Turning around at the sound of Collin’s little voice, Madeline smiled. “I’ve asked you to call me Madeline, have I not?” she chided before her gaze narrowed as she took in the paleness of Collin’s skin as well as the glow that seemed to be absent from his blue eyes. Turning her attention to Kara, who held the little rascal a bit oddly clutched in her arms as her belly seemed to be growing by the day, Madeline asked, “How is he?”
Kara sighed, gently setting the boy down on the bench, then passed him the bowl of porridge Bessy handed to her. “I’m not sure. He seemed to be getting better, but now I don’t know. He still coughs and seems weak, easily fatigued.”
Madeline stepped closer, feeling a touch of concern for the little boy. “And you?”
“I’m fine,” Kara replied, her gaze shifting to her son as he absentmindedly poked around his porridge. “I only wish he were, too.”
“How is Milly?” Collin demanded, craning his little neck to look at Madeline. “Mama said her foal was born last night, and that it’s a little filly.”
“That’s right,” Madeline replied, a touch of pride in her voice as she spoke. “As far as I know they’re both fine. But they do need a little rest.”
A delighted smile came to Collin’s face. “Can I see them?”
“Not now,” Kara objected, sitting down beside him and wrapping her arm around his thin shoulders. “First, you need to get better. So, eat up.”
Mumbling under his breath, Collin reluctantly plopped a spoonful of porridge in his mouth. “The filly needs a name,” he spoke around the food in his mouth. “I think we should name her Maddie. I like Maddie.” He grinned at them, and half his food fell out of his mouth and onto the floor.
Madeline smiled, wondering why she was even surprised at such a suggestion. “I’ll think about it.” Maybe if she agreed, he would stop calling her that.
After Kara ushered Collin back to bed, Madeline turned to Bessy, feeling suddenly self-conscious.
“What’s on your mind, dear?” Bessy asked, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. “Ye look as though you’re about to swallow your tongue.”
Madeline laughed, “I…Well, I was wondering if you could show me…”
“Yes?”
“If you could show me how to…cook and bake…and such.” Feeling like the dumbest person in the world, Madeline’s cheeks blushed scarlet red. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why this feels so strange.”
“Don’t worry,” Bessy laughed, clearly delighted with her daughter-in-law’s request. “I’ve been waitin’ for ye to ask that.” Grabbing Madeline’s chin, she looked at her imploringly. However, her voice sounded rather like that of a commanding officer. “And don’t ye fret about askin’ for help. There’s nothin’ wrong with learnin’ somethin’ new and expandin’ your horizon.”
Despite being mildly startled, Madeline could not help but smile. “Thank you. I truly appreciate your help.”
Bessy humphed, then released Madeline’s chin. “As long as we’re askin’ for help,” the old woman continued, a touch of excitement in her eyes, “may I ask somethin’, too?”
Madeline’s eyes flew open. “Certainly,” she assured her mother-in-law eagerly, dying to know what Bessy felt she needed to learn when the woman herself seemed like competence personified.
“Would ye mind teachin’ us the waltz?”
Now, Madeline’s mouth did drop open as she stared at her mother-in-law in utter surprise. “The waltz?” she croaked, wondering if there was something amiss with her hearing.
A grin on her face, Bessy shrugged. “I’ve only heard it talked of, but Kara tells me it looks as though people are floatin’ on air.”
Madeline frowned. “Kara?” Where would her sister-in-law have seen someone dance the waltz? After all, Madeline was certain that Huntington House had not seen a ball since the new baron and his family had taken up residence here.
“Did Derek not tell ye?” Bessy frowned, forming the dough into a loaf before putting it in the oven. “Kara used to work for a titled family in town as a maid. When she was young, she got it into her head to marry a rich, young man and become a duchess or such.” Bessy chuckled, and yet, there was a touch of regret in the way she looked at Madeline. “I guess she thought of herself as the little cinder girl, waiting for her prince charming, and when he didn’t show, she was determined to seek him out.” Bessy shrugged, a meaningful sigh leaving her lips. “Would ye teach us? I’m certain Kara would love it.”
Not knowing what to make of her sister-in-law’s story, Madeline nodded. “I would like that very much.” Although she was delighted with the opportunity to repay the family for all their help, Madeline could not shake the feeling that there was more to Kara’s story than her mother-in-law had said. Obviously, Kara’s prince charming had not turned out to be a duke, but a valet instead. How had Kara and Sean met? Madeline wondered, realising that she knew very little about her new sister-in-law.
And yet, as she glanced at Bessy, her eyes distant as she gazed out the window, Madeline was certain that her mother-in-law would not say another word. If she wanted to know, she would have to ask Kara. But would her new sister-in-law confide in her? Would she share something so deeply personal?
After spending the next few hours working in the kitchen under Bessy’s wise tutelage, Madeline finally filled yet another basket with bread, fruit and a few jam tarts that she had barely finished before heading out. Still warm, she had wrapped them in a towel, her fingers trembling with nervous excitement. Were they any good? Or had she done something wrong?
“Don’t worry, dear,” Bessy called after her as she strode out into the cold. “Ye did well.”
With another woollen skirt borrowed from Kara, Madeline strode through the tall grass toward the cottage still under repairs. From afar, she once again heard hammering and workers calling to each other.
A part of Madeline dreaded every step she took as she remembered only too clearly how she had been received the last time. However, pride and no small amount of determination would not allow her to give up. Reminding herself to keep an open mind and allow her husband’s tenants to see that she wanted to get to know them, Madeline put on a brave smile as she approached the work site.
At first, no one noticed her. However, when one man bent down to reach for a tool another was handing up to him, he caught sight of her…and his gaze instantly narrowed. Immediately, the other man turned his head to her as well. Before long, everyone was staring at her.
Trying to swallow the lump in her throat, Madeline wanted nothing more but to bolt. Her legs quivered, and the basket on her arm felt heavier than before. In answer, her muscles began to ache with more intensity until she felt as though she could not hold up the basket a moment longer.
“I did not expect to see you here today.”
A wave of relief and utter joy washed over Madeline at the sound of her husband’s voice. Turning toward him as he came striding through the grass, she smiled, meeting him halfway, her muscles strained to the point of breaking.
A large smile rested on his face. However, as he took in the way she favoured her arm, it vanished, and he immediately took the basket from her. “How is your arm?”
“Still sore.” Wiggling her fingers carefully, Madeline sighed when she felt her muscles relax after the strain she had forced on them once more. “I’m sorry I slept in this morning. I didn’t plan to,” she said carefully, surprised how much her husband’s opinion meant to her, and she did not want him to think her lazy or shying back from her duties.
Instead of a disappointed scowl, her husband’s face showed a teasing smile though. “You may not have,” he replied, gesturing for her to follow him, “but I did.”
Madeline’s eyes widened. “You did. Why? I remember vividly how you snapped at me the first morning I slept in. You seemed fairly disappointed.”
The expression on his face sobered. “I apologise for my rude behaviour. I never should have spoken to you thus.” He stopped and took her left hand with his free one. “Today you deserved to sleep in after what you did last night.”
Madeline returned his smile, only dimly aware of the many sets of eyes still fixed on them. “You were up all night as well,” she countered. “Did you sleep in?”
Derek drew in a long breath. “That is different.”