Free The Daughter of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky

her gaze to the white clouds scuttling across the bright blue sky. “My, it’s a lovely day.”
    “The nicest we’ve had since we arrived in London.”
    A motorcar buzzed by at a frightening speed, spewing exhaust and honking at the carriages it passed. Lydia clasped Millie’s hand more tightly.
    Millie smiled up at Lydia. “I like London, but it’s rather noisy.”
    “Yes, that’s true. I hope the park will be a bit quieter.”
    As they rounded the corner, Andrew hurried on ahead.
    “Please wait for us, Andrew.” Ann quickened her steps.
    The boy slowed and looked over his shoulder. “I hope you won’t make me walk this slowly when we reach the park.”
    “Never mind about that. You’ll have a good romp when we get there.”
    Andrew sighed, but he stayed with them as they passed through the open wrought-iron gateway. A broad, green lawn opened up before them, dotted with several tall shade trees. Birds twittered overhead, and a fresh breeze whisked away the pungent scent of the street. A curving pathway led through the park toward a small lake in the center. Gardens filled with red and yellow tulips lined one side of the walkway. For just a moment it reminded Lydia of the fields and pond at her family’s farm.
    Several women and a few men strolled along the pathway around the lake in groups of two or three. Most of the women wore large hats or carried parasols to shade their faces from the sun. Boys and girls ran across the grass, some pushing hoops with a stick and others playing a game of tag. A group of young boys knelt on the lakeside path, engaged in a game of marbles.
    Andrew pointed to the boys. “May I join them?”
    Ann studied the group, and turned back to Andrew. “All right, but remember, if you want to have friends, you must be friendly.”
    “I will!” With that, Andrew dashed off.
    “Be sure to play fair,” Ann called, but Andrew didn’t look back.
    Ann and Lydia took a seat on a wooden bench nearby with a clear view of Andrew. Millie followed them, but she didn’t sit down. Three young girls played hopscotch on the path a few feet away, and Millie watched them.
    Lydia touched her arm. “Would you like to play with those girls?”
    Millie bit her lip. “I don’t know them.”
    “It’s all right. Just go up and say hello. That’s how you make friends.”
    Millie twisted the toe of her shoe in the grass for a few seconds, then slowly walked toward the girls. The tallest girl with long blond curls looked up and invited Millie to join their game.
    Ann sighed and sat back. “At last—a moment of peace.”
    “Yes, it will be nice to have a bit of a rest.” Lydia gazed across the park, taking in the lovely view and enjoying the warmth of the sun on her shoulders.
    “I don’t know why, but I thought things would be easier here.”
    Lydia turned to Ann. “You’re finding it harder here than at Highland?”
    “Keeping Andrew out of mischief is never easy, but being cooped up inside every day …”
    Sympathy rose in Lydia’s heart. Her position as lady’s maid to Katherine and Penelope might be difficult at times, but she didn’t envy Ann, overseeing the children all day, every day. “I’m surprised they brought Andrew and Millie to London. Most families coming in for the season leave their younger children in the country with the governess.”
    “They couldn’t very well do that since Miss Foster has come along as well.”
    “Yes, that’s true.”
    Ann shifted on the bench. “It’s a bit strange, isn’t it? She’s the governess, but she’s Sir William’s intended, and in September they’ll marry and she’ll become mistress of Highland.”
    “I’m glad it’s worked out that way. She’s always been kind to me.”
    “Yes, to me as well. She knows what it’s like to work for a living and take orders from those above her. I’m sure she’ll be an understanding mistress.”
    Ann nodded, and her gaze drifted to the boys kneeling together on the path. “Even