Page 18 of A Necessary Wife

“Yes, my lady. I read as often as I have time to, and I read to the children, as well.”

“We will discuss your interests in books in further detail later tomorrow. I have a few volumes with me that I can share.”

The maid’s eyes widened with excitement at the news. “Thank you, my lady. That is very generous of you,” she exclaimed. “

“But the children’s health and well-being are your priority, Miss Finch. I will depend on you a great deal in the coming years. Now, you will not be needed for a little while and may leave to refresh yourself.”

The maid stood a little taller at hearing that she was considered indispensable already and had the luxury of free time. A little kindness and consideration went a long way toward creating a smoothly run household. She would miss the servants she’d left behind at Upper Folly.

“I’ll straighten their beds and tidy up before I go,” the maid promised and started rushing around, eager to be on her way.

Satisfied with the nursery maid’s potential, Amelia turned to face her husband. “Well, since none of us has eaten yet, shall we adjourn to the morning room, my lord?”

Adam grabbed Chatham’s hand but bounced up and down, tugging on him, “Yes, yes! I’m ever so hungry, Papa.”

Lucy, though, stomped her foot. “We can only go downstairs when Grandpa calls us. He makes the rules,” she announced, determined to limit Amelia’s power over everyone.

Amelia ignored the outburst, though, and headed for the doorway.

Adam, eager to have his stomach filled at last, quickly followed and caught hold of her hand. “It’s this way,” he whispered.

Amelia smiled down at him, pleased by his trust…until she glanced back.

Lucy hadn’t followed them to the door. She’d set her jaw into a stubborn line and held her ground on the far side of the room. Amelia suspected that Lucy, being the oldest, had usually led the way downstairs and influenced many of her brother’s decisions.

Amelia would not wait for her today or any other day, because eventually the girl would have to understand she had to come second to Amelia, who was now a countess.

Chatham watched his daughter with a frown and, under his gaze, the child’s eyes filled with tears. It seemed an attempt at manipulation, and Amelia wondered what her husband would do.

Chatham shook his head. “You must do what Mama says.”

Amelia turned away, relieved that Chatham would not yield to a child’s attempt at manipulation, but sorry for the pain her marriage was causing the girl.

Chatham urged Amelia and Adam into the hall without another word.

“Can we go riding today, Papa?”

“No. We will visit your aunt after we eat,” he told the boy, as they started down the hall.

Amelia was not certain which sister he meant at first. Chatham had barely spoken of his siblings so far, and her brother had no interest in them, either. “Will we?”

“Yes, the Whitfields’ home is not far. Just a short stroll through the grounds. Easy for the children’s legs.”

The youngest sister had married a Whitfield. She nodded.

Adam tugged on her hand. “Papa said beef pies are not for breakfast, but Grandpa always gives me one. Do you like pie?”

“I do, very much, but never for breakfast,” she told him.

The boy heaved a sigh. “Cook always lets me have what I want.”

Was it any wonder the children were happy to spend time here without their father? However, they would not be spoiled too often anymore. Amelia disliked giving children everything they wanted, because they often wanted more than was good for them.

Adam seemed to be the easiest to win over, though. All Amelia would have to do was feed the boy well, and he’d be putty in her hands.

Amelia glanced behind her, hoping to see Lucy had joined them. But she was still not there by the time the stairs came into view. How stubborn could the girl be?

Chatham just shook his head. “Shall we go down?”