by Regina Scott
“She’s a little young,” he temporized, edging to the right as Sophia listed in that direction.
“It’s never too early to start,” Ivy insisted. “But if you are concerned about her health, perhaps we should have the physician you mentioned visit and let us know his recommendations.”
Sophia leaned farther to the right, and Kendall caught her before she hit the carpet. “He comes every other Wednesday and is due tomorrow. I’ll be eager to hear his opinion.”
So was Ivy. She could only hope this physician was a more reasonable sort, for if he advised coddling Sophia, Ivy and Kendall would be at even greater odds.
Chapter Ten
He was being too cautious. Kendall could see it in Ivy’s warm brown eyes, hear it in her gentle voice. Worse, he felt it in Sophia’s sad cries. How could he explain the sacred duty Adelaide had left him? Sophia was all that remained of his wife. He couldn’t risk her, for anything.
And yet, Ivy had already made such a difference in his daughter. Sophia laughed—laughed! As they finished Tuesday and began Wednesday, he realized he had rarely heard his daughter cry. When she cried, Ivy was there to set things right. Sophia’s eyes were bright, her movements quick and sure. She had a confidence he had never suspected.
So did Ivy. He had hoped for someone who would put Sophia’s needs first, but Ivy’s dedication surpassed anything he could have imagined. She was Sophia’s champion, and he found it hard to gainsay her. Even when his heart trembled at the things his daughter was attempting under Ivy’s watchful eye.
He was prepared for a tongue lashing when Doctor Penrose arrived Wednesday afternoon. Surely the physician would see that they had pushed Sophia too far. Like Kendall, the doctor was following in his father’s footsteps. A Doctor Penrose had ushered Kendall’s father into the world. The man’s son had attended Kendall’s mother at both her births, had fought valiantly to save Weston and their mother. Adelaide had insisted on a London physician travelling out for Sophia’s birth. The man had stayed a week before their baby was born. And, for all his Edinburgh training and prestigious clientele, he had been unable to save Adelaide.
Kendall shook off the thoughts now as he accompanied Penrose to the new nursery. “Lady Kendall wanted Sophia closer,” he explained as he pointed him toward the door.
“Ah, yes, I meant to wish you happy,” the doctor said, inclining his head. His light brown hair swept his forehead, and he swiped it aside with one hand as Kendall opened the door to the nursery.
Sophia was on her feet on the rug, bouncing up and down, while Ivy held both hands. Something raced up Kendall, and he dashed into the room. “What are you doing?”
Sophia plopped down on her bottom and began to cry.
Ivy picked her up and straightened, face stern. “You frightened her.”
She’d frightened him, but he wasn’t about to admit that before the doctor.
“Examine her immediately,” he ordered Penrose. “She might have broken something.”
Doctor Penrose raised a brow, but he brought his black bag with him into the room and set it on a chair.
“Lady Kendall, allow me to introduce myself,” he said with a bow. “Matthias Penrose. I have the honor of being Lady Sophia’s physician.”
Ivy dipped a curtsey, for all the world as if he outranked her. Sophia’s cries ebbed away, and she wiggled in Ivy’s arms. Kendall recognized the movement now. She wanted Ivy to bounce up and down again.
“Sir,” Ivy said. “A pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard how important you have been to Lady Sophia’s life. Thank you for all you’ve done.”
Was that pink creeping into Penrose’s cheeks? The fellow acted positively smitten.
“I am delighted to be of service,” he assured her. He held out his arms. “If I may?”
Ivy surrendered Sophia into his grip and came to stand beside Kendall. He could feel the disapproval radiating off her, and he knew it wasn’t the physician who had displeased her.
“Forgive me,” he murmured. “I was just surprised.”
She nodded but said nothing. Still, her shoulders relaxed just the slightest.
Penrose bounced Sophia up and down in his arms, and she giggled at him. When he stopped, she pressed her legs against his stomach as if urging him to keep going.
He nodded with a smile. “An impressive improvement since I was here last. I estimate she’s gained at least a pound. And that rash you were concerned about on her face is gone.”
