He chuckled. “And the younger boys?”
“Charley is ten and practices sword play, as he intends to be a hussar, but he spends hours planning battles with his tin soldiers, so I suspect he might rise to be a general! Edmond is the baby at eight. He is a rather solemn little boy. My father believes he is destined for the church.”
A change had taken place in Miss Harrismith as she spoke. Her gaze drifted away from him. He sensed that in her mind she was back at her home in York. Her love for her family shone in her eyes. While he had grown to admire her and was grateful that his children would be safe and content in her care, her presence here also bothered him a great deal.
“You miss your siblings,” he said drawing her back.
She looked startled. “A little. But I’ve been too busy to think of home very often.”
He didn’t believe her. But she was a surprisingly independent young woman, and proud, he suspected. He wondered again why she had left them and come to Castlebridge. “If Arabella has a London Season, won’t you wish to be there with her?”
“She won’t be going to London.”
“So, like you, that opportunity isn’t available to her?”
“No. It is very expensive.”
He thought it most unfortunate that these children were brought up in such a careless manner. The eldest boy not going to Oxford when he was obviously clever, not to mention the girls missing out on what every young lady wished for: a London Season, and a chance to marry well. He thought of Barbara who would enjoy the best of everything and was glad he could provide it for her. Didn’t every father wish for that? A baron with an estate should be able to find the money from somewhere, and he wondered again what had happened to send this young woman, who so loved her family, far from home.
Barbara had wandered up to them. She ran her hands along the pianoforte keys striking discordant notes. “Will you play and sing for us, Miss Harrismith?”
William had joined them. “Can we have Greensleeves, please?”
Andrew smiled. “Yes, Miss Harrismith. Greensleeves, it is.”
She looked adorably flustered. “If you wish, Your Grace.”
He winked at William who grinned. “I do wish.”
Barbara clapped her hands as the governess took her place at the pianoforte.
Miss Harrismith, her long slender fingers on the keys, began to play, her voice rising pure and sweet.
Barbara began to sing with her, then after William joined in, Andrew added his baritone.
He found himself rocked by a realization. This was what a family should be. Enjoying a picnic, or gathered together around the pianoforte. Might Greta sing as charmingly as Miss Harrismith?
When the music died away, and she rose from the pianoforte, he bowed his head. “Well done, Miss Harrismith,” he said. “I must go.” For the last half hour, he’d forgotten his concerns but now they rushed back.
Barbara and William had returned to play with the kitten. He ruffled Barbara’s hair and placed a hand on William’s shoulder, wishing he could sweep them up in a hug. “Be good for your governess, children.” He expected them not to notice, they were so caught up with their new pet, but they both jumped up.
“Goodbye, Father,” William said smiling shyly at him.
“Will you come and see the kitten again?” Barbara demanded.
“As soon as I can.”
Andrew said goodbye to the governess and left them. It would not be tomorrow, he thought with regret.
