Fenella J Miller by Lady Eleanor's Secret Page B

their wishes first?
    “Come along, everyone. I thought we could take a picnic down to the lake and spend the day there together having fun. That’s why you’re wearing your oldest clothes.” Lucy’s eyes widened and she clutched Eleanor’s hand. “What is it, sweetheart?”
    “Good morning, my dear, good morning, children. Did I just hear the mention of a picnic?”
    “Papa, can you come? Please come with us.” Alexander rushed across and flung himself into his father’s arms.
    The girls seemed less sure; this would not do. Whilst she was still here one thing she could do was re-establish the connection between Bentley and his children. Gently she pushed the two girls forward and he held out his other arm. For a moment they hesitated and then threw themselves at him with as much enthusiasm as their brother. All three clamoured to be heard.
    “Children, do be careful! Your papa has been very poorly. It would not do to—”
    He smiled. “I’m perfectly well, thank you, my dear. As you can see the stitches are gone.”
    The mention of stitches distracted the children from their demands that he accompany them on their picnic. He sat down in the window seat with Alexander on his lap and his daughters on either side of him. He flicked back his hair to show them the pink scar.
    She studied him closely. How was it possible a man as sick as he was two days ago, could now be up and about looking so robust? Apart from being a little paler and thinner about the face, he looked much as he did when she’d first met him. Good grief! Can that have only been ten days ago? It felt like a lifetime. So much had changed.
    He glanced up, caught her eye and grinned. Something strange happened to her insides. She must not allow herself to become emotionally entangled with this charming, charismatic man. “Well, my lord, are you to accompany us or not?”
    “Definitely. I well remember the last time we were with children by the lake. I sincerely hope I do not have to do take a swim fully dressed today.”
    “Tell us, Mama, why did Papa go in the water in his clothes?”
    Laughing, she told the story and Lucy stared pleadingly up at him. “Papa, can we play cricket with you like we played with Mama the other day?”
    “Of course you can, sweetheart. Why don’t you go and fetch what we need whilst I speak to your mama?”
    This was the last thing she wanted. “If you are to accompany us, my lord, I must speak to Cook about increasing the size of the picnic.”
    Somehow he was between her and the exit. “I wish you to call me by my given name, no more formality. You are my wife and I wish us to be friends.”
    She swallowed nervously. “If you insist, sir…Alex, but that will be difficult for me. Even my sister-in-law does not call my brother by his name.”
    “Eleanor is a lovely name and suits you, my dear.” The children rushed back, waving the cricket equipment triumphantly. “Ah! Well done, you three. Let’s set out on our expedition.”
    Alexander tugged at his coat-tails. “Papa, you shall get your smart clothes ruined sitting on the grass.”
    He ruffled the little boy’s hair. “Quite correct, young man, I shall go at once and put on something my valet will not mind me spoiling.” He winked at her and vanished.
    Her pulse gradually returned to normal. “I have asked for the picnic to be brought out to us, along with something to sit on. Your papa will be changed in trice. Shall we set off? His legs are so much longer than ours, he will soon catch us up.”

    Alex wanted to turn somersaults but refrained. How could he have remained aloof from his delightful children for so many years? He was a selfish father. Anna would have been ashamed of him. Wallowing in self-pity and refusing to engage with his offspring was something he would regret for the rest of his life.
    He bounded up the stairs to his apartment. From now on things would be different. He’d been given a second chance and he wasn’t going to throw it