“No.” Audrey crossed her arms over her chest. “You’ve made a mistake in your calculations, and the new steward is worthless. Malcolm would have told me if the estate was in trouble.”
“He didn’t tell anyone, Audrey. I will show you the accounts if you like. If we lose any of the flock, we are facing many lean years ahead.”
“Malcolm never would have trusted Danby.”
“He’d have had no choice.Ihave no choice.”
“I do not know whether to believe you.” The fire in his sister-in-law’s eyes began to dwindle, and she ran shaky hands up and down her arms. “What manner of man insists on an arrangement such as this? What if the girls form an attachment with Miss Halliday? They could be crushed when she leaves.”
Colin grimaced. Audrey’s concern was legitimate. Hurting his nieces was too steep a price to pay, but if he didn’t fulfill his part of the bargain, how much more would they suffer?
“Perhaps if you lend your assistance,” he said, “we can send Miss Halliday back to Danby Castle before she earns the girls’ admiration.”
Send her back to marry Lord Lovell.The thought was like a splinter trapped beneath his skin, irritating and difficult to dislodge. A sweet girl like Miss Halliday deserved better than to be tethered to a libertine. Danby must be mad to have brokered a match with the baron.
“You will receive no help from me,” Audrey snipped. “Be a man and get rid of her yourself.”
She stalked toward the exit and almost collided with James. He allowed her to leave then strolled into the classroom. “I heard arguing when I came above stairs. I thought you might need assistance.”
“Not with Audrey. I think I’ve become immune to her theatrics.”
Colin moved to the window overlooking the gardens and searched for Miss Halliday and the girls. It took him a moment, but he spied them at the far end of the hedge maze. Caroline, Nora, and their nanny had joined the group. The older girls ran ahead while the youngest two, who were trying very hard to keep pace with their sisters, fell behind. Miss Halliday and Mrs. Browning didn’t allow any of them to go far before urging them to come back.
His brother joined him at the window. “It is good to see them laughing again.”
“Yes, and it is concerning.” Colin relayed their sister-in-law’s worries about the girls becoming attached to Miss Halliday and then losing her. “Perhaps Audrey is right about renegotiating with Danby. I should request another meeting. Either way, she refuses to help drive away her daughters’ new governess, and I cannot say that I blame her. Miss Halliday is a splendid teacher.”
James slapped his back. “Making Danby see reason would be quite the feat, but I agree you should try. In the meantime, I will do what I can to encourage Miss Halliday to tender her resignation in case you are unsuccessful. The less time she spends with the girls, the better.”
Colin slanted a glance at his brother and was troubled by the cocky smile on his face. “Just don’t touch her.”
James chuckled. “I hadn’t even considered it, but taking liberties could speed the process along.”
“I mean it, James.” Colin’s gaze followed Miss Halliday as she strolled hand in hand with Nora now. “If you touch her, I will punch your face inside out.”
He could say his threat was motivated by concern that Danby would renege on their agreement if Miss Halliday were compromised, but he would be lying. He wanted her for himself.
