He bent over the stirrups. “You are handling this worrying business exceedingly well. I am relieved and very grateful.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.” Her cheeks heated, and her pulse galloped, pleased he didn’t see her foolish smile.
He straightened and handed the rein to Jem. “Barbara will be ready to return to the house in an hour.”
She sank into a small curtsey. “Very well, Your Grace.”
His brows flickered down. He turned and walked after the groom who led Barbara’s pony from the stable yard. The duke’s praise meant far more to her than it should. What an idiot to soak up every kind word he bestowed on her, she thought appalled. She was like a silly green girl mooning over her first love.
As she made her way across the cobbles, the baroness appeared with her brother, and Mr. Forsythe.
So beautifully dressed, Baroness Elsenberg made Jenny uncomfortably conscious of her serviceable fern green wool morning gown. It had never been a thing of beauty.
Her crop tucked under one arm, she tugged at her York tan gloves, and strolled over to Jenny. “Miss Harrismith. Here you are again. In Germany governesses are seldom seen,” she said. “And never without their charges.”
Jenny curtsied, with a stiff smile. “His Grace has just taken Lady Barbara for a riding lesson, Baroness.”
“And you are not with them? How surprising.” Tapping the crop against her leg the baroness strode off to join the men waiting by the mounting block, while the groom, Marcus disappeared into the stables to fetch their horses.
Jenny swiveled and walked away, bewildered by the anger in the Baroness’ pale eyes.
“Miss Harrismith.” Herr Von Bremen approached her.
“Yes, sir?”
He came too close. It would be seen as rude should she step back away from him although her instincts told her to. “You must excuse my sister,” he said. “She is rather short-tempered this morning.”
“I hardly think that concerns me, sir,” she said, attempting to hide her disquiet.
He bent toward her. “Do you know your gray eyes are as clear as water? Are you as principled as you appear, Miss Harrismith?”
“I believe I am.” Surely he didn’t expect her to deny it? While she wondered what lay behind his extraordinary question, she just wanted to escape him. But how, without seeming rude? “I walked over to see the hill you spoke of, sir.” she said in an attempt to draw the conversation onto something less personal.
His expression grew pensive and a blond eyebrow lifted. “And did you climb it?”
She forced a smile. “No, of course, I didn’t climb it. Did you really reach the top?” she added a touch of breathless wonder, then waited to see what he made of it.
He chuckled. “I’m afraid you’ve caught me out in a lie. I failed. Gave up halfway. I’m inherently lazy, Miss Harrismith. Too much effort required.”
“I considered the climb impossible without the aid of a rope,” she said. “Is there a better way to scale it from the northern end, perhaps?”
“Mm. That might be easier, yes.” He observed her closely, making her fear she’d said too much.
“Well, I doubt I’ll make the attempt.”
“Perhaps you might inquire of the duke, you seem to be on excellent terms with him.”
Jenny drew in a breath. “My only concern is that His Grace finds my work satisfactory.”
He nodded. “You are fond… of the children, yes?”
“But of course.” She glanced over his shoulder. “I believe the baroness wishes to ride.”
He turned to find his sister and Mr. Forsythe on horseback. She was talking animatedly to the duke’s cousin, who listened intently.
With a nod to Jenny, Von Bremen walked away.
Jenny hurried from the stable yard before he changed his mind and called her back. She found him and his ambiguous comments disturbing and hoped he had not returned when she came to fetch Barbara.
