Page 43 of A Governess' Forbidden Flame
Anna seemed to ponder, only to have her quill pen start gliding across the soft surface of the parchment. Amelia watched with joy, making sure to remain quiet and not interrupt her little ward in the throes of inspiration. She had no idea how much time had passed. Anna’s forehead would crumple, and her eyes would narrow only to widen again, as her fingers and mind worked relentlessly to create a small work of art.
Suddenly, the scribbling stopped, and the room was filled with silence. Anna didn’t lift her eyes from the parchment she was reading. A few more scribbles were added, correcting this and adding that. Throughout this creative process, Amelia was quiet but visibly there in case her ward needed any sort of help or guidance.
Once their eyes locked, Amelia knew that Anna was ready. She could see that glimmer of pride.
“May I read my poem?” Anna asked, although she already knew the answer.
Amelia smiled. “I would love nothing more.”
Anna stood up, holding the parchment in trembling hands. Amelia’s heart was filled with love for this sweet child, and she knew that she would not be able to love even her own child more. Anna’s sweet nature and kindness had assured Amelia that this was exactly where she was needed, where her own place was.
“Whenever you are ready, my dear,” she urged softly.
Anna cleared her throat a little, then she commenced.
In the castle of our love so grand,
A magic spell forever planned.
Giggles dance and laughter sings,
Love in our hearts, like butterfly wings.
Rooms are full of joy and cheer,
As family hugs draw near.
Dreams sparkle, oh, so bright,
In the castle of our love, so light.
In this story, pure and true,
Family love, a colorful view.
Through the tapestry, we play,
Forever and ever, in love, we’ll stay.
Amelia was captivated by the sweet little poem that Anna had composed. The words painted a vivid picture of their shared moments and the warmth of their growing bond. A tender smile graced Amelia’s lips as she reflected on the genuine affection reflected in each line.
“Anna, my dear, this is truly enchanting,” Amelia praised, her eyes sparkling with admiration. “Your words are like a melody that warms the heart. Such a beautiful expression of love and family.”
Anna beamed with pride, her eyes shining with the joy of creativity. “I wanted it to be special. I want Uncle to hear it as well. Do you think we could go see what he is up to?”
“Uncle has already heard the poem.” Sebastian’s voice made both of them turn around to face him.
Much to the shock of them both, he was standing in the doorway. How long he had been standing there, Amelia had no idea. She didn’t even hear the door open.Did he even knock?she wondered.Not that it mattered.
“Did you truly come up with it all by yourself?” Sebastian asked, walking over to Anna with a huge smile on his face.
Amelia couldn’t help but be even more attracted to him. She had rarely seen this fatherly quality about him, and it had been omnipresent since Anna’s accident. This side of him only made him even more desirable as a man, and Amelia couldn’t fight this attraction any longer. She knew that he would be the perfect father, but would he be a perfect husband? She didn’t even dare think about that, for she feared what the answer would be.
“I did,” Anna replied quickly, rushing over to him to show him the proof on the parchment in her own handwriting.
He took it, pretending to inspect it carefully. “Hmm…but are you sure that you didn’t secretly sneak into the library, read and memorize by heart a poem by some very famous dead author, who wouldn’t mind you stealing his poem and presenting it as your own?”
“I would never, Uncle,” Anna replied, chuckling through her words, her eyes denoting the utter shock at such an insinuation.
