The Promise by Kate Worth Page B

losing a child. “Then you are the only one who could possibly comprehend how I feel.”
    “I am sorry for what you are going through,” the duchess said.
    “I will recover,” Jane lifted her chin. “I’ll always be grateful for the time I’ve spent with Pip. She is a special child. If we allow ourselves to be guided by what is best for her, then everything will come out well in the end. I would like to rejoin Pip now if I may. I imagine you have things to discuss amongst yourselves.”
     
     
    JANE WAS ALMOST ASLEEP on her feet as she followed the duchess to the chamber she would share with Pip. Two nightgowns were laid out at the end of the bed, a small frilly pink confection for Pip and an embroidered cotton night rail for Jane. She wondered if a servant had been dispatched to purchase the garments, or if they had belonged to Maura at various stages of her life.
    The bed linens had been changed, the room dusted and aired out. A trunk full of toys had been placed in the corner. After making sure Jane would also stay, Pip was thrilled by the idea of spending the night at Carlisle House.
    “This was your other mother’s room when she was a girl,” Jane explained as she snuggled up with Pip on the down-filled mattress. She drew the silk counterpane over them both.
    “My other mama grew up in this house?” Pip asked. “She slept in this bed? And the toys were hers, too?”
    “Yes. They are yours now. Isn’t that wonderful?” Jane asked.
    “Oh yes,” Pip said breathlessly. “Everything is so beautiful, Mama. I would feel like a princess if I lived here.”
    “This could be your home, Poppet. Your uncles and grandmother love you. They told me they want you to live here with them.”
    Pip smiled. “Live here?”
    “Yes. As you said, like a princess. The Duke has the most beautiful carriage to take you shopping and the park is only a block away. You could play there every day if you wanted. And you never had a grandmother before. Grandmothers are wonderful; I remember mine used to dote on me. I bet the duchess would dress you like her very own little doll with pretty clothes and hats and gloves. What do you think? Would you like to live here?” Jane painted a picture that would appeal to any little girl.
    “I wouldn’t live at Sugarmann’s?” she asked with a frown.
    “No. Carlisle House would be your home.”
    “And would you live here with me?”
    “No, but I’d visit as often as I could.”
    “I don’t want to live here then! I will live with you and visit my new family here.”
    “Shhh. Everything will work out in the end, you’ll see. I have to work in the morning. Would you like to spend the day with your grandmother?”
    Pip hesitated. “You won’t be here?”
    “No, but I’ll come to see you as soon as I’m done at the bakery. Will you be all right until then? I promise you’ll have more fun with her. It’ll be a grand adventure and you have this big house to explore. When I come, you can tell me all about it. What do you say?”
    She thought about it for a minute then smiled. “I think that would be fun.”
    “It’s set, then! I’ll be gone in the morning when you wake up, but I’ll return as soon as I can. Sweet dreams, Poppet.”
    “Sweet dreams, Mama.”
    Outside the door the duchess exchanged a thoughtful look with her sons. They realized two things. The first was that Miss Gray was an ally. The second was that they would have to take things slowly.
     

 
     
    Chapter Six
     
     
    Jane’s internal clock did not fail her. She had awakened before dawn for years and her body recognized five o’clock on a cellular level. She slipped from between the covers, tucked them around Pip, and dressed quickly.
    The household was silent when she padded down the stairs and made her way to the entry hall. There was no one in the foyer, but as soon as she reached the front door, Peckham materialized seemingly from thin air.
    “Good morning, Miss Gray,” he said. “May I offer you