The Sun Sister (The Seven Sisters #6) - Lucinda Riley Page 0,226

this . . . predicament we find ourselves in. I agreed to have Njala here, after all.’

‘I know for sure she would have kept her baby if she’d been allowed to, but she wasn’t, which was why she wanted me to help her . . .’

‘I think, my dear, that we have to deal in hard facts here. I can understand that you feel responsible for the child, but you must know that in reality you should have no such guilt. However, I equally accept that you have become emotionally attached to her and have told me that you will leave with her if I insist she goes.’

‘I sure will, Bill, I’m sorry but—’

‘Could you spare me any histrionics, Cecily, and simply listen to what I have to say? I told you last night that it is untenable that you, and by association I, become the baby’s parents. I dread to think what your mother and father would say if you presented Stella to them. So, you have to be realistic. Or, in fact, I have to be realistic for you. I’ve come up with a solution that I hope will keep you – and I, and of course Stella herself – happy. Are you prepared to hear me out?’

‘Yes.’

‘Good. So, remember I mentioned to you when I left for Nairobi last time that we should employ some domestic help?’

‘Yes.’

‘My suggestion is that we find a woman through Nygasi, who will be told of the situation and come into the household to live with us as a cook and housekeeper. I’d already earmarked part of the barn as servants’ quarters and it will take no time to make it habitable. When the woman arrives, we will tell everyone that we have a new maid who has come to us with her baby, or, in fact, her granddaughter, depending on her age. That way, Stella can stay with us here at Paradise Farm and grow up under our protection. It’s not uncommon for maids to have dependants living with them. It also means that Stella will ostensibly grow up within her own culture. Please remember that’s important for her too.’

‘Are you saying that Stella will have to live in a barn?’ Cecily was horrified.

‘To be honest, Cecily, I’m not worried about the details; they can be ironed out later. I’m much more concerned about finding a way for you to know that you fulfilled your promise to Njala, that you did your Christian duty and that Stella can stay.’

‘But Bill, I want to bring her up . . . be her mother.’ Cecily bit her lip.

‘And to all intents and purposes, when no one else is around, that’s exactly what you can be.’

‘Won’t the maid think it strange that the white lady of the house wishes to spend so much time with the black baby?’

‘Maids are not paid to decide what is strange about their employers and what isn’t. You can do as you wish, as long as Stella is left with the maid when anyone visits.’

Cecily studied her feet silently.

‘I understand this is not the perfect outcome,’ Bill said gently, ‘but it’s the only one I could contemplate. Even I have my limits, Cecily, and trust me, I’ve certainly been pushed to them in the past year. But I understand that separating you from Stella is as untenable as us bringing her up as our own child. So for your sake and hers, I’m prepared to accept her presence under our roof, as long as you are prepared to accept my compromise. Are you?’

Still, Cecily stared at her feet.

Bill let out a sigh. ‘I asked you last night not to behave like a petulant child and I ask you again now. I can do no more. Do you accept?’

Cecily finally raised her eyes to Bill’s. ‘I accept.’

‘Good. Now then, perhaps we can get on with having Christmas Day.’ Bill pointed to the tree. ‘Look underneath it.’

Cecily roused herself and walked over to the tree. Underneath it was a small package.

‘Sorry I didn’t have time to wrap it properly. I hope you like it.’

‘Oh Bill, I feel so bad, my gift to you was in the parcel my parents sent from the States, but it hasn’t arrived . . .’

‘Really, don’t worry, my dear. Go on, open it.’

Cecily brought it back to the chair and undid the string and the brown paper to reveal a velvet box. Opening the lid, Cecily saw a delicate gold chain with an exquisite square emerald