Darling Jasmine by Bertrice Small Read Free Book Online Page B

“The king has commanded it.”
    â€œDo you love our mother?” India queried. “Our father loved our mother very much, and she he. I wish that Irisher had not killed our father, my lord. I miss him very much.”
    â€œI am surprised that you remember him, my lady India. You were very small when he died,” the earl remarked.
    â€œI remember a big golden man taking me up, kissing me, and tickling me,” India said. “Henry does not remember him at all, being so new when our father was killed. Mama tells us stories of our father.”
    Suddenly Feathers, the family spaniel, barked sharply and scampered to the entry of the hall, leaping upon Jasmine’s skirts until she picked the small dog up.
    â€œHush, you little brute,” she gently scolded, and greeted them. “Good morrow, my darlings. I see you have already greeted our guest. Good morning, my lord.” She moved into the hall to join them.
    James Leslie rose, and, kissing her hand, said, “Good morning, madame. I trust that you slept well.” He escorted her to the highboard, where the servants were beginning to lay out the morning meal. “Come, children. You may join your mother and me this morning.”
    Lady Fortune Lindley, who was four and a half years of age, tugged upon her mother’s skirts, and when Jasmine looked down the child said, “Is this my father, Mama?”
    Before Jasmine might answer, James Leslie said, “Nay, child. You have the same father as your brother and sister, but I would be a father to you if you will permit me. To all of you.”
    â€œDo you have any little boys and girls of your own?” India questioned him.
    â€œI did once,” James Leslie said, and his face grew sad.
    â€œIndia!” Her mother admonished her, but India spoke again.
    â€œWhere are they, my lord? Where are your little boys and girls? Will they come to play with us when you are our father, too?”
    â€œMy children, ma petite, are in heaven with their mother, and your papa,” James Leslie told the little girl. “They have been gone a long time now. So long I cannot even remember their faces,” he concluded sadly. Drawing out a chair, he seated Jasmine first, then her two little daughters. “In future, Henry, when you are allowed to take your meals at the highboard, you will seat your mother thusly,” the earl told the boy, deftly changing the subject.
    â€œYes, sir,” the lad replied.
    Jasmine was astounded. It had dawned upon her almost immediately that her children were speaking English again not just to the earl of Glenkirk, but to each other as well. They were dressed respectably and had shoes upon their feet. They were, in fact, being very polite. She hadn’t seen them like this in months.
    â€œTheir table manners will need improvement,” the earl said to her in an aside, then he turned to admonish them gently to pass the bread to each other when they desired some and not to tear off a chunk and toss it down the table.
    Jasmine had a strong desire to giggle at this, but she managed to refrain from it. In a sense it disturbed her that her children had taken so readily to James Leslie. She felt almost jealous. Yet on another level she knew it was better they like their stepfather, and he they, than have an antagonistic relationship. The little ones did not have to know how she and the earl felt about one another. James Leslie was obviously a good influence upon Henry, India, and Fortune, judging by what she had seen this morning. She had to admit, although she did so silently and reluctantly, that an authoritative male figure in her household was possibly not a bad thing for her children. Absently she fed the small dog in her lap a bit of ham, patting Feathers as he licked her fingers.
    â€œHe is quite spoiled, I see,” the earl remarked.
    â€œRowan gave him to me when he was only a puppy. He was a birthday gift when I was eighteen,”