Page 8 of Miss Davis and the Architect

“Why?”

Tucking a curl behind her ear, Jane dropped into the chair so she might be more of a height with the little girl. “It is an impolite word. Ethan cannot help the circumstances of his birth. It is more polite to say natural born.”

Tatiana contemplated her for several seconds. “Then the person who called Papa that was being rude?”

“Yes, it was an insult.”

“I did not like the man. He was complaining to his companion the entire time he waited in the drawing room, and I thought he was not very nice. Or correct about his complaints.”

“How did you know what a bastard is?”

“The man sort of explained it during his complaining. He did not know I was hiding behind the sofa. It was enlightening.”

Jane chuckled. “It is not polite to eavesdrop.”

“What is that?”

“It means to listen to another’s conversation.”

Tatiana shrugged. “What they do not know cannot offend them.”

At this, Jane could not hold back a laugh. From the mouth of babes.

Tatiana stepped forward, placing a hand on Jane’s cheek as she stared deep into her eyes. “I like you.”

She smiled in response. “Thank you. I like you, too.”

“You treat me like a person.”

“Thank you. I have several younger brothers and a sister who just went home, so it is pleasant to talk with you in their stead.”

“Will you marry my papa?”

Jane sputtered, turning her head to cough into her hand in her surprise. After several moments, she responded in a dry, hoarse voice, “Does your papa not have a wife?”

“No.” Tatiana leaned closer so her face was just inches away from Jane’s. “Mama died. I am sad, but I think it is worse for him. Papa is very lonely, and he does not smile like he did before. I think he needs a new wife.”

“Well … that is a choice your father must make.”

Tatiana’s cherubic face fell in disappointment, her little lip quivering as she bit it. “You will not marry him?”

“Your father must decide when he is ready. And he must choose his own wife.”

The little girl walked away, standing in the shadows with her back turned. “I am worried about him.”

Jane felt her eyes prickle with threatening tears. The child was so sweet, and her heart went out to the little one who had lost her mother so young. “How long has it been?”

The blonde hair bobbed as she inclined her head. Jane thought she might be counting on her fingers. “It is two years.”

“That is a long time to be without a mama.”

“I miss her.”

Jane could not help it. A tear of sympathy escaped the corner of her eye at the little girl’s plight. Reaching up, she brushed it away, and when she was ready, she spoke in a steady voice. “I am sorry, Tatiana. I cannot imagine how that must be.”

“I miss Papa, too. We used to go with him to see his buildings, but since Mama died, he leaves me at home with Grandmama. I want to go with him, and have a mother to read me stories at night … and I want … I want to see him smile.” The little girl’s voice was thick as she stated the last.

Jane hurried across the room. Dropping to her haunches, she embraced the little girl, burying her face in her sweet-smelling silver hair.