Page 20 of A Winter By the Sea
“I did not intend to dishearten you further.” Mr. Thomson rose, and Emily assumed he meant to bid them good-night. Instead he said, “I don’t play snapdragon, but I would play agame of draughts with you, if that might help at all? I know it’s a paltry substitute for a party, but...”
“Yes, please!” Georgie beamed and hurried back to the table.
Emily sent the man an appreciative smile. For a moment he held her gaze, expression thoughtful. Then he looked away first.
6
The culprit was a local apprentice boy named Hook.
—John Van der Kiste,Childhood at Court
The next day, Emily dressed warmly and left the house, book under her arm, intending to walk to Wallis’s Marine Library. As she made her way down Sea View’s short drive, she saw a woman walking in her direction from farther up Glen Lane. The woman held a bundled child in her arms.
Excitement thrummed through Emily. Might this be the baby princess in the care of her mamma or nurse?
As the woman neared, Emily took in her plain face and simple cape and decided she was likely the nurse. At least, she did not look or dress as Emily would expect a duchess to.
“Good day,” Emily greeted her.
The woman returned her smile. “Good day to you. Heavens. Is it always so cold here?”
Emily chuckled. “Hardly ever. At least it has stopped snowing. I live just there.” Emily pointed over her shoulder at Sea View and then at Westmount. “And my sister there. Woolbrook is the next closest house, so am I correct in supposing you are staying there?”
The woman nodded. “With the royal party, yes. I am nursemaid to this wee angel.”
Emily leaned closer and asked in hushed tones, “Is this the princess?”
“Yes. Princess Alexandrina Victoria, although we call her Drina.”
“How old is she?”
“Seven months and a bit more.”
“She’s lovely,” Emily said, admiring the baby’s pale blue eyes, plump cheeks, and rosy little mouth. “I am surprised you two are out in this weather. Does she not mind the cold?”
“It is good for the constitution. Her parents insist upon it.”
The baby certainly appeared hale. She was bundled in blankets, so Emily could not see what she wore, but perched on her head was a tartan hat.
“She has pretty eyes,” Emily said. “And her hat is adorable.”
A man approached from up the lane. A tall, broad man in a long coat and beaver hat. He had ruddy, rather plump cheeks as well, Emily noticed, although his were framed in bushy brown side-whiskers.
“Ah. There is my pocket Hercules,” he called.
Emily gulped. Here he was again, the Prince Regent’s brother, Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent. Should she quickly retreat? Unsure, she stood there, nerves prickling through her.
As he neared, he asked, “And how is Drina today, Nurse Brock?”
“She is well, Your Royal Highness.”
He smiled at the child. “Of course she is.Vraiment un modèle de force et de beauté.”
Emily translated the French in her mind: a model of strength and beauty.
Still Emily hesitated, not knowing what to say or do. How was she to behave in the presence of one of King George’ssons? Thankfully, the man barely seemed to notice her as he gazed fondly at the babe. Standing closely now, she saw that he had the same clear blue eyes as his daughter.
Nurse Brock said, “Allow me to introduce one of your neighbors. Miss ...?”
