Every one of these decisions had been made without consulting him. Apparently, his authority extended to every corner of the estate except wherever Amelia Shirley happened to be standing.
Valerie looked from the bowl of custard to Amelia with open suspicion. “A picnic?” she asked, lifting an eyebrow as though Amelia had proposed relocating the household to France.
“A picnic,” Amelia confirmed with satisfaction as she wiped flour from her hands onto an apron that had already surrendered any hope of cleanliness.
David brightened. “Outside?” he asked, bouncing slightly on his feet.
“Outside,” Amelia replied, pointing her spoon towards him. “Provided you do not attempt to eat all the custard before we reach the garden.”
The boy grinned shamelessly while several servants exchanged uncertain looks and began gathering dishes, blankets, and baskets. Within moments, preparations were underway, and Gabriel felt the beginnings of a headache settle firmly behind his eyes. In less than an hour, Miss Amelia Shirley had transformed his orderly kitchen into a social event.
As the activity continued around them, Amelia turned towards him with an expression that suggested she had entirely forgotten he was meant to be intimidating.
“Do you like custard, Your Grace?” she asked, tilting her head curiously.
Gabriel folded his arms. “No,” he replied.
“You have not tasted this one,” Amelia pointed out as she gestured proudly towards the bowl.
“I do not eat sweets,” Gabriel said, his tone making it clear that the matter had been settled years ago.
To his irritation, Amelia looked genuinely concerned. “That sounds rather miserable,” she said, studying him as though she had discovered a tragic medical condition.
Gabriel stared at her. Amelia smiled. The woman possessed a remarkable talent for being exasperating without appearing to realize it.
“Will you join us?” she asked after a moment, handing a spoon to David before returning her attention to Gabriel.
“No,” he answered at once.
“Not even for a few minutes?” Amelia pressed, watching him with infuriating optimism.
“I have business to attend to,” Gabriel replied, adjusting his cuffs as though the conversation were already over.
“That is unfortunate,” Amelia said with a small sigh.
“No,” Gabriel corrected, fixing her with a level stare. “It is necessary.”
Amelia merely shrugged as though she found his devotion to responsibility faintly amusing. Then she turned away and began directing the children towards the garden, apparently satisfied that she had made a reasonable effort to include him.
Gabriel decided that remaining any longer would only encourage further nonsense.
He left the kitchen. Unfortunately, his annoyance followed him all the way to his study. Once behind his desk, he attempted to immerse himself in estate matters. He reviewed tenant reports, signed correspondence, examined accounts, and organized several documents requiring his approval. Ordinarily, such tasks demanded his full attention, but today, his concentration proved unusually unreliable. Every few minutes, his thoughts drifted back towards the kitchen and the increasingly troublesome governess who seemed determined to overturn every established routine in the house.
Eventually, his gaze wandered towards the window overlooking the south lawn.
The sight awaiting him deepened his irritation. A blanket had been spread beneath a large oak tree, and all three occupants appeared entirely content. David sat cross-legged while enthusiastically describing something with dramatic hand gestures. Valerie listened beside him, occasionally contributing remarks of her own. Amelia sat between them with a smile on her face, appearing perfectly at ease amongst people she had known for only a handful of days.
Gabriel frowned. The scene should not have affected him.
Yet it does.
For the past year, every decision he had made had centered upon the children’s welfare. He had ensured they possessed excellent tutors, comfortable rooms, proper clothing, healthy meals, andfinancial security. He had protected them from uncertainty and fulfilled every practical responsibility placed upon him.
Watching them now, however, forced him to confront a truth he did not particularly enjoy.
Practical responsibilities are not always enough.
Valerie suddenly laughed at something Amelia said, and the sound carried faintly through the open window. A moment later, David joined in. Even Grover appeared delighted, wagging his tail enthusiastically as he sprawled across the blanket in search of attention.
