Page 51 of Once Upon a Midnight Dream

“I shall let Miss Wobblecroft and Mrs. Jones know where Eddy is.” Miss McKenzie offered a sympathetic smile. “The students are off for a nature walk this afternoon if he feels up to it.”

Perking up, Eddy lifted his head.

“Will we see beetles and snails and frogs and maybe even a snake, Miss McKenzie?”

Excitement laced the boy’s voice at the thought.

“We very well may.” To her credit, Miss McKenzie, who loathed creepy crawlies of any kind, nodded and pasted an enthusiastic smile on her face. “The weather is still mild, so if we are truly fortunate, perhaps a bee-fly, or if we are very lucky, even a hummingbird hawk-moth. Wouldn’t that be grand?”

Eddy gave a fervent nod.

“Hold still, young man,” Zander ordered good-naturedly. “I am trying to staunch the flow of blood.”

“We shall be on the terrace shortly. Join us if you feel up to it, Eddy.”

Miss McKenzie crossed to the entrance. Glancing over her shoulder, she swung her too shrewd gaze between Lilly and Zander, as if to say, Exactly what is going on between the two of you?

Eighteen

In what was now a very uncomfortable dining room

A quarter after two that same day

Just perfect.

All Lilly needed was the staff speculating about her and Zander after her recent lecture about acceptable and appropriate behavior regarding him.

“Eddy, I need to put you on the table, so I can look at your cut.”

Preparing to stand, Lilly shifted the child. He weighed little, but resting on her knees made rising while holding him difficult.

“Eddy, hold my handkerchief to your head,” Zander said.

After switching the salted beef to his other hand, still gripping the cheese, the child complied.

Zander scooped him into his arms as easily as if he had lifted a puppy and rose with enviable animalistic grace.

Lilly observed him from beneath her lashes as he lowered Eddy onto the table. In his new black trousers, navy frock coat, and navy and black striped waistcoat, Zander looked every bit the dashing rogue, and her tummy fluttered in appreciation.

Ninny.

Goose cap.

Dolt.

Numpty.

Their shopping expedition had not only resulted in him acquiring new clothing, but she had indulged in two ready-made gowns for herself; the wool creation she wore today and a stunning currant-red silk.

The latter was a divine creation meant for formal occasions, and she still did not know why she had purchased it. Except, the look in Zander’s eye when he saw her in it made her feel positively ravishing.

Lilly had purchased the gowns at bargain prices too, because the woman they had been commissioned for left town without paying for them. She, too, possessed a fuller figure, and the seamstress needed only to take in the waist for the gowns to fit like they had been custom-made for Lilly.

Grateful not to be stuck with gowns she might not sell, the seamstress had not charged Lilly for the alterations.

“Do not move, young man. I do not want you to fall again,” Zander ordered with a wink before he turned to extend a hand to help Lilly stand.

She slipped her palm into his, and a squishy sensation enveloped her.