A Spy's Devotion (The Regency Spies of London #1)(83)

So Sarah did not know what had happened, that Julia’s uncle had fled the country and caused Phoebe to be dependent on the kindness of her relatives. And Mr. Langdon must not have told them, or else he had told Mr. Wilson, who had not told his wife.

At least Sarah was happy. Julia could be happy for her, to know she would be loved and cared for as only a husband could. Thank you, God.

Julia went to put both letters away when she noticed something on the floor, something white and flat, in front of her door. It might have been there when she’d come in and she hadn’t noticed, as she’d been so preoccupied with her letters. It appeared to be another letter. Sometimes the butler shoved her letters under her door when the post came.

On opening it, she saw it was from the director of the school she had written to.



Dear Miss Grey,

I am writing to inform you that we would be most interested in employing you for the position of music teacher in our school, as soon as you are able to come. The salary is modest, but you will be provided a private room, as well as all your meals.



She could leave. She had another position.

Even though Leorah had assured her she could come and stay with her, it could never be a permanent solution. Besides, due to her feelings for Mr. Langdon, it wouldn’t be proper. This position at this school was the best Julia could hope for. Now she could leave Mr. Atherton’s lecherous, roving eyes and Mrs. Atherton’s condescending arrogance.

But first she would need to give notice.

Julia went to her desk and wrote a quick note, asking Mrs. Atherton to allow her to leave her employ in one week. I am sorry to only give a week’s notice, Julia wrote, but the other position is open now, and I do not want to risk losing it.

After ending it with the proper sentiments, Julia folded the letter and went in search of Mrs. Atherton.

Julia went downstairs and heard feminine voices in the music room. The door was open, and when Julia looked in, she found Mrs. Atherton standing in a small group, speaking with Mrs. Tromburg and Mr. Langdon. Julia hesitated and then kept walking past the doorway rather than interrupt Mrs. Atherton and her guests. She only hoped no one had seen her walk past. She would simply have to give the letter to Mrs. Atherton later.

“Miss Grey, wait.”

Julia turned to see Nicholas Langdon hurrying toward her. Her heart seemed to rise into her throat as she waited for him to catch up to her.

“Did you need something?” he asked.

“I only wanted to give this letter to Mrs. Atherton. Would you give it to her?”

“Won’t you come in and give it to her yourself?”

“No, I don’t think I should. I don’t want to disturb her while she is with her guests.”

He stood quite close to her. “Julia, I need to speak with you. I have something—”

“Nicholas Langdon, you said you would play a duet with me.” Mrs. Tromburg was calling to him from the doorway of the drawing room. “What are you doing? You promised.”

He looked annoyed. “As I was saying—”

“I must go, but I would like to speak with you.” Julia didn’t want to keep him standing in the dark hall with her. “We can speak later.” She handed him the letter and hurried away before he could say anything else.

Julia spent a quiet evening in her room. She couldn’t help wondering what Mr. Langdon was doing; how his time was being monopolized by the young widow, Mrs. Tromburg; and whether her beauty would be able to charm him a second time.



The next morning, just as Julia was getting the children settled down to their schoolwork, someone knocked on the schoolroom door. Julia got up and opened it to Mrs. Atherton.

“I came to tell you, Miss Grey, that there is no need for you to stay another week. You may leave any time you like. In fact”—she raised her eyebrows and looked down her long, pointed nose at Julia—“I would prefer it if you would leave early tomorrow morning.”

“You don’t want me to finish out the week with the children?”

“No. The carriage will be made ready for you at dawn. You may collect your salary from Mrs. Farnsworth.”

Painfully aware that the children were just behind her and hearing everything their mother was saying, Julia nodded, meeting Mrs. Atherton’s disdainful stare. “Thank you, Mrs. Atherton. Would you like to explain the situation to the children, or shall I?”

Mrs. Atherton looked momentarily nonplussed and then waved her hand in the air. “Just as you please. Tell Nellie to look after them.” With that, she turned and walked away.

Taking a deep breath, Julia closed the door and faced the children. They were all reacting to the news according to their dispositions. Some of their expressions were blank, as if they had already stuffed down and hidden their feelings about having to say good-bye to another governess. Elizabeth was starting to cry, the first big tear rolling down her cheek. Julia gathered her up in her arms and sat on the floor with her in her lap.

“Come here, children.” Some of them sat with their heads down, but Timothy drew closer to her, as if hoping she would hug him too. She reached out and put an arm around him, holding him to her side.

“I’m so sorry, but I must leave you.” She felt the tears damming up behind her eyes. “You are all intelligent, wonderful children, and I want you to know that I have come to care for you all very much in the short time I have been here. You are very important, and I will be praying for each of you, every night before I go to sleep, that you will grow up strong and healthy, and that you will be kind and good adults who care about other people, just the way God cares about you.”