‘I fear he will—’
‘He will bring the best out in Evelyn.’
‘No, sir! He will challenge her confidence and relish doing it.’ Miss Brown turned to his wife for support. ‘Lady Pendragon, Evelyn is in mourning. She grieves for Nicholas as deeply as youdo. She needs tender care, love, support and encouragement. What is being suggested resembles a harsh regime.’
His wife slowly raised herself out of her chair. Her interest spurred the governess on.
‘Three languages, years of education consolidated in one or two, a tutor who will show her no patience. If you care for your daughter, as I do, you will stop this.’
‘You care for my daughter?’ his wife asked.
‘Deeply, Lady Pendragon. I love her as if she was my own.’
‘She is not,’ Lady Pendragon snapped. ‘Iam her mother.’
‘Then love her as a mother should!’ blurted out Miss Brown. The governess gasped in horror and clamped her hand to her mouth, but it was too late, the words were out.
Sir Robert’s eyes grew hard. ‘You have insulted my wife and you have insulted me.’
‘I did not mean to offend, Sir Robert. I spoke in haste.’
‘And without substance. I cannot have your attitude poisoning our daughter against us.’ Miss Brown began to protest, but he ignored her. She was an obstacle to his plan and must be removed. ‘You will go to your room, pack your bags and leave this house immediately.’
‘I am being dismissed? But what about Evelyn?’
‘As of now, Miss Evelyn is of no concern of yours.’
Miss Brown did not move. ‘Sir Robert,’ she pleaded, ‘I spoke out of turn and deserve to be dismissed, but I implore you to reconsider Evelyn’s education and the demands you mean to place upon her at this time. She will make a fine heiress one day, but at the moment all she needs is your love or she will—’
‘Will what?’
‘—fade away.’
‘As Nicholas did,’ replied his wife. ‘You think we are to blame for our son’s death.’ She had come to his side and he had not noticed. He felt her hand slip round his arm. He looked down atthe white handkerchief, trimmed in black lace, clutched in her fingers. She was supporting him at last.
‘No. No.’ The governess turned to him. ‘Sir Robert, you cannot think I—’
‘Get out.’
‘I never meant—’
‘Get out.’
‘But, sir—’
‘Get out!’ he shouted, his whole body shaking with the anger.
They were as strangers, with no common understanding between them and no desire to nurture one. Miss Brown clenched her teeth to stem the tears that threatened to fall. Her distress did nothing to quell his anger.
‘You are never to see my daughter again or attempt to correspond with her. Now leave before I have you removed from the premises.’ His daughter’s governess looked stricken. Seeing her distress reminded him of his own loss, for it was how he truly felt inside. He looked away, as she walked briskly from the room.
Chapter Eight
Tired of waiting for Miss Brown to return, Evelyn laid down her sampler and went in search of her. She found her in her bedroom, packing.
‘What are you doing?’ she asked. ‘Are we going somewhere?’
‘I am going somewhere, Evelyn. You are not.’ Miss Brown busied herself folding and refolding her clothes. ‘Your parents have great plans for your future,’ she added brightly, ‘which do not involve me.’ She lifted a pile of clothing and placed them carefully into her trunk, sniffing rather loudly as she did so. ‘It is a wonderful opportunity for you.’
