Page 73 of Marrying a Reluctant Lady
“You are indeed. I’m going to catch you and tickle you, my impatient imp.”
“Eee!” Amelia yelped.
They all went outside to the lawn. It was bright and sunny there and Ophelia was glad of her bonnet, shading her eyes from the worst of the sun. Amelia had one too, peach-orange ribbons billowing back in the breeze as she ran. Owen ran with her, and their laughter mingled with the sunshine, a splash of sound as bright as daffodils in a spring garden.
The baby in her arms was making small breath-like sounds, and she looked down to see that he was laughing. His little face was creased up in a big grin and he was watching Owen and Amelia, his little shoulders lifting and the breathy chucklecontinuing as he watched.
She felt her lips lift in a grin, heart filling with delight. He had occasionally grinned and made a small chuckling sound when he saw Owen or her before, but this was a laugh nobody could ignore. She was laughing too by the time Owen came walking up, Amelia clinging onto his hands as he lifted her and swung her in the air.
“Grantham’s having a good chuckle,” Ophelia told him as Amelia came running up to look at the baby.
“Grantham,” she said, smiling at him. His little eyes crinkled up and he beamed, and Amelia looked up at her mother. “I want to hold him,” she said simply.
“You can hold him in a minute, when we’re all seated on the bench over there,” she told her caringly.
They went and sat down, and Amelia took the baby carefully, holding him exactly as Ophelia had taught her, though there wasn’t a need to hold his little head up anymore; he could do that most successfully on his own.
“When should we go back in?” Owen asked Ophelia. She had her eyes shut, the warm sun baking down on her cheeks, warming them and making her feel as though she wanted to sleep.
“I suppose we should go in soon,” she replied, opening her eyes and smiling at him, feeling a little wistful. “Our guests will be here in a moment.”
“Yes. I suppose.”
They stood and walked with slow ease back to the house, passing through the rose-garden and going up towards the lily pond. Water splashed down large rocks, cascading into a pool that was still, reflecting the blue heavens among the pink and white blossoms of lilies.
“Look! Ripples,” Amelia informed her mother, throwing a pebble in and watching the undulating wavelets that spread outacross the still pond.
“Exactly!” She grinned at Owen, feeling proud. Their daughter was interested in everything, always trying to deduce how and why something might be as it was. She was more scientific in her approach than either of them, and they wondered if she would be interested in natural philosophy as she got older.
“We’ll have to find a tutor for her,” Owen said often. “Someone who can nurture that fine mind.”
“I agree,” Ophelia always replied, delighted by the fact that Owen wanted Amelia to develop her talents.
They walked up to the house. Mr. Crane was tidying up the entrance-way. It was tiled, but in white marble this time, not with the checkering of black as it had before. The space was well-lit, windows allowing sunlight to stream in throughout most of the day. Mr. Crane greeted them cheerily as they arrived inside.
“My lord! My lady. It must be very pleasant outdoors.”
“It is,” Owen agreed warmly. “You’re all ready for the tea-party later?” he inquired. Mr. Crane nodded.
“Mrs. Crane is just icing some cakes, my lord. It seems we’re in order.”
“Good. Good,” Owen agreed warmly.
Ophelia rocked Grantham, who was starting to fret. He needed feeding, and she hurried up to Mrs. Walgren so that she could give him his milk and put him to bed.
At three o’ clock, they all moved into the drawing room. Amelia was at the table, putting together a jigsaw puzzle that had been a gift from Lady Haredale. Her ladyship tried to hide it, but she clearly had a great love for the little girl and was as passionate as all of them about fostering her talents.
“Auntie Julia will be very happy,” Owen told Amelia, who raised a brow.
“I am very happy, Papa,” she told him seriously. “I like thejigsaw. It’s a very fine gift.”
Owen looked at Ophelia, who had little Grantham in her arms, and they shared a happy smile.
They were only settled there for a few moments when Mr. Crane arrived in the room.
“My lord? My lady. Lord Alford’s coach is in the drive.”
“Grand! Show him up at once, please,” Owen replied.
