“Is he always this worried about their welfare? I mean, he spoke of some security concerns. Is there any reason to be on hyper alert?”
“I wouldn’t know about that. But it’s not the usual. Other governesses have taken the children on outings without the master getting all up in arms. I’ll admit I was taken a bit aback by all his ranting yesterday when he got here.” She paused, tilting her head as if to listen. “Speak of the devil. I hear him coming. Better not catch you in here gossiping with me.”
Meredith grinned. “I’m not worried. Thanks for filling me in some.”
“Out to face the lion.” She chuckled. “But he’s a toothless one.”
Pasting a confident smile on her face, Meredith returned to the dining room. “Good morning, sir.” She set down her coffee cup. “I hope you slept well.”
“You don’t have to call me ‘sir,’” he said in a slightly terse tone.
“Well, what should I call you? Prince Spencer? Master? Your Highness?” Okay, she sounded snarky, but she didn’t really care. If he was going to sack her, she might as well get in her licks. After all, what kind of father hires a nanny he’s barely met then leaves her alone with his kids for more than two weeks?
“Call me Spencer.” He picked up the coffee pot.
“Okay.” She nodded, feeling guilty for her attitude.
“And I’d like to apologize, before the children come down, for my behavior last night. That wasn’t very kind.”
“It was a little off-putting.”
“I’m sorry.” He looked at her with sad eyes, and her cheeky resolve dissolved.
“It’s okay. I realize you were worried. But if you don’t mind me asking, I’m curious if there is some kind of security risk I’munaware of? Something I need to know for the welfare of the children.”
“I would like to talk to you about something…but not right now. I hear the children coming down.” He filled his coffee cup then sat down.
“Yes, all right.” She smiled stiffly. “Are we good then?”
“Yes. Good.”
She turned to see Kat and Mishka coming into the dining room. She called out a cheerful greeting, and Mishka came over to give her a hug. Kat mumbled a reply then took her seat. “It’s a beautiful day out there,” Meredith said to no one in particular as she refilled her coffee cup. “Perfect weather for…well, for anything.” She glanced at Spencer, but his eyes were fixed on his phone. “Does anyone have any special plans?”
No one responded as Mrs. Warner set platters of eggs and sausage on the table, replacing the coffee decanter with a fresh one.
“I want to work on my backhand with you this morning,” Kat told Meredith as Mrs. Warner left. “Kalina thinks she can beat me, but I warned her only in her dreams.” Kat smirked.
“Who is Kalina?” Spencer looked up from his phone.
Kat explained about seeing her classmate on the boat but spared him the negative details.
“That’s right, you were on the river boat trip.” Spencer nodded to Mishka with a creased brow. “How did you do with that, George? I know you’re not particularly fond of water.”
“It was great, Papa. I was brilliant.” He beamed at his father. “Meri has been teaching me to swim. I’m not afraid of water anymore.”
Spencer’s brows arched. “You can swim?”
“He’s not quite doing a full stroke with breathing, but he can do a pretty mean dog paddle.” Meredith sent Mishka a grin and awink. “And he treads water and floats on his back and stomach. He’s safe in the water.”
“That’s impressive.” Spencer sipped his coffee with a thoughtful expression then turned to Kat. “And you’re working on your tennis game?”
“Meri is coaching me in tennis and football,” she told him. “She’s quite good.”
“Maybe you’d like to play a match with me,” Spencer told her.
Kat looked surprised. “You have time to play?”
“I can make time.”
