Page 7 of Papa's Desires
Chapter 4
Sunlight beamed down upon the garden and a soft breeze ruffled Hyacinth’s golden locks, which seemed determined to escape the confines of her hat, no matter how many times she readjusted it. Sighing, she removed the hat and allowed the full warmth of the sun to caress her cheeks. She closed her eyes, leaned back slightly, and breathed slow anddeep.
Ever since she’d overheard Miss Wickersham and Nurse Lister speaking about her future, she’d been in a state of constant nervousness, as she wondered whether or not she would soon have a papa of her very own, or if her caregivers would deem her too ill-behaved to become a wife at all and call her wedding to Lord Kensington off. To make matters worse, someone else had broken into the sugar cabinet this morning, though it had happened when Cynny was tutoring some of the younger girls and she’d thankfully had an alibi no one couldquestion.
This time. What about the next incident, if Cynny couldn’t account for her time, even when she wasinnocent?
Didn’t Miss Wickersham realize she wouldn’t dare misbehave before her wedding date? She wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize her match with Lord Kensington. She wanted to be happy like her friend Cammie, to have a loving papa and a brand new life as a lady, and she wanted the same for the rest of the girls in Talcott House aswell.
Frustration simmered beneath her surface and she spun her hat on one finger, trying to work off her negative energies. In the past, she had been naughty and deserved the punishments she received at Talcott House, but many times she had also been blamed for things she hadn’t done. Like steal biscuits from the kitchen, or giggle during lessons, or put a toad in bossy Garland’spillowcase.
Despite being on her best behavior during recent months, when something went missing or a prank was played, most of the residents in Talcott House looked at her with suspicion. She’d been quite the hellion, she would admit, when she had first arrived at Talcott House, but she had quickly learned the rules and had eventually started trying to follow them. Not that anyone, least of all Miss Wickersham, hadnoticed.
Miss Wickersham herself often didn’t believe Cynny when she professed her innocence and begrudged sitting on the naughty seat, because countless times in the past she’d done the very same things of which she was being accused. It wasn’t her fault another girl had copied her prank of putting a toad in Garland’s pillowcase five times already, though Cynny had no idea who the culpritwas.
Tears burned in her eyes, and she put her hat back on her head and wandered away from her friends, Rosie and Daisy, who were prattling on about a new kind of hairstyle they were planning to try on one another. She felt a stab of loneliness and reached in her pocket to touch the letter she’d received this morning from her best friend, Cammie, who had recently left Talcott House and gotten married. Cammie claimed she had the very best papa and that she was falling in love with her new husband, Lord Cavendish. Her new life soundedperfect.
Would Cynny ever be so lucky? She settled on a bench far removed from the rest of the girls who were outside enjoying the beautiful warm day as the fullness of her solitude swept over her. Sometimes when she was wrongly accused of mischief, Rosie and Daisy would give her a suspicious look, just like all the other girls did. It was during such times that she missed Cammie the most, because her best friend had always believed her and defended her from the wagging tongues of the othergirls.
How could Cynny change her reputation? It seemed no matter how many good deeds she performed—like dusting the library, helping Cook, or tutoring the younger girls—the dark cloud of her past loomed over her, constant and unforgiving andtaunting.
Once a thief, always a thief. She was certain that was what Miss Wickersham must think of her, no matter how often the older woman professed that all her little charges got a new beginning when they came to Talcott House. A fresh start. Cynny believed her new beginning wouldn’t come until she had apapa.
Papas were strict but loving, and they were kind and wise. Surely if she had a papa, he wouldn’t think she was a liar and a thief, like the majority of Talcott House did. If she were wrongly accused of some wickedness, her papa would defend her and hunt down the real culprit. The thought of a handsome papa fighting for her brought a smile to herlips.
Of course, she would have to impress her papa from the start. She had heard that couples exchanged presents when they got married, and she needed to be ready for the day Lord Kensington arrived. She counted in her head. Eight days. He was coming soon, and she resolved to find the most wonderful gift for her new papa as soon as she possiblycould.
But she didn’t have any money, and she didn’t know how she would manage a gift. A sigh escaped her lips. She supposed she would have to make something, but she didn’t know what. Perhaps Daisy could help her embroider a handkerchief for herpapa.
