“Mm. Well, perhaps as you say she has become forgetful.” He tapped his fingers on the arm of his chair. “I will ensure she is made comfortable in her retirement. But in the meantime, until the new nurse arrives, I would prefer you to move into the nursery with the children.”
Relief filled the governess’ gray eyes. “Certainly, Your Grace.”
“The nursery maid will care for the children when you wish for time to yourself. I remain very much in your debt,” he confessed. “I should have made a point of visiting the nursery. Understood what was happening there.”
“I doubt you would have found anything unusual, Your Grace. Nanny merely becomes a little tired at times.”
“Still. This could have been averted. I have you to thank for avoiding a disaster.”
“I’m glad I was there,” she said briskly. The delicate flush on her cheekbones gave clue to the depth of her emotions.
He found he wanted to draw her out more. To discover why she had responded so swiftly to his children’s plight. “Yes, but your room is not on that floor. And surely you would have been asleep at that hour.”
“Ordinarily, yes. But something woke me.” A frown marred the smooth skin of her forehead. “And then I smelled the smoke.”
“You kept a remarkably cool head in the circumstances,” he observed. Curious how like a mother she seemed, always sensing when a child was in trouble. “You are the oldest daughter, are you not?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“And your father is a widower.”
She nodded.
“I assume you took some role in your younger siblings care?”
“Yes, I did.”
“Did your mother pass away recently?”
“No, some years ago, Your Grace.”
It appeared she had taken on the role of mother, raising her younger siblings. Such experience was invaluable. “Anything that you require you’ve only to ask, Miss Harrismith.” He looked away from her full bottom lip.This attraction would not do.
“Well, I believe that is all for now.”
After Miss Harrismith left the room, Andrew returned to his desk and shuffled papers, but couldn’t banish the chill that filled his chest at the thought of a fire raging in the nursery. He would become more involved in his children’s welfare. They must come before his work for the government, the demands of his investments and the running of his estate.
It was no good wishing things would have been different if Catherine had lived, he had to embrace the future. He smiled up at her painting which hung over the fireplace. How proud she would have been of her spirited daughter and conscientious son. It was admirable of William to be protective of his sister, but he and Barbara should feel secure within a loving family.
Andrew accepted he must marry again. And soon. He looked forward to introducing the children to Greta.
Startled, he glanced up as the door opened. As if his thoughts had drawn her here, Greta slipped into the room with her appealing smile, dressed in a flattering gown the color of primroses. She had not long returned from London. “You missed a wonderful play, Harrow,” she said, crossing the carpet to his desk. “As I was invited to a card party, I stayed for another night. It was vastly entertaining. I’m sure you would have found it so.” She ran a finger along the carved edge and her blue eyes sought his. “Have you missed me?”
Andrew chuckled. He moved around the desk to kiss her cheek. “I have. But I’m pleased you liked the play and regret I couldn’t stay to enjoy it with you. May I make up for my neglect tonight?”
She smiled. “I should very much like you to try.”
“That doesn’t fill me with hope.”
Greta traced the pattern on his waistcoat. “It is wise for a lady to keep a gentleman guessing,” she said. “Once he is sure of her, he loses interest.”
“I can assure you I haven’t lost interest.”
He gazed down at her. She was exquisite. Like a porcelain figurine. He lowered his head to kiss her mouth.
A knock came at the door and he stepped away from her. “Come.”
The gamekeeper entered clutching his hat in both hands. “You wished a report on the gun room, Your Grace?”
