Page 27 of Snowy and the Seven Doves
Eddie joined in on the second part of the verse.
No one will disturb yourresting;
Harm will ever pass youby.
Child beloved, on mybosom
Sleep to mother’slullaby.
“Mama’s lullaby,” they said together.
Eddie shook his head as if to clear it. “YouareHal. But how? What happened to you? Where have you been?”
Before Snowy could open his mouth to suggest they should meet to talk about it where they would not be interrupted, Eddie held up his hands in a halt gesture. “My father mustn’t find out. He’ll lose his nut! It’s wonderful, Hal, don’t get me wrong. But I’m afraid of what Father might do.”
Snowy managed not to snort. What could the man do that was worse than he’d already tried? “He’ll find I’m much harder to kill now that I’m grown, Eddie. And he didn’t succeed when I was two.”
“He wouldn’t…” Eddie trailed off and grimaced. “I can’t quite believe it, Hal. But I can’t deny it either.”
If Eddie was acting, he was better than anyone Snowy had ever seen on the stage. “We need to talk, you and me. Will you meet me for dinner? Perhaps at Fourniers? I’ll book a private room, Eddie. Shall we say at seven tonight?”
The young man’s smile was tremulous. “Ned. Only Dickon—my friend Deffew—calls me Ned, but I’ve always imagined that Mama might have done so if she had lived until I was grown. Hal.”
“Hal.” Snowy nodded once. “I like it. Meet me, Ned, just the two of us. I’ll tell you what I know, and we’ll see where that leaves us. Your friend is getting restless.”
Deffew had taken a step toward them and then back and repeated the action several times. “I’ll meet you there, Hal. Don’t worry. I won’t say a word to anyone.” He lifted his voice. “Come on, Deffers. I’m done here. Let’s go and see if we can find a card game.”
He left Snowy with a beaming smile bright enough to make the blindest person suspicious.
His friend was pestering him as they walked away. “What happened? What did he say? Did you find out—”
Ned interrupted. “Leave off, Deffers. I’m bored with the whole thing. In fact, I’m bored with this party. Let’s slip out without telling anyone.”
“Uncle Richard won’t be happy,” Deffew was saying, as they rounded the corner and their voices faded.
“Well?” Lady Charmain asked. “Am I to be told what any of that means? A lovely song, by the way. You and your brother bonding over a lullaby?”
Snowy had to smile. “You, my lady, are far too smart for my peace of mind, yet I find I enjoy it. Keeps me on my toes.”
“I suppose,” she said, “that is all the answer I am going to get.”
“See? I knew you were smart.” He took her hand and placed it on her arm. “I promise I will tell you everything soon. Will that satisfy?”
She made the snorting sound with which she signified disbelief and disapproval. Finding it endearing was proof he was far gone indeed. “It will have to, Snowy. For the present.”
*
Aunt Aurelia refusedto come down to dinner, sending word she had been gravely insulted by Margaret’s words and required an apology before she would speak to Margaret again.
Margaret decided that dealing with her aunt could wait for the next day. Or perhaps she should first send a message to her estate to have the dower house prepared.
Yes. That was the best path forward. Set the whole thing up, perhaps even find a replacement companion. Then tell Aunt Aurelia about her retirement and send her to the country on the same day.
Margaret was not afraid of her aunt’s reaction, precisely. She was tired of the constant carping and criticism, certainly. She would do a great deal to avoid more of it than necessary.
But Margaret had better things to think about over her dinner than her aunt’s abrasive personality. Snowy was not finished with her. He had said it would just be the three events, and it was better if she knew nothing. But just today, he said he would explain everything when he could. Soon, he said.
That meant he planned to see her again, and she smiled at the thought, for it made her all the more certain her attraction to him was returned.
