Chapter 9

“You’re very good with him.”

Maya blushed. “Thank you, m’lord.”

He sat down beside her with an easy grace. “Call me Marshall. And you are?”

“Maya.” She looked back down at the baby in her lap, smiling and kissing his forehead as he giggled up at her.

Marshall watched as Nicholas kicked his feet and giggled again. The boy’s normally pale skin was flush with color, and at supper he had drunk two bottles of milk without throwing up.

“He’s like a different baby.”

Maya shrugged. “The fresh air must agree with him.”

“Indeed.” Marshall smiled at her. “How old are you, Maya?”

“Twenty, m’lord—I mean Marshall.”

“You’re very pretty. Did you know that?” He brushed a stray piece of hair away from her face and Maya blushed bright red.

“Thank you, Marshall,” she whispered.

“Would you care to go for a walk with me?”

She shook her head, glancing down at the baby. “I cannot leave Sophia and Nicholas.”

“I’m sure one of the o