“I believe it may have been caused by excessive crying,” Ivy put in.
The physician nodded again. “Quite possible.”
“But is she healthy?” Kendall pressed.
“I’ll look closer, but I see no reason for concern at the moment,” Penrose assured him. “Tell me, what have you done differently?”
Kendall looked to Ivy.
“We started her on solids,” she explained. “Mashed vegetables. I thought to try porridge and then fruit next.”
“A sensible progression,” Doctor Penrose said, moving one finger in front of Sophia’s face. Her vivid blue eyes followed it as if wondering what he meant to do next.
“We are providing more things to interest her,” Ivy continued. “Taking her on walks about the house and the gardens.”
“Sunshine and fresh air have been known to help many an invalid,” he noted, stopping his finger under Sophia’s lips. She seized it and brought it toward her mouth.
“She has a tooth,” Ivy cautioned.
Penrose peered closer. “Indeed she does. That might explain the crying recently. How have you treated it?”
“A silk handkerchief dipped in cold water,” Ivy said.
Kendall waited for the dismay his former nurse had expressed. Penrose merely pulled his finger out of Sophia’s grip. “Very wise.”
He couldn’t be so sure. “What if she should swallow it?”
“So long as she is supervised, there is little danger.” Penrose took hold of Sophia’s arm. Kendall’s daughter yanked it back with a frown.
“Improved muscle strength as well, I see,” he mused. “Has she crawled yet?”
“No,” Ivy admitted. “But she’s trying.”
His smile widened. “Excellent. All good news.” He tugged on each leg in turn, and Sophia began making noises for all the world as if she was scolding him.
He offered her back to Ivy. “Well done, Lady Kendall. You are to be congratulated.”
Sophia blew bubbles at him and giggled. He laughed.
Kendall felt as if one of his ceremonial cloaks had been removed from his shoulders, allowing him an easy breath for the first time in a long time. But Ivy was not content.
“Then you see no reason why she may not sit on the carpet, attempt to crawl?” she asked him, turning her body from side to side as if dancing with Sophia.
“None at all,” he said. “With supervision, of course. I would not leave her alone in a room.”
Kendall raised his head. “Certainly not. She is attended at all times.”
“Excellent.” He went to pick up his bag, then bowed to Ivy. “Lady Kendall, until next time.”
“Sir.” Ivy didn’t curtsey this time, but her smile said she knew she’d made her case.
Kendall touched her arm. “You were right, I was wrong. Forgive me.”
Her smile sent him out of the room with a smile of his own.
He walked his family physician to the door. “I’m glad you approve this approach for Sophia. It is a weight off my mind.”
“This is the best course for your daughter,” Penrose assured him. “Can’t you see the changes in her?”
Kendall nodded. “Of course. I merely questioned the risk.”
“Risk of what?” Penrose stopped in the entry hall to eye him. “I heard nothing that said Lady Kendall was doing anything that might harm Lady Sophia.”
The doubts were already creeping closer, like thieves intent on stealing his joy. “And the solid food so soon? She has only one tooth. Not much to
chew with.”
“Not much need to chew,” Penrose countered. “Even the elderly and those lacking teeth are given mashes for nourishment. She cannot continue on gruel forever.”
There was that. “But is she strong enough for sitting, for crawling?” Kendall pressed. “She might damage her legs and arms permanently.”
Penrose peered into his face as if Kendall was the one ailing. “Every baby everywhere attempts to sit, crawl, stand, and eventually walk. These are achievements to celebrate, not prevent.”
“I’m not trying to prevent them,” Kendall protested. “I just don’t want to push her beyond her capability.”
“She is far more capable than you know,” Penrose assured him, straightening. “And that goes for your new wife as well. I have found many mothers who approach childrearing thoughtfully and logically, and I am encouraged by it. But you have a rare treasure in your wife, my lord. It is clear she dotes on your daughter.”
He had always considered Sophia his treasure. He had married Ivy to protect his child. But Penrose was right. Sophia wasn’t the only lady in this house who deserved his attentions. It was time he found a way to show Ivy how much he appreciated her.
