“I’m fine, my lord.” She attempted to curtsey on one foot and almost lost her balance.
“Please sit down, Mrs. Donnelly.”
“Oh, I couldn’t, my lord.”
“You can.” He stepped outside the kitchen and returned with a chair. “Sit here a moment.”
She did as she was told, her eyes wide as she straightened her white cap. “Have I done something amiss, my lord? Mrs. Mann assured me you did not want dinner when you returned last night.”
“You’ve done nothing amiss, Mrs. Donnelly. I’ve come to beg a favor.”
Now she gave him a look as though some imposter had taken over his body. He plowed on. “What does Miss Lumlee usually eat to break her fast?”
“I send up a bowl of porridge with a bit of honey, my lord.”
“This morning, I would like to dine with Miss Lumlee in the dining room.”
“Oh.” Her lips went as round as her eyes.
“And I’d like you to make something special, something a child would like. Perhaps something sweet?”
The cook nodded. “My brother served in the army during the war with the Americans,” she said. “He showed me how to make American flapjacks. They are similar to our pancakes but made with baking powder, so they rise and become fluffy. The Americans eat them smothered with butter and maple syrup.His children would beg him to make them then eat stacks of them.”
“Perfect. Could you make us these flapjacks? And instead of tea, let’s have chocolate, yes?”
“Of course, my lord.”
“I’ll go and wake Frances.”
The sun was peeking through the windows above the door in the foyer as Rory made his way up the steps and tiptoed past Genevieve’s room to the nursery. He tapped quietly, then eased the door open. Mary, his maid, rose from her chair near the fire, rubbing her eyes, but Rory put a finger to his lips and motioned for her to sit back down. He made his way to Frances’s bed, but before he could gently shake her away, he caught a look at her.
She slept on her side, one hand tucked under her chin, her doll clutched in the other arm and held tightly. Her dark hair had been plaited and her cap had fallen off in the night. He couldn’t see her freckles in the dim light from the fire, but he could imagine them. She looked so peaceful, and he had the sudden urge to protect her so she could always sleep so peacefully. He put a hand on her bony shoulder and watched her eyes flutter open.
“Good morning, Frances,” he said.
She blinked at him and then her mouth broke into a grin and her entire face seemed to light up. “Papa!” she whispered.
Rory’s heart felt as though it warmed and expanded, as though the last chunks of ice melted away. Frances’s smile was enough to thaw anyone’s heart. “I’m home,” he said, his voice sounding a bit gruff. He cleared his throat. “Will you come down and break your fast with me?”
She hoisted herself onto her elbows. “But Cook always sends a tray to the nursery.”
“I’ve had a word with the cook, and she is preparing something special for us. Dress and then join me.” He glanced atMary, who was pretending not to listen. “Will you help her dress, Mary?”
“Of course, my lord. I’ll bring her down in a few minutes.”
Rory left them to it and made his way to the dining room. Gables greeted him. “Did you want chocolate, my lord?”
“Gah. No. Save that for Frances.” But he didn’t take his usual seat. Instead, he paced back and forth, trying to think what to say, how to approach the topic with his daughter. He didn’t think he’d been this nervous since asking Harriet to marry him.
“Mrs. Donnelly informs me the flapping jacks will be served momentarily, my lord.”
“Excellent, Gables. Bring them when they are ready.” He made a motion dismissing the butler, but before he could return to his musings, the door opened, and Frances entered.
Chapter Fourteen
Frances liked diningin the big room. She liked the color of the blue walls and the portraits of the serious people. She was not allowed to play in the dining room, but she had hidden here a few times during hide-and-seek. She could lie on the seats of the chairs when they were tucked under the table and no one would see her, unless they looked right at the level of the chairs. It was one of her favorite hiding places.
Now, she pushed the doors open and found Papa waiting for her. She wanted to run up to him and embrace him. She imagined him sweeping her up and into his arms and twirling her around. But she was afraid to try to hug him. He was still a bit scary with his serious mouth and his low voice.
