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The babe dropped on all fours, happily crawling toward the lake instead, forcing her mother to drop the string. She laughed as she dashed toward her child, who was now all covered in dirt, and quickly helped her up, careful not to let her get dangerously close to the water.

Ian let out a hoarse chuckle. That babe was too quick for Helen alone. For of course, Ian had recognized the willowy silhouette even though he hadn’t even seen her face under the monstrous bonnet.

Just then a woman—probably a nurse—appeared by Helen’s side and helped to clean the babe’s clothing.

Helen straightened and looked at the sun, the rays of light filtering through the clouds and illuminating her fine face.

Ian’s heart jolted in excitement.

“Calm down, lad,” Ian whispered, pressing his fist against his chest.

He moved toward the trio, his stride lengthening eagerly. Helen turned to him just then, as if she felt his approach. A bright smile broke out on her lips, and she hurried to meet him halfway.

“Ian,” she uttered as they stopped a few feet away from each other. Her eyes shone with happiness, an ever-present smile on her lips.

“Mrs. St. John,” he said softly and sketched a perfect bow.

“Of course.” She bit her lip. “Lord McAllistair. What a pleasant surprise.”

“Indeed. I was just passing by and…” He looked around. Nobody was watching them. A few couples strolled by preoccupied with their own conversations, no one in hearing distance from their little spot. They could speak freely if not act freely. He took a step closer. “I was eager to see you.”

Red spots appeared on the crests of her cheeks. “During the day?”

He nodded. “Exactly.”

Helen glanced back, and her eyes shone even brighter as she turned toward him again. “Come. I want you to meet my daughter.”

Chapter 15

What began as a dreadful day of Ian not knowing how to end his relationship with Helen, turned into a beautiful family outing… or rather an outing with Helen’s family.

Laney was a wonderful child with a cherubic face and wavy, golden locks. She was extremely active, barely sitting in one place, but running around, crawling, and climbing onto anything she could find.

They settled for a little picnic after a while, and Helen took a wooden puzzle out of the bag. She settled Laney next to her and the babe started eagerly solving the puzzle.

“She won’t sit still otherwise,” Helen said with a chuckle. “She is an incredibly active child. I can never look after her on my own.”

She was the opposite of Helen in that sense. But her facial features and her mannerisms deeply resembled her mother.

“She has your smile,” Ian noted out loud.

She threw him a surprised glance. “You think?”

Ian nodded. “Absolutely. Gorgeous. Just like her mother’s.”

Helen let out a chuckle. “I hope you don’t think she has my laugh. Because she laughs like a little madwoman. I adore it. But it wouldn’t be agreeable on a grown woman.”

“I love your laugh.” His voice was unintentionally low and filled with tension.

She had to clear her throat before she could speak. “I’m glad.”

Helen quickly took a sandwich, and took a bite, hiding her gaze from Ian.

Ian glanced at the contents of the picnic and smirked. He slowly reached out and took a cherry between his fingers. “Mm, my favorite dessert,” he said in a low voice.

Helen choked on her sandwich and gulped down a glass of wine. She licked her lips, collecting the remnants of wine, and directed him a chiding gaze.

“What did I say?” Ian shrugged innocently.