“She was rather fetching.” Cora nodded. “You failed to mention that when you were describing her to us.”
“She looked like a princess or a queen!” Iris clapped her hands in delight, her curly black hair falling in delicate rings around her face. “Maybe I should go and say hello to her now.”
“You will have plenty of time to meet her, little one.” Archer reached over and ruffled her hair affectionately, which earned him one of Iris’s sunniest smiles. “She has had a long day and clearly needs rest.”
“Maybe I should bring her Mr. Pickles? He always makes me feel better.” Iris gestured to her teddy bear who was sitting on the seat beside her.
“But then who would keep you safe from the monsters beneath your bed?” Juliet interjected tickling Iris.
She let out a delighted giggle and jerked away. “Uncle Dash, silly. He keeps us safe from all the monsters. That’s why he has so many muscles.”
Iris pointed at Archer’s arms, and he flexed them obligingly for her. “No monster is going to get past me.”
Cora rolled her eyes. “And I suppose my efforts mean nothing? Or have you forgotten how I helped you build a monster trap yesterday?”
“Yes, but the only monster it caught was Miss Boyd.” Juliet looked at Iris, who had an expression so innocent that Archer knew that had been the plan.
“Iris, have you scared off another governess?” Archer gestured for the servants to serve dinner.
The cook had prepared a feast fit for a king — the first course was a delicious white soup which would be followed by a massive roasted pig with peas and carrots, a vegetable pie, pickled onions and asparagus, and for dessert, a special wedding sponge cake topped with fruits and jam.
“Miss Boyd was surprisingly good natured about the whole thing,” Cora explained as she finished her soup and helped herself to one of the bread rolls on the table.
“That is lucky.” Archer gave Cora a look. “We will soon be out of governesses if this continues.”
Cora made an appeasing gesture. “Your niece assured me the trap was for monsters; that’s why I set it up in her bedroom.”
Archer looked at his niece who gave him her most winning smile. “You know better than to be tricking people, Iris. Miss Boyd is a nice lady.”
“She’s booooring.” Iris kicked her feet and gave him a smile that was pure mischief. “Maybe my new Auntie can teach me things instead!”
“Your new auntie will be running the estate. Besides, you need a proper education, and that means a governess,” Juliet explained.
“Then she will not have time to play with me?” Iris’ big eyes turned to Archer with a crestfallen expression that melted his heart.
“I am sure she will find time to play with you. After all, Uncle Dash manages just fine.” Cora gave him a look. “And I doubt Uncle Dash would have married the kind of woman who does not like playing.”
“I am sure Lyd— Auntie Lydia will find time to play with you.” Archer saw Cora’s eyes widen at his use of her name. “But only if you are very good and finish all of your food.”
“Okay!” Iris began wolfing down her food.
“Careful, if you eat too fast you will make yourself sick.” Archer gently chided. “It is not a race.”
“It could be.” Cora grinned, and Archer shot her a look. “But it is not.”
“You are no fun.” Cora threw a pea into the air and caught it in her mouth.
Archer arched an eyebrow at her, catching the next pea she threw and eating it himself. “I am plenty fun; I simply have no wish to let my niece choke herself.”
Cora’s cheeks flushed. “Sorry, Dash.”
“We should bring Auntie Lydia some dinner. I’m sure that will make her feel better,” Iris suggested through a mouthful of cake.
“I think you should go to bed.” Archer nodded to his sisters. “I trust the two of you can see to it.”
“But you read the best bedtime stories, Uncle Dash!” Iris batted her big eyes at him. “Please!”
“Tomorrow, I promise.” Archer smiled at his niece as he plated up some food to bring up to his new bride.
