Free Hush Now, Don’t You Cry by Rhys Bowen

finger at the boys. “Now off to the house with you and get cleaned up before you meet your grandfather. You look a disgrace.”
    “Yes, Papa,” the boys chimed in unison, but I got the impression that they knew no threat would ever be carried out.
    They ran across the lawn toward the house.
    “Thank God,” Irene said again. “When I couldn’t find them, I thought—”
    “They are boys, Irene,” Archie said. “They need some freedom. You can’t keep them wrapped in cotton all their lives.”
    “I can and I will. If I have to follow them every second we are here, then I’ll do it to keep them safe.” And she started after them across the lawn. She stumbled on the wet grass. Archie took her arm to steady her but she snatched it away as if burned.
    “I think I’d better let you go back to the house. I can find my own way from here,” I said to Terrence and Eliza who were watching with expressions both pained and embarrassed. “I had tried to avoid meeting the family in this disheveled state. I’d prefer not to come face-to-face with Alderman Hannan himself, so if you don’t mind…”
    And without waiting any longer I took my leave.

Nine
    As I approached our cottage a procession was coming down the drive—a cart piled high with boxes, valises, and baskets—followed by an open carriage full of male and female servants. An automobile was sitting outside the front door. It appeared that the family had arrived in force.
    Daniel had been sitting in the bay window and jumped up as I opened the front door.
    “Where have you been? You’ve been gone for hours. I’ve been worried about you.”
    “I’m sorry. I thought you’d be sleeping. I was on the seashore and then I met some family members and joined in a search for two little boys, whom I found hiding in a tree.”
    “Such adventures,” Daniel said. “I’m sorry I missed them. So these boys—they were the alderman’s grandsons?”
    “They were. Thomas and Alex. Nice little chaps from what I could see. Their mama was most distressed.”
    “Well, she would be, wouldn’t she? If she’d already lost one child over that cliff. So did you meet the alderman too?”
    “No, thank heavens. I wouldn’t have made too good a first impression with my skirt in this state, would I?”
    “You’re soaked. What have you been doing to yourself?” he demanded.
    “Only got a little wet while I was wading in the ocean. Nothing serious,” I said. “So stop scowling like that. I’d better get to work right away sponging out the salt water or it will leave a mark.”
    Daniel shook his head. “Who else’s new bride would spend her first day on a great estate getting herself half drowned in the ocean?”
    “It was nothing like half drowned. I was looking into a tide pool and I was caught unawares by a particularly big wave.” In his current state of agitation I thought it wiser not to let him know that I had allowed myself to be cut off by the tide.
    “Now that you’re back, I’d like some hot tea,” he said. “And could we maybe light a fire? This place is cold and damp. I’m shivering.”
    “It doesn’t feel that cold to me,” I said, going over to feel his forehead. He actually felt quite warm to my touch. “But I’ll light a fire if you like. There is a log basket all ready and we’ll have a nice cozy evening.”
    Half an hour later we were sitting by a crackling blaze with hot tea and toast. I looked across at Daniel and the thought struck me—this is what I have to look forward to—cozy afternoons doing nothing in particular, just enjoying each other’s company. It was a pleasant prospect.
    “So I told you that I met some of the family, Daniel,” I began brightly, because I wanted to cheer him up.
    “Did you?” he asked without great enthusiasm.
    “I did. The alderman’s daughter, Irene—very lovely and dressed in the height of fashion, and her equally suave and dashing and upper-crust husband, Archie. I also met their cousins