The Wicked Governess (Blackhaven Brides Book 6)(25)

Serena smiled wryly and sailed through the door of the hotel. “That is my lady mother’s concern, not mine. But I don’t like to leave them with only Mrs. Gaskell.”

“Could you take them with you to Tamar Abbey?” Caroline asked once they were seated at a table in the quiet dining room and had ordered coffee and breakfast.

Serena wrinkled her nose. “Tamar says not. I don’t think he wants to take me until he’s beaten his brothers and sister into submission. I suspect it’s all pretty ramshackle, and as you know, his brothers are not at all the thing.”

“Well, neither was Lord Tamar until he married you.”

“No, but he was always sweet-natured. I’m not sure that applies to his siblings. Anyway, neither of us is prepared to risk mine until I’ve met his for myself. And we may be trapped down there for the winter, so as I say, it’s a fine excuse for a party.” She delved into her reticule and produced a little packet which she set in front of Caroline. “Cards of invitation for the Benedicts and you.”

“For me?” Startled, Caroline paused with her hand on the packet. “You don’t invite the governess to parties!”

“I invite you. Besides, there will be children present, so I have an ulterior motive. I hope they will bring Rosa.”

“I think that might be moving too quickly,” Caroline said ruefully. “She will need to get used to one or two children before she can manage lots in a houseful of strange adults.”

“Will her father not agree to that?”

“He might, now…to be honest, they have all got out of the way of company.” And quite deliberately, from what Caroline could gather.

“Well, you must write to me. I could bring Helen over by herself one day and then you could bring Rosa to the castle. If he agrees.” She waited until the waiter had set the coffee pot and cups on the table and departed, before she asked bluntly, “What is he like? Cold and terrifying?”

“Not at all,” Caroline objected. “Nor does he eat children or keep his wife locked in a tower.”

“I hope not if the poor creature is dead.”

“It is Betty Smith’s theory that she isn’t, and that Miss Benedict is really Mrs. Benedict!”

“Betty Smith always made up stories. They entertained Frances and me when we were young, but I’m not sure that one is so funny. Are you happy there, Caroline? Or is it just your need to help that keeps you with them?”

It was the first time Serena had used her Christian name. The significance wasn’t lost on Caroline, although Lady Tamar herself didn’t appear to notice.

Caroline shrugged. “Both, I suppose.”

Serena gazed thoughtfully into her steaming coffee and added a little cream. “Does he grieve still for his wife?” she asked.

It was a good question. “Certainly, he grieves for something. I suppose it must be her, though he doesn’t speak of her. No one does.” Which was odd. Miss Benedict never referred to her. Nor did any of the servants who must have known her.

Serena’s eyes brightened. “It is a house of mystery,” she said, all but rubbing her hands with glee. “Most definitely I must bring Helen next week. Though the others will hate me for leaving them behind.”

They talked of other things while they ate breakfast. Serena, bright and animated as she generally was, seemed to have an extra brilliance about her, an inner glow that Caroline eventually put down to happiness. She hoped Lord Tamar would never let her down, for Serena clearly loved him to distraction. And although Tamar always appeared to be equally enchanted by his wife, Caroline did not have a high opinion of men’s constancy.

“Well, well,” a man’s jovial voice interrupted their chatter. “What a bevy of beauty to greet my old eyes this morning!”

Caroline looked up to see the white-whiskered Colonel Fredericks, the retired commander of the 44th regiment barracked in Blackhaven. Serena had known him since childhood and immediately invited him to join them.

“Very happy to,” he replied gratefully, easing himself into the seat opposite them. Colonel Fredericks gave a good impression of being merely a kind old gentleman well past his prime, though in fact, if one looked closely, his eyes were sharp and perceptive and, according to Serena, he still had charge of some intelligence matters relating to the never-ending war with France. He was also entertaining company, and Caroline was quite happy to spend half an hour drinking more coffee with him.

“So, you have both managed to lose your charges for today?” he said at last.

“Do you mean my husband?” Serena teased.

“I do, of course! And to a lesser extent, your delightful sisters.”

“I left the former painting and the latter sleeping,” Serena informed him. “But Miss Grey no longer looks after them. She has another position.”

He seemed genuinely surprised. “Do you really? Well, well. Still in Blackhaven, I trust?”

“Haven Hall,” Caroline replied.

The colonel raised his eyebrows. “Indeed? Who is it who has the hall now? Tenants never seem to stay there.”

“Mr. Benedict and his family,” Caroline murmured.

He cocked his ear. “I beg your pardon? I’m a little deaf.”

“Mr. Javan Benedict and his family,” Caroline repeated more clearly.