Page 52 of Once Upon a Midnight Dream

Oh, this was getting utterly ridiculous.

Soon she would dissolve into a puddle at his feet.

Zander tightened his grip the merest bit.

Had he felt the sensation too?

She cleared her throat to dispel her frayed nerves and to break the sexual tension as thick as custard in the room.

“Let me have the food, Eddy,” Lilly said. “I shall set it aside for you, while I clean your cut.”

His eyes grew wide and wary.

She gently cupped his chin and peered into his anxious eyes. Eyes far too wise and jaded for his tender years.

“I promise, you will never go hungry here, Eddy. Never. Do you trust me?”

He gave a solemn nod and released his death grip on the meat and cheese.

Mrs. B appeared with the medicine chest, atop which sat a plate of ginger biscuits.

Only a step behind her, Martha carried a basin of water, a brush, and a dustpan. After placing the basin on the table, Martha squatted and swept up broken ceramic shards.

“I always prescribe a biscuit or two for situations like this. I vow they truly speed the healing process.” Mrs. B winked at Eddy before turning away to return to her domain.

Bless her.

Eddy’s face lit up, and he darted his small tongue to the corner of his mouth.

“I brought a few extras, Mr. Brook,” Mrs. B tossed over her shoulder, as flirtatious as any demimonde. “I know how fond you are of sweets.”

Lilly almost rolled her eyes.

Really, must Mrs. B be so blatant?

Zander grinned and waggled his eyebrows. “Nothing is as sweet as you, dear lady.”

Oh, for the love of God.

Lilly did roll her eyes then.

What an unrepentant scallywag.

Mrs. B cackled with delight before her expression grew graver. “Miss Granger, a lad from the village brought a note ’round a while ago. My sister-in-law is ailing. Might I spend the afternoon and night with her? I shall cook supper before I leave.”

“Of course you can.” Lilly cast her a smile. “Please give her my regards and take her a basket of food too.”

“I shall, and thank you.” Untying her apron, Mrs. B disappeared into the kitchen.

“Can I have a biscuit?” Eddy asked, never taking his attention off the plate.

“You may have a treat after I wash the blood away. You need to hold very still,” Lilly admonished softly as she dipped a cloth into the warm water. “Can you pretend to be a soldier in His Majesty’s Army and do that for me?”

“Yes.” Eddy gazed at her with such trust that a lump of emotion clogged her throat.

He and all the other children were why she did this.

Why she had never seriously considered marrying, not that she had ever had a suitor.