The Companion of Lady Holmeshire Read Online Free PDF Page B

male in the family, you know! Someone must inherit everything from you! It is as though no one in your father’s family or mine can bear any boys other than you! You are everyone’s son! And I had no spare.” She sighed, but thought better of reminding him further of the weightiness of his responsibilities. “You will be surprised at how much joy and pride you will have from your little ones.”
    “ I am sure that I will, Mama.” There was some boyish hesitation as he considered his direction. “I will go with the two of you to Handerton. And I think we should bring Nicholas. He should not spend his entire life in the nursery, should he? Not at all. He is a boy; he is full of energy. I’ve been a boy, and so I know better than you. Old and wise does not win in every case. He must see the world!”
    “ He is young, Wills. He will see the world when he grows a bit. Handerton is not much for a child to see, anyway. There are no children there; what would he do?”
    “ Gwyndolyn can see to that. That is what nannies are for! Genevieve needs to come to know that I have this child, does she not? Do I have no say at all in my life? Of what use is it to be an earl?” Wills smiled at his mother. “Don’t forget that I am an earl. I must make use of the power it bestows upon me and drag my child about where I wish.”
    “ Of course you may decide the matter, darling; we shall inform them that you have accepted their invitation and that Nicholas will be coming along. Now, what about Italy?”
    Barreby opened the door with a huge swoop, as if to announce a king. Behind him was a cart, piled with items and covered with a richly embroidered black cloth. “Are you ready, sir?” He then stood, sober; the pomp and circumstance had never occurred.
    “ Yes, yes, bring it all in, Barreby. Mama, Emma, I have brought gifts for you both.” Suddenly he realized that he had forgotten someone. “And Nicky, we should retrieve him, as his gifts are on the cart as well! Barreby, could you send for Nick?”
    “ Yes, sir. I will be in with everything when he arrives.” Off he went. Within minutes Gwyn brought the child, and Barreby the cart. “Your valuables are safely locked up, M’Lord.”
    “ Fine, Barreby, thank you. You have always taken such care of things for us. Nicky, come sit here, my boy,” he said, pointing to a leather-covered ottoman, “and see what I have brought you aaaall the way from Italy! But you must learn patience, so first we will see what is on the cart for Emma!” Nicky puckered up his chin, but recovered and bounced on his seat while he tried to contain himself, enduring admonishment to sit still and watch and see what she was to have. Wilfred felt around on the occult mound and then looked under one end.
    “ Ah yes, here we have it.” He turned the cart around and rolled it nearer to her. “Look here, Ems. Something every lady requires.”
    “ I am not a lady,” she admonished firmly, “but I am delighted that you thought to bring me a gift!”
    “ Well, do not tell Mama. She is quite set on you being a fine lady, regardless of the details. And so we must play along.” He peeled back the cloth and exposed a block of white marble that had been skillfully carved with drawers and doors. “It is for your jewelry!”
    “ Oh!” she gasped. “It is amazing! Exquisite!” She opened a drawer, and then a door. An enameled crane popped out of the space within.
    “ You can hang necklaces over its neck!” Wills was ever so pleased with the bird.
    “ Oh, my Lord, I have never seen anything so beautiful! I will find a use for it, certainly, although I’ve never had jewelry but for my ring. Thank you!”
    Wills, beaming with pride, prodded her to check the case thoroughly. She continued to open doors and pull drawers, each with a brass handle, and each with velvet lining in a harmonizing color. Her eyes opened wide when she unlatched a tall door, for hanging within it was a gold chain with a beautiful