ical examination and was given paperwork with

ons, horse riding, fencing, languages, and etiquette. Amelia couldn't

er new room, Amelia slumped onto her bed,

est to care for and protect Oliver, while co

woke up early, ready

," she said to herself in front of the mir

ed to find little Oliver already sitting

Mr. Roberts,"

d, trying hard to keep her voice serious. "

stion with childlike seriousness. Then, wit

grown up now and I want to start dr

the child's innocence stri

," she replied pleasantly. "But if you'd like, I can

mention of chocolate, and

, pl

notice Oliver take advantage of her distraction to pull off a little m

k a sip, Amelia had to fight to keep it from

commented, struggling to maintain her composur

contain his laughter

imed between giggles, pointing at th

lp but feel immense affection for the little joker. Letting

ttle joker," she said fondly. "Now, let's get

liver watched

ull of toast. "And I like that you're not a woman. The a

's voice was palpable, and she had to resist the urge

my only concern will be to take care of

help but notice how attractive he looked in his impeccable

luntary shiver down Amelia's spine. "We're eating out today. Rob

hat her voice didn't betray the nervou

lves in an elegant restaurant downtown. Amelia watch

ousness, seeing him interact with his son in such a tender way made somethin

but notice the curious glances she was d

in close, his closeness making Amelia's heart beat f

tly, his warm breath brushing her ear. "Some

sture and fighting the blush that

d that in a couple of days they w

ght

us?" Oliver asked, his eye

, "And we'll also invite Mrs.

aurant's games area. Amelia tagged along, joining in

a handed him the ticket she ha

hroom," she announced, "

she realized she would have to use the men's room. With her heart racing

hroom door open and immediately recogn

ly not to imagine beyond that image. Her treacherous mind couldn't help but wander

one and gone. Only then did she dare to leave, her che

y to herself. "You can't afford these

ground, she foun

r a nap," Terrence commented,

liver protested, though hi

you can play all

On the way back, Oliver fell asleep in the backseat. Terrence too

ing of Oliver," he commented in a tone Amelia couldn't

plied, trying to keep her voice seri

d laid him down on the bed that father and son shared. Amelia couldn't help bu

ut of her thoughts, "I need you to be ready e

lia nodded. "What tim

nd make sure you wear something... appropriate, I don't wa

arefully. When she arrived in the kitchen, she was su

Mr. Westcott," she greeted,

gaze scanning her in a way

, handing her a cup of coffee. "I see y

errence's. She felt an electric current run through her body and

eel nervous. Terrence kept glancing at her out of the c

said seriously. "You need a suitable

ried on dozens of outfits u

hen Amelia emerged from the fitting room in

t the compliment

"but don't you think it's too much? I don

reaching over to adjust the collar of his shirt. "Besides, you'l

s, Amelia sat on a bench next to Oli

all feet," she commented innoc