Page 8 of Snowdrops and Winterberry
“I’ve never known a duke to be a small child, but I have known plenty enough small children, and running wild is what they do.”
“Not this one.” She tipped her chin up at a defiant angle. Quite sure of herself, wasn’t she?
“This project’s important to His Lordship,” Howard said. “He’ll be none too pleased if your charge wreaks havoc.”
“My chargeis important to Lord and Lady Jonquil. They’ll be none too pleased if you cause him any distress.”
“And none too pleased with you if the little duke gets himself hurt fussing around a building site.”
“He doesn’t fuss.”
The woman was impossible. He was trying to caution her, and she would hear none of it. Accidents at building sites had killed people. He knew that all too well.
“I’ll be keeping a weather eye out for that little duke,” he said.
Her nostrils flared. “Are you issuing a warning?”
“Someone needs to save that child from himself, and it’s clearly not going to be you.”
Feeling more frustrated than when he’d first approached the woman, Howard spun around and marched away. The most important job he’d ever had, and now he not only had to overcome obstacles of stones and local workers but also the added difficulty of a little boy and his inattentive nursemaid.
Chapter Five
“I don’t understand the purposeof this.” Adam watched Lord Jonquil with tremendous confusion. The gentleman had suggested they walk up a mountain. He couldn’t imagine why.
“Fresh air and exercise are good for a person,” Lord Jonquil said. “And if one can obtain those things while doing something enjoyable, all the better.”
That didn’t sound right at all. “Walking up a mountain does not sound enjoyable.”
“I can assure you,” Lord Jonquil said, “it is tremendous fun.”
Adam looked to Lady Jonquil, not trusting her husband’s explanation. “I don’t know anyone who walks up mountains.”
“I do,” she said.
Adam shook his head. “Other than him.” He motioned to Lord Jonquil.
“We have five very good friends, all respected and proper gentlemen, and every one of them walks up our mountain whenever they’re visiting. And I often go up with Lord Jonquil.”
He hadn’t expected that. “You do?”
She nodded.
“Do you enjoy it?”
She nodded again.
Perhaps peopledidenjoy the undertaking, but Adam wasn’t entirely certain it was safe. “Do people fall off mountains when they walk on them?” He made certain to ask the question without a single tremor in his voice. He was cautious, but he didn’t want them to think he was a coward.
“I would not for a moment suggest you go up that mountain if I thought you would be in the least danger.” Lady Jonquil had a way of looking at him that made his mind calm and his heart warm. He almost never felt that way.
Adam glanced ever so quickly at Lord Jonquil, then stepped up very close to where Lady Jonquil sat and stood directly in front of her. She leaned a bit forward.
He whispered, “I’ve never walked on a mountain before. What if I’m rubbish at it?”
She took his hands. Hers were so soft. Were all ladies’ hands soft?
“The first time I ever walked on a mountain was with him.” She dipped her head toward Lord Jonquil. “And it was on this same mountain. I’m certain Iwasrubbish at it, but he didn’t mind in the least. He loves being on that mountain, and he is excessively fond of company. He won’t mind if you walk slowly or uncertainly; he’ll simply be happy to be with you in a place he enjoys.”
