“Thank you for my new things, uncle,” Adeline said to him politely, “I very much appreciate them.”
Deborah looked back at Cedric and saw that, while he still appeared shocked, it was for an entirely different reason.
“Ahem.” Deborah cleared her throat when silence stretched throughout the room.
At once, Cedric discarded his newspaper and leaned forward in his high-backed chair, a handsome, soft smile spreading across his face as his eyes took on a kind shine.
“You are most welcome, Adeline,” he replied earnestly. “Did you have a good day?”
This time, as Adeline smiled at her uncle, it seemed entirely genuine.
“Very much so,” she answered, “Aunt Deborah took me shopping with her mother and sister, and we got iced cream. We stopped at a tea shop, and they had the most wonderful tiny sandwiches. Then we wrapped up our scraps and fed them to the ducks at the park.”
Cedric chuckled, the soft sound stirring something in Deborah’s heart.
“My, that does indeed sound like a lovely day. I am so very happy you had a splendid time.”
“We did indeed,” Deborah agreed, beaming down at Adeline with pride.
“Well done, my dear,” she praised, “Now why do you not go on up to your room? We had a long day, and I am sure you could usethe rest. I will make sure someone brings your things up before you wake up.”
Deborah tensed, half-expecting an argument from Adeline, but instead the little girl let out a yawn, then nodded.
“A nap sounds quite lovely, thank you, Aunty,” Adeline replied, then, with a quick wave, left the room, leaving Deborah and Cedric alone.
“She spoke to me,” Cedric said with awe. “Sheactuallyspoke to me.”
For the first time in quite a while, Deborah felt light and happy. With a smile, she waved over the valet to help her sort out the bundles.
“She was a dream today,” Deborah said as she started setting Adeline’s purchases in the valet’s arms. “I think doing things that make her feel normal is going to be very good for her.”
She opened a particular package and pulled out the child-sized light pink dress adorned with matching ribbons and ruffles, holding it up for Cedric to see with a giggle.
“That includes spending quite a bit of your money,” she added with a giggle.
Her heart fluttered as Cedric chuckled; his smile was handsome and charming as he walked over to her.
“If this is how she reacts to spending my money then I certainly do not mind,” he replied, batting playfully at the full skirts of the gown.
Still smiling, Deborah slapped his hand away and put the dress back in the box.
“However, I hope you found some things for yourself,” Cedric went on, starting to pry up boxes to peek inside.
“I cannot be escorting you around London looking as devilishly handsome as I do while you wear outdated gowns,” he murmured.
Deborah rolled his eyes as she batted his hand away from another box.
“Oh, please, Cedric! The only thing you know about women’s clothes is how to take them off,” she retorted playfully, putting the last of Adeline’s boxes in the valet’s already full arms.
“It is not as if you know anything about our fashions,” she added.
“Hmm. I may know more than you think,” he murmured as she continued to help the valet organize the many packages in his arms.
“Worry not,” she remarked with a sigh, “I found some ready-made day dresses that are certainly in fashion, and I have a ballgown being made for that flower gala event you were telling me about.”
A moment later, she heard his sharp intake of breath, and she turned around. Her stomach tightened, and her eyes grew wide as she saw that he had found the nightgown. He was holding up, looking at it with dark, hooded eyes.
“Leave us,” Cedric commanded the valet suddenly, “And shut the door behind you. I do not want us disturbed.”