Page 55 of The Ones Left Behind
“I think that would be lovely,” she said, “if it would not be too difficult?”
“It will not be graceful, but I should very much like to. It will be like old times.”
“Yes,” she whispered, so softly he barely heard it.
Using the tree to his advantage, Matthias lowered himself to the blanket. There were few times as an earl when he was able to relax in such a fashion.
“Your leg appears to be healing,” she observed. “A month ago, you could not have done that.” She handed him his plate before joining him on the blanket, tucking her legs beneath her skirts and arranging the folds gracefully. One of the servants brought them two glasses of the elderberry wine and he took a sip, relishing the moment.
“’Tis very good this year,” Kitty remarked, watching him. “I have not had any since the last time we enjoyed a picnic together.”
“That is one of my best memories,” he said, gazing across the lake. “Memories kept me sane on the long, lonely nights during the campaigns. Did you ever think of home?”
On the edge of his vision, he could see she was also lost in thought, looking out over the gentle ripples of water that lapped against the shore.
“Of course. I remember you and Peter racing your boats.”
“I remember we both tipped over and were instantly soaking.”
“Yes.” She laughed. “It were no bad thing, though. You were both dirty and smelled of horses.”
“Ah, and we thought no one had noticed.”
“It was great entertainment. I had been sadly in need of company, then there you and Peter were to brighten my day. I only wish I had been so fortunate as to have a swim in the water too. ’Twas a devilishly warm day.”
“And you were no longer a child to run wild with us.”
“No.”
Matthias had forgotten anyone else was there save the two of them, but he was soon brought to the present when a chubby little toddler nearly hurled herself into him.
“Oh! I do beg your pardon!” Meg exclaimed as she chased after her daughter. “She saw the swing and set off at once.”
The Duchess reached for the little girl, but she giggled and evaded her mother. “The more I chase her, the more she thinks it is a game. She has just begun to walk more than a few steps.”
“Do you wish for a turn on the swing, Lady Frances?” Matthias asked the toddler. She had a mass of bouncing white curls and rosy cheeks.
“Wa!” she exclaimed around the four middle fingers she was also determinedly sucking on.
Kitty rose from where she was seated on the blanket. “Here you are, Lady Frances. I will teach you the secrets of the swing.”
Waverley looked on with amusement. “If the two of you do not mind entertaining her for a while, I would like to take my wife for a row on the lake.”
“Of course we do not mind,” Matthias said. “Although Kitty will be the one to do most of the work if she requires chasing.”
Kitty already had the little girl sitting on the swing next to her, and she was giggling with glee.
“I think she can manage,” the Duchess said. “If not, her nurse is eating with the servants.” She indicated daintily with one gloved hand.
Pall mall, lawn checkers and horse-shoes had been set up for all to enjoy, and Matthias noted that Lady Amelia was in a contest with the footman, Thomas, while Philip looked on with amusement.
Matthias turned his attention back to Kitty. She looked so natural with Waverley’s daughter… as she would with their daughter.
He slowly edged himself upright as he held on to the tree. If they began to swing very high, he would be in the way.
“I think you are safe,” Kitty said when she saw him move. “Although, if Lady Frances has anything to say about it, we would reach the sky.”
“Or you would be in the lake, as we used to do. Do you have her safe?” He stood behind them, balancing his weight mostly on one leg, and pushed. Little Frances squealed with delight.