So, over the next few days, he did his best to fall in line with Ivy’s advice concerning Sophia. If he reached for her every time she fell, that was only to be expected. He did not approach Mrs. Grunion about making sure the mash was smooth enough. He did not rearrange the furnishings in the nursery again. He encouraged Ivy and Sophia however he could, even if some part of him whispered he was turning the care of Adelaide’s daughter over to someone else.
Perhaps it was his renewed determination, perhaps his praise of Sophia and Ivy, but on Thursday, Ivy brought Sophia to the breakfast room with her. Until then, he and Ivy had taken their breakfasts separately, and Ivy showed no interest in joining him now. His daughter, however, eyed the food before Kendall as if wondering when she might have a taste. He was not ready for her to try eggs and kippered salmon, let alone the hot tea Travis was even now fetching.
“I have a task I must attend to this morning,” Ivy announced. “I wonder, would you watch Sophia for a couple of hours?”
“A task?” he asked, standing beside his chair as propriety demanded.
“Yes,” she said, and it was clear she had no intention of elaborating. “I could leave her with Becky, but I was under the impression you were less than satisfied with Becky’s performance earlier this week.”
The nursemaid simply didn’t understand what was at stake. Who better to care for his daughter while Ivy was busy than him? Besides, that might assuage some of the guilt he was feeling.
“Very well,” he agreed.
“Thank you.” Ivy transferred his daughter into his arms. “She has eaten and been changed. She likely won’t need a nap until I return. Simply take her with you in whatever you must do. She’ll enjoy the change of scenery.”
And Ivy left him.
Kendall looked at his daughter. His daughter looked at him. Travis came through the serving door at the back of the room, silver tray in his hands, and actually froze.
“Lady Sophia has breakfasted,” Kendall told him, returning to his seat and positioning Sophia on his lap. She reached for the eggs. Kendall pushed back the plate.
The footman set the tea a discreet distance away on the damask draped table.
“Do we have any more of those cinnamon buns we had for tea earlier this week?” Kendall asked him, reaching for his fork. Sophia grabbed a lock of his hair and tugged. He refused to wince.
His head footman’s face was its usual impassive mask, though his gaze flickered over the baby in Kendall’s lap. “I believe they have been consumed, your lordship, but I will let Mrs. Grunion know you enjoyed them.”
He’d enjoyed them immensely. The next hour, however, was challenging. He managed to finish eating with Sophia in his arms, only spilling a bit of the tea on the carpet when she put her finger in his ear. Leaving Travis to clean up the mess, he took his daughter for a walk about the corridors. How wise of his grandfather to make the house into a circle of sorts. He could have wandered for hours. But he did have some work he should attend to. Perhaps a few minutes in his study…
Were not to be expected. As soon as he sat behind his desk, Sophia reached for the quill pen. He moved it out of the way. He caught the ink stand before she could pull it over, wrestled Liverpool’s bills out of her grip before she could do more than leave a damp thumbprint, and pushed the sanding box to the other side of the polished walnut surface.
Sophia pouted.
“My lord,” Travis said from the doorway.
Kendall looked up, some part of him reaching as eagerly for relief. “Yes. Is Ivy looking for Sophia?”
“Not to my knowledge, my lord,” his footman said in his usual confident tone, gaze in the distance as if he hadn’t noticed the squirming mass of child in Kendall’s lap. “Sir Alexander has arrived from London. On a matter of some urgency, I gather. May I show him in?”
“Certainly,” Kendall said, leaning back in the chair behind his desk to keep Sophia from launching herself onto the surface. “And inform Mrs. Sheppard to see about a room for him tonight.”
“I believe he wishes to return to the City today, my lord.” Travis stepped closer and lowered his voice. “Would you like me to see to her ladyship while you converse?”
For a moment he thought his man meant Ivy, then he realized he was asking about Sophia. Kendall rose and hefted his daughter higher in his arms. “Thank you, Travis, but I believe myself capable of entertaining her ladyship for a while longer.”
