“Oh, that looks divine,” Viola admitted. “I didn’t realize I was hungry!”

Tristan certainly knew. He was already eagerly reaching for the treat. “Real food first or the sweets?” Nicholas asked.

“I ought to say real food, but clearly he knows what he wants. I’ve missed him so terribly, I’m inclined to indulge him at the moment,” she admitted ruefully.

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