CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“They are allsoooopretty!” Adeline gushed.
Cedric and Deborah stood behind the happy little girl, staring at the copious buckets of vibrant flowers that now took up much of the hallway. Cedric had offered to buy her a single flower from the picked ones the conservatory was selling. Then one turned into two. Two turned into three, and, well…
“I suggested you come along to bond,” Deborah whispered by his side, “Not buy every flower available.”
Cedric shot her a narrowed glance and found her struggling to stifle her laughter.
“I panicked,” Cedric grumbled. “She has never trusted me enough to ask me for anything before, so when she did, I could not stop saying yes.”
The laughter Deborah was attempting to stifle burst out of her plump lips, echoing not just through the house but his heart. He closed his eyes, shook his head, and found himself chuckling alongside her. He had teased Deborah for all of the dresses and accessories she had bought Adeline, but now he had done precisely the same thing.
“What is so amusing?” Adeline asked, turning away from the flower and toward them with a wary brow raised.
“Just the day,” Deborah answered, still trembling with laughter. “It was a lovely day, was it not?”
Adeline’s cautious look shifted into a smile, and she relaxed.
“It was,” she sighed, picking up a bright pink Lily from the nearby bucket, “Thank you so much for all of the flowers, Uncle Cedric. I love them all. Now Deborah and I can arrange them and we can make the entire house even prettier!”
Cedric’s heart swelled and filled with hope as he beamed down at his niece.
“You are so welcome, darling,” he replied, hunkering down to meet her eyes. “Are you still disappointed that I came in Grace’s stead?”
Earlier that morning, as the three of them were having breakfast together, Deborah had broken the news that he was coming along instead of Grace. Adeline had frowned withobvious disappointment, and during the carriage ride to the conservatory and gardens, she had said little, her face turned toward the window and her arms crossed over her chest.
However, once they arrived and began their adventure, Adeline slowly stopped her pouting and genuinely seemed to start enjoying the day as they walked along the paths through the copious flower beds. By the end of the day, she had even reached for his hand, and he’d held it tightly and with honor as she chattered excitedly about all of the pretty blooms.
“I was disappointed at first, but I still very much enjoyed this day,” Adeline said, answering his question as she twirled the lily in her fingers.
“I am so very glad you did,” Cedric replied earnestly, “I enjoyed spending time with you as well, Adeline. Truly. Thank you for giving me a chance.”
Adeline’s smile was small as a contemplative look took over her youthful features.
“What is it, darling?” Deborah asked from behind Cedric. “Are you not feeling well? You had a long day, perhaps it is time for a rest?”
“No, please,” Adeline quickly replied, drawing her gaze first to Deborah, then to Cedric, “I feel quite well, I promise. Does our day have to end?”
Cedric shook his head.
“It does not have to,” he answered. “Is there something else you want to do?”
Her contemplative expression intensified, and after a moment of nibbling on her lip, she nodded.
“Yes, I think there is,” she replied, twirling the flower faster.
“Tell us,” Cedric urged. For a moment, he hesitated, then, feeling emboldened by their good day, he tentatively reached out and gently squeezed Adeline’s shoulder. To his relief, she did not shrink from his touch, but instead stepped closer as she raised her dark eyes to his.
“I was wondering…I was wondering if you would tell me about my parents.”
Cedric and Adeline were both quiet as Deborah poured their tea. She wanted to know about her parents- and Cedric wanted to tell her, but he was worried. Worried he would disappoint her and ruin all of the progress they had made in the last few days.
“I shall leave you two to talk,” Deborah said, her tone gentle and quiet as she set the teapot down.
“Wait,” Cedric said, reaching for her wrist before he could think or she could take a step.
She turned her vivid green eyes toward him, and his breath hitched. God, how easily it was for him to get lost in those beautiful eyes. Cedric cleared his throat, willing his body and mind to work again.