Glitter - Abbi Glines Page 0,13

her chatter.

“Did you dance with a princess?” Emma asked before taking a sip of hot chocolate. Her eyes wide with curiosity stared up at me over the rim of her cup.

“There were no princesses in attendance, I am afraid,” I informed her, already knowing she would have many more questions for me before I finished my ham and eggs.

“Why can’t I have jam and a biscuit for breakfast? I love jam,” she said, frowning at the food placed in front of her. Then, instantly distracted, she looked back at me. “If there were no princesses then how was it a ball?”

“A princess is not required to attend in order to hold a ball,” I explained.

Emma scrunched her small nose in distaste as she looked back at her eggs and ham. “Don’t you like jam, Ashington?” she asked me then.

“Why yes, I do enjoy jam. I’m sure you will have a jam and biscuit during afternoon tea,” I assured her.

“I want jam all day,” she stated rather fiercely.

Grinning, I tried to hide my amusement behind my cup.

“Miss Emma, are you complaining over your breakfast again? I’ve told you countless times it is rude to complain about the meal placed before you. You are to be grateful for what you are given.” Alice was just entering the room as she spoke, but it was clear she had overheard the conversation.

Emma shrugged her shoulders as if Alice’s words meant little. “When I am a lady, I will eat jam and biscuits all day,” she announced primly.

“Then you will find much difficulty fitting into your gowns,” Alice replied without pause.

“There were no princesses at the ball, Alice,” Emma then stated, changing the subject once again.

“I explained to you last night there were to be no princesses in attendance,” Alice said with a nod.

Emma huffed in what I assumed was annoyance at Alice being correct and took another drink of her hot chocolate. “I bet princesses eat jam and biscuits when they want to,” she told no one in particular but scowled at the food on her plate.

“I will see if we can arrange for jam and biscuits for your breakfast tomorrow,” I finally said before Alice began to scold her again.

Alice then scowled at me in disapproval. “Miss Emma needs to learn she cannot demand things,” she said tightly.

I shrugged. “It is just jam and biscuits, Alice.”

“I understand that, my lord, however it starts with small things. Soon she will be demanding new gowns and jewels.”

“I will not! I don’t want more gowns or silly jewels. I am but four, Alice,” Emma stated with a pinched frown. “I would like more hot chocolate.”

I covered my mouth with my napkin and masked my laughter with a cough for fear Alice may strike me if I encouraged Emma’s way with words.

Alice let out a sigh of irritation and left the dining room with a whoosh of her skirts. Emma knew exactly how to set her governess off and at such a tender age, I found that to be a strong quality for the future. There would never be a man or woman that would break Emma’s spirit. It was something I was grateful for, considering the life she lived before she was brought to my doorstep.

“Is Alice fetching me more hot chocolate?” Emma asked with an angelic smile on her face that Alice referred to as deceptive.

“I find that very unlikely, my dear,” I replied.

Emma sighed and looked back down at her food. “Hot chocolate would make my eggs easier to eat.”

“When did you decide you didn’t like eggs?” I asked her, knowing full well she had been eating them every morning for months.

She lifted her tiny chin and straightened her shoulders as she met my gaze. “When Alice allowed me to have jam and biscuits with my tea. I do love jam and biscuits.”

Mrs. Barton, the housekeeper, emerged from the door that led directly to the kitchen. She was carrying a small tray in her hands and there was an obvious glint in her eyes. I did not need to see the tray to know what would be upon it. Emma had won over my housekeeper almost immediately. She was no doubt the reason Emma had been given the jam and biscuits with her tea.

“Good morning, my lord,” she said with a small tilt of her head then walked over to stand beside Emma. I gave her a slight nod of approval as she waited for me to allow her to proceed. I doubted she’d