“I have read about them in the paper.”
“Aeronautics machines?”
“You mean hydrogen balloons?” Arabella’s face brightened. She’d attended a balloon launch with her brother, the Duke of Ashmore, several years ago. “I’ve actually been in one.”
Master Robin’s jaw nearly dropped to the ground. “Nooo. You’ve been on a manned hydrogen balloon flight?”
“I just went up and down, but it was the most exhilarating experience in my entire life.”
“You actually wereina balloon as it went up?”
Arabella nodded. No need to tell Robin the balloon had risen only a few feet before her brother had insisted to let her down again. Ash had not gone along because he was afraid of heights.
“Capital! What was it like? Were the people really small and the houses and trees and did you have the feeling of weightlessness, of f–f–flying?” he stuttered in his excitement.
“Well, yes.”
“Did you know the first man who flew across the channel —”
“Jean–Pierre Blanchard.” That much she knew. She’d read an article on him in The Times.
Robin’s eyes glistened with hero–worship. “It took him only two and a half hours to fly from Dover to France. In a gas balloon. Lighter than air!”
A little hand slipped into hers. Joy looked up at her. She’d taken off the metal contraption. “I’m Joy.” She grinned shyly at Arabella. She had a head of unruly blonde curls and dimples in her chubby cheeks.
Arabella melted. “I’m happy to meet you, Miss Joy.”
“I can read,” the girl told her solemnly.
“How very clever of you. What is your favourite book?”
She titled her head sideways and considered Arabella. “Mouse.”
“That sounds like a lovely book.”
“The Life and Perambulations of a Mouseby Dorothy Kilner. Papa reads it to her every night.” Katy rolled her eyes. “It’s a dreadfully dull book, so Papa has to invent most of the story.”
Arabella looked around. Three solemn pairs of eyes looked at her expectantly.
“Does Papa know you’ve hired a governess? I thought he didn’t want one.” Robin turned to Katy.
Katy pulled invisible threads from the sleeve of her faded blue gingham dress.
Arabella knit her brows. “What do you mean, he didn’t want one?”
“Katy, don’t tell me you didn’t tell Papa?” Robin rolled his eyes. “She does this all the time you know. She likes to do things without Papa’s permission.”
“Wait.” A pang of alarm went through Arabella. “Are you saying you hired me without your father’s knowledge?”
“Um.” Katy avoided Arabella’s eyes.
“Are you saying your father did not send the job advertisement to The Times?” Arabella pressed further.
“Papa doesn’t want to hire a governess. Doesn’t see the need,” Robin explained. “But if you know all about hydrogen balloons, then that’s capital, and I don’t mind.” His eyes brightened again.
“We need a governess. Just look at us. What can I do if Papa doesn’t think of things like that?” Katy muttered and waved her arm about vaguely.
“But, Miss Katy, this is just not how things are done. If your father hasn’t consented to this, how could I possibly take the position?” She shook her head regretfully.
