“Well, it’s my belief there is no better way to learn about nature than outside in it, so I would be more than happy to explore the parks with your daughter, sir. I’m quite handy at drawings and descriptions. I also excel at paper folding, so could create characters.”
As if she realized she’d said too much, she added. “Of course, I will be guided by you, Mr. Howarth, and with each lesson, I will ensure you are happy with what I teach your daughter.”
“She is six, Miss Knight. I want her to learn and enjoy doing it. Structure is not important; content is.”
Her eyes came up again and settled on him.
“Also, our nephew will pop in from time to time.”
“How wonderful.” She smiled.
“And my brothers and others who visit. This is not what you would call a conventional nobleman’s household, Miss Knight,” Gabe said.
“I shall of course be happy teaching whoever is present for the day’s lessons.”
“Well,” Dimity said.
“I would like you here each day, Miss Knight, if I was to employ you. My daughter has a nanny to see to her other needs. I would expect you to be here by 9:00 a.m., and the lessons would be over by 3:00 p.m. Would that suit you?”
“It would, yes.” She looked almost excited now, but only her eyes showed what she was thinking.
Forrest shot Dimity a look, and she turned her eyes to the door. He knew what she wanted, as they’d prearranged a signal. He nodded.
“I think it best that you meet Ella, Miss Knight,” Forrest said. “I would never employ the services of someone she did not feel comfortable with.”
That surprised her too. He doubted she was used to the needs of the child being paramount in her past positions. But here in this house and with him, they were everything. He would not countenance a tutor who did not understand that.
His daughter meant everything to him, as he did to her. Her mother had loathed her after giving birth to her, and he would ensure she never knew that.
CHAPTERTHREE
“Of course. I would be honored to meet her.”
“And I’ll call for tea. My niece loves sugar biscuits, Miss Knight, so if you wish to get in her good graces or need to bribe her, I suggest you make friends with the cook,” Gabe said, getting to his feet. “And peppermint sticks. Those are also a favorite of Ella’s and everyone else in this household.” He helped his wife rise.
Forrest kept his eyes on Miss Knight as they left. She was nervous, which was entirely natural considering she was being interviewed by an earl and a countess, plus him. But there was a little something more with her, an air of something. She lowered her head, and he heard a sharp exhale.
“Are you all right, Miss Knight? I assure you there is no need to be nervous. We are good people.” Which she only had his word for, but it was the truth. Mostly, they were upstanding members of society.
Her head came up, and her eyes went to him. Gray, he thought, the color of a wolf’s pelt. He had the urge to get closer and examine them.
“Forgive me, I did not mean to be rude.”
“You didn’t speak a word, so I’m not sure how you could have been.” He smiled. She replied with a tentative one of her own, and he saw she had two dimples.
“Sorry,” she said again and then dropped her eyes to her hands. “I-I would like to say, sir, that if you entrust your daughter in my care, I will never give you a moment to regret it.”
The words were whispered, but as it was quiet in here and he sat close to her, he heard them. He also put a name to the little something more he thought she was feeling. Desperation.
“Papa!”
His daughter was suddenly framed in the doorway, clutching a doll in one hand and Walter’s collar with the other. The shaggy gray-haired dog loved Ella, as she did him.
She had curls the color of sunset and his blue eyes. Her cheeks were rosy, suggesting she’d sprinted the entire way down here from the nursery. Her dress was white, and he noted a smear of something he thought likely to be jam down the skirt.
“Come here, sweetheart.” Forrest held out a hand.
This child had saved him. She’d been the one light in an incredibly dark period of his life. His sole reason for living. Sometimes he thought he loved her too much, if that was possible.
