Present Day
Sterling was fussing throughout the morning meal, and Yelena resisted interfering until Gershyn brought the baby out into the main chamber. “I’m sorry, My Lady,” he apologised. He was halfway through his morning preparations, his face pink from shaving and his russet hair wet at the edges. His shirt was open at the neck and cuffs. “Tillie is having a hard morning.”
“I will take him,” Yelena volunteered.
“My Lady,” he seemed dubious, but surrendered the baby to her.
“Hello, pretty boy,” Yelena smiled at the baby. The baby grew calmer, looking up at the new face with interest even as he sobbed in his last complaints.
“Well, look at that,” Greshyn leaned so close that Yelena could smell the soap on his skin. “It is like magic,” he observed, and Yelena looked up at the tone in his voice. The look in his eyes caused her to take a slight step to side, putting distance between them.