“Where are you lot off to?” Charles said as he arrived at 11 Crabbett Close. There was also Curiadh, the wolfhound who belonged to his sister Mrs. Hellion.
“Walking, Charles. Do you wish to join us?” Fred asked.
“Actually, I want to ask Miss Downing a question before you leave, if I may?”
Like the other men in this family, Charles was handsome, and unlike Mungo, he knew how to smile.
“Of course. How may I help you, Mr. Thomas?”
“As you likely know by now, I work at the Tuba newspaper. We are hoping to do some feature articles on women. I want to share with our readers what it is like to be a debutante or governess. Things that many don’t speak of. We have thus far interviewed a woman who runs a boarding house, a seamstress, a midwife, a textile factory worker, an actress,and an opera singer.”
“You want to interview me?” Eliza was flustered. People did not show interest in her or what she did other than as a potential governess for hire, and she was happy with that. She’d learned to be resilient and strong after her life had imploded, but she did not deliberately draw attention to herself.
“I would like to very much when you have the time.” He looked at her expectantly.
“Would my name be attached to the article?” Eliza didn’t think Mrs. Holton would appreciate that, but then, she could ask her, and perhaps that would once again put her in the woman’s good graces.
“If you have no wish for it to be, then we will not publish it. Perhaps we could sit down one day next week?”
Why did the thought of talking about her position excite her? Or was it simply gratification that someone seemed genuinely interested in her work? Eliza found herself nodding.
“As long as it does not interfere with her work!”
The barked words had Eliza looking toward the doorway behind her, where the fierce Scotsman now stood. He was true to his word, clearly, and watching her every move. Well, she would not show him how affected she was after their altercation on the stairs.
“Now, girls, this is what we would call unacceptable behavior,” Eliza said, pointing her gloved fingers at Mungo, who stood glowering down at her. “What should Mr. Mungo have said instead of barking those words rudely down at us?”
Ignoring the muffled laugh from Mr. Charles Thomas, she looked at the three faces before her.
“I’m sure Miss Downing will enjoy that, Charles, and perhaps a time could be scheduled after the girls have finished their lessons one day. Would you like that, Miss Downing?” Fred said, mimicking Mungo’s accent.
“Very good.” Eliza nodded at the girl.
“Or,” Matilda added in a snooty tone. “That sounds like an excellent idea, Charles. It’s important that people know the hard work governesses put in to get their charges in shape. I’m sure a time can be arranged that suits everyone.”
Charles was now laughing softly under his breath.
“Both excellent responses.” Eliza looked up at Mungo, whose brows were drawn together like thick drapes to shut out the cold weather. “Perhaps it is you who needs to come to my lessons, Mr. Mungo, and we can see about helping you communicate better?”
“Mungo!” he bellowed. “Not Mr. Mungo. I’ve told you that many times!”
“Do we bellow at people, girls?”
All three shook their heads solemnly.
“Excellent. Well, we shall leave Mr. Mungo to think about his behavior and take our walk. Perhaps giving him time to reflect will help him understand better that when you speak to people nicely, they respond in kind.”
“He’s always been like that, but he loves us very much,” Anna said. “But he does seem to be extra rude around you, Miss Downing, even considering you both saved each other.”
There were no secrets in this household Eliza had learned in the first few days of living with them. They were extremely nosey, so there was no point in trying to hide anything.
“I’ve not noticed the difference,” Eliza said, opening the gate and herding them through. “He appears to be rude to everyone.”
“Perhaps,” Fred said slowly as she looked at Eliza.
She tried not to blush, but felt heat creeping up her neck. Mungo was different with her because he wanted her out of the house.
“We’re used to his mannerisms now,” Matilda said takingpity on Eliza. “But he is a very kind man. He was there to save us.”
