Page 21 of The School Mistress (Emerson Pass Historicals 1)

“Jam is one of life’s best things.” She was so dear. The child had no mother, no woman to love her and nurture her.

Jasper approached with a silver coffeepot in one large hand. “May I offer you coffee, Miss Cooper?”

I almost squealed with delight. “Oh my. I haven’t had a decent cup in ages. Yes, please.” Jasper poured a steaming cup for me. The rich, toasty aroma filled my nose as I took a happy sip. An appreciative grunt escaped before I could censor myself. “Oh my, that’s delicious.”

I looked up to see Lord Barnes smiling at me from over his own cup. “I see you enjoy your coffee as much as your food.”

Laughing, I set the cup back into its saucer. “This was worth the train ride.”

I’d just finished my second piece of bacon when Lizzie came into the room with another tray of toast and set it in the middle of the table. “The boys always want more toast,” she said, glancing in my direction. “Hollow leg, these two.”

She winked at me, and I smiled back. In the light of day, I could see she was older than I’d first thought. A sparkle in her eyes and the quick way she darted around a room made her seem youthful. I guessed her to be somewhere in her thirties, although her fair skin was virtually unwrinkled and her hair untouched with gray. Faint lines around her eyes hinted of a more mature woman. She wore a plain gray dress with a large white apron over the top. I’d have given a lot to fill out a dress in the way Lizzie did.

“How will we get to church?” I asked. Before I’d agreed to stay at the house, I assumed I’d walk everywhere. Now I wasn’t certain, especially given the massive amount of snow on the ground.

“We’ll go in the sleigh,” Lord Barnes said. “Just as we will tomorrow morning for the first day of school.”

“What about me?” Fiona asked. “What will I do when everyone’s at school?”

Lord Barnes frowned. “You’ll stay with Lizzie.”

“I want to go to school.” Fiona stuck out her bottom lip. “Everyone has fun without me.”

“You’re too young, love,” Lord Barnes said. “We’ve been over this.”

Tears welled in the child’s eyes, and her bottom lip quivered. “I want to go.”

“Can she go for me?” Flynn asked.

“And me?” Cymbeline asked.

“She may not,” Lord Barnes said. “It’s a privilege to go to school. One in which I’ve invested a lot of money and effort on your behalf. You’ll go, and I’ll hear no more about it.”

I suspected Lord Barnes wasn’t often stern with them, because the twins exchanged a nervous glance and Cymbeline busied

herself with a piece of toast.

“Eat a bite of eggs,” I said to Cymbeline.

Her big eyes widened, then hardened. “I don’t like eggs.”

“They’re good for you,” I said. “They help grow your brain and make you strong and fast.”

“They do?” Cymbeline asked.

I nodded and motioned toward her untouched piece of bacon. “Bacon too.”

“I can’t eat that,” Cymbeline said, shuddering. “It’s from Harry.”

“Harry?” I asked.

“Our pig,” Josephine said. “Our pig who was not a pet.”

“He was raised for food,” Theo said, speaking for the first time. “But Cym loved him. She loves all animals.” His tone was serious, as was the concerned wrinkle of his forehead. “There are two types in this family. Those who like books and those who like animals.”

“Papa likes both,” Josephine said. “And we don’t yet know about Fiona because she’s too little.”

“I’m big.” Fiona scowled as she held up three fingers. “I’m this many.”