The Wicked Governess (Blackhaven Brides Book 6)(27)

She could imagine it. Carefully, she avoided looking at him. Somehow, she knew it would make it easier for him to answer. “Are you quite well, sir?”

“Not quite,” he replied. “But I’m getting there.”

“Is that why you feel the need of comfort?”

“No, it’s my self-pity that requires it. But I’ve done now.”

“Then for your health, might I recommend the Blackhaven waters?”

He glanced at her with amusement. “A little harmless trickery?”

“Oh, there’s no trick. It’s only mineral water from the hills, which trickles underground and comes out at the Pump Room. But many people have noticed improvements in their health.”

“Any reputable physicians?” he asked wryly.

“I don’t know. But when Lady Serena was very down a month or so back, she took the waters and is now quite restored.” She didn’t mention that she was also restored to Lord Tamar, which was probably at least as much to do with the improvement. “But if you feel a physician would benefit you more, I believe Dr. Lampton is very well thought of.”

“By the rich troubled with nervous disorders?”

“By everyone, I think. I believe the 44th use him, too, now that their surgeon is abroad. It would do no harm if you asked Dr. Lampton to call. And in the meantime, it would certainly do you no harm to drink the waters.”

He regarded her with some amusement. “Very well,” he said unexpectedly. “Take me to your wretched waters.”

As they walked, a few acquaintances greeted her, one or two by name. All looked askance at her scarred escort. She wondered if the limp made him appear more or less of a threat. But since his temper was erratic at best, she was just grateful no one stopped to make conversation. Until, within sight of the pump room, they encountered Mrs. Winslow and Miss Muir.

Mrs. Winslow’s eyes lit up at once. Fresh grist for her rumor mill, Caroline realized as she paused politely to greet the ladies. And as they both waited agog, there was nothing for it but to introduce her companion.

“Allow me to present Mr. Benedict of Haven Hall, who has recently employed me to teach his daughter. Sir, Mrs. Winslow, the squire’s lady, and Miss Muir.”

“Oh my,” said Miss Muir, who was deaf as a post and often spoke without seeming to realize other people could hear her.

“What a surprise,” Mrs. Winslow commented after exchanging distant bows with Benedict. “And do we not get to meet the new pupil?”

“One day, I’m sure,” Caroline said hastily. “She is currently in the ice parlor with her aunt.”

“Ladies,” Mr. Benedict said coldly, raising his hat and walking on.

With an apologetic smile, Caroline hurried after him. “There is the pump room,” she said as they reached the entrance with its fake Grecian pillars. “I believe you can swim. Or simply drink the water.”

“Thank you,” he said gravely. She nodded and turned away. Mrs. Winslow and Miss Muir were still gazing in her direction. “What will you tell them about me?”

“That you are grumpy and afraid of doctors,” she said and walked away.

His surprised laughter followed her and made her smile as she raised a hand to the ladies and cut up the side road toward High Street.





Chapter Eight





Caroline didn’t return with the family to Haven Hall. For one thing, she needed time to think about Colonel Fredericks’s information, and for another, she felt unaccountably guilty that she hadn’t already told her employer what she knew. Nor did she understand why any of this should be so important to her. Her employer’s private life wasn’t really any of her business, except insofar as it affected her pupil.

“I’m sorry to bring you out again,” she said to Williams when she finally met the carriage at four o’clock in the gathering dusk.

“Don’t be,” Williams said cheerfully, stepping down from the box to open the door and let down the steps. “It’s good for me and the horses.”

Although it was dark by the time they reached home, it was hardly late, and Caroline wasn’t prepared for the whirlwind that flew across the hall and into her arms with enough force to make her stagger. Tiny lolloped at her heels, barking. Caroline fended him off with one hand, distractedly ruffling his head while she hugged the child.

“Rosa, what on earth’s the matter?” she demanded, peering down into her face.

Rosa shook her head, smiling through dried tears.

“You thought I wouldn’t come back?” Caroline guessed.

Rosa nodded.

“Well,” Caroline said. “I wouldn’t be a very pleasant person if I just wandered off without saying goodbye to you. Or to your father and aunt. Am I so unpleasant?”

Smiling again, Rosa shook her head violently.

“There you are then.” She hugged Rosa again, then released her. “Come, I think it’s time we both washed and changed for dinner.”

As she turned to the stairs, she saw Mr. Benedict watching them from the corner of the passage that led to his study. He stood in the shadows, as if he hadn’t intended to be noticed, one shoulder leaning against the wall. Her heart gave one of its all-too-frequent lurches, but she carried on as if she hadn’t seen him.