Page 6 of Hearts of Locke Hill
“What is it?” he asked. “How is Father?”
“He is resting.”
His eyes widened. “Is it Henry? I swear, I did what I thought was best—”
“Oh no, Henry is quite well and will live to torment his brother another day. His ego may be a bit bruised, as he’ll be staying in the nursery for a week to think about respecting others’ property …” She pointedly raised a brow.
He deflated. “Yes, that would’ve been the better solution. I really couldn’t blame Patrick though.”
“No, I suppose not. They are you and Oscar all over again.”
“That thought occurred to me as well in the moment.”
She sat down on the edge of the bed and patted the space next to her. He sat and squeezed his hands together in his lap.
“The way the boys are getting on lately, I was wondering what you might think about … converting the nursery.”
“To what?”
“A bedroom.”
Cy squeezed his hands tightly, then relaxed them. “That’s quite a large space for one smallish boy.” The Burkes who built the house had made sure the nursery was exceptionally spacious for their increasing offspring. It took up half the upper floor.
“I don’t mean for Henry. I mean for you.”
Cy blinked. “For me?”
“Yes.”
“The nursery.”
“Yes. And then Patrick would move in here.” She watched him expectantly.
“No.”
“It would be so much bigger than this room.”
“No.”
“I would suggest he move in with George and take Simon’s bed, but Simon will be home for summer break in two weeks after his visit with the Tolleys.”
“No.”
“It would be temporary, only until you older children started marrying—”
“Started marrying? Mother, Oakleigh House is mine to inherit. If I were to take a wife, are you suggesting I return with her to thenursery?”
“Are you suggesting that you’d planned on returning with your bride tothisroom?” She gestured to the single wardrobe. “At least the nursery has its own plumbing.”
“When I marry, I’ll not be ousting you and Father from your home. You are far too young and still have children under your feet. But I’ll not be bringing a bride here. Little Oakley, or perhaps Eventide, will do well enough. Oscar could move back into the house. Perhaps to the nursery.” He grinned.
Her mouth twitched. “Perhaps.”
“In fact, why don’t I move into Little Oakleigh now and Oscar can be put in the nursery just as it is?” He pictured his broad-shouldered brother pushing the tiny beds together.
She laughed and shook her head. “You know he has a guest. Mr. Hayes is staying indefinitely until his business is underway.”
“Or until he marries Lydia Wooding and moves into Briarwall.”
