The Duke of Defiance (The Untouchables #5)(67)

Jo laughed. “One moment, Becky.”

Becky rolled her eyes but let go and returned to the table.

Jo turned to Mrs. Poole. “Sorry I’m late. I’m sure you’re more than ready for a respite.” This was the time of day when Mrs. Poole had luncheon.

“It’s no bother. The girls are such a delight.” Mrs. Poole nodded toward them, smiling. “See you in a bit.”

She departed, and Jo joined the girls at the table. “What are you drawing?”

“My horse,” Evie said without looking up from her paper.

Becky sighed. “You’re so lucky to have a horse. Papa says he will teach me to ride this summer when we go to Lakemoor.”

Evie looked at her friend now, her lips pouting. “That’s so far away.” She turned to Jo. “Do you know how far away that is?”

It was the Kendal seat in the Lake District. Several days’ ride from London. “Yes, I’ve been there many times.”

Evie frowned. “Whatever will I do without Becky?”

“Mayhap you can come with me.”

Jo appreciated that the girls wanted to be together. They truly reminded her of the closeness between her and Nora when they were young. “I should think that Evie’s father would want her to see their ancestral home. It’s in Wales, just over the border.” The girls’ expressions settled into begrudging acceptance. “But perhaps we can arrange a visit.”

Both girls practically bounced in their seats, instantly animated. “That would be wonderful,” Becky said. “I’ve never been to Wales.”

“And I’ve never been to the Lake District.”

“Of course not, silly,” Becky said. “You’ve never been anywhere in England.”

“No, I haven’t.” Evie started drawing once more. “But Papa said he would take me to the ocean soon.”

Bran had mentioned that to Jo a few nights ago, asking her where he should take Evie. Jo had only been to the ocean once and hadn’t any helpful advice to offer.

Jo leaned toward her niece. “And what are you drawing?”

“My family. With the new baby. I want Mama to have another girl.”

A family. Jo’s heart squeezed. It was hard not to think that she might have a child growing inside her right now. How she prayed that were true. She pressed herself to focus on the girls, and not lose herself in what could be a fantasy. “She may have a boy.”

Becky shook her head. “It’s a girl’s turn. First me, then Christopher, now another girl. It’s only fair.”

Jo missed the na?veté of youth. “Unfortunately, life doesn’t work that way.”

Becky looked up from her paper. “I’m still drawing a girl. If I wish hard enough, it will come true.”

How Jo wanted things to be so easy!

“How come you don’t have any children, Jo?” Evie asked, her attention still on her horse.

It was, in retrospect, surprising that they hadn’t asked her that before. Jo searched for the right way to answer that with five-year-old girls. “I just don’t.”

“Wouldn’t you like them?” Evie asked, glancing at her.

“Yes, but as I said a moment ago, life isn’t always fair, and wishing for something doesn’t always make it come true.”

Both girls stopped drawing and looked at her. “That’s sad,” Becky said, her brow furrowing.

Jo feared she was stealing a bit of their innocence. She reached out and touched Becky’s hand. “But you mustn’t stop praying for things—it does make a difference, I think.” Or so she wanted to believe.

“Won’t you marry again?” Becky asked. “Mayhap you’ll have children then.”

The hand that was still in Jo’s lap gravitated to her stomach, her palm pressing against the flat plane. “Perhaps, but I’m quite content being a governess. It’s very satisfying to be helpful to others, especially children.”

“Yes, but you could be helpful to your own children if you got married,” Evie said. “I think you should consider it.” She exchanged a look with Becky, who nodded in agreement.

Jo couldn’t help feeling amused by their advice. “Thank you, I shall.”

And for the first time in nearly forever, she actually was. If Bran was still interested in making her his countess. He would be, wouldn’t he? Hadn’t he said that he’d marry her if she was with child?

She had an urge to tell him, but it quickly died in the face of her doubt and fear. She’d be patient. For a week at least. Yes, she could keep the secret for a week.

The girls continued drawing, and Jo went to tidy the bookshelf.

“What are your favorite foods?” Evie asked, drawing Jo to look back toward the table.

“Let me see… I’m quite fond of pheasant and cod.”

“I like cod,” Evie said.

“And I love pheasant,” Becky added.

Jo walked back to the table. “I think my favorite vegetables are carrots.”

Evie looked up from her paper and made a face, her tongue darting out. “Yuck. I don’t like vegetables.”

“But you like fruit,” Jo said. She’d discussed Evie’s food preferences at length with Bran.