Chapter 31
"You, young sir, are the most mischievous child I have ever had the misfortune of encountering," I sighed, gently prying Vincent's tiny fingers from my hair. "Now, if you would be so kind, release me."
"Unhand Mrs. Woodstone this instant!" Benjamin stood to his full height. He pointed an accusatory finger at Vincent. "You are hurting her! I shall give you to the count of three! One… two-"
Oh dear. Someone had certainly taken his role as my protector rather seriously. "Young Lord, it is quite alright," I reassured, offering him a placating smile.
But Benjamin was undeterred. He jabbed his finger toward Vincent once more. "He is a villain!"
Well. I could not exactly argue with that. He did take after Millicent, after all. However, I simply said, "he is but a child."
"I am four years old!" Vincent announced proudly. His fingers finally loosened from my hair as he pointed enthusiastically at himself. If I may, this child was absurdly adorable.
"Would you kindly remove yourself from my person?" Of course, I could have simply pushed the child off, but I didn't have the heart to.
"Play with me!" Vincent declared.
"Mrs. Woodstone is taking us to the ice cream shop," Benjamin interjected. "She has no time for you! We do not even know who you are!"
I had bigger concerns. "Where is your mother?" I asked, fixing Vincent with a firm stare.
Vincent only giggled. "Play with me!"
Wonderful.
"Chase me!" Vincent finally hopped off my lap, positively glowing with excitement. "Chase me!" he repeated, as though I had not heard him the first time.
"Mrs. Woodstone cannot run, you imbecile!" Benjamin snapped, stepping forward as if prepared to engage in battle.
I swiftly grabbed my cane and steadied myself before matters escalated. Benjamin looked ready to wrestle the child to the ground, and while I appreciated his loyalty, I was not about to be responsible for a duel between a four-year-old and a seven-year-old.
"Young Lord," I called, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Would you be so kind as to allow me to handle this?"
Benjamin shot Vincent a glare before turning back to me with a bright smile, his demeanor shifting entirely. "I shall do whatever Mrs. Woodstone says!"
I chuckled at his immediate change of heart. "Ah, such a devoted student. Truly, you set an exceptional example for all."
Benjamin beamed even wider, basking in my praise.
I turned my attention back to Vincent. "I shall take you to your mother. Come," I extended my free hand. "Let us go find her."
However, instead of behaving like a reasonable child, Vincent merely stepped back, his grin widening as he giggled.
"Chase me!" he declared once more, already poised to flee.
I closed my eyes briefly, inhaling deeply as I suppressed the overwhelming urge to lecture a four-year-old on the virtues of listening comprehension. Speaking to this child was akin to reasoning with a particularly stubborn brick wall.
Chase him? If I did, I might as well bid farewell to my cane, embrace my impending fate, and take permanent residence in a wheelchair. Not yet, I prayed. Let me savor my ability to walk freely for a little while longer, please! Please, small tyrant, understand my struggles!
"How about we locate your mother, and she can chase you instead? I am quite certain she is very fast." I softened my tone, hoping reason and flattery might sway him.
"No! Mother runs too fast and I never win! I want you to chase me!" he declared, laughing.
This little fiend, he was exploiting my injury for his own gain! So that he might secure victory with ease? The audacity! And was Millicent truly that petty? Not allowing a four-year-old to win? What was this household?
I released my cane, and with determination, lunged at him. The move caught him entirely off guard, and we both tumbled onto the grass, though I ensured I was his cushion.
"Got you," I smirked, holding him securely in my arms. "I chased you, and… I won."
It appeared I had also refused to let him win. It seemed I was a hypocrite to my very core.
Benjamin and Jim erupted into laughter, their cheers filling the air. "Mrs. Woodstone won!" they cried, running gleeful circles around Vincent and me.
Vincent's crimson eyes darkened, and my breath hitched.
That look, I had seen it before. Many times. Millicent had delivered that very same expression to unfortunate souls who had crossed her path, and thankfully, it had never been directed at me. But now?
Now, I was on the receiving end of it. If someone whispered to me that I was about to meet my untimely demise at the hands of this tiny child, I would believe them without question. A spitting image. A perfect, terrifying replica. Millicent, reborn in miniature form.
My left arm secured him in place, while my right hand set to work, briskly rubbing his tiny face as though I were attempting to wipe away an unfortunate smudge from a priceless painting, albeit with considerably more care. "Erase that look at once!" I commanded.
Children undoubtedly learn from adults, and Millicent must have bestowed that expression upon him countless times for him to replicate it with such terrifying accuracy!
I had expected him to squirm, to protest, to at the very least slap my hand away in indignation. But no, he simply stayed put, unmoving, utterly unbothered, enduring my assault as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
Demon. Demon! Both he and his mother! What normal child allowed such treatment without retaliation?
"Very well, fine!" I exclaimed in surrender, retracting my hand. "How about my Young Lord and Jim chase you instead?" Desperate to placate this unholy little creature, I quickly added, "To make it fair and replicate my unfortunate impairment, I shall have their legs tied together so they may run at a more reasonable speed."
Miraculously, his expression softened, returning to that of an innocent child. Good heavens, even his ability to shift expressions was just like Millicent's. Was she teaching this boy anything besides escape artistry, defiance, thievery, blatant disrespect, and how to wear the devil's own mask?
Benjamin and Jim stood beside me at me at once, their legs already pressed together. Oh, what noble little soldiers.
"I do not understand," Vincent said, tilting his head adorably.
"I shall demonstrate."
Untying his cravat, I turned to Benjamin and Jim and deftly secured their conjoined legs with the fabric. "Now, run," I instructed Vincent. I gestured toward a large oak tree nearby. "Ten laps around that tree. Once finished, we shall seek out your mother."
Vincent's face lit up, and in an instant, he shot off, his laughter ringing through the air. "You cannot catch me!" he taunted gleefully.
Benjamin and Jim took off after him. They stumbled here and there, their laughter erupting each time they tumbled to the ground.
I adjusted my wretched leg to a more comfortable position and simply… watched Vincent.