Chapter 9

“You’re very good with him.”

Seraphine blushed. “Thank you, m’lord.”

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

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

Torren watched as Theo 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.”

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

“Indeed.” Torren smiled at her. “How old are you, Seraphine?”

“Twenty, m’lord—I mean Torren.”

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

“Thank you, Torren,” she whispered.

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

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

“I’m sure one