“Ah, yes, there is that sharp tongue.”
Guilt rose to her cheeks. She must be more considerate of him because Clarissa was realizing that not only was she employed, she was also in charge of this sweet creature in her arms. For miles around, only Clarissa had the experience to guide Dora through the attention the unusual circumstances of her birth would bring down upon her. And here would be her purpose in life—protecting Dora.
Resolve poured through her. At last she had a mission, a reason for being, a role. She would shepherd Dora and keep her safe from the innuendoes of narrow minds.
There was a shuffling at the hallway door. Mrs. Warbler peeked her head in. “So, it is resolved?” she demanded, although the triumphant light in her eyes said she knew it had been. All of them, including Jane, had probably had an ear to the door.
“It is,” Lord Marsden said. “Miss Taylor will be Clarissa’s nurse. I will now return to Belvoir to fetch the coach. Miss Taylor, while I’m gone, determine what else Dora needs that can be purchased in the village. Also, I have no idea of the condition of Belvoir’s nursery. I shall tellmy butler Gibson to set one up. The daily details will be left to you.Lists, Miss Taylor. I will need lists of what my daughter needs. What we can’t find here, I’ll send someone to Cambridge to collect.” He started for the door as if he, too, had a renewed sense of purpose.
Clarissa wanted to give a glad shout. She had somewhere to go. She wasn’t going to be passed around the village. She lifted Dora up on her shoulder, liking the weight of the child sleeping there.
And then Mrs. Warbler said, “Wait, my lord. There is one other matter. I will be going with Miss Taylor.”
Lord Marsden had been halfway out the door. He now whirled around. “What?”
Clarissa could have mimicked the question. She was just as stunned.
“I must accompany her,” Mrs. Warbler said as if it was clear to everyone. “Yours is a bachelor establishment. It is well-known your staff is all male. That has not changed, has it?”
He frowned.
She took that as assent. “Then,” Mrs. Warbler said, not unkindly, “you will need to employ me as well until you hire more women.”
“What the devilare you nattering about?” he demanded. Mrs. Summerall and Mrs. Burnham acted just as surprised as he was.
“I can be a housekeeper,” Mrs. Warbler suggested. “I have always thought I would make a very good one.”
“Mrs. Warbler—” Clarissa started but with a snap of her fingers, her friend cut her off.
“See here, Miss Taylor, it would not be suitable for you to live under Lord Marsden’s roof without other female company.” She didn’t even bother to whisper as she added, “He has a reputation, you know.”
“Oh. That is true,” Mrs. Summerall agreed.
“I’m to take care of his child, not let him chase me around the dining room table,” Clarissa answered.
“There it is. You are concerned as well,” Mrs. Warbler said brightly.
“I amnotconcerned,” Clarissa protested.
“And I do not chase women around the furniture,” Lord Marsden said. “Besides, Miss Taylor and I do not like each other.”
“Exactly,” Clarissa agreed. “There is no danger of my smashing his fingers in the door.”
“Why would you smash my fingers in the door?” Lord Marsden asked.
“You wouldn’t like the story,” Clarissa assured him.
“Perhaps I would. Have you smashed someone’s fingers?”
“No one’s,” Clarissa lied. Now she was annoyed that the topic had come up and she was the one to have raised it. “You needn’t worry, Mrs. Warbler.”
“I must,” Mrs. Warbler responded smoothly. “Why create gossip when it isn’t necessary?”
“Very true,” Mrs. Burnham echoed.
“I don’t care about gossip,” Lord Marsden answered.
“Because you don’t have to worry about it,” Mrs. Warbler explained. “However, Miss Taylorwill not be in your employ forever. Her reputation should be important to her. Furthermore, you don’t want your daughter in the center of unsavory speculation and gossip, do you?”
