The Gentleman's Bride Search by Deborah Hale

approached Miss Webster, who was supervising the younger children as they took turns with Owen’s kite.
    “He is so kind to his little sister.” Miss Webster regarded Owen fondly. “My young cousins bicker amongst themselves all the time.”
    “There is a bit of that in our nursery, too,” Evangeline admitted. “But for the most part, they get on well together. I wish I could take credit for it, but I believe the children have inherited their father’s good nature.”
    “Mr. Chase seems a very amiable gentleman. Which of the children is most like him?” Miss Webster sounded sincerely interested, which encouraged Evangeline.
    She thought for a moment. “None of them is exactly like him, yet each has some of his traits. Emma has his intense loyalty and sense of responsibility. You must have noticed how she mothers the younger ones?”
    “I have,” Miss Webster replied. “Emma reminds me of her dear mother. In character, I mean. Rosie looks far more like her.”
    Evangeline nodded. “You are very observant. I believe Matthew and Owen get their cleverness from their father and their enjoyment of a challenge. Alfie has Mr. Chase’s humor and his concern for others. Rosie inherited his sense of fairness.”
    The children shared some of their father’s faults, too, but Evangeline saw no reason to mention those. After all, she was trying to make a good impression on Miss Webster. Besides, in both the children and their father, any small defects were more than outweighed by their good qualities.
    “They are a fine family.” Miss Webster cast a warm glance around at all the children. “No wonder Mr. Chase is so devoted to them.”
    “He does not show any partiality to one over the other,” Evangeline added. “He has a special affection for each one.”
    Miss Webster looked toward Jasper Chase, who was trying to help Emma and Mrs. Dawson untangle their kites. “That is as it should be in families. I am certain Mrs. Chase would be pleased at how well her children have turned out. I knew her when our fathers were partners. Though I was younger, she was always kind to me.”
    This was the second time Miss Webster had mentioned the children’s mother. Could that be what held her back from taking a romantic interest in Mr. Chase? Evangeline wondered. Did she think it would be disloyal to his late wife?
    “I believe Mrs. Chase would have wanted her children to have a new mother to care for them as much as she did. Mr. Chase loved her a great deal. The past few years have been lonely for him, though he does his best to keep the children’s spirits up.”
    “Poor man.” Miss Webster’s gaze softened. “It must have been very hard for him.”
    “I believe it has.” The thought brought Evangeline a pang of conscience.
    She had been so concerned about the children and impatient with their father for not spending more time with them, she had not given much thought to his grief. When Mr. Chase came home for visits, he had been so determined to make his time with the children enjoyable that he’d seldom betrayed any hint of sorrow. His behavior gave Evangeline the impression that he had not been much affected by his wife’s death. Only when she spoke to Miss Webster, trying to paint a flattering portrait of her employer, did she suspect how wrong she might have been.
    “Mr. Chase seems to be enjoying this house party.” Margaret Webster nodded toward him.
    After much careful maneuvering, he had gotten his daughter’s kite untangled from Mrs. Dawson’s without bringing both hurtling to the ground. He received applause from the vicar and a hug from Emma.
    “I believe it has done him good to mix with other people.” Evangeline congratulated herself for having brought it about. “He needs to look to the future and begin living his life again.”
    “He is very fortunate,” said Miss Webster, “to have someone who thinks so highly of him raising his children.”
    Evangeline was not certain what to make of the