Page 7 of The Valentine Skates
She had to shove the memory of his lips on hers the first night she’d managed to slip back to her old home under the cover of the wonderful, all-concealing cape her lady’s maid had sewn for her. For the last few weeks, she’d been sneaking through the back door to the kitchen to see Emily, only when she was sure Frederick was busy with farming chores.
At a light tap at the door, she gave a perfunctory “Come.” When the door cracked open, there stood Frederick with a small, white, wriggling form in his arms and a wide grin like the sun plastered across his face. Lambing had begun.
“Papa,” Emily shouted, and held out her arms. Mrs. Miller, Lili’s housekeeper, was close behind, clucking like a mother hen, half-heartedly chastising him about bringing a farm animal into a sick girl’s room.
Lili jumped out of her chair as if scalded and turned to leave.
Frederick gripped the struggling animal tighter beneath his arm and used his free hand to clasp her wrist. “Stay. Please.”
Frederick gingerly knelt next to Emily’s bedside with the new lamb giving out random, healthy bleats while she patted the animal’s soft, wooly head with her pale hand. He tucked the old blanket around the lamb and sat near Emily on the bed.
“Won’t her mama miss her?”
“No. Her mama’s gone.”
When tears pooled in Emily’s eyes, Frederick struggled to keep his own dry. However, he’d given this a lot of thought, and he was sure it was time for his daughter to learn a little more about the cycle of death and life. Some day the farm would be hers. Perhaps she could come to understand her own mother’s passing a little better if he taught her now about life and death amongst farm animals.
“She’s going to stay in the stables here at Wembledon with a ewe who lost her own lamb. When the doctor says you’re strong enough to visit her, she’ll be waiting for you with her new mother.”
Emily wiped her eyes with the back of the sleeve of her nightdress. “Can I feed her?”
“No, she’s getting to know her new mama. If we get in their way, they might not want to stay with each other.”
“But, how come you can bring her here like this without getting in their way?”
“I know a secret trick.”
Emily’s eyes widened. “What’s that?”
“I rubbed this blanket over her new mama, so she thinks she’s still with her for a little bit, so you could meet her. But I have to get her back to the barn before the smell wears off.”
With that, Frederick leaned over and kissed Emily on her forehead. “I’ll be right back after I return her to the stable.”
On the way out the door, he slanted Lili a look. “Will you wait till I get back?”
She shook her head slowly. “It’s Tuesday, Frederick.” She pointed to the mantel clock above the fireplace. I have to leave. The vicar will be here soon.”
Lili watched the moving play of expressions flit across Emily’s face. Disappointment at her father taking the lamb back to the barn, then a little touch of anticipation combined with regret at the thought of her grandfather joining her soon.
She stretched across the bed to straighten the linens and pat the child’s hand. “You know your grandfather loves you very much.”
“Yes, but he always reads scripture until I have to fight to keep my eyes open. And then, when I fall asleep, he acts like he’s disappointed in me.”
“He’s trying to help you keep up with your lessons, so you don’t fall behind. That’s all.” Lili had to admit, even to herself, that was the best excuse she could make for the stern taskmaster her old teacher had turned into.
“And then when I wake up, he gives me a Latin lesson.” Emily was apparently in a mood to grumble.
Lili retrieved Emily’s bear, Mr. Withers, and Timothy, her own old velvet rabbit, from the far corners of the bed and tucked them close to the small girl. “I have to leave now, but please remember to be kind to your grandfather. And besides, your father will be here as well for a little while.
Emily did not reply, but Lili could tell by the stubborn set of the child’s jaw she was going to give the two men a grumpy time of it. Maybe she’d have her housekeeper Mrs. Miller add some extra ginger biscuits to the tea service she was going to have sent in for Frederick, his father-in-law, and the object of their affections, Emily.
Emily must have read her mind, because when she opened the door to slip out, the small imp called after her. “Will there be enough biscuits for Mr. Withers and Timothy too?”
“Of course,” Lili assured her before shutting the door and throwing the long red cape over her shoulders. She flipped the hood over her silvery blonde hair for good measure, in case the vicar arrived early. She’d never mentioned the sticky problem of her grandfather’s censure to Emily, but the child seemed to understand. To her knowledge, the small girl had not tattled to the elderly man that Lili slipped back to Wembledon at least once a week to check on her.
She headed out through the kitchen level to order tea before slipping out of her own home through the rear tradesmen’s door.
Frederick trod through the huge Wembledon stables cradling the bleating lamb close. Warmth was essential to keep the small creature thriving. He rounded a corner leading to another long corridor through the stalls until he came to the very last enclosure where a young groom waited by a ewe tied inside. She was busy munching hay and barely stirred when Frederick carefully set down the lamb near her udder. Both he and the stable boy backed out of the stall and latched the gate.