Page 29 of Tainted Reasoning

Chapter Fourteen

Tamara

The car pulls up outside the day care center, and I can’t help but feel a little nervous. I’ve not told William the entire truth about this visit because I know he wouldn’t have come. I just hope he’s prepared to forgive me because I think he needs to see this place.

The driver opens my car door, and William comes around to my side to help me out of the car.

“If I end up with anything sticky on my clothes, you’re washing it off. I don’t like getting my hands dirty.”

I click my tongue at him and walk off with a sway of my hips. “You forget. I’ve seen you eat. That’s where anything sticky on you will come from.”

“Hey!” he calls indignantly after me, but I can hear the amusement in his voice. He catches up with me, and I link my arm through his offered one. “When did you start coming here?”

“I was doing a certificate at school when I was sixteen – for part of it I needed to do some voluntary work for thirty hours. The Viscount helped me to find a place here. I stayed on afterward and help out whenever I can.”

“Sounds good. So, is it just like a nursery? I don’t really know the term day care,” William asks, holding the door open for me to walk into the reception.

“Sort of,” I reply, and before he has a chance to question me further, I’m speeding toward the receptionist, a short, grey haired lady called Eve. She’s been working here since before I started, and I’m sure she told me she started back in the early nineties. She doesn’t get paid for her job. She does it out of the kindness of her heart. They’ve tried to offer her a salary on numerous occasions, but each time, she’s said no.

“Tamara, I heard you were coming in. Fantastic to see you.” The spirited lady, who’s age I’d guess is in the late fifties, jumps to her feet and comes around the reception desk to greet me with a big hug. “Congratulations. I hear you’re qualified now. We’re all so proud of you. You worked so hard. I bet you’ve already got a job lined up at one of those prestigious London firms.”

I can’t help but laugh at her excitement over the fact I’m now a qualified lawyer. “I’ve got a place at one, yes. I’ve still not decided if I’m going to take it up straight away or have a year's break to explore the world a bit. I need to juggle my finances a bit.”

“You deserve a bit of a holiday after all that studying. Mind you, I remember you telling me about the night life as well, so it wasn’t all hard work.”

I laugh. “Well, I was at university. I needed to live a little.”

“How’s Victoria? I heard she’s married now, and a Duchess as well.”

“She is married. Nicholas is wonderful, and they’re so happy. It’s not public knowledge, yet, but they have a baby on the way.”

“Oh, that’s fantastic. You’ll have to tell her to come by and see us soon. We’ve missed her. I can’t believe her father never let her come here after he found out about the two male nurses we have. They’re both happily married and were unlikely to be a threat to her innocence. Mind you, if his over protectiveness landed her a Duke, then who are we to complain?”

“Yes.” It’s the only word I can form. I can’t tell her the full story of what a bastard Victoria’s father is, and how she was lucky it was Nicholas she met and not someone like the old Duke. “I almost forgot...” I bluster, trying to disguise the quick change in direction of my conversation. “This is Nicholas’ brother, William Cavendish, Earl Lullington. I’ve brought him to see the children.”

“Oh my god. Why didn’t you say sooner? I’ve only just got here. I didn’t know we were having guests.” Eve presents a little curtsy in front of William. “Your Earlship, it’s wonderful to meet you. I’m Eve Kitchener. It’s fabulous to have you come visit our little place.”

“Please call me William.” He extends his hand and accepting it, she shakes it. I know this is hard for him to do, making pleasant conversation when he’d rather be hidden away. “Tamara has told me she’s been helping here since she was sixteen. I’m intrigued to meet the children.”

“I’m sure you’ll love them. They have their quirks, but they’re all fantastic little human beings.”

“I’m sure I will,” William replies, and I can’t help but smile toward him. He may think he’s destined for the shadows, but he’s being the perfect gentleman, and I haven’t seen him tic once.

“Tamara”–Eve turns back to me– “I’ll get you both badges, but have you warned William about some of the children and their possible reactions to things?”

The moment of truth. I swallow deeply and turn to William.

“You were asking me if this was a regular nursery. It isn’t – it’s a place for parents to bring their autistic children for interaction, advice, and help.”

“Autistic?” The word leaves William’s mouth the same time as his hand goes to his ear and flicks it.

“Yes.”

“I see why you wanted to bring me and not Nicholas, then,” he states bluntly, and I instantly see the regret cross his face at allowing the comment to escape.

“It isn’t like that. I promise you.”

Eve bites her lip and steps back to allow us some privacy.

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