Page 33
Glancing up, she curved her mouth into a welcoming smile and removed her spectacles.
“I see you found him, my dear.”
Married nearly thirty years, his aunt and uncle’s adoration for one another bordered on embarrassing. Childless for the first ten years, they’d given up having offspring. Then his three cousins had come in rapid succession. Aunt Melvelia vowed the Lord had opened her womb like Sara, Ana, and Rachel in the Bible and freely told the tale to anyone who would listen.
“You wished to speak with me?” Theran gave her an affectionate peck on the cheek she angled upward. “I haven’t bid Bernadine good morning yet, so though I do not wish to rush you, I’d prefer not to tarry long.”
His aunt laid her Bible and spectacles aside. She gave a little wave in the air. “La, no need to fret over the dear. I’ve asked Miss Mayfield to attend Bernadine.”
His aunt’s temerity brought Theran up short. He gave his beaming aunt a cautious look.
“You have?”
Seemingly oblivious to Theran’s less than cordial response, she nodded. The feathers atop her turban bobbed with the movement. Today she rather reminded him of a peacock in her colorful gown of royal blue, green, and teal. In his staid, unadorned suit, Uncle Herbert more closely resembled a blackbird.
They gave credence to the adage that opposites attract.
“Indeed. I did,” Aunt Melvelia agreed with an enthusiastic nod. “The moment I learned early this morning that the Ceddes were leaving, I sent a note to Miss Mayfield asking her to stay on and attend Bernadine for the duration of the house party. She has graciously agreed.”
Theran stifled a groan.
Just perfect.
His aunt clapped her hands as if she’d come upon the most brilliant of solutions. “It’s perfect, is it not? You require a governess and Miss Mayfield needs a position.”
“No, I fear, I do not.” Theran shook his head. “I posted a letter to my man of business a few minutes ago asking him to place adverts for a governess. Regrettably, Miss Mayfield will not suit.”
“I am most disappointed to hear that, Theran. I quite like Miss Mayfield.” His aunt’s face fell, and she sent her husband an imploring look. “I wonder what she will do?”
At once, Uncle Herbert crossed to her and took her hand.
“My boy, we don’t mean to interfere, but perhaps you have insight into the Ceddes' premature departure?” Uncle Herbert kissed his wife’s fingers and gave her a tender smile.
To be that much in love after so many years…
Something twisted behind Theran’s ribs.
It took him a heartbeat to recognize the emotion as envy.
He would never have what they had.
“They were rather closed-mouth about their reason,” Uncle said, resting a hand upon Aunt Melvelia’s shoulder.
I’ll bet they were.
Lady Ceddes had probably been fed a cock and bull story by her coxcomb of a husband. Theran would’ve liked to have been an invisible observer during that conversation. Ceddes explaining the hasty parting and leaving Miss Mayfield behind would’ve taken ingenuity. Although, Lady Ceddes would have to be blind and deaf to be unaware of her husband’s adulterous propensities.
Rubbing his jaw, Theran sighed and wandered to the mullioned window.
As he passed her, Aunt Melvelia’s Persian cat, Precious Puss, curled atop a pink tasseled cushion, cracked a blue eye open. After giving Theran a condescending glance, she went back to sleep.
A cloudless azure August sky met his perusal through the spotless window. A perfect day for the boat race and picnic afterward. He quite hoped for Scotch eggs. Already, servants scurried about erecting tents and placing tables and chairs on the plush green carpet.
Bernadine would adore both activities.
Wisest to be straightforward with his aunt and uncle about last night without going into the distasteful details. He tossed a glance over his shoulder, unsurprised to see both staring at him with patient, yet expectant, expressions before returning his attention to the grounds.
He’d far prefer to be outdoors than having this troublesome conversation.
