Page 129 of Failure to Match

It’s the library, dear, we’ve talked about this.

Okay, well, at least now I knew where Jackson got that specific aspect of his humor from.

No, I mean what’s with the drawings on everything?

Molly

Oh.

Yes, well, the old Master Sinclair wasn’t all that happy with Jackson’s interest in art, you see, so we had to get creative.

Mabel

He didn’t leave us much of a choice in the matter, I’m afraid.

Molly

Not after he tore up the sketchbooks we bought Jackson and left the wee little love weeping in our arms on his fifth birthday.

I blinked down at the screen.

His dad had done what?

Molly

And he didn’t stop there.

Mabel

Went as far as to ban sketchbooks, coloring pencils, and all painting supplies from the whole house. Staff’s quarters included.

Molly

But he never did say anything about fabric dye, did he?

Mabel

He did not. And there was no mention of wood or furniture or books or makeup brushes, either.

Molly

So, we went out and bought as much dye as we could carry, gave Jackson a little tutorial, then set him loose in our quarters.

Mabel

Fantastic at keeping secrets, the Young Master. Always has been.

Molly

We still use the bed frames he painted on, but the rest of the furniture is housed safely in the library.

Mabel

We insisted he keep it all.

I looked around again, paying closer attention. Sure enough, there were a couple of dressers tucked between bookcases, a side table, and a small vanity I’d missed during my initial scan of the place.

Jackson did all this?

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