“I will return home on the morrow. For now, let us get top-heavy.”
Chapter Thirteen
Maribel marvelled that almost a sennight had passed without incident, but she was becoming suspicious at her young charge’s oddly obedient behaviour in all things—even lessons she did not like, such as arithmetic. And it appeared to have something do with Mr Whiskers. All Maribel had to do was threaten to remove Mr Whiskers from their presence, and any unruliness Clara was beginning to display ceased in an instant. The more Maribel observed Clara’s fascination with her cat, the clearer it became that Clara was a very misunderstood, very lonely little girl. The friendship and comfort she sought from Mr Whiskers was endearing, and the two had become inseparable. As a result, the rest of the household was now well aware there was a cat living with them. They had all noticed the same change in Clara, so everyone was prepared to plead ignorance to Mr Whiskers’s presence.
Maribel eyed Clara, who was working on her arithmetic in deep concentration. Her smooth brow furrowed as she tried to get the right answer to earn time playing with Mr Whiskers.
“Do you need any help, Lady Clara?” Maribel asked gently.
“No, thank you, Miss Mari. I was paying attention during our lesson, and I will find the answer.”
Proud of her fortitude, Maribel gave her an approving nod. Clara calling her Miss Mari was another positive sign of their progression, as it signified a personal affection. And she sorely missed her brothers calling her Mari.
It was going to be a shame when Thomas returned, and she had not yet decided how to navigate the situation with Mr Whiskers. Or their kiss. She had certainly decided that there would be no more kisses. His kisses were not worth jeopardising her employ.
Liar, a small voice inside her head whispered as she remembered the feel of his kiss. She knew it was foolish, since she was coming to very much enjoy being a governess. It was her calling! Maribel was feeling a little homesick for her mother and brothers and hoped His Grace would be so kind as to let her take time to visit. She was only a governess after all, her family all she had. While she was well aware of their class difference, it hurt when he said it. It took all her pride in her achievements away. And it infuriated her that she allowed the conceited man to have that power over her.
He has the power over my wages, not my mind.
“Miss Mari, here are my answers.” Clara approached her with the paper she had been working on.
Ah, she had been paying attention, she said to herself, confirming Clara had arrived at the correct answer.
What a clever child indeed!
“Where did this cat come from?”
Chapter Fourteen
“Where did this cat come from?”
“Father, you are home!” Clara squealed, dropping the black feline on the floor and running towards him with outstretched arms.
“Yes, yes, I am home.” He patted her fair head absentmindedly. “And I ask again. why is there a cat in my home?”
Thomas swallowed a gasp of surprise when the cat met his stare and appeared to glower back at him.
Impertinence!
“Please father, this is Mr Whiskers. He is my new friend, isn’t he, Miss Mari?”
He followed Clara’s gaze to Maribel, who was standing stiffly in the middle of the room. Acknowledging his attention, she gave a simple curtsey.
“Your Grace.”
“Why is my daughter’s new friend covered in fur and walking on four legs? And since when do we refer to you as Miss Mari.”
“Your daughter’s new friend is covered in fur and uses four legs to roam because he is a cat. And ‘we’ do not need refer to me as Miss Mari, but Lady Clara can. It is a simpler and more comfortable form of address, given the time we spend in each other’s company.”
It was evident his absence had not made Maribel grow fonder. If anything, she seemed more aloof. He watched as she folded her arms in front of her, a defiant position which brought a smile to his face. She was not aloof but angry and trying to mask it with an air of indifference. He was not fooled, and he felt sweet gratification knowing he was not the only one who had been tormented by their exchange.
“Clara, can you please leave Miss Mari and I?”
“Only if Mr Whiskers can come with me.”
His child, always the negotiator.
“Yes, take the wretched ball of fur and get it out of my sight. I will attend to it after I speak with Miss Mari.”
