And, of course, there were the children.
He lightened his tone. “I didn’t ride a rented horse all the way from the ferry to talk about myself”—he flashed a smile—“much as you know I enjoy the topic. Tell me—howaremy godchildren?”
“My Thaddeus grows more like his father every day.” Her eyes sparkled with maternal pride. “He’s taller than Chev, now, can you believe?”
“Truly? I had no idea a boy of sixteen could sprout so much in so short a time.”
“Like a magic beanstalk.” She thrust her free arm upward. “As for Ash and Alicia’s wee ones, both seem head over heels for the woman that came to care for them after their nursemaid’s abrupt departure just before Christmas last year—Mrs. Montrose.”
“Ah, yes.” He lifted a brow. “TheincomparableMrs. Montrose.”
“You’ve heard of her?”
“The children’s last letter mentioned little else.” And yet Alicia’s note contained nothing of true substance about the woman.
She slowed her steps. “You sound wary. Why?”
He did not relish the thought ofanyunknown person newly and closely attached to his circle—especially one who had arrived in his absence. “Children do not normally accept a stranger so quickly, do they?”
She considered. “In my experience, they do. And they tend to be good judges of character, too. Thaddeus never trusted any of my would-be suitors, the ones who overran Ithwick Castle in Chev’s absence. But when Chev returned in disguise, Thaddeus liked him immediately.”
He made a sound of disapproval. “Your experience with strangers should make you more concerned, not less.”
“Should it?” Penelope tilted her head thoughtfully before wrinkling her nose. “Everyonelikes Mrs. Montrose, not just the children. She’s not only competent, she’s also good natured and kind...” She paused, a slight crease between her brows.
“But...?”
“At times, Ihavethought I noticed a certain wistfulness about her expression.” She flashed him a quelling look. “However, I could have been mistaken. Ash and Alicia consider themselves quite lucky to have found reliable help on such short notice.”
“Do they, now?” He didn’t believe in that sort of luck, and his suspicious nature was part of what made him successful in all his endeavors.
Anythingtooconvenient should always be suspect.
Intriguing, too, thiswistfulness. “What led to the departure of their nursemaid?”
Pen shrugged. “Her mother contracted some sort of illness, and the family requested she return home as soon as possible. Mrs. Montrose is”—she paused for emphasis—“admittedlymore suited to the position of governess than nursemaid, but Alicia considers that an advantage. Fee will need a governess soon—she’ll be six next month.”
Six!“And how did they find this Mrs. Montrose?”
“I believe she and Alicia were introduced through Alicia’s charity work?—”
He grunted.
“—andAlicia is acquainted with Mrs. Montrose’s family, which is good enough for me, andshouldbe good enough for you, too.”
When he did not immediately agree, she shook her head.
“You are the most cynical man I know. You don’t trust anyone besides Chev and Ash.”
“It’s who I am.”
“No,” she replied. “It’s who you choose to be.”
A distinction without a difference, in his opinion. She knew him well—as did his friends—but, no matter what the game, on matter of principle, he never revealed his whole hand. Not even to those he loved the most.
Besides, why shouldn’t he be wary?
Felicia and Delmare were his godchildren. If his own godfather had not regarded the role as a grave responsibility, where would he be?
