Read The Earl's Honorable Intentions for Free Online Page B

questions.
    “Good afternoon, Mrs. Miller,” Hannah called to the farmer’s wife, who was removing washing from her clothesline. “I hope we are not disturbing you. We wanted to look in on the baby, if we may.”
    “It’s no trouble,” the woman replied. “Go right on in. Our Bessie is rocking the wee one in her cradle. She does love to be rocked. A sweet-tempered lamb she is and growing prettier by the day.”
    They went inside the clean, snug cottage, where a fair-haired girl only a little older than Peter was rocking the cradle and singing to the baby.
    “That’s a nice song.” Peter gave the girl a shy smile. “What is your name?”
    “Bessie, my lord.” The child scrambled up and bobbed a hasty curtsy. “That is...my name’s Elizabeth, but Ma only calls me that when I vex her.”
    Peter laughed at that, causing poor Bessie to look even more flustered. Hannah could not help thinking what a pity it was that her young pupil was cut off from the local children by his rank. No wonder he was anxious for his baby brother and sister to grow up quickly into playmates for him.
    “Would you like to hold Alice and say hello to her?” Hannah asked Peter as she scooped up the baby, who was beginning to fuss. “There, there, little one. Your big brother has come to visit you.”
    She lifted the precious little creature to her shoulder for a moment and rubbed her back, inhaling her sweet, milky scent. Holding a contented baby must surely be one of the most satisfying pleasures in the world! A tide of tenderness rose in Hannah’s heart as she caressed the child’s downy cheek with her forefinger.
    Wee Alice and her brothers were the closest thing she would ever have to children of her own, Hannah mused. Though her friend Marian Murray had recently wed and Rebecca Beaton was engaged, Hannah held no such hopes for herself. She had always been guarded in her dealings with other people, men especially. Even if she could have found one who would be interested in a penniless governess, she had let down too many people she cared about and lost them as a consequence. She dared not risk her heart on marriage. But she did regret missing the opportunity to become a mother.
    “Miss Hannah.” Peter gave her skirt a tug. “I thought you said I could hold the baby.”
    “Of course.” Hannah stirred from her maternal brooding. “I only wanted to get her settled first. Climb up in that chair and I will give her to you.”
    Peter did as he was bid, then Hannah did as she had promised, though it cost her a pang to surrender the small, precious bundle to other arms. Even then, she hovered close, making certain Alice’s small head was supported and that she was in no danger of falling from her brother’s arms.
    “You’re very pretty, Alice,” Peter informed his tiny sister with grave courtesy. “Your eyes are the same color as Mama’s. I wonder if you will look like her when you grow up.”
    “She will be a fortunate girl if she does.” Hannah’s heart overflowed with love for both twins and their brother. She was relieved Peter had been able to speak about his mother without becoming upset. “You know, Alice and Arthur are too young to have any memories of your dear mama. When they get older, it will be up to you and me to tell them all about her.”
    “Don’t forget Papa,” replied the boy. “He can tell them, too.”
    “So he can.” Hannah strove to keep her tone from betraying any doubt. “How silly of me not to think of him.”
    The earl’s children would need their father for so many things in the years to come, Hannah reminded herself. She must do everything in her power to make certain they did not lose him, too. Even if it meant standing up to him in a way no one else in his household was willing to do.
    Alice seemed very content in the arms of her big brother. She didn’t fuss at all and soon drifted off to sleep.
    “Shall we go visit Arthur, then head home for tea?” Hannah whispered, so as not to