Page 61 of Only a Mistress Will Do

“Of course I do. I can count all the way up to twenty.” The shiny blond head nodded fiercely.

“I see. That’s very good. But can you count it in French?” She studied the grave face and watched it fall.

“No.” Shaking her head, Anna sighed. “I don’t know how to do that at all.”

“Well,” Violet said, holding out her hand. “I can teach you. There’s a counting game I know where you tell stories about the numbers in French. Would you like to play it with me?”

The cherub’s smile returned. “Oh, yes, please.” She grabbed Violet’s hand and pulled her toward the fire. “I love to play games.”

They sat together, the heat of the flames finally bringing some feeling back into Violet’s frozen fingers. “Very well. First, let me hear your numbers in English.”

As Anna began, Violet glanced up to catch Lady Downing’s eye, trying to gauge her acceptance. The room, however, was empty save for her and her student, although the memory of the beautiful blond Miss Harper lingered, like a ghost in the air, unseen but felt like a cold hand on her heart.

Chapter 24

“Mind your sleeve, Anna. Don’t get it in the jam.” Violet pushed back the endangered garment and poured herself another cup of tea. Her third day as Anna’s governess found her rather proud of how well they had been getting along. And how easily she seemed to fit the role.

The first day the little girl had been shy and withdrawn, surprising Violet because of the easy way Anna had accepted her the day before. Violet made sure to keep a pleasant but firm tone as they went through their lessons, ending with the story of The Little Glass Slipper. The next day at tea, Anna offered Violet some of her cake, which Violet took and praised her for her good manners. Today Anna bubbled with chatter, asking Violet all kinds of questions, and showing off her skills in reading and sums.

Violet sipped her tea and shook her head, staring at the six-year-old in total bewilderment. How could anyone think this precious child incorrigible? A sweeter girl she’d never seen.

A maid entered to clear away the tea things. Violet sighed contentedly until she glanced up to find Miss Harper in the doorway. Her throat closed as if a hand had seized it. She leaped to her feet, banging her knee on the low table so hard it made the dishes dance.

“Miss Harper. What a pleasant surprise.” Lord, but she’d been dreading this encounter. Jealousy and guilt hammered her heart by turns. She’d slept with this woman’s betrothed. Was in love with him as well. How could she speak a word and not let on?

“Aunt Dora.” Anna ran to her, flinging her arms around her.

Pray God Miss Harper never found out her feelings. Such treachery could scarcely be forgiven. Therefore, she must play her part as well as any actress in a Covent Garden theatre. She straightened her dress and gazed expectantly at the younger woman.

“Oh, I am sorry.” Miss Harper nodded at her skirt, presumably where her knee still smarted, while held in Anna’s death grip.

“It’s nothing, really.” Violet’s gaze darted around the room, making sure all was tidy. It wouldn’t do for her to appear disorderly. “Anna, you must greet people properly and not attack them as if you were a savage from darkest Africa.”

“Have you come to play with us, Aunt Dora?” Reluctantly, Anna let go of her aunt’s waist. “We’ve had a lovely morning tea party with all my dolls.” She pouted her lips. “But you’ve come too late for tea.”

“I see that, poppet.” A soft gleam in her eyes, Miss Harper took the small chin in her hand. “I’ll have tea with you one day very soon, if Miss Carlton is agreeable.” She shot Violet a questioning look.

“Yes, of course.” Violet nodded, her head spinning. Her stomach twisted even as she smiled. She suspected entertaining Miss Harper would be akin to swallowing glass, but Anna’s peaked face lit up in joy at the suggestion. If Miss Harper wanted to eat jam and bread with them, she’d brave it out somehow.

“Hello, darling. How is my pet?” Simon Harper’s voice, coming unexpectedly, startled Violet so badly she staggered toward the fireplace.

“Simon.” Miss Harper seemed as happy to see him as Violet. “Whatever are you doing here?”

“Can’t a man look in on his only daughter from time to time without being a nine-days wonder?” He swung Anna up into his arms, making her squeal with laughter. “Miss Carlton won’t mind, I’m sure.” His gaze trailed over Violet’s face, a flicker of interest that extinguished itself immediately.

“Of course not, Mr. Harper.” Violet noted the delight on Anna’s face. “You must come visit Anna whenever you can spare a moment. You seem to have made her very happy today.”

Arms around her father’s neck, Anna giggled and laid her head on his shoulder. “You can come have tea with Miss Carlton and Aunt Dora and Countess Hepplewhite and Princess Beatrice. And me.”

“Who are Countess Hepplewhite and Princess Beatrice, poppet?” Mr. Harper grinned at his daughter. He seemed very devoted to the child.

“My dolls, of course, Papa.” The little girl snuggled against him. “They would love for you to come to tea tomorrow. Ever so much they would.”

Violet struggled to keep from smiling at Mr. Harper’s look of alarm. She’d have company in the nursery tomorrow. She’d lay a wager on it.

“Well, we shall see, my love.” He kissed the pale face and set her down. “I don’t expect it would be much trouble, would it, Miss Carlton?”

“None whatsoever, Mr. Harper. Shall we expect you as well, Miss Harper?”