Page 16 of Love Thy Enemy (The Vaughns #4)

And Gregory had heard time and time again that boys and girls each presented difficulties to their caregivers, with people always claiming one side or the other was the “easier” to manage.

In his limited experience, there was nothing easy about parenthood, but anyone who claimed that boys were the more difficult to herd about had never dealt with girls entrenched in conversations with their friends after Sabbath services.

Gregory called to the children, and though the boys chose roundabout paths like bees in a field of wildflowers, they were pointed in the direction of the gate. The girls chose outright rebellion.

Eva ran after a gaggle of girls who moved deeper into the churchyard in a flurry of muslin and ribbons, and Daphne was no better, remaining with her friends and their conversation.

Even Faith—sweet, quiet Faith—ignored him, her attention fully fixed on the book she held propped in her lap, giving the pages her full attention; he wasn’t certain how she had secreted it here, as Mrs. Todd had assured him that she had checked before bundling them into the carriage.

“ Et tu , Faith?” Gregory mumbled to himself.

Thankfully, his mere presence at the edge of their circle was enough for Daphne’s friends to hurry her along with assurances that they would speak again soon, whilst dropping a few pointed comments in Gregory’s general direction, expressing their hope that Daphne would be allowed to join them for the party.

Eva was quick but couldn’t match Gregory’s long legs, and snatching the book from Faith’s hands, he secured her attention quite thoroughly.

But by the time he fetched the girls and set them on their course, the boys were so far ahead that Gregory called to them to slow.

And now that their sisters were complying, the lads seemed determined to careen ahead with the thoughtless abandon that only the young possessed whilst living in that strange little world where they were the center of everything and nothing bad ever happened.

“Boys!” Gregory bellowed when Wesley veered in front of a carriage. Thankfully, the driver was aware and kept the horse at bay. “Wait there!”

Though he saw the temptation to run stir within Wesley, the older two did as ordered, which allowed sanity to prevail, and all three remained where they were.

But that was when he heard his brother-in-law’s voice calling for him to wait, and Gregory couldn’t help wondering if the lads had actually obeyed him or simply hadn’t wished to misbehave in front of their headmaster. Turning to see Walter striding toward him, he motioned for the girls to continue.

“What are you doing in Thornsby?” asked Gregory. “Has Bonnie’s cough returned?”

His brother-in-law shook his head. “No, thank heavens. Edward and Joanna invited us for a repast this afternoon, so we attended here, but I sent Sadie and the children ahead in the carriage so that I might speak with you about the boys. You have so many things occupying your time that I haven’t wanted to call you out to the school. ”

Walter tucked his hands behind him as the two strolled along. Gregory looked ahead, but with Daphne there to keep the dervishes in line, he turned his attention back to Walter.

“How are the boys faring?” asked Gregory.

“About as well as one can expect, given the circumstances,” said Walter with a frown, his gaze turning to his pupils.

“Such active boys require challenges and tasks to keep them occupied, and though you likely would’ve preferred to keep them close while they are mourning, being at school is good for them.

It is as much home to them as Eden Place now, and I believe the routine is beneficial. ”

Gregory nodded. Though the decision hadn’t been easy, keeping them enrolled had felt like the proper course. It wasn’t as though they were abandoned to some far-distant institution, and with his sister and brother-in-law to watch over them, the boys couldn’t be in better hands.

“In all honesty, you are better prepared to manage the boys than I am,” admitted Gregory. “I haven’t the slightest notion what to do with them or the girls. Especially in this difficult time.”

“I don’t think any parent does,” said Walter, slanting a look at him from the corner of his eye. “However, I would suggest introducing Jackson to your work the next time he is at home. He has an aptitude for science and may do well in your profession.”

Gregory straightened at that, his mind racing with the possibility.

“In fact, I was hoping you might allow his class to visit your shop in the next few days for a practical demonstration. We’ve been speaking of chemistry, and you are in a prime position to teach them all about it in a more direct manner,” added Walter, and though that certainly sounded intriguing, there was a cautious note in his brother-in-law’s tone.

When Gregory had first met the fellow, Walter Reed had hardly been able to string more than a few words together (unless it was to a classroom of students), and in the intervening years, that taciturn nature had shifted.

Walter would never be gregarious, but he was quite capable of speaking when necessary.

However, he still tended to beat about the bush when having to broach difficult subjects.

“What is it?” asked Gregory, glancing at the fellow.

Drawing in a deep breath, Walter forced it and his words out. “I am concerned about Clark and this recent development with his mother.”