Page 46 of Yours Truly, the Duke
“Five,” Bella told her brother.
“W-white. C-can we have w-white horses?”
Fredericka laughed and clasped her hands together in front of her. “We will let the duke pick the number of horses and the color of them, as well as the size of the carriage. I would assume the coach will be larger than the one we have now. So, whenever we return to Paddleton, it won’t be as crowded as when we came here. I’m sure it will be well-sprung and more comfortable. Each of you will have your own elbow room.”
“I want to go home now,” Elise said without looking at Fredericka.
Deciding to ignore her niece, Fredericka continued with the lighthearted conversation. “These few days will be a good time for us to do some things you have never done before. Play in the parks, watch puppet shows, walk downtown, and do some shopping.”
Elise whispered, “I don’t want to.”
“We all need new clothing,” Fredericka went on congenially.
“I don’t want anything new.”
“Bonnets, capes, shoes, and dresses. Shirts and waistcoats for Charles, among other things. I haven’t been to a fabric store in such a long time. I will enjoy—”
“I want to go home,” Elise interrupted her again.
“I need a new dress too,” Bella said, seeing her chance to get into the discussion and have her say. “May I have one with a yellow ribbon and lace around the sleeves, and with a matching bonnet?”
“Of course. I think that would be lovely.”
“And one for Sarah? She needs a new dress too.”
“That’s an excellent idea.” Fredericka looked at the doll and smiled. “I’m sure we can find someone who’ll make clothing for her that looks just like yours. Would you like that?”
Bella grinned, hugged Sarah tightly, and then stuck the doll up to Fredericka. She took it and gave it not only a squeeze but also a kiss on the cheek. Laughing, she kissed Bella too when she gave the doll back to her.
“I only want to go home.” Elise kept her head down but made a noise that sounded very much like a sniffle.
“Elise.” Fredericka said her name softly as she walked over and knelt in front of her. “I know it’s upsetting to be in a strange place and around different people, but you are with us. We won’t leave you alone.” She lovingly took hold of Elise’s small hands. “You are a part of this family and, if we go to the park or shopping or wherever, you will go with us and participate in whatever we do. And we will all have a wonderful time together as we do at Paddleton.”
Clearly upset, Elise pulled her hands out of Fredericka’s and started feverishly looking through the embroidery basket.
For months after Angela’s death, Fredericka had sympathized with Elise and allowed her much latitude to grieve. She wasn’t getting any better at coping. Perhapsa different tactic was needed, but Fredericka wasn’t sure what it should be.
Without commenting further, Fredericka rose, turned, and headed back to her chair. On the way, her gaze caught sight of a secretary at the end of the wall near the door. On it were a quill, inkpot, and small sheets of neatly stacked paper. Her spirits lifted. Surely the duke wouldn’t mind if she used some of the foolscap.
Instead of rereading her poetry book, she could work on her own verse. She loved to write poems about flowers, trees, and plants of all types. Writing had always been rewarding, but she hadn’t packed any of her writing materials.
Fredericka pulled out the chair and sat down. Within moments she was immersed in describing wildflowers, moss-covered trees, and tangled, withered vines.
“Auntie,” Elise whispered a few minutes later. “May I talk to you?”
Fredericka looked up and smiled, motioning her forward as she placed the quill in its stand.
Elise stopped in front of her and held up her needlework for inspection.
“This is excellent work, darling,” Fredericka praised, but realized Elise hadn’t actually completed any more than she had accomplished yesterday or the day before. The stem and all the leaves were beautifully finished in varying shades of green. Her initials were perfectly monogrammed at the bottom, but she hadn’t made one stitch on the open rose or the attached bud. “You are doing so well,” Fredericka further encouraged. “I think it’s time you started on the bloom. What do you think?”
Elise’s eyes lowered to the sample and she shook her head. “I can’t. I’m not ready.”
Sensing something more was wrong than her abilityto make the stitches, Fredericka softly brushed the side of Elise’s hair. “Do you need my help to get started?”
She shook her head again. “I can’t finish it because I don’t have the thread I need.”
“With as many colors as there are in the basket, that’s odd.” Fredericka touched her niece’s shoulder. “Should I see if I can find the shade you’re looking for? When I last rummaged through the threads there must have been more than twenty colors that would be suitable for a rose.”
