Page 102 of The Duke's Unclaimed Bride
It’s just fatigue. She will be fine. A walk will do her good.
At least, that was what Edith told herself as she waited for them to return. She had sat with Pudding in her lap, listening to the children’s laughter fade down the path. Christian soon left to carry out his duties.
Edith sat there, listening, before taking out her embroidery again. She looked at the work she hadn’t been able to finish in the last few weeks. It was time.
Idle hands and all that.
She sat in the parlor and embroidered while waiting for them to return to the estate. Pudding purred and stretched in her lap.
It was exactly what she had needed. Quiet. Rest. Peace. A small part of her almost hoped that Ava would keep the children out for a little longer, or that the children would go straight upstairs for a nap.
A thought crossed her mind. Would Laurence want to know that Tilly was unwell?
Her hands paused. For a moment, she let herself believe that Laurence would want to know. That he would be the same caring man who had read to Tilly at night. The man who stayed with her during the storm. Then, she thought back to the night that followed the ruined event, and tears stung her eyes.
He doesn’t want to know. He likely doesn’t want to hear from us at all.
After all, he hadn’t sent them any letters while they had been away. He had to know where they were. He just didn’t care enough to ask after their well-being.
She realized her cheeks were damp and wiped them, then slowly returned her attention to her embroidery.
Eventually, she could hear the children returning. She hadn’t made much progress with her embroidery, but it was more than the nothing she had done for weeks.
The boys burst through the door first, laughing and giggling, and immediately ran to find their toys. Pudding slowly opened his eyes in response to the chaos. Anthony reached for the snoozing cat, who allowed himself to be carried away.
Tilly walked in soon after, holding Ava’s hand. She still looked off, but she was smiling, clearly much happier than this morning. Edith was glad to see it.
“How are you feeling, Tilly?” she asked as the girl walked into the parlor.
“Better,” Tilly said with a tired smile.
“Would you like to go for a nap now?” Ava asked.
Tilly shook her head. “No, thank you, Your Grace. I want to play with Luke and Anthony.”
“Are you sure?” Edith asked. “You look tired.”
“I don’t feel it,” Tilly said, looking down slightly.
Edith looked at Ava.
“You did a lot of walking, Tilly,” Ava said gently. “Are you sure you wouldn’t like a nap?”
“I’m sure,” Tilly replied.
“Very well,” Edith relented. “But if you grow too tired, you can go to sleep.”
“I understand.” Tilly nodded.
“Tilly!” Anthony called out. “We found more dollies!”
Tilly beamed and walked over to where Anthony and Luke were seated.
“I’ll just have to keep an eye on her,” Edith said to Ava.
“Indeed. She seems rather keen on playing with her friends.” Ava chuckled. “She’ll probably fall asleep playing if she isn’t careful.”
“That just makes me worry,” Edith admitted.
