How to Turn a Frog into a Prince - Bree Wolf Page 0,78
again relieved that no awkwardness seemed to linger between them. “They’re delicious.”
“May we have your attention,” Pierce addressed them, a wide grin upon his face as he looked down at his wife. Caroline, too, appeared to be glowing like a firefly at night, her eyes luminous and a deep smile dancing across her features. “We have a bit of good news to share.” Again, he paused, then shook his head. “In fact, it’s wonderful news.” He smiled down at his wife. “The best I’ve…we’ve ever received.”
Nathanial felt Charlaine’s hand tighten upon his arm before she turned to look at him, her eyes aglow and a large smile upon her face. “Oh, I’m so happy for them,” she whispered as though he ought to know what she was talking about.
Nathanial was about to inquire but, before he could, Pierce announced, “In only a few short months, there will be an addition to our family, a little brother or sister for our precious Daphne!” He smiled at the girl, who stared back at him with a rather shocked expression upon her little face.
While everyone offered their congratulations, hugs and well-wishes exchanged freely, Daphne sat pouting in her chair, the lemon tart in her hand all but forgotten.
“Are you not happy?” Susan asked her, eyeing her friend curiously.
Daphne shook her head. “What good will a baby do? They cry all the time,” she looked up at Pierce, “don’t they?”
Smiling, he knelt down in front of her, set aside the lemon tart and took her sticky hands in his. “They do cry, but only because they still need to learn to speak,” he told her gently. “However, before you know it, they grow and learn. He or she will be a new playmate for you. Someone you can teach. Someone you can impart your wisdom on. Someone who will look up to you.”
A tentative smile came to Daphne’s face. “Like Susan?”
“Hey!” Susan exclaimed in displeasure. “I know things, too. I’m not a baby.”
“Of course not, sweet one,” Caroline told her as she came to sit next to her. “You’re both big girls and our little one,” her hand fell to her belly, “will need both of you.” She smiled at the girls, who seemed placated by her assurance.
“Indeed, having someone to play with is great fun,” Pierce said with a sideways glance at Lord Ashhaven, who remained rather immobile in his seat, observing the scene with a rather inexpressive countenance.
“Did you have a brother or sister?” Daphne asked her father curiously.
Pierce shook his head. “No, I didn’t. But I had a very good friend.” Again, he looked at Lord Ashhaven. “Ash and I did all kinds of fun things when we were younger.”
The other man cleared his throat, his gaze moving out over the gardens.
Nathanial wondered if Pierce’s reminder displeased his old friend because his own remembrance of the time was an altogether different one or because he disliked being thought of as a joyful youth. Indeed, Nathanial could not picture it no matter how hard he tried. Was that how others saw him, Nathanial, as well? He wondered, knowing that especially compared to Zach, he had always been the serious one.
“What fun things?” Daphne demanded, eagerness in her eyes.
Pierce sighed, a bit of a devilish look coming to his gaze as he looked at his old friend, who continued to ignore them. “Oh, we played tricks on our cook.” His gaze sobered and met Daphne’s. “But don’t try that on Mrs. Colden.”
Daphne’s eyes widened. “Oh, no, I wouldn’t. I’m not a fool.” She shook her head from side to side, her dark curls bouncing up and down.
Pierce laughed. “We also spent a lot of time outdoors, just like you and Susan. We went to the lake.” A deep chuckle spilled from his lips. “One summer, we tied a rope to one of the higher branches and then swung out and let ourselves drop into the water.”
Both girls’ jaws dropped in awe.
“You’re a bit young for that just yet,” Caroline cautioned immediately when she recognized the eagerness upon their faces.
“But I’m not,” Charlaine whispered beside Nathanial, her teeth sinking into her lower lip to contain the impatience he saw in her eyes.
Nathanial could have groaned for he knew that Charlaine could not be dissuaded once she had made up her mind. Indeed, the woman seemed to crave new experiences like a man dying of thirst craved water. Sometimes, it made her a bit reckless…and it tended to make him worry.