September 1926

The gardens of Avebury Manor were a palette of early autumn hues, the air crisp with the scent of fallen leaves and damp earth. Marguerite pushed the twin's trolley along the winding gravel path, each turn revealing another picturesque view that made her ever so grateful for this life she had been given. Isabelle and Juliette lay peacefully in their little carriage, bundled up against the chill, their tiny faces serene as if they too appreciated the natural beauty around them.

William, a pint-sized bundle of energy and curiosity, toddled beside her, gripping the edge of the trolley as if making sure his sisters didn't suddenly decide to go on an adventure without him.

"Look, Mommy! A green woodpecker!" William's eyes widened with excitement as he pointed toward a bird perched on a nearby branch.

A swell of pride rose within Marguerite at her son's keen observation and accurate identification. "That's right, William! You remembered that from the book we read, didn't you?"

"Uh-huh!" William nodded, his eyes still fixed on the bird, clearly pleased.

As Marguerite reached the wrought-iron bench that had become one of her favorite spots in the garden, she noted the twins had fallen into a peaceful slumber. She parked the trolley beside the bench and sat down, her eyes appreciating the simple beauty of her surroundings. Carefully, she lifted William onto her lap, cherishing the delighted glow in his eyes.

"William, you know you're a very special and smart boy, don't you?" Marguerite looked into his inquisitive eyes, her voice filled with pride and love.

"I am?" William questioned, his eyes twinkling with intrigue.

"Yes, darling, you are. You're incredibly smart, and you're very loved. One day, your sisters will look up to you," she explained gently, sweeping a strand of hair away from his face and adding, "You're such a quick learner, I can't wait to teach you so many things."

"Like what?" William's face lit up at the thought of learning new things.

"Well," Marguerite began, thinking about all the wonders the world had to offer, "For starter's I'll teach you how to read bigger books, how to speak another language like French; I want you to know about history, about knights and castles, and how the world around us has changed."

William's eyes widened, and he interrupted, clearly worried, "When will I play?"

Marguerite chuckled at his innocent concern. "Oh, my love, you'll have plenty of time to play. Learning new things can be its own kind of adventure, but there will always be time for play."

In the tranquility of the afternoon, the master bedroom had turned into a haven of warmth and coziness. The twins, Isabelle and Juliette, were gently dozing in their cradles, blissfully unaware of the world around them. Marguerite had resourcefully converted her makeup table into a temporary desk, sliding away beauty products to make room for an open book.

Sitting beside her in a child-sized chair designed to elevate him to desk level, William looked eagerly at the open book, his little eyes dancing over the vivid illustrations. They were engrossed in "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" by Beatrix Potter. William would occasionally reach out to carefully touch the vivid illustrations.

"There's Peter Rabbit!" he exclaimed, his young eyes widening with enthusiasm. "He's in the garden."

"Yes, darling, he's in Mr. McGregor's garden, and he really shouldn't be," Marguerite said, deeply touched by her son's budding curiosity and understanding.

Marguerite carefully turned the page, her finger tracing the text as she continued to read aloud. "Oh, but look what happens next. Peter is having quite the adventure."

William leaned in closer to the book, fully engrossed. "Is he running fast?"

Marguerite chuckled. "Yes, he is running very fast, but he's also getting into a bit of trouble. Shall we see if he gets out of it?"

As Marguerite read on, William's eyes stayed glued to the illustrations. When they reached the part where Peter loses his jacket, William looked up, concerned, filling his eyes. "Did he lose his jacket?"

"Yes, he lost it while he was running away from Mr. McGregor," Marguerite explained.

After pondering this for a moment, William finally asked, "Will he get it back?"

Marguerite smiled, amused by both her son's engagement and the impatience. "Well, you'll have to listen to the rest of the story to find out," she said, giving William a gentle pat on the head as she turned the page to continue their reading adventure.

John stepped into the master bedroom, pausing for a moment to take in the domestic vision before him. The twins were nestled in their cradle, blissfully asleep. Marguerite and William were huddled over a book, engrossed in a world of talking rabbits and vegetable gardens. A smile spread across his face at the sight; it was the kind of everyday magic that he'd always hoped his family life would contain.

"Ah, the Tale of Peter Rabbit, is it?" John spoke softly, careful not to disturb the serenity of the room. "Quite the literary afternoon we're having."

Marguerite looked up, her eyes meeting John's. "It's one of his favorites, and you know how much I enjoy reading to him."

"Yes and I love seeing you two so immersed in learning," John commented, "but William is only three. Don't you think he should have more time to play?

Marguerite looked up, meeting John's gaze with a mixture of surprise and mild defensiveness. "Well, yes, he has plenty of time for that, but it's also crucial that we stimulate his mind."

John looked at Marguerite, his eyes soft yet resolute. "Marguerite, he'll have years and years for education. But he'll only be this young once. Don't you think we should let him savor it?"

Marguerite looked at John, then back at William, contemplating. "Well, let's ask him what he wants to do." She turned to their son. "William, do you want to continue reading, or would you like to go play?"

William's eyes flickered between the book and his parents. "I love Peter Rabbit, he's naughty!" he said, his voice full of youthful honesty. "But I wanna go play now."

Marguerite felt a mix of emotions as she watched William's face light up at the thought of playtime. A part of her was slightly disappointed that he wanted to leave their reading session so soon. But a stronger, more dominant part of her was touched by his innocent joy.

With a soft smile, she leaned down to William's eye level. "Alright, darling. Why don't you go find Nanny in the nursery and have some fun?"

The young boy's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Okay, Mummy!" And with that, he bounded out of the room, his youthful energy filling the space even after he'd gone.

John grinned, feeling a sense of relief and validation. He and Marguerite exchanged a look of understanding and love. The issue may not be entirely resolved, but for now, they were content to let their son find his own balance between learning and play. After all, it was his childhood, a time for both wisdom and wonder.