Her bags were already neatly packed—she hadn’t waited for a servant—and now all she had to do was wait until her employers were ready to leave.She sat on the unmade bed, then bounced up again.She should thank Miranda for her kindness and hospitality.It was the least she could do.
She found her in the breakfast room with an elderly couple, regaling them with some tale that had them all laughing, a laughter that silenced when Jenny walked into the room.She almost turned and walked back out again, but she’d always been a stickler for good manners, and she advanced down the room.
“Ah, good, you’ve come for breakfast,” Miranda said with far greater cheer than a woman with a wounded son should display.“Let me make you known to my parents, the Marquess and Marchioness of Haverstoke.This is Miss Jenny Lancaster.The woman I told you about.”
“Good morning, Miss Lancaster,” the elderly gentleman said, eying her with an amusement very like Brat’s.
Clearly he was as mad as the rest of his family.She simply nodded.“I wished to thank you for your kind hospitality.You made me feel quite at home.”
“Of course,” Miranda said airily.“But why are you in your travelling clothes?”
“We’re leaving.Didn’t Lord Charles tell you?”
Miranda’s smile vanished.“They’re leaving.I persuaded him to let the girls stay on through Christmas.I assumed that meant you would be staying as well.”She looked at her closely.
Jenny shook her head.“My term of employment has come to an end.I’ll be going to spend time with my aunt in Yorkshire.”
For some reason, Miranda looked distraught.“Have you told James?”
“Lady Emma said he needed rest.I thought you could tell him goodbye for me.”
“Coward,” she said softly.
“I beg your pardon?”Jenny said, shocked.
“He’s awake, though angry as a bear with a sore paw.Tell him yourself.”
The elderly couple were looking greatly amused at this peremptory order, and Jenny wanted to flat-out refuse.It would be so hard to see him again, knowing she couldn’t have him.But in truth, she should say goodbye, so she nodded.
“Of course,” she said.“I didn’t want to disturb him.”
Miranda rose, striding around the table.“I’ll take you to him.”
So she wasn’t going to have a chance to escape.She turned to Miranda’s parents.“It was a pleasure to meet you,” she said, dropping a perfect little curtsey.
“Welcome to the family,” said the Marquess with a twinkle in his eye.More madness in the family, Jenny thought uneasily.
The house was still and silent in the early morning hours as Jenny trailed after Miranda, trying to get her emotions settled.She would be calm, unemotional, and if Brat was uncomfortable seeing her again, that would be his problem.She could carry off the difficult leave-taking.Tomorrow she could weep.
ChapterTen
Jenny could hearhim from the end of the hallway, the same litany of curses that had accompanied his departure from the outbuilding where he’d almost died.Jenny halted.“I don’t think I should bother him…” she began, but Miranda simply opened the door to the bedroom and pushed her through, closing the door behind her.
Brat lay in bed, a loose white shirt over his shoulders, a stark white bandage on his arm, looking supremely bad-tempered.“It’s about time,” he said, looking at her out of those dark eyes.“Where were you?”His eyes narrowed.“And why are you dressed for travelling?”
“I’m leaving.I didn’t wish to bother you, but your mother thought I should bid you goodbye, and I thought it only proper that I thank you for saving my life.”
“Only proper.And you are so very proper, aren’t you, Mrs.Lancaster?”he said, his temper not improving.“And where do you think you’re going?”
“Why do you want to know?”she shot back, her own temper rising.
“So I can come and drag you back once my arm is better.I can’t very well carry off my bride with only one arm working.”
She stared at him in astonishment.“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“You’re the ridiculous one.You’re not leaving.”
“I most certainly am.”Anger fought with her grief and almost won.
