His dark brows came together. “Papa, do you love Miss Quinn?”
I blinked, then laughed. “How did you know?”
“Josephine told us. She knows these things because of the books she reads. At least that’s what she said.”
“Well, she’s right.”
“She never tries to make me be anything but myself,” Theo said.
“How would you feel if I married Miss Quinn?”
“I’d feel happy. Have you asked her?”
“Not properly. But I plan to.”
Theo smiled. “She has to say yes, Papa. There’s no one else in the whole world as good as you.”
I kissed his forehead to hide the tears that sprang to my eyes. “You’re pretty good yourself.”
Lizzie and Mrs. Wu were in the kitchen feeding Fiona, Li, and Fai a lunch of potato soup and bread.
“Hi, Papa,” Fiona said from the table. “I’m having lunch with my new friends.”
“I can see that.” I kissed the top of her head.
“After this Lizzie said we could go out and see Harley in the barn.”
“I can help with the chores, Lord Barnes,” Li said.
“Thank you, young man,” I said. “But when you’re feeling well enough, I’d like you to go to school with the others.”
Li looked at his bowl of soup. “I won’t know anything.”
“Miss Cooper will teach you what you need to know.”
“Will they call me bad names?” Li asked.
“No. Miss Cooper would never allow that.”
“Calling someone a mean name is mean,” Fiona said.
I chuckled and rumpled her hair. “Yes, it is.
“Now I have to go into town. I’m picking up a present.”
“For me?” Fiona asked.
“No, pet. For Miss Quinn. I’ve had a new coat made for her and it’s ready.”
From the island where she smashed cloves of garlic, Lizzie twittered. “There’s no saving you now.”
“That, Lizzie, is the absolute truth.”
Chapter 27
Quinn
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