Page 87 of Safe in the Earl's Arms
He moved from the doorway and stepped back into the room, letting her cross in front of him.
‘I saw them arrive,’ she said.
‘Do they pass your inspection?’
She gave a nod and halved the distance between them. ‘I do not want Willa to feel abandoned.’
‘Perhaps she will feel like she has a mother and father who care for her—like a true family wants her. She needs a family. You know that.’
She looked at him, hoping for a sign of his compassion for Willa.
He gave the slightest shake of his head, standing straight. ‘I don’t feel any warmth for the child. I don’t. She will grow into her mother’s image. I do not want that face in my sight for the rest of my life. This is the only way I can rid myself of Cassandra.’
Melina turned back to the window and stared at the horizon. Willa did deserve a caring family. Melina reached out and pulled the bell.
When the couple entered, Melina noticed the serviceable dress of the woman, but around the neck, she’d embroidered a row of flowers—the same ones Melina had once stitched on her sister’s handkerchief.
The man, Sinclair, a furniture maker by trade, bowed. He stood thin, too thin, and wore dark clothing. After her introduction, his wife almost vanished behind him.
‘This is Melina. She’s been assisting in Willa’s care,’ the earl said and guided Melina to sit on the sofa.
‘I hope you found the trip comfortable,’ Warrington addressed the Sinclairs, moving behind Melina.
‘Yes,’ Sinclair answered. ‘My wife is not one to leave the house often except for Sunday Services. I’ve promised her I’ll bring her to Drury Lane before too many more months pass.’
The woman looked at her husband when he spoke and seemed scared to meet Warrington’s gaze.
‘You have a boy?’ Melina asked.
‘Yes.’ The man looked to his wife, guiding her to sit. ‘Today, he’s with my wife’s mother. She lives with us.’
‘Do they get on well?’ Melina asked.
‘Very well,’ the man answered, sitting straight. ‘When Thomas is not helping with my work, he’s asking his granny for a story. I do not know where the woman comes up with the tales she tells.’ He smiled, and his shoulders relaxed. ‘Sometimes, she tells of clumsy knights and dragons who have blackened teeth from their burning flames. All her dragons have blackened teeth, except the one who cannot muster a puff of smoke. That is the one Thomas must hear stories of over and over.’
‘Why do you want Willa?’ Melina leaned forward.
‘My wife wishes for a daughter.’ He shot a glance at her and then turned back to Melina. ‘We would not mind to have another boy in the house. It would be nice for Tom to have a brother. But a daughter...’ He patted his wife’s hand. ‘Alice would like to have a little girl to keep her company and so she can show her things a woman needs to know for a home.’
‘Willa’s timid.’
Sinclair turned to his wife. ‘So is Alice.’
Melina stood. ‘I suppose you should see Willa and she should have a chance to meet you.’
She hurried from the room and returned, slowly tugging Willa by the hand. Melina smoothed down the tufts of blonde hair too wispy to be braided. No woman could turn her back on a doll so fair. And her little woollen dress, the plainness only contrasted to show the beauty of the child.
When Melina sat, Willa stayed near her and leaned against Melina’s legs. She burrowed against Melina and her eyes had a sleepy droop.
‘She’s quite behaved.’ Alice spoke, her eyes locked on Willa.
‘Not always.’ Melina brushed her hand over Willa’s hair again. ‘But she truly is a good-natured child.’
Warrington’s foot moved, tapping several times back and forth, but he didn’t speak.
Melina continued, ‘Willa does get irritable when she doesn’t get her nap, according to her nursery maid, but she will drag you to her bed so she can be tucked in. And she does like to beg attention from her brother with a bit more force than she should use.’
She brushed down Willa’s hair, again feeling the baby skin of her cheek, and looked to Warrington. He appeared more interested in the painting over the fireplace than in the discussion.
‘She likes porridge—but not cold.’ Melina spoke the words to the woman.
‘Tommy is the same,’ Alice said. ‘I have a place at the back of the stove where I sit the pot. It stays warm there.’
