Mari held one of the gaily-colored cards depicting the constellation Lyra to the lamp. There were pinpricks along the drawing, and light filtered through the small openings. “How wonderful.”
“If you could see Miss Perkins right now, Mr. Lumley, you’d see that she has freckles on her cheeks that look like constellations of stars,” said the duke, touching her cheek.
He had the ability to liquefy her insides with only a few words and a brief touch, even with gloved hands.
Mr. Lumley smiled. “Then the constellation cards are yours, Miss Perkins. Free of charge.”
“Oh no, I couldn’t possibly.”
“I insist.”
The shop clerk wrapped up their purchases and Carl began carrying them to the carriage.
“Will you come back to the house with us, Miss Perkins?” asked duke.
“We can try to see some stars tonight,” said Adele.
“You won’t see many stars in London these days with all the smoke and smog, more’s the pity,” said Mr. Lumley.
“Maybe they’ll see the stars at the seashore soon,” the duke said, enigmatically.
And then she realized what he meant. This was more evidence that he’d taken her advice to heart. He’d hired the French cook, brought the children to the toy shop, and now... he was going to take them to the seashore.
“Let’s go home,” he said.
Home. Was it her home? A temporary one, at best. And one that she could lose at any moment. But that couldn’t dim her joy. Banksford was transforming before her eyes, becoming a better father, a thoughtful one.
The twins would be so happy at the seashore.
Excitement brought a spring to her step. She’d never seen the sun sparkling on the sea before.
Or the moon rising over the waves.
“You’ve a faraway look in your eyes, Miss Perkins,” said Banksford as he handed her into his carriage.
“I was picturing the moon rising over the sea. I’ve only read about it in poems and novels.”
“It’s a beautiful sight,” he said.
There were so many things she’d only read about in poems and books. Too many.
It was time to start experiencing some of them in real life.
She glanced at Banksford. His smile was intimate, his silver eyes filled with the promise of moonlit nights. And moonlit kisses.
Chapter 16
Lady India gave the round yellow moon one final adjustment and scrambled down from the ladder. “Where is that brother of mine? He’s hosting this event, I hope he remembers.”
“I haven’t seen him in several days, since we visited Lumley’s Toy Shop,” replied Mari.
“Edgar went with you to Lumley’s?” Lady India’s expression was comical in its bewilderment. “That doesn’t sound like him at all.” She smiled warmly. “You’ve produced quite a change in him, Miss Perkins.”
Mari fixed her gaze on the gauzy blue fabric festooned over the salon ceiling. She didn’t want to betray any inappropriate sentiments. Lady India was far too perceptive.
“Didn’t we have fun at Lumley’s?” Adele handed Mari another gold star.
“We did, indeed,” agreed Mari, taking the star and sewing it to the stage curtains.