The Heart's Companion

Jane and her aunt made their way leisurely across the smoothly scythed grass. Lady Elsbeth stopped occasionally to comment on a planting. Jane allowed her attention to be drawn to a pair of birds that appeared to be playing tag as they swooped and dove together, alternately beating their wings furiously and gliding on the breeze. She followed their progress past the rushes and over the ornamental lake to disappear in the spreading branches of the old oak on the other side. She was surprised to see a bundle of cloth laying on the ground at the base of the tree. She touched Lady Elsbeth lightly on the arm. "Look, isn’t that Twink lying under the oak?"

Lady Elsbeth raised a hand to shield her eyes from the sun’s glare. "Yes, and sound asleep by the looks of it. The boys no doubt exhausted her. Isn’t that brown shape next to her Edward?"

"I believe so. But where’s Bertram?"

"Most likely asleep on the other side of the tree."

"Or he’s taken the opportunity of Twink’s relaxed vigilance to sneak off on his own," suggested Jane over her shoulder as she hurried around the lake to the oak tree.

"Surely he wouldn’t. Not after yesterday!" Lady Elsbeth exclaimed, following behind her.

But so it proved to be. Miss Twinkleham was stretched out on a blanket, gently snoring. Edward was next to her, his little arms and legs flung out in what appeared to his aunts a most uncomfortable position. The picnic basket at their side was open, and a steady army of ants marched in and out, wending their way across the blanket and grass to their nest among the roots of the old tree. There was no sign of Bertram.

Jane stared at the bucolic scene for a moment in bemused appreciation then gently nudged Nurse Twinkleham.

"Twink—Twink, wake up!" she urged the woman.

Edward stirred at the sound of her voice and raised a grubby fist to knuckle his eyes. "Aunt Jane?"

"Yes, love. Did you have a nice nap?" Jane asked, amusement coloring her tone.

He sat up. "I wasn’t sleeping," he contradicted indignantly. "I was keeping Nurse Twink company."

"Of course, dear," soothed Lady Elsbeth. She exchanged amused glances with Jane.

"What? What’s that?" demanded Nurse Twinkleham, struggling out of deep sleep. Her thin lips twitched and her eyes blinked against the light.

"Twink, are you all right?" Jane asked.

Nurse Twinkleham’s faded blue eyes opened wide and bright pink stained her lined cheeks. She rolled awkwardly to her knees, then struggled to her feet. "Oh! Miss Jane! Lady Elsbeth! I can’t imagine— That you should find me— Oh dear, oh me! Sleeping!"

Jane laughed and laid a reassuring hand on her old nurse’s arm. "I do not blame you at all. It is a beautiful day. Perfect for a nap in the fresh air. But where is Bertram?"

"I hope you do not think it was wrong of me, but I gave him permission to go on up to the Folly. "

"Of course not," assured Lady Elsbeth. "He is old enough for some freedom. I daresay both the boys are." She turned to look up the hill toward the miniature Grecian temple. "Do you see him, Jane? I swear my eyes are not as good as they might be."

"No, but he could have fallen asleep up there, and we wouldn’t see him behind the railing. I’ll go up and get him. Want to come with me, Edward?" she invited, holding out her hand to her youngest nephew.

Edward took her hand eagerly and they set off with a sprightly step, swinging their arms.

"I don’t see him, Aunt Jane," Edward said when they were halfway there. "And I don’t think he’s asleep. Bertram never naps," he added seriously.

Jane lightly bit her lower lip. "I don’t see him, either. Where do you suppose he could be?"

Edward shrugged, his thin shoulders rising up to his ears.

"Well, we’ll check carefully, anyway," said Jane.

But Bertram was not to be found.