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Donella had always thought of herself as a rather dull person, and certainly not one given to emotional outbursts. But she’d actually started to sniffle before climbing into the carriage this morning. Only a promise from Angus to bring Joseph for a visit had staved off an embarrassing display of tears.
Blowing out an impatient breath, she silently ordered herself to stop acting like such a ninny.
“Your papa would be truly dismayed to know you thought that,” she said. “He loves you very much and always does what’s best for you.”
The little boy scowled over his shoulder. “No, he doesn’t.”
His vehement reply startled her. “Why would you say that, darling? You know how much he loves you and worries about you.”
“It’s not that,” he impatiently replied. “It’s because he does stupid things.”
Joseph turned back to the portrait, trying once more to hook the swag over the corner of the frame. Donella placed a hand flat on his back, keeping him from teetering.
“If that’s so, I’m sure he doesn’t mean to.”
“Well, he did something stupid to upset you, and then you left Kendrick House.” There was a suspiciously long pause. “I hate that you left.”
Donella had to pause for a moment herself before she could reply. “Joseph, your papa did not wrong me in any way, I assure you.”
“Grandda said Papa talked to the mean lady at the party, and it upset you.”
Donella was going to have to have a little chat with Angus. As much as she liked the old fellow, he was too forthcoming with the little boy.
“Your father was simply chatting with an old friend. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
He threw her a skeptical glance. “But it’s not just Grandda who doesn’t like the lady. Uncle Nick doesn’t, either. And I heard Aunt Vicky talking about it to Uncle Kade this morning, too.”
Donella raised her eyebrows. “You shouldn’t be eavesdropping on adult conversations, Joseph. It’s not polite.”
He shrugged. “Grandda will tell me, anyway.”
“I’m beginning to think your grandfather is averybad influence on you, young man.”
That earned her a cheeky grin, which made her laugh again. But her laughter quickly faded when she thought of the good-bye soon to come when she returned to her former life.
It must have shown in her face, because his smile dimmed. “If it wasn’t because of Papa, why did you leave, Donella? Don’t you like us?”
She briefly rested her cheek on his back. “I like you allverymuch, and especially you. But it was time to come home to my family. I hadn’t seen them for a very long time, not since I entered the convent. And Eden needed my help getting ready for the party.”
He scrunched up his face. “Well . . . I suppose that’s all right. But I hope you let me and Grandda come visit again.”
“As often as you want, dearest. In fact, I’ll need your help decorating for all the parties.”
He turned back to his work, making yet another attempt at pitching the swag over the frame. “But what happens when all the parties are over? Will I get to see you as much?”
She didn’t want to lie but wasn’t yet ready to tell the truth. Just thinking about never seeing Joseph again, or Logan . . .
“Don’t you worry about that,” she briskly replied. “Now, I do think we’re going to need help, so please come down.”
“Let me try again. I can get it.”
Stubborn, like his father. “Joseph, I don’t think—”
When he stretched up on his toes and forcefully threw the swag over his head, it sent the ladder teetering. With a yelp, Donella grabbed him around the waist and thrust a leg out to keep the ladder from going over.
She was about to call for help when she heard the sound of a quick, firm boot tread. A pair of brawny arms reached around her and grabbed the wooden frame to hold it steady.
“I’ve got you, lass,” murmured a low brogue.