Travis inclined his head, but that stiff back spoke of endless doubts. He returned immediately with the family’s solicitor.
Sir Alexander had served Kendall’s father faithfully and had continued in his role as legal advisor when Kendall had come into the title. He had been away serving the King of late, but his firm had continued managing Kendall’s affairs during that time. He strode into the room with considerable energy, black coattails rustling, and he only faltered a moment as his gaze fell on the baby in Kendall’s arms.
Sophia shrank closer to Kendall.
“Good morning, Alex,” he greeted him. “May I make you known to a particularly fine young lady?”
Alex ventured closer, as if not at all sure Sophia wouldn’t bite. “I would be honored.”
Kendall looked down at his daughter, who gazed up at him, blue eyes unblinking. “Sophia, this is Sir Alexander. You can trust him with all your secrets.”
Sophia blew bubbles.
As she laughed, Alex recoiled. “Where did she learn that?”
“She discovered it all on her own,” Kendall said, feeling an absurd sense of pride in the fact. “Ivy says it will be some time before she tires of it.”
“Ah, the new Lady Kendall,” his solicitor said, straightening. “I heard congratulations were in order.”
Kendall nodded him into one of the leather-bound chairs on that side of the desk and went to take the other, making Sophia comfortable in his lap. She set about examining the buttons on his paisley waistcoat. “Thank you, and welcome back.”
The solicitor inclined his head. “It seems there have been quite a few changes while I was away.”
“Nothing vital, that I recall,” Kendall said. “I did little with our investments. I’ve been too busy with other matters to even review your staff’s work.”
Alex’s eyes glittered. “So I was informed. Tell me about your bride. Another love match, I gather.”
The chair felt harder than he remembered. He’d have to see about replacing it. “Lady Kendall and I are reasonably happy.” He shifted Sophia as she tried to bring one of his buttons to her mouth.
“And you have cause to be,” Alex assured him. “A very presentable young woman, I hear. She must be delighted to have garnered such a catch, not an easy feat from her position.”
Kendall stiffened, and Sophia looked up at him with a frown. “She is the s
ister of a baronet.”
“Sister to the Beast of Birmingham,” Alex corrected him with a tut. “I heard distressing rumors about that family’s ability to crawl up into Society.”
Kendall kept his face polite from long practice. “Ivy Bateman did not marry me to further herself. I had to beg her to accept my proposal.”
Sophia seemed to sense the annoyance in his tone, for her little face began to pucker. He bounced her gently on his knee, and her smile returned. Would that he could find his calm so easily.
“And yet, the gossips have it she allowed herself to be compromised.”
Kendall opened his mouth, and Alex waved a hand. “You need not deny it. You are the talk of London. And I am kept informed by the Runner who investigated matters for your father.”
Kendall frowned. “I requested no investigation.”
Alex inclined his head. “That is my role as your man of affairs. My apologies if my staff overstepped themselves in my absence. I was not pleased with them for failing to draw up the marriage arrangements to protect you, though it sounds as if we need not worry your new bride will spend every penny of your inheritance, given your faith in her.”
Kendall realized his leg was jiggling Sophia up and down perhaps more vigorously than was wise and slowed its pace. “I assure you, you will have no suspicions once you meet her. I know I have encouraged you in plain speaking, Alex, and I thank you for your concern, but Ivy poses no danger to me.”
His solicitor leaned back in his chair. “Then she won’t mind signing the agreements after the fact.”
“Not at all,” Kendall said, switching Sophia to his other knee. “Draw up what you think best. Just ensure that it includes a generous dower settlement for Ivy and decent dowries for her sisters Miss Daisy Bateman and Miss Petunia Bateman.”
Alex’s firm jaw looked harder than the chair. “Then she’s already won concessions from you.”
“On the contrary. I offered the terms to her.” Sophia caught his button, and he twisted to prevent her from biting it. He would have to talk to Ivy about this fascination.
Alex was no less fixated. “It wasn’t enough you were making her a marchioness?”