Mungo pushed the door gently, and then he and Chester entered. His eyes moved around the room, and there was only one word for what he saw. Chaos. Miss Eliza Downing was never chaotic. She was neat and controlled. Everything had its place, and he’d even go so far as saying she rivaled him in her need for order.
“What’s going on, Eliza?”
She was clutching a book to her chest as if it was a shield. Squeaking came from his right then, and Eliza shrieked and leapt on the bed, the book tumbling to the floor with a loud thud.
He had no reason to laugh. His estranged brother had reentered his life, bringing with him the news that Mungo’s niece was missing, and yet, he felt a smile tug his lips.
“This is no laughing matter, Mr. Mungo.”
While she was clothed in one of her neat dresses, her hair was loose and her feet bare. It hung past her shoulder blades,and the thick tresses curled up slightly at the ends. Whatever she’d put it in overnight had made it curl, and he wanted desperately to touch it. Wrap it around his hands and kiss her.
Focus, Mungo.
“Are you scared of mice, Eliza?”
“What—no, definitely not,” she said, eyeing the pile of clothing that was mounded in a corner of the room. “Nothing scares me.”
“So if I move those clothes, you’ll be fine if a furry little rodent runs out?”
She actually shuddered.
“Would you like me to take a look at what is going on behind that pile of your clothing?”
“Ah, I would, please.” She said it reluctantly, as if the words themselves confirmed what they both already knew. Eliza Downing was terrified of mice.
“Chester, go and make Eliza feel better,” he said to the dog.
The dog trotted over to the bed and jumped up.
Mungo glanced at the title of the book, curious what this woman would be reading, and noted it wasThe Holton Agency Etiquette Manual.
“They have their own manual?”
“It’s important that all the girls understand what is expected from them,” she said in a prim voice that only shook slightly.
“And you’ve memorized every one, I bet.”
She didn’t answer that as he removed the pile of clothes, then crouched and looked through the piece of missing baseboard. He didn’t expect to see anything, but he did it for her.
“There is nothing there at the moment, but I’ll replace this board today. Will that make you feel better?” Mungoturned to look at her where she was sitting cross-legged on the bed with her arms around Chester’s neck.
This terrified Eliza was so at odds with the put-together governess he knew. Yes, he’d seen her vulnerable, and sad, but not completely scared.
“Where did your fear of mice come from?”
“If I continue to deny it, can we leave it there?” she asked the top of Chester’s head.
The dog was more than happy with his current situation, as he was receiving pats and hugs.
“No.”
She sighed.
Mungo rose and took one of the books off her nightstand. He then placed it against the hole.
“I should have thought of that.”
“Clearly I’m more intelligent than you.”
