“Your Grace.” Mrs. Watson curtsied to me.
Hearing her nanny speak, Emeline’s eyes opened and she shifted to see me. I hoped she would be more relaxed, but instead, she looked nervous, quickly rushing off the chair to stand beside Mrs. Watson’s skirt just like when I had first met her. Had she heard the talk? Abena often eavesdropped on the staff when she was playing through the house, too.
“Your Grace, she was not feeling well last night. Maybe it is best to leave her to rest this morning,” Mrs. Watson said.
I hid a frown and walked right up to Emeline, sinking down in front of her. “Good morning, Emeline.”
“Good morning, Your Grace.” She barely managed to get the words out before she tried to step away from me.
“Emeline, I promise I shall never hurt you. You are under my protection, and that means I care about you a great deal. There is no need to be afraid. If you wish to stay home today, that is fine. If you want to go into town with us, that is fine, as well.” I held my hands out to her. “Whatever you wish to do, we shall do.”
She stared at me for a little bit longer before she took my hands. “I want to go.”
“Then we shall go.” I grinned and stood. “Thank you for preparing her, Mrs. Watson. I shall take over from here.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Emeline, have you been to town?” I asked as Eleanor opened the door for us. I was hoping to get her to speak more, but she shook her head.
“Neither have I. It shall be good fun. But you must stay close to me at all times, all right?”
She nodded, holding on tight to my hand, which made me glad.
It took us only a few minutes before we were outside, where I could see the baskets already packed on a hay cart.
“Where is the carriage?” Evander asked as he stepped out behind us.
“We shall not need it, as we are walking,” I replied.
“Walking?” he repeated. “Why on earth would you wish to do that?”
“It is not far, nor is it a bad day. I am very used to walking, and it would be a bit much to travel such a short distance with the horses and carriage, do you not think?” I replied. He tilted his head, staring at me. “What?”
“Your Grace, your hat.” Eleanor handed the purple hat tome.
“Thank you,” I said and turned back to Evander. “Are you not coming?”
He exhaled deeply but said nothing, coming down the stairs to stand alongside us. He glanced at Emeline, placing his hand on her head, offering her a smile. “Are you well?” he asked.
Emeline grinned, nodding. “Yes, Papa.”
“Well then, if the ladies are not complaining, I surely cannot. Let us walk.” He nodded, and spoke to the hands helping to drive the wagon. “Go ahead of us, so you do not need to worry about keeping pace.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
I glanced down at Emeline, who beamed at her father happily. When she looked at me, she smiled from ear to ear for the first time.
Yes, this was a good day.
24
Evander
They all lined up to see her as though she were the queen herself, and Aphrodite, who was generally known for being quiet and aloof, was all conversation, speaking to each of them, not at all bothered by appearance or stench, not even allowing it to faze her. Her demeanor seemed to be contagious for even little Emeline—who, to my knowledge, was a quiet and simple child. She now sat with the wagon, happily handing Aphrodite as many of the baskets as she could.
“We did not think you were truly coming, Your Grace.” The scruffy red-haired man named Mr. Stevenson chuckled.
“You did not take me for my word?” Aphrodite asked as she passed him a basket. “I am quite wounded, Mr. Stevenson.”