edd

Ivy's ears when Alexander call

Sinc

tartled out of

tient. Beside him was a woman Ivy recognized immediately from the

sa Ha

der's

dress that complemented her complexion, and a smile polished enough to c

. Vanderbilt,"

are here to care for my son. I expect you

ourse

y before turning her attention to Ivy. "I'm Vanessa. I've heard so m

very kin

e is my li

nessa approached the crib an

as he awakened. For a moment, he stare

began

ooed, bouncing him gently.

ed in her arms, his tiny fists wav

arling. Mo

rs curled a

mm

t she forced herse

him, then shifted hi

It's all right. You

d with an eve

" Alexand

sted, her smile beginning to fal

sed, yet Vanessa continued repeating the same words as though

ed, sounding almost offended by his resista

s

owed her

r s

her teeth, but she dar

ly extended M

ake him before he wakes

efully gathered him into he

etheart," she whisp

He hiccupped, nestled against her neck, a

hat followed

gaze linge

, looked distinc

ed to his routine," she said. "He's

out to strok

darling. Com

ned his

in, reaching to t

heart. Mommy wa

Milo clung more tightly to Ivy and

le mouth

stretched for a moment befo

ckly recovering her smile. "He se

e, pretending to ad

ied smile crept

right,

hough the warmth spreading through

oticed th

her voice suddenly firmer. "He's precious to Alexande

Miss Ha

eserves nothing

le nearly

he goes

tch. "Come along, Vanessa.

h his arm, but not before givin

heart. Mommy will

firmly tucke

inside of her cheek

d, leaving her alo

nd gently brushed his cur

red bitterly. "Of cours

ed with a s

of his head before

ttle one. Let's

b and stood watching hi

oom beside the nursery, carrying

me here fo

to remem

else m

-

Ivy with Milo's routine, explained where his supplies were kept, and outlined the esse

the nursery and staff areas unless given permission to go elsewhere. You must also maintain professional b

hed speaking when a famili

re just the girl I'v

sed in a pale pink outfit that looked consid

th the neat dark bob who had accompa

ell," Ivy g

e traveled ov

lly must do something

ed down a

problem wi

ally look rather lovely in it. The color s

nded genuine enoug

anessa

I no longer wear. Some are practically new. Rather than lettin

ared a

us, Miss Hartwell,

imply believe everyone should look presentable in a household like this. Th

e remain

ication

e offer," Ivy re

nine will arra

"Of course, M

ent, the maid's

unreadable in them b

sped her ha

been terribly busy lately, and I haven

s though the observati

the corridor, Janine

disappear before

e her a sympa

generous side," she r

he does," I

xpression conve

-

began crying shor

ncomfortable. She checked his diaper, ad

ng wo

ed, his little face flushed

rong, swe

inst his forehead, then

as w

panic shot

il

ied h

t might be troubling him. He turned his head and

e see, darl

ed to glimpse the swol

eth were com

sweet

ry. She knew teething could make babies miserable, bu

g ring and gently rubbing his gu

es pa

ore mi

y until Ivy felt her own com

but tonight she was frightened. What if she had m

gainst her should

by. Please

ery door

is goi

is expression tense as he looked

ghtened immediately. "I'm s

. What's wro

n, and he's been crying for some time. I've t

the room and touch

this warm a

ed it a littl

ession s

I'll call

an. Ivy continued rocking the baby while Alexander explain

l ended, he

hilled teething ring. We need to monitor his temperature, and if it rises furt

absorbing

rig

Milo struggle ag

ay

arefully transferring

tely began c

r's jaw

he has opinio

worry, Ivy a

ing him too

nced a

use

your arms a little. He needs

as though nobody had ever dared

adjusted

ened, though they

s?" Alexa

hat's b

repositioned Milo's little h

ingers

moved im

y forgot about the room, the hour, and the fact that the man standi

pered, and the

ld work together

no

him. Alexander followed the doctor's instructions while Ivy prepared the things they needed

y, Milo

whimpers, and his tiny fingers

whispered. "T

at his son, relief s

glance

know exactly

ways as complicat

that

mply want to know

tudied her

person doesn't

oked a

they l

s expression, something

pose t

arents sharing the responsibility of a difficult night, passing their baby between them

ked awa

-

fallen quiet.Ivy gently lowered him into his crib while Alexan

ed once, t

rd and pressed a kiss

y," he m

gesture, her chest ti

dness, Alexande

h was un

ery door

are. I've been looki

sion pleasant but her eyes immediately d

er stra

hecking

htly. "You should be resting. You

e in my

y noticed the faint look of

notice

rse, da

e final glance before

ight, V

ing." She said wi

er without

ppear down the corridor,

turned ba

crib to the chair beside it

tly, "how long has