It was good enough for Brandt. He grabbed hold of her hand. “Come with me.”
Ada approached the carriage almost tentatively. She wasn’t sure if her interference would be welcome when she saw Lady Effington inside, but when she made the sign of the cross over her chest as the child’s face turned red, Ada was glad she had been there.
“Hello, little one. Do you remember me?”
The girl looked at her, and although some of her desperate cries had ceased, she looked at her with a swollen, tear-stained face. “You gave me the coin.”
Ada smiled at the bold rejoinder. “That I did. I might be willing to give you another if you will calm down for your granmama.”
“But I want a sweet ice!” she said, her lip sticking out in a perfect, adorable pout.
Ada steeled herself against her charm and said, “You need to understand that sometimes we don’t always get what we want. We must learn patience. If you can do that and act like a lady, I will give you this shiny, new coin.” She took one out of her reticule and held it up for the child’s inspection. “Do we have a deal, Miss Jenkins?”
The little girl sniffled a few times and then she reached out her small hand.
Ada kept it in her grasp. “I need to hear you agree.”
She blinked her wide, blue eyes and nodded her head. “Yes. I will be good.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” She handed the coin over, and Arabella tightened her fingers around it. Her eyes dried almost immediately.
Lady Effington looked so relieved that Ada might have laughed if the situation wasn’t so precarious.
Mr. Clarke leaned down and whispered in her ear. “You are a miracle worker.”
“Hardly. I’ve always just had a certain way with children.” Realizing what she’d said, a pang struck her chest, because she knew that she would never be a mother. She started to leave. “If you’ll excuse me—”
“Might I suggest another proposition, since you refused my offer of marriage?”
Ada knew she should decline without hearing what he had to say, but for some reason, she found herself hesitant to ignore him. “And what might that be?”
His gaze shifted to the carriage. “My mother thinks that Arabella needs a governess. I disagree because she is too young, but in spite of her behavior, it is obvious that her nanny isn’t up to the task.”
Ada recalled the night of the dinner, and how the little girl had mentioned that her nanny liked to nap quite frequently. “Perhaps another nanny would be in order?”
He grimaced. “I would hate to dismiss her since she’s been loyal to the family for so long. She was my nanny when I was a child.”
“Oh, I see,” Ada murmured. “That does present a problem.”
“Indeed. Which is why I was hoping you might consider the position of governess on a temporary basis. Just long enough to curb Arabella’s outbursts. You have such a gentle disposition, that I think she would continue to respond to you.”
“I only have so many coins to give away, Mr. Clarke,” she noted dryly.
He grinned broadly, and she was struck, yet again, by how handsome he was. At one point, while she was still at the Manor, she had entertained the thought of wedding Mr. Clarke.
Unfortunately, if their age difference wasn’t enough of an impediment, it was the fact she would never be a “whole” woman who could give him the type of family he might be envisioning. The doctors had not only told her that she would never likely give birth to a living child, but that it would be dangerous to attempt another pregnancy for fear of the episodes she suffered from the lightning strike.
“At least say you’ll consider it,” he cajoled. “My situation hasn’t changed. I still need assistance with Arabella, and I feel you would be the perfect choice.”
She sighed. “We’ve gone through this before, Mr. Clarke. I told you that I don’t trust myself to be alone with her.”
“Then you won’t be.” He winked. “I will make sure we are all together.”
Ada was afraid he might suggest something like that. “Are you sure that’s wise, considering our brief history?”
Reminding him of their liaison, his gaze dropped to her mouth. “I am able to restrain myself in public. But if we are ever alone, I make no promises.”
Ada took a mental note of that, and said, “I will consider your proposal, but only for the sake of the child. My heart goes out to her. I think she’s lashing out because her mother is gone, even though Lady Effington is doing her best to give her the love and affection to fill such a void.”
