The Wicked Governess (Blackhaven Brides Book 6)(24)

“Well, he won’t go far without us. Come along, Miss Grey, time for some more managing.”

Obediently, she hurried after him. At the drawing room door, he paused and glanced back at her over his shoulder. “It was a joke, before you go running back to Braithwaite Castle.”

“Ah,” she retorted. “I thought you were merely keeping me up to scratch.”

“Both.” He walked out of the room. “Though I trust you don’t use such cant to my daughter.”

“Oh no, sir. My position is too valuable to me.”

He glanced at her as she caught up with him. “Then why do I get the feeling you are mocking me?”

“I expect you have a guilty conscience about mocking the governess.”

The laughter was back in his eyes. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach.

“I expect I have,” he agreed. “You really aren’t afraid of me, are you, Miss Grey?”

“Should I be?” she countered, as they came to the stairs.

A quick, almost savage laugh broke from him. “Oh yes.”

Her foot faltered for the barest instant, and he ran downstairs ahead of her. When he moved like that, there was no sign of lameness.

*

Saturday dawned bright and fair with a hint of frost still on the ground as the Benedicts’ carriage bowled out of the overgrown drive and along the road to Blackhaven. Since Miss Benedict also accompanied them, the carriage was cramped, with the excited Rosa and her aunt facing the direction of travel, and Caroline and Mr. Benedict seated opposite.

Caroline could not but be aware of his presence beside her, his arm brushing against her shoulder with the lurching of the carriage. It gave her a secret, wicked pleasure.

“So what diversions do you recommend, Miss Grey?” Mr. Benedict inquired.

“The ice parlor at the top of High Street,” Caroline replied promptly and won a huge grin from Rosa. “There are shops selling just about everything, and an art gallery with a mixed selection of paintings. And you might like to visit the circulating library, where they have a surprisingly good collection. Also, the harbor is very pretty, and the beaches pleasant if the tide is far enough out. The church is several centuries old and very picturesque. The vicar, Mr. Grant, welcomes visitors, whether he is there at the time or not.”

Miss Benedict beamed. “Why, you are as good as a guide book, Miss Grey. How long were you at the castle with the Braithwaites?”

“A few weeks only,” Caroline admitted. “But they are lively girls.”

“Well, we’ve told Williams to come back for us at one o’clock,” Miss Benedict said. “He’ll wait for us in front of the church. If you aren’t there, then, we’ll send him back for you at, when? Four o’clock?”

“That would be most kind,” Caroline said. “Thank you.”

Williams halted the horses opposite the church, and Mr. Benedict immediately pushed open the door and climbed out to let down the steps. He swung Rosa out in a large spin that made her smile and clutch on to him, and then, more civilly, handed out his sister and Caroline.

“Off you go, then,” he said to her. “Enjoy your liberty.”

Rosa, who showed a tendency to cling to her father as people passed in the street, reached out and seized Caroline’s hand.

Caroline clasped her fingers with what she hoped was a reassuring smile. “I shall see you again this afternoon—at the latest. For the town is so small we may well bump into each other again at any time.”

Rosa released her reluctantly and with a jaunty wave, Caroline walked away toward High Street. Today would surely be good for Rosa, moving among people, seeing other children. And she would see also that adults who left her came back again.

When she reached the shoemaker’s shop, she was surprised to find Lady Tamar already there.

“Tamar is painting sunrises,” she explained. “So, I was abroad early. And look, I have found you the sweetest little boots ever!”

They were indeed beautiful, made of soft kid and almost as dainty as dancing slippers.

“They are delightful,” Caroline allowed. “But they would not last one muddy day at Haven Hall. I need something much stouter!”

“But not hideous,” Serena insisted, pulling her past a display of plain, solid boots. “Let us speak to Mr. Nulty.”

In the end, Caroline settled for something both pretty and comfortable, and Mr. Nulty the shoemaker promised to send them up to Haven Hall on Monday.

“Excellent,” Serena approved. “Have you breakfasted, Miss Grey? For I’m famished! Let’s go to the hotel.”

Caroline accompanied her willingly enough. “Will people not think you very odd for being so much in the governess’s company?”

“Well, they already think me odd for my marriage, and I can’t say I care about that either. Besides, apparently you’re not our governess anymore.”

“I’m sorry,” Caroline said with genuine contrition. “If I could continue teaching your sisters, I would.”

“Is that what you intended to speak to Mr. Benedict about?”

“Yes, and perhaps by the time the countess relents, the time will be right.”

“But the girls miss you now.”

“As I miss them.” Caroline hesitated. “I love your sisters, my lady, but Rosa needs me more. I hope to coax her back into the way of company, and maybe even a return to speech. I would love to find a way to teach them all together. I believe that would be best of all for Rosa. But I do understand that you want a governess now. I shall quite understand if you engage another.”