Page 30 of Snowdrops and Winterberry
“You have been with Adam every day of his life until he was sent away to school. I suspect he jealously guards his time with you now that you are together again. He is a very perceptive boy, more even than most. He may have sensed even before you did the tug you felt toward ‘Howard.’”
“And if something does grow between Howard and me, I’d very seldom see Adam.” She sighed. “No matter what I choose, someone’ll be unhappy.”
“And has the necessity of making this choice been presented to you already?” Again, Lady Jonquil managed to pose a question very delicately that could have, if not made with care, sounded like a criticism.
“No. Howard’s nae made any offers or proposals.”
“Perhaps a solution will present itself before that bridge is unavoidably before you.” Lady Jonquil motioned subtly to the window. “Please remain here as long as you wish. I often stand here and watch my husband as he plays with the dog. There is something peaceful and joyous in simply seeing the person you love.”
Robbie nodded. She understood that well.
“And while you enjoy the afternoon’s respite,” Lady Jonquil added, “I intend to write a letter.”
“To whom?” Robbie asked.
“To a certain duchess to whom I mean to insist that a certain little duke be permitted to come here from Harrow whenever possible.”
“Insistrather thanask?”
“Mine is often a quiet disposition,” Lady Jonquil said. “But Iam more than capable of being fierce when I need to be. And that little boy needs me to be.”
With that, Lady Jonquil slipped from the room, her posture one of a warrior.
Robbie turned her attention to the garden below and took comfort in seeing Howard there, so confident and sure and steady.
If the duchess would allow Adam to spend at least some holidays with Lord and Lady Jonquil, then Robbie no longer being at the castle would not be so devastating a blow to the wee boy. If she werehere, Adam would have her every bit as much in his life as he would if she remained at Falstone.
She did not yet know what the future might hold, but two distinct possibilities lay ahead of her: a life with Howard, if he offered, traveling the kingdom and building gardens together. Or a nursemaid here at Brier Hill as part of the Jonquil family and part of Adam’s life.
There was happiness and sorrow to be had down both paths, and she hadn’t yet the first idea which would prove hers in the end.
Chapter Thirteen
Howard had received his shareof attention from the girls his age when he’d been a young man. He’d puffed up a bit when he’d caught any of them watching him. Experiencing it again now was proving quite enjoyable. Robbie had stood at the tall windows at the back of the house, one story above the ground, for quite a while that afternoon. Though he suspected she might have set her gaze on other things as well, he had every confidence she’d been watching him. Watching himwith pleasure, he hoped.
The evening was waning on, and he alone was in the garden, finishing his work for the day. Robbie had abandoned her post, but he had not forgotten the joy of seeing her there. The smile simply refused to leave his face. He suspected she wasn’t the sort who grew quickly or frequently lovestruck. The same could be said of him. And yet how quickly his heart had grown fond of her, something he felt certain was mutual. The idea kept him inwardly grinning as he saw to his tasks.
Amid his smiles and tasks, the object of his pleasant thoughts arrived in the garden, with a basket hanging over one arm. “You never stopped for tea,” she said.
Shehadbeen watching him. Howard let the corner of his mouth tug upward.
“I suspect you’ve not paused for your evening meal either.” Robbie made her way closer to where he stood, basket swaying in time with the edges of her dress.
“I’ve not had a moment yet to return to my carriage home and fill my belly.”
Robbie clicked her tongue and shook her head. “I hope I’m not to discover you’re one for neglecting your health in favor of your work.”
“I’m not, generally.” He dropped his voice the tiniest bit. “ButI’ve had a rather fine distraction today.”
Two splotches of color answered that bit of flirting. “I’ve found myself a wee bit distracted today as well.”
“Have you?”
Those bewitching eyes of hers danced even as she clearly fought a smile of her own. “I filched a few things from the kitchen and brought them out with me.” She held the basket up. “You’ve time for a bite to eat, I hope.”
“That’d depend a great deal on whether I’d be eating alone.” Lands, it’d been a time since he’d flirted so shamelessly. Truth be told, he was enjoying it.
“I could send the dog over,” Robbie said, tossing him a bit of a saucy look. “Pooka’s fond of a meal, I’d wager.”
