Chapter 39: Sebastian POV

The summer was hot and the Mistress had taken to stay indoors as much as possible; her doctors advising that this was best as her pregnancy continued. The Master was excited as the months continued and the Mistress had no complications. The young Master asked Danny to bring him to London, on day trips around the countryside and had moments of being excited about the coming child, and other times I would find him pouting, such as I did as I passed from the Master's bedroom, and looked through the open door of the nursery. The young master was standing before the bassinet and holding the Phantom Rabbit to his chest.

"Young Master," I said as I stepped in and looked about the room. "Are you going to gift your new sibling with your animal?"

He turned and his scowl deepened. "Can you make sure they send him to school when he is older?"

"And why is that, young Master?"

"I want Mister Hyde to stay my Tutor, not share him."

I hid my smile. Ah, so another had unwittingly fallen for the Tutor. "Perhaps, when your sibling is older, there will be need for a new Tutor and Mr. Hyde wouldn't be teaching any more." I held the door open and breathed in the smell of sunshine. Danny wouldn't be his Tutor because in the usual years between birth and schooling, the young Master would have advanced to be about 13, ready for his next steps to take a more active role in the company - the legitimate company - and begin to, perhaps even explore, the side of the Phantomhive's real world.

I finally placed a hand on his shoulder as he began to walk down the stairs and turned him slightly. "May I ask you to do something, young Master?" He looked up and nodded. So moldable and eager to please. "Would you go into town with Mr. Hyde and buy your mother her favorite sweets? She is spending a lot of time with your new sibling, and they haven't been born yet, but I think she would love to spend some time with you doing that."

He thought about it and then smiled. "She always shares her toffee with me, even so I don't like it as much as she does."

"That sounds like a fine gift, young Master." I pulled a few coins from my vest and pressed them into his hand. "I'll find Mr. Hyde and send him down. Will you be in the garden?"

He thought about it for a second and nodded. "Mister Baldroy said he had to carve some wood. I am not sure what he means, so I'm going to watch!"

"Fine idea, young Master."

I turned and watched Danny slide around the corner at the top of the stairs and smile. "Oh, tenderness does suit you," she said softly. I walked up and she slid her arm around my waist and I the same to her and walked down the hall to the bedroom. "Thank you for the lovely flowers, again," she added as I closed the door and she moved to the small desk where I had placed some white roses.

"I am to fetch you to join the young Master," I said, wrapping my arms around her again. I turned and breathed in the ever present smell of lilacs on her skin. "I fetch you, my dear."

"I consider myself fetched."

I smiled and kissed her neck. "Soon we will have another child to look after."

She nodded and leaned her head back. I took the weight she created and simply enjoyed it, observing the garden with her, swimming in our own thoughts, sharing the moment in our long lives.

"The young Master seems to have some reservations regarding the new child," she said at last. "He has asked me everyday this week if we could leave the house, and simply not come back." She turned and looked up at me. "Talk to the Earl, I think he needs to start spending time with his son before the birth of the next one. He is feeling rather neglected."

"Yes he is," I confirmed. "And as for the Master, I have suggested it. Summer is a busy time to take care of our business for the King. Humans seem to be active during the heat of the day, and tempers rise."

"The three last murders down on the ships," she sighed. "The young Master hardly asks for the Earl to say goodnight to him anymore."

"Perhaps you should press upon the Master about this point. He may listen to you."

"Because I am a woman?"

I smiled and kissed her temple. "Because you are looking out for his son. You are his protector."

"As much as I want to spend time here," she finally said, "I have a young Master to sped away and apparently buy candy with."

"I do believe the Master and I will be here tonight if you wish to rail against my suggestion." I smiled and licked my lips. "You can punish me for being a bad student."

Her eyes sparkled and she reached for the ruler that was on the desk and smacked my arm. "I don't think they sell what you are looking for in a candy shop."

"No, I do hope not," I whispered, kissing her again.

I watched as she set out with the young Master to saddle the horses and prepared to ride to the outskirts of London. They would be gone most of the day, and I had other matters to attend to. Sweeping down to the kitchen, I gathered the servants, and began the mid-morning checks.

"Mey-Rin, please make sure the infant's room is spotless. The young Master was in there and he may have touched something. Baldroy, the Mistress has come down with a slight cough and I think some hot soup would do her well. Finnian, please keep the fresh plants watered in her room, it clears the air." I looked over my list and then at the servants. "Any questions for this morning's duties?"

"No sir!" they said in unison. I smiled. A well oiled machine.

"Now, for this afternoon, the Tutor has left with the young Master, so please clean his rooms - I fear he was up all night playing with his toys because of the continuous sweets that has been snuck to him on their way to bed," I added, looking at Finnian. He blushed and shuffled his feet and then looked back at me. "Mey-Rin, it could use a good scrub. Also the music room; the Master is going to bring in some guests in a few days as possible candidates for the new opening of the Funtom Candy store in France." She nodded. "Baldroy, whatever you are building, please do not continue until the young Master is back. He expressed interest in this invention you are producing and I think it would help the Tutor for the young Master to have other, expanded, interests. Of course, he needs to continue his studies, but we are not running a school all year. Everyone needs some time off." Baldroy chewed on his cigarette and scratched his chin and then nodded. "Very good. Finnian, the far back of the property, there are some old trees. Please clear them out. I will order some trees to replace them." The young man also nodded and frowned.

"Mister Sebastian, what kind of trees are you wanting? It's close to the creek back there, and the tree should be a hearty one."

"Yes, that would be a consideration," I said, pausing. "I do believe the trees I am ordering will be fine."

He nodded and the three servants were off to get their supplies and begin their tasks.

I was free to protect the Master as he too had a long list of meetings to conduct as well as reports to file. An automobile pulled up and I went to the door, waiting as the sounds of heavy footfalls came up the stone steps.

"Mr. Dapsen," I greeted the textile consultant. "Do come in."

"Thank you, very glad to have made it. It looks like a storm was chasing me," he said, handing me his coat and hat.

"I am glad you made it safely, Mr. Dapsen," the Master said, joining us in the entry hall. "Right this way to my study. Some tea and light lunch, will that be fine?" he asked the Welsh man. Mr. Dapsen nodded and I walked before them, opening the door to the study and then closed it, going back to the kitchen to get the requested food ready.

I heard Mey-Rin hurry down the stairs and turned, effortlessly dodging her blind run, as she turned into the pantry.

"What is the rush, Mey-Rin," I asked as I watched her grab a loaf of bread and jar of jam.

"The Mistress - she is awfully hungry. Sounds like she is downright starving, she is!" And she took back up the stairs, always amazing me how quick she had become despite her still heavy glasses.

I looked back over the kitchen and realized Baldroy - who was supposed to be making a soup for the Mistress - was not there. I sighed; he was packing his carving tools away. As long as he took care of his duties, I was not going to interfere. I brought the tea and a light course of sandwiches and fruits up to the Master, listening quietly as the two men discussed expansion of the toys and changing the fabrics to certain objects. I had to smile as the Master escorted Mr. Dapsen out; most of the conversation was how to include safe and fun baby toys.