“Plus, there is that hatred he has of us,” Lord Seddon said. “You’re learning a great deal about the family you have come to work for, Miss Downing. I hope it doesn’t put you off us.”
“I am looking forward to taking up my employment,” she said stiffly, unsure what else to say, as this was all very odd and nothing she’d ever come close to dealing with before.
“It is likely you will need to tell your story, Miss Downing, and I’m sorry for that,” Bramstone Nightingale added.
“I knew that I would have to do so when I told you what had taken place that day, Mr. Nightingale. I am not afraid.” In fact, she was terrified, but for the man who had rescued her from a terrible fate, she would be strong.
“We will be in your debt.”
She looked at Bramstone Nightingale and saw he genuinely meant what he said. He did not appear angry with her, just the circumstances he was faced with.
The group traveled in heavy silence for the rest of the journey until the carriage arrived outside the watchhouse.
Eliza had woken this morning with a small flicker of hope for what her immediate future held—namely, earning money to survive. Now here she was, with men she didn’t know, about to enter the watchhouse and hopefully save a man from being jailed for a crime he did not commit.
It was her fervent wish that Mrs. Holton never heard this story, or she’d struggle to find work again.
CHAPTER SEVEN
When the carriage stopped, Bramstone Nightingale stepped out first and then held out a hand for Eliza. Shock had her staring at it for seconds before a nudge in the back had her taking it and stepping down. The other occupants followed until they were all outside, facing the gray stone building set slightly back from the road.
People milled about, and some dodged around their small group. A few sent them curious looks.
Eliza ignored the wind whipping down the road and catching the hems of coats and headwear. Inside that building was the Scotsman who had rescued her. She had to do this to repay him for his bravery.
“Well now, this looks suspicious. What trouble have you lot gotten into this time? I swear you’re as bad as our family.”
The man who had spoken had the greenest eyes of anyone she’d ever seen before.
“Mungo has been arrested,” Lord Seddon said. “We are going to retrieve him.”
“Has he, by God,” the man said. He then turned andlooked at the watchhouse. “I see him. He’s well, his aura a lovely shade of mint green.”
Eliza looked at the building and saw no sign of the large Scotsman. What was the man talking about? His eyes appeared clear, but then, she’d been fooled before.Mint green?Very odd.
“I am Captain Sinclair,” he then said, smiling at Eliza. “I’m introducing myself, as these Nightingales are sadly lacking in manners, it seems.”
Eliza remembered hearing that name before. It had been as she was about to enter one of the drawing rooms in the Ellington townhouse. The baron and Mr. Parson had been discussing people called the Sinclairs and Ravens. He’d said they were a disgrace to society and only tolerated because they had two powerful peers in their ranks. Was this man one of those Sinclairs?
“Our new governess, Miss Downing,” Lord Seddon said, shocking Eliza by introducing her. She was usually relegated to the background, where she was to be seen and not heard.
“Now the formalities are out of the way, tell us, what is afoot?” Captain Sinclair asked.
“Miss Downing was leaving Ellington’s house, as her employment had finished?—”
“I can’t imagine it was easy working close to that vile man,” Captain Sinclair said, “and from what I gather, that son of his is the same.”
“The son was the problem. He followed her outside, because apparently Miss Downing had the good sense to run in the opposite direction whenever he came near before that day,” Bramstone Nightingale said. “Mungo heard her scream for help as the cad had grabbed her. He punched Parson and then foolishly told him his name, and now he—and his father, is my guess—have laid charges,” Bramstone added in summation. “Not that Mungo told us any of this, of course.”
“And you lot are going in there to retrieve the Scottish Grump?” the captain asked.
“Exactly,” Lord Seddon said.
“Well, not that I don’t respect all of you equally, but in this, I think you need another nobleman in your corner, and as I’ve just taken tea and eaten the best scones with jam and cream in London, I’m ready and able to aid you,” Captain Sinclair said. “It’s the least I can do, considering you’ve hosted my family at several weddings,” he added. “When is the next one, by the way? We love Crabbett Close and the locals, and you Nightingales aren’t too bad either.”
“Where did you go for the scones?—”
“Alex!” Lord Seddon snapped.
