The boy chuckled.
Barbara huffed. “They are lady dolls, Father!”
“Oh yes, do forgive me, sweetheart. I don’t believe ladies play cricket, do they, William?”
“No, Father.” William grinned.
As William relaxed back in the chair Jenny grudgingly approved of the duke’s strategy.
“I am told you are doing well at your studies,” His Grace said, addressing William. “I shall engage a tutor for you this year who will prepare you for Eton. I have no doubt you will do well there.”
His young heir straightened. “I am a good rider, aren’t I, Miss Harrismith?”
“Lord William rides exceptionally well, Your Grace. The stable master told me he shows a natural aptitude.”
“Good, good.” His father accepted it without question. Jenny was sure all the males in this family would be incomparable riders.
A footman brought in a laden tea tray. The conversation halted while the children ate iced walnut cake and drank milk. Jenny poured cups of tea for herself and the duke.
“Thank you, Miss Harrismith.” He took the gold-rimmed porcelain cup and saucer monogrammed with the ducal crest from her, and added a slice of lemon with the silver tongs.
Jenny’s hand trembled. She carefully put down her cup and cleared her throat. “Your Grace, there are matters I should like to discuss with you if you have a moment. Alone.”
He sat back and sipped his tea while his blue eyes gently mocked her. “Yes, I suspected there might be, Miss Harrismith.”
He suspected?Now Jenny was as tense as William. She was relieved when the visit was over. “I shall see you here at eleven o’clock tomorrow, Miss Harrismith,” the duke said, as she ushered the children out.
“Well that went well, didn’t it?” Jenny said half to herself as they climbed the stairs to the schoolroom.
“I would like more walnut cake,” Barbara announced.
“You always eat too much cake, and then you feel ill.” William uttered a light-hearted laugh that Jenny was pleased to hear. “Do you think Father will come fishing with me, Miss Harrismith?”
“I believe he is a man of his word, Lord William.”
If he forgot she would have to find a way to remind him.
*
Andrew returned tothe library where his man of business, Henry Thurgood, awaited him, having come down from London. Matters requiring Andrew’s attention lay in files on the desk. When Andrew directed him to sit, he pulled reams of paper from his valise and placed them before Andrew. His secretary, Anthony Bishop hovered over him ready to assist.
Two hours later, with Thurgood gone, and the matters dealt with, Andrew was left to his thoughts. From his memory, the Castlebridge governess of his childhood had a small mustache and a rather fierce voice. She looked nothing like the new governess. He grimaced. His children were scared of him. And Miss Harrismith, well, she continued to frown. What concerns did she have that she couldn’t express in front of the children? Wishing to see to his guests, he feared she would waste his time with her earnestness. But both his children were obviously fond of her. They’d almost hugged her while seated on the chesterfield.
Without appealing to Bishop, Andrew searched until he located her application for the position of governess, which the agency had sent for his perusal a year ago. At the time, he’d been away and barely glanced at the letter Bishop sent him. Miss Harrismith hailed from Yorkshire, a baron’s daughter, which surprised him and made him uneasy. His secretary’s cramped notes stated that her father had financial difficulties. A widower with a large family, he’d been forced to send his oldest daughter out to earn her living. A common, and sad tale, which made Andrew sympathize with her. How difficult it must have been to give up her privileged life for one of servitude. The list of her accomplishments was impressive. She had a sufficient knowledge of Latin to prepare William for school. A good grounding in music theory, and proficiency in the pianoforte. Her knowledge of drawing and watercolors would be excellent for Barbara. And it was obvious that Miss Harrismith had the poise and confidence to converse with him on equal terms.
Andrew picked up a pen and rolled the handle between thumb and forefinger as he paused in thought. He was inordinately pleased with the caliber of governess his children now had, the last one having been a disappointment, but by the same token, Miss Harrismith was a lady, and ladies were born with a certain knowledge of their place in the world. She would be prepared to speak her mind. And he was quite sure she would voice hers tomorrow. He expected if her father’s finances improved she might be called home. It was to be hoped that she wasn’t about to give notice, as he would be sorry to lose someone William and Barbara liked, but he doubted that was the reason. He looked forward with interest to what Miss Harrismith was eager to tell him.
He strolled to the fireplace and pulled the bell cord.
“Send the housekeeper to me,” he instructed when the footman entered.
Minutes later, Mrs. Pollitt stood before him hands clasped tight against the skirts of her black gown. “Everything has been made ready for the shooting party, Your Grace. Is there anything more you require?”
“Thank you, no. This concerns Miss Harrismith. Is she fitting in well?”
“The children do seem to like her,” Mrs. Pollitt said. “But a governess should keep a certain distance, in my view. It’s my opinion that they have become a little too familiar.”
“I imagine it would be difficult to stop them,” he said mildly. “The children, I mean.”And perhaps Miss Harrismith also.“I am not displeased with Miss Harrismith,” he said. “I hadn’t expected William to still be in the nursery.”
