Page 120 of Heartbreaker of the Ton
And I shall tell myself that each morning I wake.
A rustling noise in the forest caught Etty’s attention, and she approached the edge of the clearing. But the denseness of the trees restricted the light and she could only make out a few blurred shapes where the trees receded into the distance and the darkness. For a moment, two pinpoints of light flickered in the depths of the forest—a pair of eyes. A beast, perhaps? Or a phantom?
Her skin tightened as a low snarl filled the air. Then the lights flickered and disappeared, leaving the darkness and the hush of the breeze sliding through the trees.
Laughter came from behind, and Etty turned to see the girls amusing themselves at the opposite end of the clearing. Then Florence placed something on Roberta’s head.
“What do you think, Miss Howard?” she said. “Can you guess who Bobby is?”
Etty approached the girls. Roberta had a crown that seemed to have been fashioned from bracken leaves on her head. “Is she Titania?”
Florence’s eyes widened. “How did you know?”
“Two reasons,” Etty said. “First, Miss Evans has been reading Shakespeare’s plays to you—I found a copy in the schoolroom when I was helping her clear up.”
“You helped our governess clear up?” Roberta asked. “But you’re Mama Bella’s guest.”
“Which means that I am creating more work for her household,” Etty said. “It wouldn’t be fair if I sat idly by and watched someone else work when I have arms and legs of my own to help.”
“And the second reason?”
“That’s easy,” Etty replied with a laugh. “The look of horror on Roberta’s face. But I commend you, Roberta, for accommodating your friend and wearing the crown of a fairy queen.”
“What does ‘accommodating’ mean?” Florence asked.
“It means doing something you wouldn’t usually enjoy doing, because you know it makes a friend happy,” Etty replied.
“Like how you’re helping the servants to make them happy?” Roberta asked.
“That’s nothing more than showing them a little consideration,” Etty said.
“But none of our other guests would be so helpful,” Roberta replied. “Except Mr. Ryman. He’s always helping Connie, butthat’s because he likes her so much. And Duchess Eleanor, of course.”
“My sister helps out when she stays here?” Etty asked.
“All the time,” Roberta said. “She’s so kind. You’re very like her, Miss Howard. She’s helped Miss Evans with our lessons when she’s stayed here. She showed me how to draw a tree trunk.”
“Yes.” Etty nodded, a memory drifting into her mind. “Eleanor used to love studying trees. I’m ashamed to say that I took little interest in her paintings when we were younger.”
“I could show you some of my drawings if you’d like,” Roberta said.
“I’d like that very much,” Etty replied. “And your drawings also, Florence.”
“Would you like to see them before supper?” Roberta asked.
“I’d love to,” Etty said. “And I think perhaps it’s time to return if we’re to be ready before supper. Your mama would never forgive me if we were late.”
“Mama Bella would forgive you anything,” Roberta said. “She loves you as a sister.”
“Roberta…” Etty began.
“Yes, she does,” the girl said firmly. “She told Papa yesterday that you’re one of the kindest people she knows but have had little chance to show it. She said that out of everyone in the world, you deserve to be loved the most.”
Etty blinked as moisture blurred her eyes, and Roberta slipped a hand into hers.
“I hope you don’t mind my saying that, Miss Howard.”
“Of course not, my darling,” Etty said, smiling. She extended her other hand, which Florence took, and the three of them set off on the path leading back to the road.
