“I shall leave you both to your, ah, acquaintance.” The butler spoke hastily and made himself scarce.
“This room is very resourceful. My mind is already racing with lessons and all the fun we will have.”
“I hate lessons.”
“You are yet to be part of one of my lessons, so you may very well change your opinion.”
“My last governess thought the same. She left shortly after.”
The little imp is trying to intimidate me, scare me off!
“The profession is not for everyone, I am afraid. I will not be deterred so easily.”
Clara lifted her eyebrows but had no immediate retort, so she pressed on.
“Have you mastered the pianoforte?”
“No, my last two governesses did not play well themselves.”
“Oh really?”
“Yes, I asked them to teach me a song, but they had to play it first, and it sounded terrible. I chuckled so very much.”
“Is that so? I happen to be a very accomplished musician, so I will give my apology now that I will not be able to make you laugh at my efforts. But I can promise I will show you how to play.”
Clara gave a small shrug, seemingly confused by Maribel.
“You do not look very old to be a governess, but you must be to…. “
“Clara, that is not a kind thing to say.”
Any reprimand about manners that had been running through Maribel’s mind flew away as she turned to face the duke. Secretly, she applauded him for the firm scold. It surprised her that he would do so, seeing how dismissive he had been with her earlier. A little glimmer of respect for him sprung forth. He was clearly determined about the education of his daughter. Remembering her own manners, she gave a small smile and nod at his arrival.
“Your Grace.”
“Miss Lewisham.”
Chapter Six
Thomas had been admiring the way Maribel was handling his impertinent daughter. Clara was becoming more difficult by the day, and he had no idea what to do. When he’d last spoken to his close friend and confidante, the Duke of Lesterwich, at White’s, the man had said the very sentence that all his other friends purposely avoided.
“What if you remarry, give her a mother figure?”
Thomas had shaken his head vehemently, insistently dismissing the suggestion. Marriage was not an option. He did not need a male heir—he had male relatives. He did not need another woman dependent on him. His first wife had died birthing the child he now had no control over. A mistress, an affair, or a skilled courtesan catered to his sexual urges, and emotional attachment was not an option. Well, at least to him. And those sexual urges were stirring at the idea of Maribel, which was terribly foolish, considering how much he needed her appointment to be successful. Returning to the situation at hand, he tsk’d aloud.
“Clara, that is not a kind thing to say,” he scolded. It never ceased to amaze him that a child so sweet and innocent looking could wreak such havoc.
“Your Grace.”
“Miss Lewisham.”
“Father,” Clara squealed, running over to him.
Catching her before she collided with his legs, he patted her absentmindedly on the head, his attention still on Maribel.
“What lessons do you have planned for the day? Music?”
“Yes, Your Grace, I would like to assess Lady Clara’s pianoforte knowledge to determine where I should begin with my teachings. It is a fine instrument for any young lady to master.”
