It was a small show of kindness, but it went straight to her heart and made a home for itself there.

He turned back around and lifted his eyes to the dark sky.

A small smile settled on her face as she turned back around. She made to enter the building, when she heard it. It was a low whisper, but she heard him loud and clear when he said, “Good night, Miss Riverside."

With her smile spreading across her face, she made her way back to the nursery, where she had a good night.

Chapter Eleven

Ethan waited until Gretchen was seated comfortably with Elizabeth in her lap, before resuming his position on his chair.

"I assume you had a good night?" He began, observing her as she focused her attention on trying to keep Elizabeth from grabbing a fork.

"I did, Lord Williams, thank you." She turned briefly to him, holding the fork in her hand. "But we all know Ellie is an early riser." She sighed.

He smiled. "You seem tired, Miss Riverside."

"Ellie is a dear and while I would like to sound like the perfect nanny..." Gretchen frowned as Elizabeth struggled to retrieve the fork from her. Turning to him, she held the fork out to him and he took it. “Lord Williams, would you fire me if I admit to being worn out?" Her eyes pleaded.

He chuckled. "You are an excellent nanny, Miss Riverside and better than that, you're the only nanny who's willing to stay. I shall be going into town for supplies, would you like to come along?" The words made their way out of his mouth before he could even stop them.

It had been many months since he went for supplies himself —the last time being when Juliet was around. He always managed to find something she liked in the stores, and had chosen to stop going because the very task reminded him of her. Yet, here he sat, not only volunteering to go himself, but asking Gretchen to go along with him.

Gretchen glanced up at him, surprise filling her brown eyes, and in that second, he regretted his silly invitation.

"I would love to, Lord Williams,” she said, surprising him. “I just cannot leave Ellie all by herself." Her eyes reflected sincere regrets.

He nodded, trying not to look as disappointed as he actually felt. The truth was, there was a part of him that wanted to be alone with Gretchen. "Is there anything you need?”

"Why, yes." She smiled then. "Ellie needs some more diapers." She said, and he raised a brow, confused. She sighed. "Nappies,"

He opened his mouth to speak when their breakfast was brought in.

Noticing that Gretchen had her hands full with trying to feed Elizabeth as well as keep Elizabeth from making a mess, he focused his attention on the meal before him.