“I thought perhaps you ladies would like to stroll through the park while you get to know one another. It’s a beautiful day and we have a few hours of sunlight left.”
“That sounds delightful. Lead the way, Mr. Allister.” She held out an arm for Madelene. Her smile was contagious, and soon, the one she’d forced, was replaced by one of genuine enjoyment.
As they strolled through the park, arm in arm, Simon fell back. Protective without being overbearing, like always.
“Will you tell me about your home, Mrs. Appleridge?”
“Selma,” she corrected. “It’s beautiful. You’ll be getting there just in time to watch everything come back to life. Green will be creeping up the hills a little more each day. Of course, you’ll still need a sturdy shawl. The winds can be a bit brisk.”
Madelene’s confidence faltered. “I don’t have a shawl. Truth be told, I don’t really have anything.”
“Don’t you worry.” She pulled her in a little tighter. “I’ll see that you have everything you need.”
“Why would you do that? Why would you take me on when I will only be a burden?”
“You’re not a burden, Madelene. You’re a blessing. You see, I always dreamed of having a daughter, but I was never gifted with one.” She let out a long sigh. “Your mother and I were very close, and when she passed, I offered to take you and raise you as my own, but that only made your father angry. He refused to even allow me to hold you and forbade me from ever returning after that.”
Madelene stopped and turned to face her. “You did? Really?” Why would her father refuse that when Madelene had never been anything but a bother to him?
Selma cupped her cheek. “Of course I did. You were a precious, newborn babe, with no mother. And I, a woman desperate to be a mother, but with no babe.” She shrugged. “So you see, this is like a second chance for me.”
Madelene looked back at Simon. He raised a brow, asking if she needed him. She smiled her reassurance and shook her head slightly. Her feelings were all a jumble.
“Are you alright?”
Madelene turned back to Selma, tearing her eyes away from Simon’s. She nodded. But talking about her father and mother, and what could have been, was upsetting, so she began strolling again and moved the conversation to something else.
“You don’t need to answer this if you’d prefer not to, but when did you lose your husband?”
“Many years ago now.” She waved her hand as if it were long forgotten. Madelene’s gaze swept over her black dress and Selma laughed. “Oh, that’s why you asked. Let me tell you a secret. Widow’s garb is like a shield. I wear it most of the time if I’m away from home because it helps men to keep their gazes and hands to themselves.”
“Perhaps I need to dress as a widow as well.”
Her laughter was unexpected. Madelene hadn’t wanted to like Selma, but she did. She was kind, funny, and sweet. That should make the prospect of leaving Simon easier, but somehow it did the opposite. She wanted to share her happiness with him.
The sun was hanging low in the sky but it was still a lovely evening, so they walked the short distance to the hotel.
“It was such a pleasure to meet you, Madelene. You are a beautiful, wonderful woman, and your mother would be proud of you.”
Would she? A tear trickled from the corner of Madelene’s eye. Selma pulled her aside and wrapped her arms around her before whispering into her ear. “As much as I would love to have your company and companionship, you need to make this decision for yourself. Promise me you’ll think long and hard about what is going to be best for you, and no one else.”
After a moment, Madelene nodded. “Thank you, Selma.”
She smiled and squeezed Madelene’s hands before letting her go. “I’ll see you both in the morning.”
When they got home, a basket of food waited for them in the kitchen, along with a bottle of wine. Suzy had apparently made a delivery while they were out.
“Well, Mrs. Appleridge certainly seems to like you.” He dished them both a plate and sat across from her at the table. “And you seemed to get along well with her. I was so glad to see the pair of you laughing together.”
Madelene nodded. She looked down at her plate and scooted her peas around in circles.
He poured them both some wine. “I think we should toast to your new life.” His eyes were bright and filled with encouragement as he raised his glass.
“I don’t want to go with her,” she said softly.
Slowly, he lowered his glass back to the table with a sigh. “I know change is frightening, but she’s a kind woman and I have no doubt that she will dote on you as a mother would.”
Madelene didn’t doubt that either. That wasn’t the problem.
