“We require new curtains. I’m afraid the old ones are ruined.”
“I will see to it. Mr. Forrester will advise His Grace.”
“I must return to the children,” Jenny said.
“Yes indeed, Miss Harrismith. Do go. I’ll have some hot chocolate sent up.”
The housekeeper made no mention of Nanny’s carelessness and nor did Jenny. She doubted even the butler would broach it with the duke. But surely someone must deal with this, or more incidents could follow. Jenny paused, a hand clutched tight on the banister as another possibility struck fear into her. What if it hadn’t been Nanny’s fault?
As Jenny approached the nursery door, her thoughts threatened to spiral out of control. The possibility that someone had come into the nursery and set the curtains alight was nonsensical. She was being overly dramatic. These sorts of accidents do happen, she thought, not totally convincing herself.
*
Andrew woke toa knock on the door. Early morning light filtered in through the gap in the curtains. Forrester entered with a murmured apology.
“I am sorry to disturb you, Your Grace,” Forrester said, approaching the bed, “but there’s been a fire in the nursery.”
“A fire—” Andrew’s voice broke off, his breath drawn sharply through his teeth. He threw back the bedcovers and leapt from the bed, snatching up his dressing gown. Fire was never to be taken lightly.
“The governess caught it in time, but I thought you should be made aware of it immediately.”
“Miss Harrismith discovered it, you say?”
“Yes, Your Grace. It was the curtains. The fire is out now, thanks to her.”
“I’m relieved to hear it, Forrester,” Andrew murmured. “Send my valet to me.”
Once dressed, Andrew made his way to the nursery. He found Miss Harrismith sitting beside William’s bed as he drank chocolate and ate a muffin. Barbara still slept as did Nanny in her bedchamber with the door closed.
As he greeted the governess, it struck him rather uncomfortably that he was coming to depend on this young woman.
“There was a fire, Father,” William said, in between chews.
“A candle caught the curtain, Your Grace,” Miss Harrismith said. “I thought it best to alert the housekeeper.”
“Indeed. A candle was left burning all night?”
“Yes, an oversight. But placed near the open window. It caught the curtain.”
Andrew went to the window; the curtains had been well ablaze, and the rug was singed. Unchecked, it could easily have taken hold and set the whole nursery alight. Disturbed, he swung around, and returned to William’s bedside, as he fought to maintain a semblance of calm. “I’m grateful you were here, Miss Harrismith. Come and see me in the library at eleven.”
“Certainly, Your Grace.”
He ruffled his son’s hair. “Never a dull moment, eh, William?”
William nodded, unperturbed, his mouth full of muffin.
Andrew descended the stairs. Nanny must be urged to retire. A nurse would be employed to replace her, but it would take time for her to become familiar with his children’s needs. Nanny’s loss was sure to upset them, and they’d had enough disruption already in their short lives.
He paused, a hand on the banister. In a household of loyal servants, he considered Miss Harrismith to be best able to care for his children. The efficient manner in which she had handled the gunshot in the wood showed her to be more than capable. And she had tried to warn him that Nanny was worn-out, which he’d dismissed out of hand. He clenched his jaw and continued down the stairs. His children and possibly others might have perished because of it.
Three hours later, the governess stood before Andrew’s desk, neatly dressed in unadorned gray wool apart from the cameo which unfortunately tended to draw his eye to her chest, and seemingly unflustered by the dramatic events earlier. He drew in a breath. “I must apologize to you, Miss Harrismith.” He rose and invited her to sit. “You did warn me that Nanny has been finding it difficult to carry out her duties.” He threaded his fingers through his hair and took a seat opposite her. “I suppose I was thinking of Nanny as she used to be.”
“Nanny Evans is a wise and caring soul, Your Grace.”
“Of that I am sure.” Nanny Evans had a special place in Andrew’s heart having cared for him when his parents were so often away. He’d been left to his own devices as a child haunting the woods and the stables. His father, when he was in residence, seldom asked for him, and his mother was often caught up with social engagements which kept her in London.
“Nanny remains positive that she didn’t leave the candle by the window. She always places it on the table beside her chair.”
