“We would find that acceptable.” Emily Belford spoke as a queen, granting an audience to commoners.
Nate rose from the settee and deposited Julia-Rose in Emily’s lap. The older woman stiffened, and Julia-Rose, sensing the tension, let out with a wail. She twisted in Emily’s lap, and put her arms out. “Mama!”
Mrs. Belford began jiggling the baby, which only made her throw her little body back and cry harder.
“Here, I’ll take her,” Angel said. “She’s sometimes fussy when she wakes up from her nap.”
Mrs. Belford smoothed out her skirts. “Where are the boys?”
“I’ll go round them up.” Angel made her escape to the kitchen where Nate had gone. She found him staring out the window with his hands in his pockets.
She settled the now quiet Julia-Rose on her hip and pulled at Nate’s sleeve.
“What will I serve for supper?”
“What did you plan?” He continued to stare at the boys racing around the yard.
“I have a pot of beans and ham that Mrs. Darby set up yesterday before she left. But that isn’t appropriate for company.” She chewed her lip.
“It’s fine for company, honey. Don’t get all upset over this.”
She shifted the baby to her other hip and gave the beans a quick stir. “Your mother-in-law wants to see the boys.”
“She’s not my mother-in-law,” Nate snapped. “I’ll get the boys and send them in.” He stalked from the room.
Soon, four boys charged through the back door, but slowed down when they entered the parlor.
Nate took money from a cup over the sink. “I’ll go to the bakery and get a fresh loaf of bread, and see if Mrs. Fenwick has any pies left.”
“Oh, thank you so much,” Angel said, relieved. “I’ll set the table.” As he turned to go out, she grabbed his arm. “Do we have a tablecloth and napkins?”
“I think Amy kept that stuff in the bottom drawer in the hall cabinet.”
She put Julia-Rose in her chair, tied the strap and handed her a cookie. A search of the chest Nate had indicated revealed a lovely, pale blue linen tablecloth with ten matching napkins, all ironed and neatly folded. Well, it appears things weren’t always in such a muddle here.
One more chair from the boys’ bedroom completed the nine places at the dining room table. Although a little crowded, the tablecloth and napkins gave it a more ‘special’ look.
As she sped by the parlor, she glimpsed the four boys standing at attention, being questioned by the Belfords. Mark stood with his head down, worrying the button on his shirt. The twins were practically glued to each other, holding hands. Nobody looked happy. It wasn’t her place to interfere, so she continued with supper preparations.
Nate entered through the back door, juggling packages.
“Mrs. Fenwick had a loaf of bread just coming out of the oven, so it’s nice and hot. She had only two pies left, sweet potato and dried apple, so I bought both.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful. That will really help.” She rushed around the kitchen, heat rising to her face as her heart did a rat-a-tat-tat. A moan escaped as she glanced through the window. “Oh no. The wash is still hanging out.”
“Whoa, slow down.” Nate grabbed her flying apron strings. He pulled her into his arms and gave her a quick kiss. “Calm down, honey, it’s only supper.”
She licked her lips, nodded quickly, and wrenched away, continued to open and close cabinet doors, looking for serving dishes. In a few minutes, all was ready, and she sent Nate into the parlor to ask everyone to come to the table.
Mr. Belford looked at the table and pursed his lips. Mrs. Belford sniffed and took the seat Nate held out for her. Angel helped the boys into their seats, and then ran to the pantry for the butter. Nate squeezed her hand and led her to a seat. He then sat at the head of the table, and bowed his head.
After the prayer, Mrs. Belford glared in Nate’s direction. “That wasn’t the Catholic blessing you just said.”
“Very observant, Emily.” Nate picked up a piece of bread and buttered it.
“Why not?” Mr. Belford said.
Nate put his bread down, and looked directly at the man. “Because my family goes to the local Methodist church. And that’s the blessing we use.”