Page 63 of A Curse of Hope and Shadows: Part I
“I gathered.”
“Can I come back next weekend?” she asked. “Or even after school?”
“Any time you like.”
She flashed him a grin of pure sunlight, and, quite unexpectedly, jumped up to squeeze him.
Dimitri was not accustomed to being held, although he was getting more used to it with Adeline. It surprised him almost as much as the kiss.
“Thank you, thank you!” she said, sounding much more like the child she was. “Did you like the cake Elliott sent for you? I can send some more as thanks.”
“The cake was delicious, and I should not be adverse to more, but you don’t have to pay me back for this. It’s no trouble.”
“No, I don’t suppose it is, is it?” said Leonie wistfully, staring at the shelves. “Almost a waste.”
She exited the room before he could think to ask her to explain what she meant, vanishing into the corridor, quite unaware of the proper protocol. Oh well. He wasn’t sure what trouble she could really get into, she didn’t seem interested in anything but the books.
The next morning, he told Adeline about her appearance over breakfast.
“I heard, the cheeky devil!” She tutted. “I hope you don’t think her impertinent—”
“Not at all. It’s really no bother.”
Adeline grumbled something under her breath. He didn’t catch the words, but for some reason, it still made him smile.
“I thought we might do something different today.”
“Oh?” Her eyes sparked. “Like what?”
“I’ve set up some target practice on the lawn. I sayIhave. Thomas and Hughes have, most likely. I just told them to.”
“You… want to go shooting?”
“Oh, I’m a terrible shot. I thought you might like it.”
Adeline’s eyes narrowed. “You spoke to Leonie.”
“Well, I had to do something to entertain myself when you weren’t here to amuse me.”
Adeline’s gaze dropped to the floor. “You didn’t have to do this.”
“I know. I wanted to. I thought it might be fun.”
“I—” she stopped, bobbing her head. “Thank you.”
It’s the least I can do.
He finished his coffee. “Shall we?” he said.
Adeline fetched his cloak. He was pleased to see, as they made their way downstairs, that she’d found herself the time to purchase a new one for herself, though it was a little frayed around the cuffs and collar. He escorted her outside, to where a dozen or so targets had been arranged around the lawn, freestanding, hanging on trees, propped up on furniture. Thomas stood at a table laid with firearms, carefully inspecting them.
Adeline rushed forward, lifting a pistol with surprising agility.
“Careful,” said Thomas, “I’ve already—”
She aimed at one of the targets and fired, hitting it perfectly in the centre.
Thomas and Dimitri both stared.
