“Don’t say no. She brought over the bestest cookies ever for all the kids at Duckies, and she even made a special one for Hazel. She’s allergic toeverything.”
Carlisle stared at his daughter for a second. She’d sounded very much like an American child just then. It appeared she was adapting quickly, right down to the accent. He sighed. He also couldn’t refuse her plea.
“I will speak to Alex’s mother if you wish.” Carlisle tried to ignore the sudden hitch in his heartrate at the thought of speaking to the woman again. He tucked Grace under her covers and kissed her forehead. “Do understand, lovey, that your nanny is for when I must work evenings and not simply on weekends.” When she opened her mouth to argue, Carlisle put a finger to her mouth. “But I will inquire about a new nanny. Just for you.”
“Thank you, Papa.”
“I love you.”
“I love you more,” she replied, whispering the words her mother had always said when she’d bade Grace good night.
Carlisle rose and turned off her light. Upon exiting his room, he went to tap on Miss Kirk’s door, hoping she hadn’t already gone to sleep.
“Who is it?” she asked through the closed door.
“It’s Mr. Wyndham.”
She opened the door and stepped outside her room. “I settled Grace down for the night. Is something wrong?”
This was one of many times Carlisle wished he had a home with a parlor. The hallway of a bed-and-breakfast, with other guests possibly popping in with no announcement, was no place to hold a dismissal interview. But neither was it appropriate to do so in either her room or his.
“Let us see if we can find an empty room downstairs.”
From her resigned expression, the woman knew what was coming. He led the way downstairs and peeked his head into the library, where Mr. Williams frequently sat in the evening amongst his collection of classical reading material and an entire wall filled with paperback novels. The room was empty.
“You’re letting me go,” Miss Kirk said flatly as soon as he’d closed the door.
“I’m afraid so. I had hoped Grace would adapt to the change, but she has not.”
“And you’re going to let that spoiled brat dictate who you employ?”
Carlisle went still. How had he ever imagined this woman was in any way an appropriate match for his sweet little daughter? No wonder Grace couldn’t abide the woman. He told himself not to dignify her attack with a response.
“When I return to my room tonight, I will purchase your return flight to New York for tomorrow. As per our agreement, I will pay you for the remainder of November and also for December, for having inconvenienced you.”
She looked like she wanted to say more, but Carlisle put on the steely gaze he’d learned to use when facing off with his grandfather. With a huff, Miss Kirk ripped open the door. Something in her offended stance tipped him over the edge of discretion.
“Oh, and Miss Kirk,” he said, his tone glacial, “it’s quite tacky to make a character assault on a child. I’ll be sure to inform the agency of your behavior tonight. You’re dismissed.”
She slammed the door as she left, and he hoped her fit of temper hadn’t disturbed guests above the library. He sank into a chair, weary.
“That was very well done,” came a voice from a corner.
Carlisle leapt to his feet and spun to face the intruder. Mr. Williams was rising from an overstuffed, high-backed chair which faced the fireplace and had hidden him from view. He wore a wool cap, tufts of white hair poking out.
“I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, Mr. Wyndham, but your former employee jumped into it before I could make my presence known. I do apologize.” His blue eyes sparkled with humor as he indicated a small tea set Carlisle hadn’t noticed. “I was just having a cup of chamomile and doing a little reading before bed. Would you care to join me?”
Carlisle was about to decline, but the cozy room and the thought of a nice cup of tea made him change his mind.
“That would be wonderful. Thank you, Mr. Williams.” He took the indicated chair and accepted the cup his host offered him.
“Please call me Bart.”
Carlisle took a sip of his tea. As the warmth went down his throat, his body relaxed.
“I apologize you had to overhear that.”
“I’ve heard worse from my guests, believe me.” Bart gave a dark chuckle. “Fatigue after a long day on the slopes can make people a bit testy.”
