Kenneth continued to wail into her dress as though his heart was breaking. "It- it- it tried to g-get me," he coughed out in between sobs.
Louisa frowned and held him closer to her. "Who, Kenneth? Who is trying to get you?"
He sniffed and wiped his nose on her pale skirts. It was this act that seemed to shake Mrs. Brooks out of her state of shock. She stepped forward and grasped the boy firmly by his shoulder.
"Now then, young man. There is no need for this carrying-on. You will control yourself and you will tell us what has happened."
Kenneth sniffed again, looking up at the women with tear filled eyes and a trembling lip. "It tried to get me," he repeated wetly.
"What tried to get you? Come on then, out with it. We don't have all day to stand here and take guesses."
Louisa frowned. The boy was clearly upset, and she couldn't see how such a firm hand was going to solve the situation. If he was anything like her, it was likely to make things worse.
Kenneth trembled under the stern eyes of Mrs. Brooks, who wouldn't let him have a second cup of milk with breakfast until he had finished all of the toast he didn't want, and his uncle's new lady, who had been kind when they had met but didn't seem to want to talk to him or his sister anymore. He tried his best to stop crying and be a grown up boy.
Mrs. Brooks shook his shoulder impatiently. "Master Kenneth! Tell us what is wrong this instant."
He turned and pointed down the path towards the trees. "There, in the trees! There was a bee!"
The women were silent for a moment, neither knowing what to say to this unexpected turn of events. Kenneth, not receiving the horror and distress he was expecting, plowed on.
"Abee! In the woods! I was walking past the trees and there was abeeand it chased me and it tried to get me!"
Louisa breathed out slowly. She was immensely relieved that the situation wasn't dire, had been picturing a sinkhole opening up, or a child drowning slowly in the pond, or an escaped madmanhiding on the premises. Still, this horror, insignificant though it might be to her, was real to Kenneth. The small boy was still clutching her dress with one hand, tears dripping down his face and onto his pale blue shirt. She opened her mouth to reassure him, but Mrs. Brooks cut in first.
"Master Kenneth! What on earth would your uncle say to all this carrying-on? I'm certain he would be quite ashamed."
Kenneth and Louisa both blinked in confusion. Mrs. Brooks took hold of Kenneth's other shoulder and pulled him sharply away from Louisa, ignoring his outraged cry.
Kenneth howled once more. "But what did I do? I didn't do anything, it was the bee, it was the bee!"
Mrs. Brooks spoke firmly down at him. "I will not tell you again, you must stop this nonsense at once. You are a St Vincent and St Vincents are strong. They certainly do not walk around crying over such trivial matters. Now young master, please come along with me. We shall inform Lord St Vincent of this instance and he can decide the best course of action. It may be that we need to take your lessons here more seriously from now on."
Louisa was outraged. How could this woman be so horrible to a scared little boy. Still, she hesitated. Lord St Vincent had made it clear that she was not to associate with the children until he decided she was to. She knew if he were standing here also, he would be unhappy if she intervened. But surely he wouldn't be so callous to his nephew either? Kenneth turned to look at her as hewas dragged away, eyes confused and scared and searching for her. Louisa knew she couldn't just look away.
"Let him go." Her voice was soft but firm.
Mrs. Brooks stopped and sighed, but didn't release her grip on Kenneth. "Lady St Vincent. The boy needs to be taught how things are done. I assure you, it is nothing for you to worry about. Why don't you continue to enjoy the garden, and I'll be back once I've dealt with him."
She made to leave once more, but Louisa found herself out of patience. She stepped forwards and loudly stated, "You will unhand him at once! Mrs. Brooks, I assureyou, I shall not tell you a third time!"
Mrs. Brooks stared at her. Kenneth stared at her. Louisa's words rang out around her as she reached forwards and pulled the boy from her grip, pushing him safely behind her. Damn Mrs. Brooks. And damn Lord St Vincent. Louisa wasn't going to sit back and let the boy be punished for being scared, no matter what either of them had to say about it.
CHAPTER SIX
The garden was eerily quiet as the three figures stood staring at each other. Louisa's heartbeat pounded loudly in her ears. She had never spoken to a soul in that manner before, and she couldn't quite believe she had done so now. It was as though some wild spirit had taken control of her faculties, determined to protect sweet Kenneth. Now however, that spirit had all but deserted her, and she floundered. What on earth was she to say now?
Mrs. Brooks folded her hands in front of her, regarding Louisa warily. Eventually, she tilted her head down and responded through slightly gritted teeth. "I do apologize, my lady. I did not mean to overrule you. I forgot my place, and have no excuse for it."
Louisa swallowed. The housekeeper certainly looked contrite. She supposed that the woman was not used to having a lady in the house, or to taking care of children. She was doing what she knew, Louisa was sure of that.Unfortunately for you, Mrs.Brooks, these children need a damn sight more than what you know.
"It's all right, Mrs. Brooks. But I am afraid I must disagree with you. Kenneth will not be going to the nursery. I rather think I would like to finish my tour of the gardens with him, if he is not opposed." She could feel his little body relax behind her.
Mrs. Brooks sniffed (disapprovingly, Louisa was sure), but acquiesced under the gaze of her superior. "Very well, my lady. Master Kenneth may join us as you wish. The topiary gardens are this way."
As Mrs. Brooks turned to lead the way, Louisa turned to look at Kenneth. His sorrowful little eyes stared up at her, and his lip was trembling again. This would not do at all. Louisa winked conspiratorially at him, before calling to the housekeeper.
"If it's all the same to you, Mrs. Brooks, I believe Kenneth and I shall do some exploring on our own."
