Drops of Gold Read Online Free Page B

protest. “Perhaps when no one else is present.”
    Caroline nodded eagerly. “What should I call you?”
    That was a good question. If she were a nursemaid, which would be more fitting, she would probably be called Mary. As a governess, she would be Miss Wood. But Caroline was so young and so obviously lonely.
    “Perhaps ‘Mary’ would do when there is no one else around. But Miss Wood otherwise.”
    “I like you, Mary.” Caroline smiled so brightly, Marion had to smile back.
    “And I like you, Caroline.”
    “You will stay, won’t you?” Caroline looked quite intensely at Marion. “You won’t run away?”
    “Why would I run away?” Marion asked with a slight smile.
    “All the others did.” Caroline was perfectly serious.
    As Caroline ate her breakfast, Marion pondered her words. All the others ran away. Ran away. Why would Caroline believe her other nurses, for surely that was who she kept referring to, had fled and not simply left? And what exactly would have driven them away?
    Curious. Very curious.

Chapter Four
    After three days on the road, Layton desperately wanted to be home. He’d opted to ride from Newark-on-Trent. A few hours on horseback was precisely what he needed after the confinement of the carriage.
    As he approached Farland Meadows, the scent of pine hung heavy in the air, an aroma he would always associate with his childhood. It was strongest at that time of the year since everything else was stripped bare by the cold of winter.
    Bridget had left him in the summer when the smell of flowers mingled with grasses and herbs, when one scent was impossible to distinguish from the rest. So many aromas were now associated with her. Pine was one of the few that did not immediately bring to mind that horrific summer. It made Farland Meadows bearable. Pines and Caroline.
    As he turned onto the carriageway that led to his home, Layton heard a squeal, a childish, delighted squeal. His mouth turned up ever so slightly. Caroline. Layton pressed his mount to a fast trot. He’d missed her terribly. She was the sunshine in his dark existence.
    As he emerged from the thicket of trees surrounding the carriageway, a second squeal met his ears, followed by the most wonderful sound he could imagine.
    “Papa!”
    In less than a moment, Layton dismounted and wrapped his gelding’s reins around an obliging branch. Two long blonde braids beneath a knitted woolen cap bounced across the snow-covered lawn toward him. Smiling as only his little angel could make him, Layton held his arms out and scooped Caroline off her feet, her joyful giggles filling his ears.
    “Papa, you’re home!”
    He laughed. “Of course I am, dearest. I told you I would be.”
    “I am better now, Papa.” She smiled, her dimples deep and charming. “Not a single spot.”
    “Not a single spot.” He mimicked her declaration with a chuckle and tapped her wee nose. “Grammy missed you and wished you could have come.”
    “And Flip?” Caroline’s enormous blue eyes grew ever larger.
    “And Flip,” Layton acknowledged. “And Corbo and Chasin’. Stanby. Charming.” Caroline’s butchered versions of his brothers’ names had always been endearing.
    “Holy Harry?” She smiled wider.
    “You know he doesn’t like to be called that.” Layton pulled her closer, loving the smell of childhood that always surrounded her.
    “You and Flip call him that,” Caroline reminded him.
    Layton set Caroline on her feet once more. “We shouldn’t, but Flip is a troublemaker.”
    Caroline giggled and slipped her tiny hand inside his. He readily admitted he was a doting father. He couldn’t imagine being anything else.
    “What have you done while I was gone?” he asked.
    “We have had ever so much fun.” Caroline’s gaze wandered from him. She giggled and squealed then pulled her hand free of his. “Mary!” she called out as she laughed and ran back into the yard.
    Layton stood empty-handed and confused. Caroline was usually so clingy