40294 words long. enNoveltext/Romance @page { margin-bottom: 5.000000pt; margin-top: 5.000000pt; } Chapter Nine “Can I go riding tomorrow, Caitlin?” Elizabeth pressed her small body into Caitlin’s side. “I don’t see why not, darling. Your ankle is so much better now. You and William can ride your ponies after lessons.” It had been three weeks since Elizabeth hurt her ankle and the children had been cooped up, restless and quarrelsome. She was running out of ideas to keep them entertained. But she was delighted to see Elizabeth’s appetite had improved and the sharp angles of her pixie face had softened. As Caitlin helped Angela dish up the dinner, she noticed the table was set for five. Jake would be eating with them. The thought gave her a swift rush of pleasure, which she immediately tried to suppress. “Daddy,” William said, jumping up as Jake walked into the room. “Toby’s sad. He’s missing me.” “That pony of yours will be getting fat, Will. We can’t have that.
