Page 35 of The Rogue's Runaway Bride
“I would appreciate that.” Belle glanced down at the woman’s leg. “I’ll be happy to assist you to the table before I bring the tray.”
“Thank ye,” the older woman said, “but I can make it on my own.”
Mrs. Gilroy hobbled to the dining room with Belle following close behind. After setting the places for their meal, Belle made the short walk down the corridor to the room Jon had designated Carrie’s playroom.
The girl sat on the rug, acting out a scene with a pair of stuffed rabbits. One of the bunnies had evidently suffered a fright from a threatening creature, and the other bunny was consoling it with a hug.
“That’s a very kind rabbit,” Belle said, smiling to herself.
“She’s my nicest bunny,” Carrie agreed. “And the prettiest.”
“She is quite fetching,” Belle said. “But now, it’s time for our meal. Please put the bunnies on the shelf, out of Heathy’s reach.”
“Heathy likes the bunnies,” the girl said, hugging the stuffed dolls. “He won’t hurt them.”
“I doubt he’d try to hurt them... not on purpose,” Belle said gently. “But he is a dog, and we know that dogs like to chew, don’t they?”
The girl offered a solemn nod, then placed the dolls on a shelf. “I’d like a real bunny,” she said, reaching for Belle’s hand.
“Perhaps you shall have one . . . someday.”
“I do hope so.” The child slipped from Belle’s light hold, made a dash for the spindle chair in the corner, and scooped up a ragdoll into her arms.
Belle smiled to herself. So, this was Carrie’s favorite.
“May I bring Anna?” The girl sounded rather proper as she proudly held out her doll for Belle to see.
“I see no reason why not.” Belle studied the doll. Its hair consisted of a few fuzzy strands of faded red yarn, and whilethe velveteen dress on its cloth body might’ve been lovely in its day, it was a bit ragged with fraying lace at its hem. Studying the needlework on the doll’s wide-eyed linen face, Belle leaned closer for a better look. The stitches that formed perpetually surprised blue eyes and a pert mouth appeared to have been crafted by someone who was not an expert seamstress, perhaps a girl learning to embroider. How touching that Carrie was attached to this old, simply fashioned doll when her room was filled with expensive creations decked out in expertly sewn finery.
“Mama gave her to me when I was alittlegirl,” Carrie said.
“She’s very pretty.”
“Mama made her,” Carrie explained. “When she was a girl.”
“How very special that she gave it to you.”
“Someday, I want to make one of my own. Just like Mama did.”
“Perhaps we shall try very soon.”
Carrie tucked the doll against her body, her sweet expression betraying the comfort she took from its nearness. From the memories it held. From the tender feelings its very presence evoked.
Belle blinked back tears. Goodness, she was a grown woman and the mere thought of losing her mother was painful. How very sad that Carrie had suffered such a tremendous loss at such a young age.
Taking the girl’s free hand in hers, Belle led her to the dining room. The bell on Heathy’s collar accented his jaunty trot as he followed along. While Carrie hurried to pet him, Belle noticed the expression on his canine features. Why, she might’ve described the look as guilty. Questions swirled. Where had the pup been? And what had he been up to?
There was no time to ponder the matter as Carrie quickly scurried up onto her chair. The girl’s perch atop a pillow wasn’tideal, but it would have to do until she figured out a more permanent booster. She’d no intention of shuffling Carrie off to a separate table. Surely Jon would soon see the benefit of having the child take her meals with him, perhaps even after Belle was no longer a guest in his home.
“The soup is quite good, isn’t it?” she said moments later as the girl seemed to enjoy her meal.
“It is very tasty,” Carrie replied with enthusiasm.
“Mrs. Gilroy prepared this delicious food,” Belle informed her.
The child turned to the old woman. “Thank you, Mrs. Gilroy.”
Belle reached for a slice of bread and dabbed a bit of butter onto the hearty rye. Smiling to herself, she savored the sense of peace which surrounded her for the first time in what seemed a very long while.
