The Bridal Contract (Darrington family Book 3) by Sandra Sookoo Read Free Book Online

her own carefree childhood and playing and all the games she and her siblings engaged in. Her heart lurched. A child should never need to worry about food or having a roof over their head. She urged Daniela closer to Oliver. Besides, if they made friends, the girl wouldn’t cry and would leave the neighborhood in peace. “This is,” she swallowed, hoping to alleviate her suddenly dry throat, “the Captain. He’s going to take care of you.”
    “Botheration. That seems too formal for a child,” Oliver interjected.
    What a difficult man. “All right then. You may call him Oliver.”
    “He is Oliver.” She stared at him with her dark gaze then slowly nodded. “Can I play?”
    Eloisa had a hard time containing her amusement. “Yes, darling, but let’s find your room first, shall we?”
    “Um, the house isn’t fitted to receive a child. I’m afraid there is no room prepared.”
    “Tsk, tsk.” She peered at Oliver, who looked back with an expression of consternation. “If we get her settled, she won’t be underfoot all the time and you’ll have time to think,” she said softly in a sing-song voice.
    “Do you have to be so damned efficient and practical?” His voice was little more than a growl as he led the way out of the parlor.
    A laugh escaped before she could recall it. “I don’t have to be, but I find it’s infinitely easier to accomplish my goals if everyone around me is properly content enough that I don’t need to stop what I’m doing and fix their problems.” She adjusted her grip on Daniela’s hand, and when the girl didn’t walk fast enough, she picked her up. “Come on, poppet. Perhaps the housekeeper can guide us since it seems Oliver hasn’t a clue.”
    A scant half hour later saw Daniela happily bouncing on a bed that had been dressed with a white counterpane trimmed with crocheted eyelet lace. Some of the toys scattered about the gleaming hardwood were slightly worn, but the girl had already played with two of the dolls.
    The housekeeper smiled. “Those toys were in storage and used to belong to the viscount’s sisters. I don’t see the harm in letting this wee one play with them.”
    “You’re a gem. Thank you.” Eloisa nodded at the woman. “Will you keep an eye on her? I need to return home, and I’m sure the viscount needs to make arrangements since his world has been set on its ear.”
    “My pleasure, miss.” The woman nodded. “It’s been too long since I’ve had little ones to mind. It’ll bring back nice memories, especially since none of the Darrington brood has started families.”
    Oliver groaned. “Not you too, Susan. You’re as bad as Mother.” He left the room in a huff.
    Eloisa glanced at the housekeeper. “If something goes horribly wrong and you cannot quiet the girl, I’m just next door. Come fetch me and I’ll try to sooth the situation.”
    “Very well, miss. I did think it awful scandalous having the girl under this roof, but the more I think of it now, the more I know she needs to be here. She’ll settle the viscount. You just watch.”
    I don’t know about that, but there are worse pairings. She nodded, thanked the woman again then followed Oliver back to the parlor. He paced the length of the room, his hair sticking up in even more angles than it had before. “I assume your mother is most anxious for her children to wed?”
    He turned and pinned her with a baleful glance. “Always. Just this morning, in the midst of the upheaval Daniela’s arrival brought, I received a letter from my dear parent.” He shoved a hand through his hair. “She has the gall to summon me to London when I’ve barely gotten settled here. She’s having a dinner party and says Felix and Charlotte will be in attendance.”
    “This is a bad thing? Do you not wish to spend time with your siblings?” She couldn’t resist baiting him. There was something about him that appealed to her sense of humor.
    “No, it’s not that.” Oliver resumed his pacing. On