Ruby (Landry 1)

So, how did you sleep?" he asked as I took my seat. "Wonderfully. It's the most comfortable bed

I've ever been in. I felt like I was sleeping on a

cloud!"

He smiled.

"Gisselle wants me to buy her a new mattress.

She claims hers is too hard, but if I get one any softer,

she'll sink to the floor," he added, and we both laughed. I wondered if he had heard her come in and

knew she had just returned from the ball. "Hungry?" "Yes," I said. My stomach was rumbling. He hit

a bell and Edgar appeared from the kitchen.

"You've met Edgar, correct?" he asked. "Oh, yes. Good morning, Edgar," I said. He

bowed

"Good morning, mademoiselle."

"Edgar, have Nina prepare some of her

blueberry pancakes for Mademoiselle Ruby, please.

You'd like that, I expect?"

"Yes, thank you," I said. My father nodded

toward Edgar. "Very good, sir," Edgar said, and

smiled at me.

"Some orange juice? It's freshly squeezed," my

father said, reaching for the pitcher.

"Yes, thank you."

"I don't think Daphne needs to worry about

your manners. Grandmere Catherine did a fine job,"

he complimented. I couldn't help but shift my eyes

away for a moment at the mention of Grandmere. "I

bet you miss her a great deal."

"Yes, I do."

"No one can replace someone you love, but I

hope I can fill some of the emptiness I know is in your heart," he said. "Well," he continued, sitting back, "Daphne is going to sleep late this morning, too." He winked. "And we know Gisselle will sleep away most of the day. Daphne says she'll take you shopping midafternoon. So that leaves just the tw

o of us to spend the morning and lunch. How would you like me