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He didn’t say a thing. But he stood up and went to his bedside table and opened a drawer, pulling out a small box. He opened it and held it out to her.
Inside was a small collection of cards, with pictures on them.
‘This is the Colosseum,’ he said. ‘It is in Rome. It was inaugurated in AD 80. This is the Pantheon,’ he said, showing her the next card.
He continued showing her sites from all over Europe, with a special focus on those found in Italy. His knowledge was breathtaking. He knew dates and locations, precise details. And he seemed perfectly happy to give her each and every one.
‘Do you wish to go to these places?’ she asked.
‘Yes,’ the boy answered.
‘So, this is a box of your dreams,’ she said, smiling.
His brow creased. ‘It is a box of cards.’
He looked so like his father then. And the realisation sent a strange sort of twist through Beatrice’s midsection. He was part of Briggs. It was undeniable. She could see it so clearly now.
‘Well, they are very nice cards,’ she said.
She sat with the boy, who said nothing more voluntarily throughout his breakfast. His governess stood in the corner, watching her with hard interest. It was not entirely accepting, but she had a feeling that the woman was protective of the boy. Beatrice herself had no real experience with children, so she did not know what she should expect of the child. He seemed different, though. That much she knew.
She wondered if she did. For she had certainly not spent much time in the company of those who were not her family. She had her few very close friends, and that was all. She did not spend time out in broader society.
‘William,’ she said. ‘I should like to see the grounds today. Remember how I told you I like gardens?’
‘To hide,’ he said.
‘Yes. But, also to walk in them. Is there a spot in the garden here that you favour best?’
‘No,’ he said.
‘I see.’ She tried to think of another way to say it. ‘Is there a place that is interesting? Where you can tell me about the flowers?’
Something in his expression changed. ‘Yes. There is a garden and it has statues. I like that spot best. It reminds me of Rome.’
‘Excellent. Shall you and I take a picnic for our lunch this afternoon?’
‘I do not eat outside,’ he said.
‘Well, perhaps you might try?’
‘I do not eat outside.’
‘Should you like to eat outside?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘All right. Then we shall try it. And if you don’t like it, we don’t have to do it.’
He looked thoughtful about this. ‘All right.’
‘Then you and I shall see each other this afternoon.’
She stood and walked out of the nursery, and heard the footsteps of his governess behind.
‘Master William does not like interruptions to his schedule,’ she said.
‘No, I imagine he does not. But I would like to begin a new schedule. I would like to spend time with him.’
