Queen of my Hart - Emily Royal Page 0,37
“You’ve enough to carry as it is.”
She gestured to the young woman who walked ahead of them through the trees. “Why don’t you help Milly? Her basket’s heavier than mine, and she’d enjoy your company. I should like her to be happy today.”
“Whereas you wish to be miserable?”
Meggie laughed. “I am content by myself,” she said. “I’d like today to be special for Milly. There’s a lot of work for her to do—even more, when my husband arrives.”
“And for you, Mrs. Hart.”
“Ah, but today’s excursion is not about me, Ralph. It’s about Milly.” Meggie met his gaze. “She’s a pretty girl, is she not?”
“I suppose she’s prettier than old Mrs. Brown.”
“Ralph!” she chided. “I may not be a lady, but even I know that’s a very ungallant thing to say to the young woman you intend to court.”
He frowned and opened his mouth to speak, but before he could say anything, an excited cry rose up ahead.
“We’re here! Look!”
Meggie caught a glimpse of a larger expanse of water, and she heard a rushing, thundering sound. Sparkles of light reflected the sun, dancing on the surface. She picked up the pace, and the trees thinned out into a clearing.
The stream widened out to form a lake. Light shimmered across the surface as the water rippled and moved with the current. Beyond, she glimpsed the source of the sound. A waterfall plunged into the lake. Droplets of water filled the air, catching the sunlight to form a rainbow.
“It’s beautiful!” Meggie cried. “What a perfect spot for a picnic.”
“The best place is over there,” Milly said, pointing to a large, flat rock near the water’s edge. “It’ll give us a good view of the waterfall, but is far enough away that you don’t get caught by the spray.”
“Then we’ll eat there,” Meggie said. “Ralph, would you set out the blankets?”
“Of course.” He sounded sullen but did as she asked, then they unpacked the baskets.
“Ooh look!” Milly cried. “Mrs. Brown’s included some of her rock cakes. They’re my favorite! Did you ask her to bake some, Ralph?”
“I know you like them,” he said.
She picked one up. “I’m so hungry. I could eat it whole.”
“Don’t eat too many, or you’ll be plumper than Mrs. Brown,” Ralph said. “I think she models her rock cakes on her own shape!”
“Nonsense!” Meggie said as Milly blushed. “Milly’s in no danger of that, are you, Milly? And it wouldn’t matter if she was.”
“No, ma’am,” Ralph said.
Meggie frowned at him. He gave her a smile, then nudged Milly affectionately. “Forgive me, Mills,” he said. “You know you’re the prettiest girl hereabouts, don’t you?”
“Ralph, why don’t you eat with Milly?” Meggie asked. “I’m not hungry yet, and I’d like to explore the woods before I eat.”
“You should join us,” he said.
“No, I’ll eat later,” Meggie replied. “After all, Milly’s the reason you’re here, isn’t it?”
Ralph scrambled to his feet.
“Where are you going?” Milly asked.
“Forgive me,” he said. “I’ve remembered I have to do something for Mr. Billings.”
“Can’t it wait?” Meggie asked. “We’ve walked all this way.”
“I’m afraid not, ma’am,” he said. “Mr. Billings was most insistent, and I wouldn’t want to disappoint him. I’m anxious to please him—to show I’m capable of the responsibility of head groom.”
Milly’s disappointment showed on her face, but Meggie couldn’t argue with Ralph’s reasoning.
“Perhaps another time?” she suggested.
“Once I’ve completed my duties, I shall be at your disposal any time you wish,” he said. “Enjoy your picnic, and don’t worry about carrying the baskets back. Leave them here, and I can fetch them later.”
He bowed and disappeared through the trees.
Milly let out a sigh. “Why does he always do that?”
“Perhaps I pushed him a little too hard,” Meggie said. “But, we can still enjoy our picnic.”
“I should go back,” the maid said. “Mrs. Wells will be expecting me.”
“Nonsense!” Meggie said. “I say you can have the afternoon off.”
“I suppose…” Milly hesitated.
“Don’t worry about Ralph,” Meggie said. “I am by no means discouraged. The head groom needs a wife—he shouldn’t live alone in that cottage. And you’re perfect for him.”
“Do you think so?” Milly asked, rummaging in the basket. She pulled out a stoneware bottle. “Ooh—Mrs. Brown’s lemonade!”
“Then let us enjoy our picnic,” Meggie said, “and, for the moment, think no more of men.”
By the time they’d finished eating, the air had grown even warmer. Meggie lay back, drinking in the sound of the babbling waterfall.
Where else could she come so close to paradise? With a haven such as this at her disposal, she could weather any