AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No,youshould give it,” Amelia said. “You’re a friend now, aren’t you?”
“Yes,” he smiled. “Yes, I am.”
“And, perhaps, if you’d like, you might have a puppy?” Amelia said shyly. “You’re alone in that horrible big house and it would be company for you.”
He let out a laugh, a deep sound, filling the room with warmth and mirth, then he stopped, his eyes widening, almost as if he’d discovered how to laugh for the first time.
“I should like that very much,” he said.
“Would you like one to take home with you now?”
“I think they need to spend time with their mother first,” he said. “But when they are old enough, you shall choose one for me, if you like.”
He patted Amelia’s head, then rose to his feet and approached Alice.
“Mrs. Trelawney, I trust you’re not too tired after your journey?” he asked.
“Not at all,” she replied. “I’m well, as you see.”
“And baby Edwina?”
“She’s in full health.” Alice smiled down at her child, who slept contentedly in her arms. “I’m so glad you could come, Mr. Scrimgeour,” she said. “Ross and I have something very particular we wanted to ask you.”
“Ask, and it shall be yours, Mrs. Trelawney.”
“I wonder…” she hesitated, “…I mean, if it’s not too much of an imposition. Would you like to be Edwina’s godfather?”
He closed his eyes, and his chest rose and fell in a deep breath. Then he opened them, and smiled.
“I’d be honored.”
“Good!” Alice said. “Now, your first task shall be to take care of your goddaughter while I take a turn about the room. I’ve sat here so long, I’m at risk of losing the feeling in my legs.” She gestured to her husband. “Ross, darling, help me up, would you?”
“Oh…” Edward hesitated, stepping back. “I don’t know, I…”
“Nonsense!” she exclaimed. “Come on, hold your hands out.”
He reached out and she dropped Edwina into his arms. In a clumsy, awkward gesture, he curled his arms and held the baby close. Edwina let out a wail.
“Mrs. Trelawney, I’m not doing this right!” he said, his voice rising. “You must take her back.”
“Good lord!” a voice exclaimed. Susan Claybone strode across the floor and grasped Edward’s arm.
“You’re holding her head all wrong,” she chided. “You don’t want it flopping all over the place.”
“You hold her then, Miss Claybone.”
“Oh, no, you’re not going to shirk your responsibilities,” she retorted. She grasped his hand and moved it until the flat of his palm was against the back of the baby’s head. “All you have to do is hold your hand still, like this, see? Then she’s supported. Lord knows, your hand’s big enough.”
“You speak as if large hands are an affliction, Miss Claybone,” he said.
“On the contrary,” she said. “They can do much, but only if they’re being used to the best of their ability.”
“Leave him alone, Miss Claybone,” Ross said, crossing the floor to help Alice up. “Those hands you’re quick to criticize were instrumental in bringing Edwina in to the world last night.”
“Mr. Trelawney,” Edward said, a note of distress in his voice, “I’m sure Miss Claybone meant no harm. You shouldn’t…”
“I can defend myself, thank you very much, Mr. Scrimgeour,” Susan interrupted, “I don’t need a man to fight my battles for me.”
