Page 75 of The Rogue's Runaway Bride
“That would be the wisest course,” Belle agreed.
“When ye take my advice, it always is, lass.” The old woman broke into a grin that brought a smile to Belle’s face. “Ye will not go wrong.”
*
“Miss Blake ishere. And she’s brought a parcel for ye—quite an expensive one, from the looks of it.” Mrs. Gilroy announced as she peered inside Carrie’s playroom. Her careworn features creased into a warm smile as her gaze fell upon the girl’s efforts to poke a threaded embroidery needle through the plain dress of her rag doll. “Ye’re teaching those busy little fingers to be productive. I must say, ye’re doing a fine job of it.”
“Thank you,” Belle said with a sincere smile. “As her doll is ‘all better now’ since I stitched it after its unfortunate encounter with Heathy, she’s decided Anna needs a fancier dress. She’s learning to embroider, one little stitch at a time.” Pride in the child’s perfectly imperfect stitchwork filled her heart. She turned to Carrie. “We shall have to show Miss Blake your handiwork after we take tea.”
“And biscuits?” the girl added with a hopeful little grin.
“Of course,” Mrs. Gilroy said. “Miss Blake is waiting in the sitting room. I’ll bring the tea service there.”
“Thank you,” Belle said as she took the doll from the child’s hands and placed her on a shelf, well out of Heathy’s mischievous reach. “We’ll leave Anna here, just for a while.”
“I’ll bring my new doll,” Carrie said, taking a porcelain doll from the shelf. “She looks very pretty in her lace gown.”
“She does indeed, lass.”
“Mrs. Gilroy, you mentioned that Ellie has brought a package,” Belle said. “Are you quite certain it’s for me?”
Mrs. Gilroy shrugged. “I believe that’s what the miss said.” A sly smile played on her mouth as she turned to take her leave. “Ye’ll find out, soon enough.”
Carrie dashed down the corridor toward the sitting room. Belle wasn’t sure what motivated the child more—the opportunity to see Ellie or the prospect of tea and biscuits.
“Well, there you are.” Ellie smiled as Belle followed the little girl into the sitting room. “I suppose Mrs. Gilroy told you I’d brought you something new from the dressmaker.”
“She did not reveal that detail,” Belle said. “But really, I don’t need anything else.”
“When I stopped by the shop, I simply could not resist this.” Ellie opened the box and removed a crisp linen blouse with perfect blue pinstripes. “It’s perfect for you.”
Belle held it up against her. “It is lovely, Ellie. But this does feel a bit indulgent.”
“Don’t be silly,” Ellie laughed. “Of course, I simply had to take this as well.” She held up an elegant cape of stormy blue wool trimmed with black velvet. “It will look striking on you. Every bit the governess... wouldn’t you agree?”
“Most definitely,” Belle said. “But still, I don’t trulyneedit.”
“Of course you do,” Ellie replied. “Besides, I thought I might borrow it on some occasion when I feel the urge to appear prim and proper.”
Belle ran her fingertips over the soft fabric. “This is on Jon’s account?”
“Absolutely.” Ellie grinned. “I wouldn’t give it another thought. Believe me, the man can afford it.”
“She speaks the truth,” Mrs. Gilroy said as she returned with the tea cart. To Belle’s surprise, Mrs. Johnstone stood by her side.
“I do hope ye don’t mind me calling upon ye unexpectedly. I have news, something ye’ll want to know.” As Mrs. Johnstone crossed the threshold, she seemed to hesitate as her gaze pulled to Carrie, who sat on the rug, happily playing with her dolls.
“Mrs. Johnstone, it’s a pleasure to see you,” Belle said.
Ellie spoke up. “Is everything well?”
Mrs. Johnstone’s drawn expression offered an answer to her question. “We will talk over our tea.” She turned to Mrs. Gilroy. “I have something we need to discuss. Might I trouble ye to see Carrie to her playroom?”
Mrs. Gilroy nodded, taking her meaning. “I trust ye’ll tell me what’s happening.”
“Of course,” Mrs. Johnstone said, then took another sip of oolong. “This is certainly information you need to know.”
With another nod of understanding, Mrs. Gilroy smiled down at the girl. “Carrie, let’s see if ye can finish that pretty picture ye were drawing. And bring yer dolls, lass.” She started for the door with Carrie close behind.
