Page 45 of A Lyon’s Lesson

“Yes, go ahead. This is for you to play with.”

He swallowed and his eyes glistened. “Really?” Still, he hesitated in the doorway. “But what if we break something? Will Mama have to pay?”

Cecey’s heart contracted, and she said quickly, “Of course not. But you won’t break anything—you will be careful.”

He nodded and stepped up to the map and knelt. After a moment’s hesitation, he picked up a tin soldier, turning it in his hands to look at it from all angles. He set it back down carefully in its spot and surveyed everything as if trying to imprint it on his memory.

Cecey felt Helen beside her and glanced up at her. Her expression was frozen, her hands clenched tightly in her apron. Finally, she whispered, “Thank you, my lady.”

Cecey nodded and wiped a tear off her cheek as she moved quietly to a chair to watch them, waving Helen to the other chair. Helen hesitated a moment, and then sat to watch her children playing with toys she could never have dreamed they would have access to.

Cecy had afternoon tea served in the nursery and was just preparing to bring the treat to an end when a commotion filtered up from downstairs, followed almost immediately by the appearance of James the footman in the doorway.

“My lady—”

Alarmed Cecy sprang to her feet. “Yes, what is it?”

“His lordship has suffered a fall from the barn roof. I believe Pagette is conveying him back to the house on the cart. One of the lads has just come ahead to alert us. Apparently, the doctor has been sent for.”

“Oh no!” Cecey covered her face with her hand.

“My barn?” asked Helen rising.

“Yes, as I understand it, Mrs. Rawlins,” said James.

“This is dreadful! I’m so sorry!” she said, wringing her hands. Cecey overcame her panic with sheer force of will and clasped the woman’s hands.

“It’s not your fault. But perhaps it would be best if you and the children returned to the home farm cottage. I will appraise you of how his lordship does and—and the children are welcome to come up and play whenever they like. It is a pleasure to have them.”

“You are by far too kind and generous, my lady!” Helen said squeezing her hands. “How can I ever repay you?”

“You’re our tenant Helen—there is no need of repayment. Now if you’ll excuse me, I must—”

“Of course. Don’t mind us!” said Helen hastily. “Ron, Libby, we have to go now.”

This was greeted with groans and protests, which were cut short with a peremptory, “Yes. Now thank her ladyship for the treat. We must go now.”

Ron bowed to Cecey and said simply, “Thank you.”

Libby flung herself at Cecey and hugged her. “Fank you!” she said. “May we come again and play?”

“You may, whenever your mama permits.”

Libby nodded and said with determination. “I shall be ever so good.”

Cecey smiled and ruffled the little girl’s hair.

Helen took her children’s hands and followed Cecey out the door and down the stairs, with James trailing them just as the front door opened to reveal Rick, propped up by Pagette limping up the front steps. He had a bloody bruise on his face, and he looked a little pale.

“Rick!” Cecey flew across the floor to his side in alarm.

He smiled a lopsided grin and winced when she wrapped her arms around his torso. “Steady on. I think I’ve cracked a rib.”

Letting him go she said, “I’m sorry. Where is Reynolds?”

“Here, my lady,” said Rick’s valet, appearing out of nowhere. He took Rick’s other side, and the groom and valet helped him up the stairs as Helen and the children skirted around them heading for the door.

Rick nodded to her and said, “The barn is coming along. Don’t worry, you will have your cottage back in short order.”