He nodded, but his expression remained customarily stoic. “Excellent. If it is agreeable to you, I will take tomorrow to get things situated, and then you may come by early the next day to get settled at Briarton Park. I see no cause to delay.”
With every new word spoken, her nerves flailed wildly within her. “That is wonderful. Thank you, sir. I am certain that—”
Her words were interrupted. She lifted her gaze slightly over Mr. Warrington’s shoulder to see Mr. North approaching them, his expression unusually severe. “Oh, Mr. North. Forgive me. I did not see you there.”
“I’ve been looking for you! I thought I’d quite lost you.” Mr. North moved closer, giving Mr. Warrington a brief nod in greeting. “The hour is growing quite late, and the rain has started, I’mafraid. Mrs. Martin desires to return home. So as much as I hate to put an end to the festivities, I do feel the time has come to see you ladies home.”
A pang of disappointment shot through her. She cast a glance up at Mr. Warrington, wishing there was some way he could intervene. She wanted to stay with him. To continue discussing their plans.
But it was impossible, of course.
Besides, in a matter of two days all would begin. Her new role. Her new pupils. Something to focus on outside of herself.
“Very well then.” She pivoted back to Mr. Warrington. “Thank you, sir. I look forward to all we’ve discussed.”
“Until later then.” Mr. Warrington bowed.
Cassandra took the vicar’s proffered arm and followed him as he led her from the quiet and privacy of the corridor back to the main drawing room.
When they were out of earshot, Mr. North whispered quite close, “It is none of my business, I know, but I could not help but overhear. Mr. Warrington mentioned something about ‘later.’ Do you have upcoming business with him?”
She saw no reason to keep it secret. “I do. Rather exciting news, at least on my part. I’ve been engaged as governess to care for his daughters.”
She expected him to offer a bit of congratulations, but none came. In fact, his expression turned almost adverse.
She lowered her gaze to the ground as they walked. She was learning his ways—learning his moods and his dispositions. “I take it from your silence that you do not approve.”
He hesitated. “It is not my place to approve or disapprove, but do you think it wise to tie yourself to a family—a position—so early in your search?”
“What could be wrong with it? It is employment, and quite necessary. Nothing more.”
“You will need help from others,” he cautioned, his tone worrisome. “There are still many questions to be answered, and people, whether you like it or not, are starting to talk.”
A tingle skittered down the back of her neck. The same tingle she had felt when he talked about socializing with Betsy and the other boarders. He was turning this conversation in a direction she did not necessarily want it to go.
He stopped to face her. His resolute jaw twitched. “I hate to tell you this, for it reeks of idle gossip, and you know I detest such happenings. But you must know what people are saying. They are figuring it out, Miss Hale. Why you are here. They are saying there’s an inheritance involved. A sizable one. If you are to inherit, what would it look like to serve as a governess—”
She raised her hand in hasty interruption. “I’m in no position to care what people think, inheritance or not.”
“It’s not just that. Mr. Peter Clark and Mr. Warrington are not exactly friends. Or even allies. It... it sends a certain message.”
She recoiled. A message?
His voice softened and his face relaxed. He glanced around, ensuring privacy. “I only urge you to keep your options open. I do not mean to upset you, and I fancy you a friend. You—your presence here—fits a hole that was in my life. I’ve probably said too much, but it’s important you know someone cares very much what happens and sincerely desires the best for you.”
“A friend,” she repeated. He seemed earnest, but the sincerity displayed slammed against Betsy’s warnings. “Then as a friend I must ask: Does a title, such as a governess, mean so very much to you? Would you consider me less worthy to be a friend if I obtained such a role?”
“Of course I would not consider you less worthy. You misunderstand me. I only caution you to consider every scenario. After all, what do you know of the Warringtons? I barely know them, and we have lived in close proximity for quite some time.”
“What does any governess know of any family who employs her?” Her tone sounded more churlish than she’d intended. “I do thank you for wanting the very best for me, but I assure you, I’ve lived my entire life without expectation. I can manage this situation quite fastidiously.”
They continued on to bid their farewells to their host and hostess, but while their discourse drew to an end, the words exchanged continued to trouble Cassandra. They could be perceived as encouragement—like a friend encouraging another—but quite the opposite seemed to be true. Everything she thought she knew had shifted, which reinforced one fact: she needed to be very careful whom she trusted.
***
Sunlight streamed through the tall panes, illuminating the steam rising from the coffee before him as James sat in his study.
After the previous night’s events at Kent House, he’d not slept at all. He’d not expected to encounter Miss Hale there. It was supposed to be a humdrum gathering with mundane conversation and perhaps one or two worthwhile business discussions.
