Six
Meredith acceptedLord Blackwood’s offer to carry her books to the third floor classroom and accompanied him from the drawing room.
“Catherine and Nora are in the nursery under the care of their nanny,” the earl said. “I thought perhaps you would prefer to meet with the older girls first.”
“Yes, thank you.”
As they moved through the foyer side by side—not even an arm’s length separating them—the initial jitteriness she’d experienced upon her arrival melted away like butter on a warm roll. The earl had a way about him that put her at ease while also triggering an intense awareness of him.
A faint lilt to his voice hinted at a cheerful disposition. A teasing whiff of woodsy cologne reminded her of the cedar-lined chest she’d filled with her most treasured possessions as a girl. And as inappropriate as it was to harbor such thoughts for one’s employer, she couldn’t deny that he cut a very dashing figure in his tailored fawn trousers and navy coat. He was twice as handsome as any of the men she’d encountered in London, and it was a wonder she could remember her name when he turned his exquisite blue gaze upon her.
As they climbed the curved staircase, he continued to speak of his nieces.
“My brother already mentioned Iris rarely sits still, but that is simply because she is a curious sort. She likes to know how and why objects work. A little patience might be required, but I assure you that she is well-intentioned.”
“I am certain we will get along well, my lord. I, too, was a curious child.”
Meredith noted the softening of his jaw and smiled with satisfaction. Lord Blackwood seemed sincerely interested in seeing his nieces receive the finest instruction possible. Meredith would do her best to provide his charges with an education to make him proud.
“Rebecca may not appear to be listening at times,” he said as they reached the top of the stairs and he directed her down a long corridor, “but she notices everything. She is a brilliant girl who is capable of looking at a drawing once then recalling even the most minute details.”
“What a magnificent talent. All of the girls sound lovely.” Meredith was growing quite eager to meet them.
Faded blue silk carpets muffled their footsteps as they walked through the corridor. They passed rooms with doors left ajar, which allowed sunlight to filter into the space. She took the opportunity to snoop along the way and spotted a medieval tapestry of a wedding scene hanging on a wall in one of the rooms. Danby Castle had its share of tapestries scattered throughout, and Meredith had always enjoyed creating small stories to match the vignettes. Perhaps she could use Lord Blackwood’s tapestry in one of her lessons.
“We moved the classroom to one of the guest chambers recently,” the earl said. “I hope you find it to your liking. You should come to me if there is anything missing that you need, and I will see that you have it. It is important the girls have every advantage.”
She murmured her thanks for his thoughtful offer as warmth swelled within her chest. Her father had valued her and her sister very much, and he’d prodded them to learn every subject that a man would be expected to know. Meredith had always thought Papa was an anomaly, but it appeared Lord Blackwood held similar attitudes toward the fairer gender.
“There were no windows in the former classroom,” he said. “James, Gavin, and I dreaded spending our mornings there.”
“Is Gavin another brother?”
“He is the youngest, but he is not in residence at the moment. He is attending a house party in Sussex.”
“Were you not invited?” Meredith blurted and immediately wanted to slap her hand over her mouth. She hadn’t meant to be impertinent—just curious.
Lord Blackwood slanted a smile toward her. “I was, but I sent my regrets. Truthfully, I would rather be home.” He shrugged as he stopped a few steps in front of one of the opened doors. The sound of girls’ laughter spilled from the room. “I suppose house parties, assemblies, and balls have lost their appeal for me.”
“They never appealed to me,” she said. “Well, I do enjoy spending the holidays with the family at Danby Castle. I am less enthused about large crowds of strangers, however. I couldn’t wait to leave London.”
“I am certain you were not alone in your desire to escape the crush. Where do you call home?”
It would be presumptuous of her to say shewashome now that she’d come to Blackwood Castle. If the family was pleased with her teaching and kept her on for the long term, however, this would become her residence eventually. But that was fact, and her answer was based on an intuition. Blackwood Castle felt right for her, as if she had found where she belonged.
“My mother, sister, brother-in-law, and I took up residence in Bath five years ago,” Meredith said. “Felicity thought taking the waters would be helpful for our mother. She has rheumatism.”
She didn’t know what had gotten into her; she was chattering on like a magpie. Usually, she was at a loss when it came to conversing with gentlemen, but she seemed incapable of being quiet now.
“Julian—my sister’s husband—found a house to let within a month of our arrival, and we have been there ever since. He is rather indulgent when it comes to my sister.”
“As any good husband should be,” Lord Blackwood said with a trace of humor to his tone. “Within reason, of course.”
“Yes, you are right, my lord. Felicity is nothing if not reasonable. I did not mean to imply otherwise.” A heated flush climbed her face as she considered what he must think of her discussing family secrets. “Please allow me to reassure you that I will manage your nieces’ expectations in such matters when we study household budgeting.”
“I have no concerns aboutyourinfluence, Miss Halliday.” His cynical smile suggested he felt differently about other sources of influence in his nieces’ lives, but he didn’t allow her time to ponder his comment. “Has it been helpful?”
She blinked, feeling lost. “I beg your pardon?”
