Page 17 of Falling for the Widowed Prince

"Thank you for coming, Ms. Woodward."

"You don't actually have to sit for a portrait anymore, do you? Like all of you sitting still and smiling for like a week while someone painted you?" She hadn't looked at him.

But she made him laugh. "No. A photograph was taken and the artist used it."

"That's good. I don't think I could do it, much less expect young children to." A nervous sound returned to her voice.

"Come with me." Anthony gently grasped her elbow and turned her to the hallway. "That is why I asked you to come this evening. We both need for you to meet my children and spend some time with them before a life-altering decision is made." He stopped in his tracks. "Unless you've already decided to decline?"

Ms. Woodward shook her head. "No. I've done little but contemplate a thousand things in regard to our discussion last night, but I have come to no conclusions just yet."

"Then I ask that you keep an open mind." Should he tell her about one of his greatest concerns? He had to. "I should warn you that my children are still deep in the throes of mourningtheir mother, some more than others. Even without knowing the true purpose for your visit, you may get a reception that is frosty at best and completely disrespectful and unacceptable at worst."

She looked up at him and gave him a bright smile. "I have no doubt that your children will be well-behaved regardless of the circumstances. I've never heard anyone say a cross word about them."

He smiled back, though with less assurance. "That's always nice to hear. Now, if you will..."

The smile dropped off her face as she blew out a breath. It returned as he opened the door to the family's living area.

"Papa..." Anthony could tell something happened in those few minutes to make Nessa grumpy. "Who's she, Papa?" The grumpy tone changed to flat out sullen.

"Nessa," he reprimanded gently. "Ms. Woodward is a guest in our home."

Nessa just glared at both of them. "Issy hit me."

He looked at his youngest. "Issy, did you hit Nessa?"

The dark curls bobbed up and down. "Ness tore my picture." She held up a piece of paper with a drawing on it that could have been their family or possibly their family if they were a group of dolphins.

Anthony turned back to Nessa. "Did you?"

The glare told him as much as the silence. "Wait for me in your room."

Nessa turned in a huff and stomped off.

Anthony faced their guest. "Ms. Woodward, would you mind staying here for a few minutes while I have a conversation with my daughter?"

Compassion could easily be seen on her face. "Of course." She crouched down in front of Issy and held out a hand. "Hello. I'm Maddie. It's a pleasure to meet you."

The smile that lit up Issy's face was the most genuine he'd seen in a long time. "I'm Louisa. Ever’body calls me Issy." She took Ms. Woodward's hand and gave it a single shake. "Are you gonna have dinner with us?"

"Your father asked me to. Would it be all right with you?"

Issy's eyes narrowed as she stared at their guest. "Yes. He'p me draw a picture first?"

"Of course." Ms. Woodward took the little hand in her own as Issy started to drag her toward the art station.

With a tired sigh, he went to Nessa's room to find her face down on her bed, sobbing. He sat next to her and laid a hand on her back. "Want to tell me what that was all about, Ness?"

She shook her head.

"I'll sit with you for a few moments, but we will need to talk then go to dinner. We have a guest." All of his children, even Issy, knew how they were expected to behave when they had company.

"Is she our new mum?" The pain in Nessa's voice tore at him.

"No," he answered slowly. "You will never have another mum. I hope there will be many people in your life who love you nearly as much, but none will ever replace Mummy."

She sat up, her tear-stained face evidence of the pain she felt inside. "You won't get married again?"

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