She shrugged. “It’s merely an assumption I made.”
What was he supposed to say? Through his own stupidity, his children were mother
less. His inability to solve the problem with his staff left him questioning his own sanity, cursing his inadequacy. They were pathetic reasons.
In a bid to find a distraction, he sat up and began rearranging the plates and packing them away in the basket. Rose handed him her cutlery, and their fingers brushed.
Christian stilled.
Rose took the cutlery and placed it in the basket and then touched his hand. “You can tell me what troubles you. Your secret will never pass from my lips.”
The warmth of her hand penetrated his skin. He was so used to being alone. So used to partaking in silent conversations. Besides, he wouldn’t know where to begin.
“You have your own problems to deal with without worrying about mine.”
“Currently, your problems are mine.” Her hand slipped from his, and he felt cold to his bones once again. “I want to do everything I can to make the children happy.”
The words ‘while I’m here’ hung in the air despite never being said.
“O-only the children?”
She swallowed visibly and struggled to hold his gaze. “Shouldn’t a governess concern herself with the well-being of her charges?”
“Of course.” He nodded. “Of course.”
They continued packing the basket in silence. Rose looked at him numerous times beneath hooded lids. He supposed he should have said something but how did one explain the strange occurrences without sounding like a candidate for Bedlam? And no man wanted a woman to see him as weak, particularly not one as beguiling as Rose.
Thankfully, Alice came bounding up. “Can we play the scarf game?”
“Have you had enough of climbing trees?” Christian couldn’t help but smile. His daughter’s cheerful countenance always brought him a modicum of comfort.
Jacob joined them. “I’m too short to reach the boughs, and Alice wants us all to play together.”
Rose sighed. “But we didn’t think to bring a scarf.”
“What about using my cravat?” Christian sat up on his knees and fiddled with the knot. He’d do anything to prolong their outing. The house reminded him of everything wrong with his life. “It’s thin enough and easy to tie.”
“If you’re sure you don’t mind.” Rose studied his fingers as they worked the knot.
Once undone he tugged one end, and the silk slipped from around his neck. “The question now is who will go first.”
Rose’s gaze fell to the base of his throat, and absently she moistened her lips. “Perhaps you should. I know I’d like an opportunity to prod and poke you.” She laughed but then caught herself. “What I mean is it will amuse me to watch you wander about, helpless.”
A man didn’t need to wear a blindfold to feel helpless in Rose’s company.
Jacob tied the cravat around Christian’s head, and Rose came up behind him to inspect the knot. “We must make sure he cannot peek.”
The feel of her hand brushing his hair was almost his undoing. They pulled him to his feet and led him away from the picnic blanket. All three of them twirled him around until his head could no longer keep up with his body.
Alice giggled. “Come and catch us, Papa.”
Just like the game he’d witnessed yesterday, they took it in turns to pat his arms. One did not need to be a genius to identify the culprits. Alice tickled, Jacob stabbed and prodded, and Rose brushed her fingers over his arm and across his back. He caught the hitch in her breath whenever she came near.
“Watch the lake, Papa,” Alice cried. “You’re too close to the water.”
“Don’t worry,” Rose laughed, her breathless pants evidence she was running. “We won’t let you fall—” Her high-pitched scream pierced the air.
“Rose! Rose,” Alice cried. “Papa. Help.”