Read Online The Letter by Sandra Owens - Free Book Online Page B

have escaped our plates.”
    Oh, lord, she had forgotten the footman. This story would be spread throughout the household. But Michael didn’t seem to be concerned, so she put it out of her mind.
    “Now, I believe it’s time for a game of marbles before bedtime,” Michael said and led them to the parlor.
    ****
    Stretched out on the floor with Jamie, Michael showed him the game of Taw. It had been years since he shot marbles, but he had once been very good at it. He formed a ring with some of the marbles and explained the game.
    “Your objective is to shoot the marbles out of the ring.” He handed one to Jamie. “I’ll go first to show you, and then you take a few practice shots before we start the game.”
    Michael watched Diana from the corner of his eye. The tension that had been a part of her for the past two days seemed to have lessened. He didn’t know what made him understand what she was about when he saw her sliding her hand toward the bread. Perhaps it was the furtive way she was going about it that made him realize what she was thinking. He had repeatedly promised her with words that she was safe with him, but how could he have guessed that all he needed to do to prove it was to give her a piece of bread to throw?
    When she had given a rusty little burst of laughter, he had wanted to stand up, applaud and yell encore. How long had it been since she had laughed? He thought the answer to that might break his heart.
    Jamie knocked his first marble out of the ring and Michael tousled his hair. “Good show, my boy. Now, let’s see if you can best me.”
    He played with Jamie for an hour amidst laughter and challenges with some good-natured wrestling thrown in. And though Diana sat as still as a statue while watching, several times he caught sight of the beginnings of a smile on her face. The answer to helping her came to him. Small steps. A little nudge here and there, gently guiding her back to the living. If he pushed too hard, she would shut down and withdraw back into herself.
    Small steps. It wasn’t what he had planned. He had thought to leave the two of them at the lodge, remove himself to Draven Park, and visit Jamie for a few hours now and then. Changing his strategy meant staying here, not to mention a longer delay in returning to London. How would Serena react to that?
    It might be best to make a quick trip next week and spend a day or two with her. She could be tenacious when she wanted something. She would track him down if he didn’t make an appearance soon. A visit should appease her, but it would mean more lies. That part of his new plan didn’t settle well.
    After one last bout of wrestling, Michael threw himself onto his back, arms outstretched. “You have done me in, lad.”
    “Can we play again tomorrow?”
    “If you wish it, but for now, would you like your mother and me to see you off to bed?”
    Jamie gave his mother a hopeful look. She smiled and stood. Michael took one of Jamie’s hands and waited for Diana to take his other. Walking up the stairs with their possible son between them, a deep sense of contentment settled in Michael’s heart. A dangerous thought, one he pushed away.
    Once they had Jamie tucked into his bed, Michael kissed his forehead and left the room, allowing them a few private moments. He leaned against the wall in the hallway and waited for her to emerge.
    Ten minutes passed and he wondered what they were talking about, wondered if he was the subject of their conversation. He had closed the door behind him when he left, so he couldn’t hear anything. Diana finally emerged and he pushed away from the wall.
    She stopped. “Oh, you are still here.”
    “Yes, I am still here. The thought occurred to me that you needed help unbuttoning your gown.” A look of fear crossed her face. “Be at ease. I have no intentions other than to assist you with your buttons.”
    Her distress didn’t diminish with his words of assurance. He held out his hand. “Put your hand