The Pirate & The Porcelain Doll (WAYHAUGHT)

Chapter 23

Nicole's carriage pulled up outside the cottage, Robin greeting them at the door. "Jeremy is at the university this afternoon. Just me for company today. I hope both of you had a pleasant Christmas."

"Delightful," Nicole replied. "I have a food hamper and cake. Mother insisted. And, quite a few cases. The coachman will unload them for me."

Entering the parlour Waverly could see the place had been given a thorough clean, a fire roaring in the hearth and Jeremy's papers no longer littering every surface. She listened to Robin and Nicole chatting, nervously rubbing the soldier in her pocket wondering how she was going to handle being alone with Nicole in her bedroom.

Robin stopped in mid conversation, a look on his face suggesting he had forgotten something, leaving the room quickly. Nicole turned to Waverly. "Is everything alright? You're awfully quiet."

"I'm glad you're back here. Are you well enough?"

"As well as can be. My bouts of fever are less severe as long as I do not exert myself. I must say being here has renewed my spirits."

"Won't you be bored? Is this not too soon? You could have stayed with your mother until spring when the weather is a little warmer."

Nicole studied Waverly's face. "You do want me here?"

"Yes, of course. I'm just thinking of you. I don't want to think of you being inconvenienced."

"I'm good at amusing myself. Remember. If I get bored, I shall run round the cottage dressed as a pirate waving a stick. I'll be fine. I assure you."

Waverly's eyes went to the door, the sound of footsteps on the stairs telling her Robin had begun to take Nicole's cases upstairs. "Will you be warm enough here?" she asked. "This house is quite chilly."

Nicole patted her hand. "Shall we go see what Robin is doing?"

They met him coming downstairs. "I must say, the new maid has been busy getting everything ready for you. Gave your room a jolly good clean. Never seen so much washing and ironing. Only comes here two days a week, which suits us."

Robin turned, leading the way upstairs, Nicole following, Waverly at the rear, hearing the door open, the creak of its hinges, a shaft of light falling on the stairs. She waited outside, letting the others enter, Robin handing Nicole the key. "I'm popping out shortly," he said, winking at Waverly, who remained in the doorway. "Let you get settled."

Nicole plonked herself on the bed, bouncing a few times. "It's so good to be back, not having my mother fussing all the time. If I have one more bowl of chicken soup. Waverly come try it out. Doesn't squeak too much."

Waverly stayed by the chest of drawers nearest the door, no longer sure she wanted to do anything quite yet. The few images she viewed from the book in Nicole's possession were swirling in her head, the thought of being about to perform even one with another person more scary than being stuck in a cave with a rising tide. "I'm...I'm fine here for the moment. Did you want me to leave you to unpack?"

Nicole could see Waverly's unease, in need of reassurance. "Robin, why don't you give us a few moments?"

"Let me know when you want your other cases brought up. I'll leave you two girls alone."

He closed the door, his footsteps on the stairs, the sound of the kitchen door shutting. Nicole approached, watching as Waverly backed into the chest of drawers rattling the vase, containing fresh flowers, placed on top. "Come sit," Nicole said, holding out her hand. "Come, I promise we will do nothing."

Waverly took her hand, reluctant at first to go near any bed, trusting Nicole enough to be guided. She sat with her head down, feeling foolish, worried about knowing nothing, assuming Nicole knew pretty much everything. "I'm sorry," she said after a few moments. "I thought I was ready. But..."