Chapter 19

Two days later, Eleanor was sitting by a window reading aloud from a storybook about fairies. Five small girls were gathered on the floor by her feet and the smallest was on her lap, snuggled up to her chest and nearly asleep. The nanny had ushered the boys out to the gardens, so the girl’s mothers were sitting in chairs nearby, seeming to enjoy being able to stitch without their daughter’s clamouring for attention.

The heat from the sun on her back and the child on her lap was beginning to grow uncomfortable, but the story was nearly over and she hoped Mirabel would be asleep by then. Maybe Sophie as well, since her thumb was now firmly in her mouth while she leaned against her older cousin. She wouldn’t ask for a whole tub of water again already, but she could wipe herself down later. Or perhaps Fann would do it for her. Suddenly the door to the solar banged open and the Count strode in with John, Fann, and several other men on their heels. Two maids rushed in behind them to gather