The Grateful Heart

As they settled in the kitchen for supper. Butler Donald informed him about moving to the guest room.

"Really, you are moving to the guest room tonight?" Carrie surprisingly said.

Creighton could not also believe what Butler Donald said. He feels everything happens so suddenly and unexpectedly.

"Sir Donald, I am truly grateful for your help but isn't it too much for Lady Agatha to let us move to the guest room? I and Liam are fine staying in the basement quarters." feels ashamed.

Butler Donald sipping his soup, politely.

"It's Lady Agatha's order. She does not want to feel guilty if later, your son gets sick. And the basement quarters are not good for a toddler during the winter season due to not enough heat coming in, and the blankets will not be enough to keep you both warm." gazed at Creighton's reaction.

Creighton tenderly looked at his son, for, he truly feels grateful. He's happy yet in his thought what could have made Lady Agatha act that way?

"Lady Agatha made the right choice. She is concerned about adorable Liam plus Creighton and Lady Agatha will have more time to see each other, don't you think, mother?" with her imaginative thoughts to break the silence while having dinner.

"What's that supposed to mean? Are you talking nonsense again, Ashley?"

Creighton feels embarrassed as he looked at Ashley and Carrie. Liam was eating using a spoon of mashed pumpkin bits scattered on his face. He taps the spoon on the plate to get more.

"I'm not talking nonsense, mother. We all know that Lady Agatha never lets any guest or even her own Uncle, Lord Douglas stays in the mansion. Don't you think it's a blessing for Creighton and Liam? Because Lady Agatha finally found someone whom she could trust and feels comfortable with, without doubts. I'm sure of it" she bragged as she took a bite of the chicken drumstick.

The atmosphere in the kitchen change at their convenience. Creighton in his thoughts again that it would be impossible for him as a commoner to have such privilege. Lady Agatha might only be concerned about his son, Liam. However, Lady Agatha will only see him as an adjutant, and nothing more than that. All he needs to do is do his best to provide a better life for his son and to later think about himself as becoming happy again.

"Don't you think, Uncle Donald?" Ashley looked at his uncle who is sitting beside Creighton while she was holding her spoon and swallowed her food.

Butler Donald did not utter a word but only in his thoughts. "I guess, Ashley's right. Maybe their presence would help Lady Agatha's sufferings mend in time."

"Uncle, why are you not saying anything?" Ashley tilted her head and wondered.

Creighton was in deep thought as Butler Donald secretly gazed at him, again.

"I believe it's time for us to rest the night." Butler Donald changed the topic, as he got up from the bench table, and puts away his plate.

Creighton looked at him as he leaves the kitchen. And Carrie was totally annoyed by her daughter's behavior while Ashley does not mind at all and finished her meal.

**

When they reached the guest room at the far-right end. Liam was soundly asleep in his left arm.

"Is it really all right for us to stay here in the guest room, Sir Donald?"

"Creighton, you're thinking too much. Just think about your son."

"On the right end is the bathroom. So, you do not need to go to the basement quarters." He directed.

"Thank you, Sir Donald, I guess I am thinking too much because I was never treated with so much kindness like this in my life. To think that all I can offer is to do well in my job and to not fail you and Lady Agatha." Creighton's warm yet sad face.

"Then, that's all you need to do, Creighton. Also, whatever you will hear outside of this room, do not bother to look, refrain from going outside." Butler Donald intently said.

"What do you mean?" he wondered.

"Lady Agatha still weeps in the night and mourns for losing her family after years have passed. So, never leave this room if that happens." Butler Donald explained.

Creighton worried face, in his thoughts,

"I might have lost Lucy, but I have Liam that keeps me going. But, Lady Agatha, I didn't know that she's been living all her life in misery, and no one even dare to step in and comfort her at her worst. What should I do? Can I even do something for her, to ease the pain in her heart?"