October 1, 1184
Alsina's daughter Riala was a tidy, meticulous child who would not have taken kindly to any little half-brothers gnawing on her dolls' feet, even if she rarely played with that particular set of toys any more. But Riala was at school, and Alsina was watching Cenric for the day, and that castle set was probably the most age-appropriate toy in the house that he couldn't ruin too thoroughly for Riala's notice. On days when Cenric was in Alsina's care, Riala and Fenrick walked home with Aydelle's daughter Leina, who would then take the baby to her mother at the castle, so Alsina could easily put back the toys and wipe the drool off before Riala got home without leaving Cenric alone long enough for him to get antsy.Of course, there was always the risk of tiny teeth marks... "Sweetie, don't bite too hard."
"If you're worried that Riala will find out, I can bring over a few things little Celina's grown tired of." That was easy for Nora to say. She may not have had an official occupation of her own, but she did help out with the dealings of her shire where she could, and when she couldn't, there was always a grandchild or step-grandchild with whom she could occupy herself. Aside from the housekeeper, Alsina was alone for most of the day, unless she had Cenric. When she didn't have Cenric, she found there was very little to do around the house, so she'd taken to frequenting all the shops she could find.Buying some toys for him was her planned Thursday project. "It's fine. Celina's still at the age where her interest might rekindle."
"You're going shopping again, then." Nora sighed. With a dead father and an ill mother and three younger siblings to care for, Alsina's older sister had gained a frugality that never failed to annoy. Even after Nora had married her lord--and would never want for anything again--any coppers that didn't have to be spent weren't. "Don't you ever get bored, either shopping or sitting around, waiting for everyone else to get home?"
Alsina shrugged. "Yes, but not much else sounds any more interesting."All she got for that admission was a raised eyebrow. "There must be something."
"But there isn't."
"You can't tell me there's not even one good book in the house."
"There might be, but I don't read well enough to make it worth the trouble." Good thing Aldhein read well enough to have taught the children. If Alsina was honest with herself, she wasn't sure if there was a story told that could keep her attention long enough for a sufficient distraction anyway. "And don't suggest I take up some sort of sport or try painting or volunteer at the university or anything else. I've considered it all."
"You could not have possibly considered every feasible activity known to man." Perhaps she was right, but Alsina had never been the most imaginative of people. How much easier everything could have been if she had. "What about--?""No."
Nora sank back in the couch, eyes rolling back beneath their lids. Easy for her to say there was always something to be done. She wasn't old before her time. Her husband hadn't knocked up a younger woman on the side, even if the product of that betrayal had grown on Alsina. The only permanent goal Alsina had to work toward these days was trying to forgive Aldhein, and it was tough to make active progress when he wasn't around. What did Nora know of that?
"Ah!" Cenric dropped the doll into the castle and giggled. He must have liked the clunking wood-on-wood sound. "Ah!"
"Finished with that for now?" Alsina got out of her chair and lifted the kid into her arms. Much as she felt obligated to keep him occupied, she liked it best when he wasn't. That way, she had a direct focus.
"There's a good boy. How about some apple sauce?"NEXT CHAPTER:
