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Had she? “Aboutwhat?”
“You. Me.” Callie shrugged. “She wanted to make sure I didn’t feel strange about all of this. She wanted me to know that she loves you and that she’ll be here for me, just like she is for herchildren.”
Yes, that did sound like Caroline, always making sure everyone she cared about was taken care of. “Howdoyou feel?” Marcasked.
“You really doloveher?”
“For a verylongtime.”
“Then I wish you could marry her, Papa.” Callie smiled. “It would be so nice to have a family and not be so alone allthetime.”
That familiar guilt whenever he left Saddlworth for London tugged at his heart once more. “Oh, love, I wish it wasn’t this way. I wish I had done things differently when I was younger and that there was no need to hideyouaway.”
“But wishing for something doesn’t change anything,” Callie breathed out those same words he’d said to her over and over throughout theyears.
“No, it doesn’t,” he agreed. Marc tipped her chin up just a bit. “I do have enemies, and they might very well try to hurt me by harming you.” He shook his head. “Andyouare the most important thing in all the world to me, Callie. Keepingyousafe—”
“Emma and Rachel are staying for a while,though?”
Marc nodded. “Until it’s safe for them toleave.”
“Then I shall enjoy their friendship while they’re here,” shesighed.
Even though Marc knew better than anyone that wishing for something wouldn’t change anything, he couldn’t help but wish anyway. He wished things were different, that he could give Callie the family she longed for, that he could give Caroline his name, and that he never had to worry even a moment that any of them would ever be indanger.
* * *
“Imiss Fluff!”Emma declared as Caroline stepped over the threshold into Rachel’schamber.
“Will you make her leave?” Rachel begged, from the middle of her bed, frowning at her little sister a fewfeetaway.
“Emma, Mrs. Dawson told me there was a litter of kittens born last week out in thestables.”
Her youngest daughter’s face lit up. “Are they stillthere?”
“They’re too tiny to be moved,” Caroline said. “Perhaps if Rachel wants to ride tomorrow, you can both go down theretogether.”
Emma leapt onto Rachel’s bed. “Do you want to ridetomorrow?”
“Please, Mama,” Rachel begged. “Won’t you please make her go to her ownchambers?”
“R-a-chel,” Emma whined. “It would be so fun. I could play with the kittens and you could ride until you’re not grumpyanymore.”
Rachel rolled her eyes. “If I promise to take you to the stables tomorrow, will you leave mealonenow?”
Emma noddedvigorously.
“Very well,” Rachel breathed out. “After breakfast. But only if yougonow.”
“Hooray!” Emma slid off the side of the bed. Then she quickly hugged Caroline. “Night,Mama.”
“Good night, sweetheart.” Caroline smoothed the hair out of Emma’s eyes. “Make sure to brush your hair so it’s not a wild mess in themorning.”
After Emma bolted from Rachel’s chambers, Caroline turned her full attention on her oldest daughter who had forgone dinner to climb into bedearly.
“Feeling any better?” Carolineasked.
Rachel shrugged. “How long are westayinghere?”
