Page 60 of Only a Mistress Will Do

“I had hoped to marry, yes, my lord. As is every woman’s duty.” Heart in her throat, Violet struggled to remain calm. “A titled gentleman was not a requirement. Unfortunately, I have not been so fortunate as to secure the affections of a respectable man. Therefore, when Lord Trevor told me of your current difficulty, I thought it could be another way for me to lead a useful life.” If they would not have her, God knew what she would do. Perhaps take Susan up on the offer of an introduction in her village. Glancing from the harsh lines of Lord Downing’s visage to the nervous fluttering of Lady Downing, she began to hope for rejection.

“Have you ever had charge of children before, Miss Carlton? Younger brothers or sisters, perhaps?” Head cocked, Lady Downing leaned forward, a gleam in her eyes.

“I am sorry, my lady, but no. I was the youngest in my family.” Violet bit her lip, thinking furiously. “I did have charge of the children of our church one year.” That much was true, although the sum total had been two little girls. Still, she had been in charge of them at the age of ten.

“You managed them with no incident?” Her ladyship’s beady eyes flitted toward her husband, then back to Violet.

“Yes, my lady. We got on well, no trouble whatsoever.” Apparently, the tide of opinion was turning with Lady Downing. “I thought at the time I would enjoy having children of my own one day.”

Her ladyship gave a curt nod of her head and rose. “Then I believe this interview is at an end, Miss Carlton.”

“What?” Lord Downing jumped to his feet. “What do you mean, my dear?”

“I think Miss Carlton will do excellently as governess to Anna.” His lady gestured toward the door. “If you will come with me, Miss Carlton, I will introduce you to your charge.”

“Harriet, you are too…too… hasty,” Lord Downing sputtered, scowling at Violet.

“Nonsense.” With a dismissive wave of her hand toward her husband, the lady continued toward the door.

“She has almost no experience. She won’t be able to handle the child.” Lord Downing trailed behind them, his face reddening to the color of brick.

“I see no reason why she couldn’t try.” Lady Downing shot him a look that made Violet hastily revise her opinion of the viscountess. The woman had a lot more steel in her than her looks gave on.

Violet expected further argument from his lordship, but Lady Downing silenced him by leading her out of the room, leaving her husband behind, fuming silently. She could hear the heavy breathing diminish as she followed her ladyship down the corridor to a different part of the house.

“The nursery is in the east wing,” Lady Downing said over her shoulder. “You will have a classroom for Anna’s lessons. Her bedchamber is next to it with your chamber beyond. Did you bring your belongings?”

“Yes, my lady. They are in the carriage, but my…companion can see to their removal if you think I will suit.” As she strode after the viscountess, Violet managed to take in the quiet cream-colored walls, the gold carpets, and the rich tones of the artwork hung at intervals along the corridor. Most were landscapes that brought the beauty of the outdoors into the house.

“These paintings are wonderful, Lady Downing.” She paused to examine one depicting a riot of trees in bold autumn golds and reds. “Such excellent brush strokes. One thinks one is gazing out a window.” Violet had taken drawing lessons when she was younger, but music had been where her talents lay and she had turned her attention to her instruments. Still, she could recognize superior talent when she saw it. “Are these your work, my lady?” Each painting was signed with the initials DIH only.

“No, no, Miss Carlton.” Lady Downing’s voice held a touch of pride, despite her denial. “These are the works of my daughter, Dora. She has always excelled in water colors.”

Violet’s heart lurched so badly her face twisted against the sudden pain. She tried to mask it by stopping to peer at another picture. Lord, she needed to sit down before her legs gave way. Nonsense. She gritted her teeth and locked her knees. If she was going to live in the same house as Tris’s fiancée, she had better get used to hearing her name. Steel herself for the inevitable meeting. She had just missed an introduction to Miss Harper at the Braeton’s Christmas ball. That would have been even more awkward, now she was employed by the girl’s family. Decidedly awkward in any case. Perhaps tucked away here in the east wing she would not see either Miss Harper or Tris very much. A blessing and a curse. At least she could hope to settle in and get her bearings before stirring up a hornet’s nest in her heart.

After a moment to compose herself, she continued down the corridor with Lady Downing. They arrived at the nursery door.

“Sweetheart?” Lady Downing called. “Grandmamma is here with a nice new lady for you to play with. Won’t that be ever so much fun?” She pushed the latch and the door swung open into a cozy room, the soft pink walls glowing in the bright afternoon sun. A small girl, dressed in a gown a shade or two lighter than the walls, had been sitting by the fireplace, a doll in her lap. She looked up, her round, cherubic face bursting into a wide smile. Fine porcelain skin, red cheeks, and golden curls made the child look like a doll herself.

“Grandmamma!” She ran to Lady Downing and threw her arms around her. “Come listen to the story Aunt Dora is telling me. All about a knight who rescues a fair maiden from a terrible castle and the two ogres who are holding her captive.”

Violet stopped dead, her face draining of blood so quickly she clutched the doorframe to keep from fainting. Her gaze skipped from Anna, tugging Lady Downing toward the fireplace, to the figure sitting in the other armchair. Another blond head, this one belonging to an older girl with a sweet face and worried eyes. Violet’s chest tightened and she forced herself to breathe.

Miss Harper’s gaze fell on her and her shoulders relaxed. She smiled and nodded, then turned her attention back to her mother and niece.

Violet’s heart gave a terrible thump, then resumed its normal beating. Her breathing too seemed easier, thank goodness. Perhaps she would get through the next minutes without disgracing herself.

“Anna, Dora, come meet Miss Violet Carlton. She will be your new governess, Anna. Make your curtsey, my love.” Lady Downing beamed as the child bobbed a short curtsey, her skirts held out awkwardly at her sides.

“How do you do, Miss Carlton?” Anna spoke carefully, looking at her with frankly inquisitive eyes.

This was the unruly child who had driven off two governesses?

“I am quite well, thank you, Anna. How are you today?” Aware of the eyes on her, Violet forced herself to focus on her charge only.

“Oh, Aunt Dora and I have been having such fun,” she said, her sweet high voice hinting at giggles. She smiled in delight at her aunt. “We’ve been telling stories and singing songs.” Her brows puckered. “Will we still be able to do that, Miss Carlton?”

Immediately, Violet crouched down before the thin child and smiled at her. “I believe we can manage stories and songs as well as other lessons. Do you know your numbers?”