He knew she had a valid point. Most noble families engaged a governess to supervise the early education of their children, some when the child was just learning to talk. But the earl’s was hardly a typical household. Damien tried a different approach.
“I strongly doubt you would be comfortable living here, Miss Browning. The Grange is an exceedingly unorthodox household.”
“So I have been given to understand.”
The earl straightened up from his causal pose. “By whom?”
Isabella felt a chill run up her spine, but she did not break their eye contact. “I met Lady Edson at the posting inn near Buckingham this morning. She was most anxious to relate some rather bizarre tales about you and your staff. Naturally, I do not believe such malicious gossip.”
“Perhaps you should, Miss Browning.” The earl spoke in an unemotional voice.
Isabella’s color heightened as she remembered Lady Edson’s preposterous accusations claiming that the earl impregnated three female members of his staff. Even though she felt certain these rumors were lies, she would have liked to hear the earl deny them, but Isabella knew she lacked the courage to directly confront him on such an indelicate personal subject.
“Idle gossip does not interest me, my lord,” Isabella declared truthfully. “I am more concerned about securing a position.”
“After what happened between us yesterday morning, I am very surprised you would wish to work for me,” the earl said in a soft voice.
Isabella lowered her eyes, not wanting him to see how near the mark his words hit. “I bear you no ill feelings, my lord. Since our unfortunate incident, other individuals have commented on my resemblance to Emmeline. In retrospect, I have come to the conclusion that you made an honest mistake.”
The earl’s mouth formed a tight line. “If you worked for me, Miss Browning, your reputation would in all likelihood be severely compromised, perhaps even ruined irreparably.”
Isabella shrugged philosophically. “A sterling reputation does not provide an adequate living, my lord. I need this job. Badly.”
Damien felt a twinge of guilt, knowing he was responsible for her current unemployed status, but he ignored it. “Have you nowhere else to go, Miss Browning?”
“My stepbrothers are scattered throughout the country. It has been years since we’ve corresponded. I’m not precisely certain of their current direction.” Isabella strove for lightness. “I suppose my grandfather could be forced to tolerate my presence for a while. However, the earl’s generosity is rather limited in my case. I prefer not to rely on it.”
“The earl? Your grandfather is an earl? Yet you insist you must earn your living as a governess.”
Isabella almost groaned out loud at her unintentional slip. She did not want him finding out about her parentage. It was too deep a wound, too personal a hurt.
“My maternal grandfather is the Earl of Barton. He and my mother were estranged before I was born. I did not even know of his existence until I was sent to live at his estate in York when I was seventeen. After staying there for three years, I took my first position as a governess. It was my only means of escape.”
Damien stroked his chin thoughtfully at her revelations. She was obviously alienated from her stepbrothers, and he heard the subtle contempt in Isabella’s voice when she spoke of her grandfather. He got the distinct impression that if he asked her additional questions concerning her family and her past, she would truthfully answer him, but he did not press the point. It was none of his business, even if she did become governess to his children.
Damien stopped short when he realized where his thoughts were taking him. Could he actually be seriously considering offering her a job? The benefits to his children aside, did he really want this enchanting, disturbing creature living under his roof?
“I still find it difficult to believe you do not have grave misgivings about working for me, Miss Browning.”
“I would not be here if I did, my lord,” Isabella stated softly, surprising them both with her answer.
Damien considered her carefully as Isabella anxiously awaited his response. He supposed she could have tried to shame him into offering her a job, since he was ultimately responsible for her losing her position with her former employers. She might have pleaded with him or even wept over her predicament, although years of listening to Emmeline’s crying on cue had hardened the earl against a woman’s tears. But she had done none of these things. Instead she forgave him for his boorish actions. Damien made his decision.
“You are hired, Miss Browning.”
The smile she gave him was dazzling. “Thank you, my lord. I promise you will not regret this decision.”
“I sincerely hope you are right, Miss Browning,” Damien replied with a frown, determined to repress the odd stirring he felt in his chest at her enchanting smile. The very last thing he needed was an attraction to his children’s new governess. “I am sure you are tired from your long journey. I shall instruct our housekeeper, Mrs. Amberly, to show you to your room immediately.” He reached out and pulled the bell cord to summon the housekeeper.
Isabella hesitated. “I would like to meet the children first, please.”
Damien’s frown deepened. This was an unexpected request. “I am certain tomorrow will be soon enough for introductions, Miss Browning. Besides, I wish to speak privately to my son and daughter before you meet.” The earl reached over and pulled hard on the bell cord a second time, not about to reveal that he had no idea where his children were at the moment.
Isabella curtly nodded her head in acquiescence. Damien could tell she was displeased by his reply, but with an effort she held her tongue.
After an uncomfortably long, silent wait, the earl’s summons was finally answered. A short, dour-faced elderly woman entered the study and was introduced to Isabella as the housekeeper, Mrs. Amberly. The women exited the study as Jenkins entered it, and Isabella gave the valet a warm smile when they passed in the doorway.
“Judging by the scowl on Mrs. Amberly’s face and the sweetness of Miss Browning’s smile, I assume you have engaged a governess,” the valet remarked the moment the women were gone.
