realizing all along I had been placing the wrong book in her hands.
“You did try to convince me that books were magical and I never agreed. One can’t blame you for not thinking of me when you found the garden books.”
“It could also be I was terrified you would ask me to read them to you and then I would be the one falling asleep after but a few pages,” I teased her.
Her laughter was always good for my soul. It had been since we were young. Whitney’s amusement faded quickly as she stared out across the back yards toward the trees. “I think I saw someone,” she said, studying the exact location of the path that led to the cottage.
There was no sign of someone there now, but that did not mean Emma wasn’t hiding just inside. Would she come out with Whitney here? I glanced at my sister and had to quickly decide if her meeting Emma was something that should happen.
Although I trusted my sister, I knew only what I had come to in my own imagination. I did not know the exact details of Emma’s being here, but I did know her last name was Compton. The rest took very little imagination. For if Ashington had a younger sister, she would be the daughter of Nicholas’s mother and not here at Chatwick with Ashington being hidden in a cottage.
“Tis but the breeze playing with the branches,” I told her and then took her hand to lead her somewhere else before Emma resurfaced.
“No, it was very clear. There was a little girl just inside the tree line. As if there was a path hidden.” Whitney continued to watch the area for another sighting.
“Perhaps fairies then,” I replied, remembering how she would search for the Fae so ardently when she was younger.
Whitney turned to look at me then and I was relieved her focus had shifted. “Fairies, Miriam? Truly? Do you think I am still but ten?”
Grinning brightly, I took her arm and looped it with my own. “I do fear that I will never see you as you are for you will always be the little girl who followed me everywhere.”
“That may be so, but I am no longer a believer in the Fae. I moved on from that fantasy years ago,” she assured me.
I sighed, as if that knowledge was truly heartbreaking, as I led her out of the garden. “Tis a shame you lost your youthful sight. Now you may never catch a glimpse.”
Whitney laughed again and thankfully seemed to have forgotten the girl in the trees. We turned toward the east corner before I chanced a quick glance and standing there watching us retreat was Emma. She lifted her little hand when I caught sight of her then she was gone once again.
“I could use some tea,” I said, making conversation as I kept moving toward the front of the estate.
“Oh yes, I do hope they bring the raspberry tarts again. Those were divine. I could have eaten a dozen,” Whitney said hopefully.
“I’m sure they can be requested,” I told her.
“And the cucumber sandwiches were lovely. It is so indulgent having tasty morsels when we ask but for tea,” Whitney said.
Aunt Harriet typically only asked for sandwiches with tea or biscuits if we had company. Typically, she preferred her chocolate with her tea. The array of food that had arrived with tea when Whitney had requested it had been all she could talk of when I returned late that afternoon. It was the most fascinating thing she had seen since our arrival.
When we reached the front of Chatwick Hall, Ashington was walking the path back toward the house from the stables. He looked as if he had just returned from a ride. His gaze found mine and he paused to wait on us to reach him.
“Good afternoon, ladies. I trust you’ve found things to occupy yourself today,” he said.
“Quite! The rose gardens are truly spectacular and I do love your Tudor roses,” Whitney replied with enthusiasm. I was thankful she left out the sighting of the little girl in the forest.
“I will admit I know little of roses. Those were my mother’s passion. However, I also enjoy spending time in the gardens. It is rather peaceful,” Ashington told her.
His gaze shifted back to me then. The silly way my body reacted to his attention startled me yet again. The more time I spent with him, the stronger my reaction seemed to be. Although I