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A few intrepid guests strolled the lawns and gardens. A shiny red head caught his attention. Bernadine held Miss Mayfield’s hand as she, three other adults, and a half dozen or so children descended the terrace steps.
He didn’t need to be told where they were going—to see the puppies.
That reminded him.
He needed to find out which pup Bernadine favored. A puppy would make an ideal birthday gift and provide her with companionship. His uncle would be delighted to permit Bernadine her pick.
If Theran made haste, perhaps he could catch them and see which puppy his daughter preferred.
“Miss Mayfield was set upon by Ceddes outside the nursery last evening. His motives were not honorable.” Clasping his hands behind his back, Theran faced his aunt and uncle. “Had I not been in the nursery bidding Bernadine good night and able to intervene on Miss Mayfield’s behalf, she would’ve been…ruined.”
Theran could not bring himself to say raped to his aunt.
She’d probably faint dead away.
“Never say so!” A scowl furrowed Uncle Herbert’s usual placid forehead. “The rotter dared such scandalous behavior in my home?”
Her face ashen, Aunt Melvelia pressed a hand to her ample chest and gasped, “He did not!”
“He did.” Theran grimaced, renewed outrage heating his blood as he recalled the ugly incident. “I’ll spare you the sordid details, but it was most unpleasant. Miss Mayfield emerged, if not completely unscathed, at least uncompromised. I advised Ceddes it would be in his best interest to depart this morning with his family.”
“Well,” huffed Theran’s aunt. “I shall see that doors are closed to the bounder.” Her plump face creased in concern. “And you’re certain Miss Mayfield is all right? She made no mention of the incident in her response to my note.”
Not a surprise.
Servants did not complain to their employers if they wished to keep their positions. And a female servant would not disclose such an interlude for the same reason.
Leave it to his kind aunt to fret over a servant. But then, she treated everyone as equals. More people ought to.
Theran considered her question. “I believe so. Miss Mayfield possesses remarkable fortitude.”
Intelligence, kindness, and integrity as well. All admirable qualities in a governess.
No.
She was too young and too religious.
You don’t know if she’s religious. That’s just an excuse, and you know it.
Of its own volition, his attention strayed to the windows. The small entourage made slow progress. Every few feet, a child stopped to inspect an insect, a flower, the geese flying overhead… Or one of the adults brought their attention to something or other of interest.
Never let a possible lesson pass.
“Don’t fret, my dear.” Uncle Herbert patted his wife’s hand. “You have such a good heart. You can still provide Miss Mayfield with a letter of reference for her time at Mottford Hall.”
“Why, yes, I can.” Aunt Melvelia brightened considerably. “What a brilliant notion, Herbert. I shall do that very thing.”
Unaccountable relief eased the tension knotting Theran’s shoulders he hadn’t realized was there. Had he been unconsciously concerned about Miss Mayfield’s future prospects?
No, he’d been aware her situation was precarious, but she’d claimed to have funds and somewhere to go.
How long would either last?
Why was he worried about it?
In truth, as appalling as last night’s episode had been, at least Theran had been there to protect Purity. Had she been at home…well, the thought didn’t bear completing.
That reminded him.
