Regina Scott by The Courting Campaign Page B

less that look, particularly when it was directed at him.
    “I think perhaps they would be better suited to his study,” Miss Pyrmont said.
    Nick blew out a breath. The woman had an uncanny ability to smooth things over. “Excellent suggestion,” he said and was relieved to see Alice brighten again.
    It took so little to change her mood. Ann had been the same way. He and his wife had gotten on well when they were younger, but once they were married, he’d never been certain which word or gesture of his would set her spirits plummeting. It had made conversation difficult.
    “We were just going for a walk in the woods,” Miss Pyrmont said. “Perhaps you’d like to join us.”
    Alice nodded eagerly, free hand reaching for the closest of his. He felt his work pulling from the opposite direction.
    “I regret that matters require my attention,” he tried.
    This time Alice ignored him, fingers wrapping around his.
    “A shame,” Miss Pyrmont agreed, moving to take Alice’s hand. Nick could feel his daughter slipping away and had to fight the urge to pull her closer. “Remember, we don’t want to stand in the way of your father’s progress, Alice.”
    Once again Alice did not look nearly so sure.
    “Actually, there isn’t a lot of progress being made this afternoon,” Nick admitted. “I seem to have stumbled to a halt.”
    As Alice gazed up at him, Miss Pyrmont smiled. “Perhaps you need a change of scenery. I read somewhere that fresh air can be conducive to clearing the mind.”
    Alice glanced between the two of them. “Are you coming after all, Papa?”
    Her high voice vibrated with an emotion he’d all but forgotten: hope. Truly, would a few more moments away hurt anything? His chemicals would still be sitting there, refusing to ignite. His problems weren’t going anywhere. It might help to forget about them for a time.
    “Yes, Alice,” he said. “I believe I will. Thank you for inviting me.”
    * * *
    Emma wanted to shout in triumph, but she settled for a smile as they returned to the house long enough to leave the flowers in Mrs. Jennings’s care.
    She still could not believe her luck. First Mrs. Dunworthy had encouraged her to bring Alice and her father closer together, and now Sir Nicholas had agreed to walk with them. Add that walk to the moments spent at breakfast yesterday morning and dinner tonight, and he would have spent more time in his daughter’s company this week than in the previous three months of Emma’s employment.
    Of course, not everything had gone well. Mrs. Dunworthy had been popping in to the nursery more frequently yesterday and this morning, as if suspecting that Emma had somehow been neglecting her charge. Today, for example, she had arrived just as Emma and the little girl were sitting on the carpet, dressing Lady Chamomile in a fresh outfit.
    “And what is the occasion?” Mrs. Dunworthy had asked, smiling down at her niece even as Emma stood out of respect. “Tea with the queen, perhaps?”
    “No, Auntie,” Alice had giggled. “Dinner with Papa! Lady Chamomile is looking forward to it.”
    Mrs. Dunworthy shook her head. “Lady Chamomile has not been invited. Dolls are for the nursery, Alice, not a fine table where grown-up ladies eat.”
    Emma felt her muscles stiffening. Didn’t Mrs. Dunworthy know how much Alice depended on the doll? Surely if Lady Chamomile was allowed to come once or twice, Alice would feel comfortable enough going on her own in future.
    “Then perhaps I’m not so grown up,” Alice said, lower lip quivering.
    Emma knew she should be silent when her mistress was addressing Alice, but she couldn’t bear to see the little girl unhappy for such a trivial thing.
    “But you are growing up, Alice,” she said, kneeling so that she could look the girl in the eye. “See how tall you are now! You can’t give up eating dinner with your father. I know you’re looking forward to it, too.”
    “But who will keep Lady Chamomile company?” Alice