Her spirits sank. A handkerchief! What was she thinking? That wasn’t a good gift. Not for a papa, especially a lord. She needed something spectacular. A present he would love. A present fit for the Earl ofFenton.
She turned at the sound of voices and squinted as the sun reflected off something shiny and expensive. The owner of the object walked closer, out of the direct sunlight just long enough for her to glimpse the gold pocket watch. Her gaze traveled up to meet the eyes of the man wearing the lavish piece, and her heart beat frantically in her chest. The handsome man, whom she’d never seen before, gave her a brief smile and nod as he passed by with MissWickersham.
Curious about his presence at Talcott House, as men didn’t visit often, she studied his tall profile as he walked with Miss Wickersham. He wore a tailored coat made of the finest quality, his leather boots were polished to perfection, and he comported himself with an aristocraticair.
Cynny imagined what her life would be like if she’d been born into wealth and privilege, like this gentleman. She wouldn’t have spent most of her life on the streets, part of a gang of thieves, stealing to survive—not just so she would have money for food, but so the other members of the gang wouldn’t do away with her in her sleep for being useless. She wouldn’t have known hopelessness and mind-numbing fear. She wouldn’t be in Talcott House, either, feeling alone and quite sorry for herself in thismoment.
Garland stepped outside and motioned for Miss Wickersham, and the older woman excused herself from the gentleman’s company and followed the bossy caretaker inside. Cynny’s stomach flipped, and she hoped Garland hadn’t found another toad in her pillowcase. If she had, it wasn’t Cynny’s doing, this time, though of course that wouldn’t save her from being the prime suspect. As much as she would miss Daisy and Rosie, as well as a few of the other girls, she couldn’t wait to leavehere.
“Good afternoon, miss.” The deep, masculine voice penetrated Cynny’s thoughts and she slowly turned in her seat to discover the gentleman had approached her. She swallowed hard as heated tingles rushed through her. He was tall and exceedingly handsome, with the broadest shoulders she had ever seen on aman.
“Good afternoon, sir,” she replied, finally finding her voice.Who was he?she wondered. A wealthy, powerful duke? One of the benefactors of Talcott House, perhaps? She’d heard whisperings that Talcott House survived off the generous donations of wealthy families, and the conversation she’d recently overheard between Miss Wickersham and Nurse Lister about financial difficulties had confirmed thoserumors.
“Would you mind if I joined you while I await the return of Miss Wickersham?” he asked, with a gesture at the seat besideher.
How different he was from the men she’d encountered on the streets. He was actually asking for her permission to sit next to her. Truly, he was a gentleman of the highest order. She flushed from head to toe, feeling like the luckiest girl in all of Talcott House. There were plenty of benches and sitting areas in the gardens, but he had chosen to approach her, rather than any of the other girls outside sunning themselves on this beautiful day. Her heart fluttered and a curious pulsing sensation affected her between herthighs.
“I would be delighted if you joined me, sir.” She smiled up at him, knowing her smile was her best feature, and her flowing golden tresses were a close second. Perhaps this man had come to Talcott House in search of a wife. She decided to charm him as much as possible, because while she was betrothed to another, if he found her pleasing maybe he would decide on another girl, perhaps one of her friends. In any case, on behalf of Talcott House, she ought to try her best to make a goodimpression.
He took a seat and turned toward her, his dark brown eyes sparkling with intelligence. He seemed interested in her, and she had to force herself to sit politely with her hands folded in her lap, rather than squirm or fidget with herhat.
“What brings you to Talcott House, sir?” She flushed, worried her question was too bold. “That is, if you do not believe I am being too forward byasking.”
He cast a glance around the gardens, before returning his gaze to her. “I had a business matter to discuss with Miss Wickersham.” He pressed his lips together, and she knew he wouldn’t divulge the details of the business matter. He also hadn’t formally introduced himself, and that bothered her. Perhaps he wasn’t as gentlemanly as she’d firstbelieved.
“How many years have you lived here,Miss—?”
“Miss Heathrow,” she supplied. “I’ve lived here for quite a few years. However, I won’t be here for much longer. I am to marry Lord Kensington next Saturday.” She couldn’t help but beam with pride, though she hoped her proclamation indeed came true. She resolved to check with Miss Wickersham soon and confirm that plans had not been changed or postponed, or God forbid, entirelycancelled.
