Even now, as she laid with the grass pricking her skin through the fabric of her borrowed yellow dress, she found herself lost in the life of the protagonist.

Putting the book aside, she glanced up just in time to catch Ellie trying to put a leaf in her mouth.

“Ellie!” She sprang to her feet, the book falling to the grass as she raced to the infant who was now chewing on the leaf. “I take my eyes off of you for a few seconds and you're off eating grass!” She scolded, leaning down to wrestle the leaf from the infant's hands.

Visibly upset, Ellie let out a loud cry.

She sighed. “This just goes to say how hungry you must be. Here, let's go in and get dinner.”

Gathering the wailing child into her arms, she turned and began making her way back to the mansion.

Once inside, she made her way to the nursery and placed Ellie on the changing table. Turning to the armoire, she found a clean diaper and dress. Once she had succeeded in changing Ellie, she lifted her off of the changing table and turned to leave the room, pausing in her tracks when the door was suddenly pushed open to reveal Ethan.

Shocked, she stood still for several seconds as she stared at the stranger who stood staring back at her with a slight frown on his face. It seemed to her that not very much had changed about him since he disappeared several days ago —he still looked very displeased to see her— but his hair seemed to have grown an inch below his ears and what appeared to be several days worth of beard covered his once clean shaven chin —he was handsome. She hated herself for admiring his physically appealing features, but she couldn't help it, neither could she help the burning sensation that was most likely turning her entire face red as he stood watching her.

Glancing down, she stared at her feet, embarrassed.

“I have only just returned from an urgent journey.” He finally spoke.

She shook her head. “There is no need for an explanation, Lord Williams. I suppose you're free to disappear whenever it is you please,” she said, unable to keep the edge from her voice; she was suddenly irritated by his complete neglect of his daughter and while she had half the mind to give him a scolding, she convinced herself that it wasn't her place. She was an employee after all, and she wasn't the one who had been abandoned, it was Ellie. The irresponsible father owed his daughter an apology. Perhaps she couldn't force him to apologize, but she could force him to spend some time with his daughter.

Straightening, she let out a soft sigh and raised her eyes to his frowning face. “I was just about to get Ellie her dinner but with your presence, I guess dinner can wait for a few more minutes.” She forced a smile and walked over to where he stood by the door, his eyes searching hers. “Here,” she placed Ellie in his arms. “I'll leave you two alone now.”