schoolroom she was greeted by Richard with a conspiratorial grin on his face. After a courteous greeting he stood, hands behind his back, rocking back and forth on the heels of his shiny black boots. Before Cara could do more than note his restrained eagerness, the hallway door opened and Mrs. Clayton sailed in, followed by a line of servants with loaded breakfast trays. The oak table by the windows was covered with a snowy linen cloth and sparkled with crystal and china. The housekeeper smiled broadly at Cara then turned to face the door as though waiting for an apparition. At Richard's widening eyes, Cara swiveled to find the object of his bemusement.
Belin, sparkling clean, stood in the doorway.
Cara caught her breath in amazement for Belin did in fact look like an apparition. She was petite, tiny bones covered by creamy skin that would have been envied by the most notorious court beauty. She wore a blue and white sprigged muslin dress covered by a starched white apron edged with a delicate ruching of white. Her midnight black hair was brushed to a high sheen and drawn back by a wide blue velvet ribbon showing off her tiny shell pink ears. But it was in her face that Cara saw the greatest difference. Her brown eyes that had held such infinite sadness were shining with happiness as she held her immaculate hands out for inspection.
"Well, Belin, so that's what you look like under all that dirt!" Cara exclaimed as she walked toward her. She knelt down in front of the shining child and spoke so that no one else could hear. "Do you suppose I could give you a great big hug? It's supposed to be good luck to kiss anyone who has the sign."
Belin hurled herself into Cara's arms with a delighted squeal. As she lifted the child, carrying her to the table in triumph, Cara noticed Mrs. Clayton dabbing at her eyes but was too busy blinking to comment.
"We are a little late with breakfast," Mrs. Clayton explained. "Early this morning Belin demanded a bath so I thought it would be better to hold off your meal until she was properly ready."
Cara gathered that Belin's bath was such an unusual occurrence that Mrs. Clayton felt it called for a celebration. Over the heads of the children she smiled at the older woman who with an answering grin, bustled the servants out the door. Cara watched with enchantment as Belin ate her breakfast with dainty movements of her little hands. It was true that she still was self-conscious about her fingers but gone were the quick snatching movements of the first morning. In record time the children and their governess filled themselves with ham, eggs and fresh baked rolls, washed down by hot chocolate and a pungent orange flavored tea.
The happy threesome hurried outside and raced down to the lake. The sun was warm in the late morning and they wandered around the edge of the lake looking for a place to begin the swimming lessons. On the far side they found a small cove well covered by trees to keep them out of sight of the Hall and the other buildings. The water appeared to be shallow with a white sand bottom.
"I think this would be a perfect spot," Cara announced.
Although she would have liked to ask Mrs. Clayton about the suitability of swimming, Cara was sure the woman would be scandalized. Cara's father had taught her to swim at an early age and she had spent many a hot afternoon in the water. However her father had been rather progressive when it came to his daughter. He had felt that she ought to learn to ride, swim and shoot and to be as educated as the boys she grew up with. In America being female had been less of a handicap. In England she suspected Belin would be under far more restrictions. Cara felt that once the swimming lessons were an established fact Mrs. Clayton would be less likely to frown on the activity.
Belin was divested of all but her chemise and one petticoat although the child showed every indication of preferring to go into the water au natural. Richard swam in his trousers and shirt.
For a child who had avoided water for so long, Belin took to it immediately. Richard was more hesitant, cautiously entering the water and listening attentively to Cara's instructions. After a great deal of coaxing on Cara's part he lay across