Hester's Hope

point of knowing where the slithering reptile was at all times before someone came to harm, most likely Hebbie himself.
“You’re here!” Cecil stood from the end of the table folding the paper he had been reading and dropping it onto the floor. “Good, good.” He didn’t seem to know what else to say and simply stood there staring for several seconds. “Where’s that pretty dress from last night,” his words tumbling out.
“That dress was not mine,” Hester said calmly, worried that the man was displeased with her appearance. “It has been returned to its rightful place.”
Cecil didn’t know what to say, but judging by the state of Miss Johnson’s simple black dress, this job had come along at the right time.
“Say good morning to your uncle,” Hester said, a soft smile tugging at her lips.
“Good morning,” Jonas said his eyes never leaving the trays of food on the side board.
“Good morning uncle,” Beverly added her greeting before following Hester to the buffet.
“How come we never got this stuff before?” Jonas asked grabbing a plate and beginning to load it with bacon, eggs and ham. “All we ever get is toast and porridge.”
“To have a nice breakfast,” Hester began, her stomach rumbling at the sight of the food, “you must have nice manners as well.”
Jonas hesitated turning a questioning look on Hester. “Am I going to lose points for taking too much?” he asked, looking down at his heaped plate.  Thinking about the game that he so desperately wanted to win had pricked his conscience.
“No, but you must have a seat at the table and at least try to chat with your uncle. That is only polite.”
Cecil looked at the woman, surprised at her words. She certainly didn’t behave like any of the other women who had declared themselves capable of caring for the children. “Right,” he agreed, taking his seat. “What shall we talk about?” Cecil looked at his nephew who shrugged. “Perhaps you could tell me about this game.”
“Hester says that whichever one of us wins the game gets to choose a day out.” Jonas looked between Hester and his uncle then turned his attention to devouring his breakfast.
As the family began to eat, the silence grew awkward, and she could see that Mr. Payton had no idea about how to converse with the children in his care.
“Shall we discuss lessons?” Hester suggested, pouring tea. “What lessons have the children had? Do they have teachers? Children, what is the state of your education?”
Beverly looked at her brother then back to Hester giving a shrug. “We haven’t had any since Mama and Papa died.” The girl’s frank words and matter of fact manner hit Hester in the heart.
“We will have to see what’s to be done about that then.” Hester lifted soft brown eyes to Mr. Payton, pleased when he nodded.
“I don’t like lessons,” Jonas said. “They’re boring. Can’t I do some more cleaning or something that will earn points?”
Hester didn’t reply right away, as she cut into her eggs lifting a bite to her mouth. “I’ll have to give some consideration to it,” she finally spoke. “Tell me what classes you like best.” Hester’s dark eyes pinned the boy to his seat and he squirmed slightly.
“I like riding,” he finally grinned. “I like going fast in the carriage as well.”
“I’d rather be in the garden,” Beverly added absently. “It used to be beautiful when Mama tended it, and I was learning about flowers and herbs.”
Hester smiled, satisfied with the answers. It was a beginning. She had a plan, and after breakfast, she would begin, hopefully, with very little interference from Mr. Payton.
Cecil watched Miss Johnson with the children wondering what she was about with all of the questions. Already, he had learned more about his niece and nephew in that short conversation than he had in the months he had been living in their home.
He smiled at Jonas’s enthusiasm for riding and wondered where the boy had to go riding in the city, or if he could arrange lessons for the boy.
Beverly’s interest in plants also surprised him. She had never indicated such a thing, not even taking note of the flowers that were delivered to the house each week.
“And what about you Mr. Payton?”
Hester finally asked, as Jonas returned to the sideboard for more bacon. “What things do you enjoy?”
Cecil turned from filling his plate and stared at Hester for so long she was certain he wouldn’t reply. He seemed startled by her question, surprised that she would ask.
“I like riding.” His words were flat.
“Perhaps you can take Jonas out one day after he has finished his lessons. It’s important to encourage someone’s interests.”
Why hadn’t he ever thought to ask the children about what they wanted? He had simply stepped into his role as guardian without a thought to who the children were. He knew that they had been devastated by the loss of their parents, and not wanting to cause them undue stress, he had not insisted that they return to their studies.
“Perhaps I will.” He would need to talk to one of the men about horses and a place to go riding. "The weather is getting fine again, and I must admit it would be a relief to get out of the house.”
Beverly looked up, hope shining in her dark eyes. “Uncle, do you think we could go to the botanical gardens one day? I’ve always wanted to go.”
Cecil looked at Hester then back at his niece. “That will be up to Miss Johnson,” he quipped. “As your new caregiver, she’ll be responsible for organizing such outings.”
“Does that mean you won’t go with us?” the little girl asked, her eyes growing cold.
Hester looked up, seeing Beverly withdraw, and quickly intervened. “I’m sure your uncle would be pleased to go with us one day,” she caught Cecil’s eye holding it. “Today we will work out a schedule for school, chores, and outings. We’ll set points for each one, and when you reach them, we will take the