He shook his head. “The fault was mine. I was standing about like a fool, listening to the music from Catherine’s morning room. Is it Miss Winter playing?”
“Yes, I think so.”
“Well, I saw Neil go in there, and I’m sure I can hear him singing.” Simon shook his head, smiling. “Everything’s changed since she came here.”
“Yes,” Jenny murmured wistfully. “It has.”
For a moment, Simon’s expression grew distant, thoughtful. Then he shook himself and grinned again. “Now, let me carry those linens for you.”
“Oh no, Mr—Simon,” she corrected herself quickly. “I can manage.”
“I don’t doubt it,” he said lightly. “But I’d still like to help.”
Jenny smiled and found herself handing over her burden.
“Now,” Simon said from behind the pile, his voice muffled, “you’ll have to show me where to go.”
She placed a tentative hand on his arm to guide him, and a tremor ran through her.
Foolish girl,she told herself.A nursemaid and a steward? He’s a duke’s cousin, for goodness’ sake, and a gentleman. He’ll never think twice about you.
Perhaps that was true, but for the moment, it was only her and Simon—and a vast pile of linens.
“This way,” she said.
Chapter Fifteen
Perhaps it was selfish, but Maggie hoped and wished with all her might that the weather would turn and the picnic would be cancelled. Therewererumours of a storm sweeping in from the coast, black and heavy and decidedly ominous.
Whatever truth there was to those rumours, none was fulfilled that afternoon. The sky was clear and blue, not a single cloud scudding across its perfect expanse. The sun shone warmly; the flowers nodded in a cheerful breeze. It was, in short, a perfect day.
Maggie’s heart sank a little lower with every passing moment. She readied Emma for the outing, smiling as the little girl babbled with excitement.
“I’ve never been on a picnic before,” Emma said matter-of-factly.
Maggie paused in the act of braiding her hair. “Never?”
Emma shook her head. “Jenny wanted to take me on one ages ago, when Miss Swaddle was my governess, but she said there wasn’t any room in the schedule. She said she would think about it, but Jenny said that when adults say that, they really mean no.”
Maggie bit her lip. “Not always,” she said gently. “But at least you’re going now. Come, it’s time to go down.”
A pang of guilt settled in Maggie’s chest. What right had she to wish the day undone? Emma was a child, eager for adventure. Let her have it. Maggie would simply endure any slights that came her way.
On the landing, Emma darted ahead, and Maggie caught her own reflection in the mirror. A plain woman looked back at her—a governess through and through, in her dull gown and simplestraw bonnet. Not quite a servant, not quite a lady. Someone easy to overlook.
A lump rose in her throat, but she turned briskly away, forcing a smile.
“Are you ready, Emma? They might leave without us!”
The picnickers had gathered in the foyer, all chatter and laughter. Emma wove between them, bright and untroubled, while Maggie lingered near the wall, trying not to draw notice.
She flinched when a tall, elegant woman appeared beside her.
“Lady Westbrook,” Maggie said quickly, inclining her head.
Lady Westbrook regarded her with cool amusement. “You always incline your head. It is customary to curtsey to your betters, you know.”
Colour rose in Maggie’s cheeks. “I beg your pardon if I’ve offended you.”
