“See that you remember that.”
Jenny was tornbetween pleasure and apprehension.After years of sleeping in what was little better than a servant’s garret, she had now been placed in a most pleasant bedroom, complete with roaring fire and hot water to wash away the dust of travel.Her clothes had already been put away, and someone had brought fresh tea and scones for refreshment.She sank into the chair with a sigh of complete satisfaction as Hortensia bounded in the doorway, followed by her twin sister.
“You’ve got a prettier room that we have,” Penelope observed, looking around her.“Aunt Miranda must like you.”
“She hardly had a chance to form an opinion,” Jenny pointed out, pouring herself a cup of tea.
“Mother’s incensed to be sharing a corridor with a servant.”Hortensia was the artless one.“But Father pointed out that this would be the farthest away from Brat, and therefore safest.What did you think of him, Jenny?Wasn’t he divine?”
“Don’t let your parents hear you call me Jenny,” she admonished her.“They wouldn’t approve.”
“I’m used to hiding things from my parents,” Hortensia replied with perfect honesty.“Well?What did you think?”
For a moment, Jenny was lost for words, remembering the dark, dark eyes, the curling dark hair, the mouth curved In a mocking smile.“He’s a very attractive young man,” she said with perfect truthfulness.
“He’s more than that,” Penelope said with a soulful sigh.“If he weren’t my first cousin, I’d want to marry him.”
“First cousins marry,” Hortensia pointed out.
“Yes, but you know Aunt Miranda doesn’t approve of it,” Penelope said.“Too bad, because he’s absolutely loaded with money, enough that one might overlook certain social failings.Aren’t you madly attracted to him, Jenny?I swear one can’t look at him and not fall under his spell.”
“No, I am not,” Jenny said firmly.“I prefer more comfortable men.My husband was a very gentle man, I suspect the complete opposite of your cousin, and I was very happy.”
“Yes, but it’s time to move on.If I can’t marry him, maybe you can, and then you wouldn’t leave us.”
“That’s a capital idea!”Horry said.
Jenny laughed.“Your wayward cousin isn’t going to marry a governess.And I have no intention of marrying anyone like him.”
“But he’s so handsome!”Hortensia protested.“How can you resist him?”
“Quite easily.Now stop talking such nonsense and tell me what you’re going to wear for dinner.”
“More importantly, what are you going to wear for dinner?”Penelope replied.“I think your green velvet.Brat would love it.”
“What makes you think I’ll be invited to join the family for dinner?”
“Because it’s Aunt Miranda, who’s absolute trumps.She probably won’t seat you next to Brat, but that’s for your sake, not his.I saw the way he looked at you.If you wear something attractive, he’ll be at your feet.”
“I don’t want him at my feet.I’ll wear my gray gown.It’s much more sedate and perfectly suitable for a family dinner.”
“It’s boring,” Penelope complained.
“Good.Governesses are supposed to be boring.”
“So are cousins,” Hortensia pointed out, “And I can’t think of anyone less boring than Brat.”
“Go and dress for dinner, you two, and stop all this foolish chatter.I’ve a mind to plead a headache and stay in my room for dinner.They couldn’t really want the hired help mingling with the family.”
“We’re all very democratic.Aunt Charity and Aunt Emma are great believers in helping the poor and unfortunate.”
“Well, since I’m neither, I may as well stay in my room.”
“I promise we won’t tease you about Brat anymore,” Penelope said fervently.“You’re right, he’s most likely not interested in any decent female.I heard my father say he keeps mistresses.”Her voice dropped to a whisper.
Jenny smiled.“More than one at a time?How very energetic of him.”
The girls giggled.“That’s a very naughty thing to say.”
