Nina Coombs Pykare by Dangerous Decision Page A

like Miss Pierce,” he said. “And I like to play ball.”
    “You do?” Constance was obviously intrigued by this. “Papa used to like it, too.”
    “Perhaps he will again,” Edwina suggested, almost holding her breath for fear the library door would burst open and he’d come out, refuting the lie.
    Constance nodded happily. It was clear she had already come to believe in Edwina’s power to change things for the better. Pray God she would not be disappointed. “That would be nice,” Constance said. “But oh please, Miss Pierce, may we go out now? Please?”
    Edwina smiled. “Yes, Constance. We’re going now.” The sooner they were outside, away from the library, the better.
    This time the viscount turned to Edwina. “Miss Pierce, I have a favor to ask. May I join you in the courtyard?”
    In her anxiety to get outdoors she found it impossible to deny him, especially as she could feel Constance tugging eagerly at her hand and her ears were ever alert for the opening of the library door. “Yes,” she said. “If you like.”
    The viscount gave her a devilish grin. “I should like considerably, Miss Pierce. Life here is extremely dull. In spite of ghosts and curses, dull, dull, dull. You cannot imagine how dull, being here so long with only the earl and Lady Leonore for company. The earl has been lost in his grief and the lady ...” The viscount shrugged delicately in a motion that effectively dismissed the lady.
    Edwina nodded in assent. Living with the gloomy brooding earl and the frosty Leonore must certainly have been an affliction for a man of Crawford’s sociable nature. Surely it would have been most unkind of her to exclude him from any cheerful activities that might go on in such grim surroundings. Besides, she enjoyed his company, and with the girls along there could be no danger in allowing herself to have such company.
    So they moved on, at last, toward the front door. Lady Leonore came around a corner and passed them, going toward the stairs, but she didn’t in any way acknowledge Edwina. That was not so remarkable—that she should give the governess what in London they called the cut direct—but the lady didn’t speak to her nieces either. In fact, she didn’t even send the viscount a hard look. With head held high, she sailed on, apparently oblivious to them all.
    When the viscount turned to Edwina and winked, she was hard put not to laugh outright. And she couldn’t prevent herself from smiling back at him. The man did enliven the gloomy old castle. There was no denying that.
    “I will join you shortly,” the viscount said just before they reached the door. “I need to speak to Mrs. Simpson about a change in the lunch menu.” And he motioned to the housekeeper to follow him a little way down the hall.
    Wiggins, who was puttering about the hall, looked surprised to see the girls so soon after breakfast. But Edwina believed she saw the beginnings of a smile on his wrinkled face. “This morning we’re going out to play,” she announced.
    Wiggins nodded. “The side courtyard might be best, miss.” He eyed the ball that Constance clutched. “The paving stones there be still clear of weeds. Mostly. There be flowers, too. Some few as I kin keep weeded. You might enjoy to pick some.”
    Edwina smiled at this token of acceptance. “Thank you, Wiggins, I shall.”
    The viscount joined them again and as the little party made its way to the side courtyard, she felt a bit of happiness bubbling within her. The summer day was beautiful—the sun just warm enough to feel good without causing discomfort, the sky a deep azure blue. It was good simply to be alive. Having a full belly was a great aid to enjoying life, she thought. And the earl hadn’t come out to spoil their fun by ordering them inside again either.
    When they reached the courtyard, Constance squealed with delight. Even Henrietta, though her steps remained sedate, seemed to have softened in her carriage. Her back, which had been