The Wicked Governess (Blackhaven Brides Book 6)(66)

Marjorie insisted on her staying in bed to eat breakfast, which was no hardship since Peter and Rosa accompanied the maid with her breakfast tray. They sat on her bed while she ate, happily munching the pieces she allowed them. Rosa seemed to have found a new purpose in looking after the younger Peter, who gazed at her with awe a lot of the time.

Smiling, Marjorie left Caroline at the children’s mercy and went downstairs to breakfast. Eliza wandered in a little later and also sat on the bed to tell her about her life in recent months, Peter’s illness, and her stay in Edinburgh.

After a little, the restless children moved away, pointing and giggling at things they could see out of the window. Eventually, they ran off to play.

“So,” Eliza said, fixing Caroline with a clear stare. “You and Mr. Javan Benedict. Your employer, Caroline. You are playing with fire.”

“I know.”

“You are the governess.” Eliza rammed the point home with genuine concern. “Caro, he will not care for you. He is a hard man and will simply break your heart and cast you aside. I could not bear that for you again.”

She had never before admitted that her marriage had hurt Caroline. Once, this would have mattered a lot more. As it was, Caroline felt touched by her sister’s concern.

“Don’t worry,” she soothed. “It isn’t as bad as it appears.”

“Caro, you were kissing him!”

“I know. But I’m going to marry him.”

“Does he know?” Eliza asked cynically. “Because I don’t think much of anyone’s chances getting him to do anything he has not chosen!”

“I believe he has.”

Eliza’s eyes widened. “Truly?” she said doubtfully. “Have you told Mama this?”

“No, there has been no time. But you are not hurrying home today, are you?”

“I don’t know. Originally, we were coming to you on the other side of the border. It would be lovely to stay here for another day and night, but you know how money is.”

“I’m sure Mr. Benedict intends to take care of all of that.”

A frown puckered her brow. “Is he very wealthy?”

“I don’t actually know,” Caroline said in surprise.

Eliza laughed and gave her a quick hug. “Oh, Caro, you are ridiculous!”

Eliza left when Marjorie returned to help her dress and pin her hair.

“Not so severe today,” Marjorie suggested as Caroline brushed her hair back tightly as usual. “You’re not working, you know! More like you styled it for Lady Tamar’s rout.” She took the brush from Caroline, rolling and pinning her hair to her own satisfaction. “Much prettier. Although, to be sure, you always look lovely.”

“I do?” Caroline said, startled.

“If one cares to look,” Marjorie said vaguely. “Now, are you feeling strong enough? Shall we go down to the coffee room?”

Caroline agreed to this plan. Her heart beat faster, only because of the possibility that Javan was already there. Just being with him made her happy.

At the foot of the stairs, she encountered her mother, and Marjorie relinquished her, hurrying into the coffee room as if she had something important to do. It was sweet the way everyone seemed to assume she could not walk unaided. After all, it was her arm, not her leg, which had been injured.

However, she was content to take her mother’s arm.

“You’re looking very well,” her mother murmured as they walked together. “Despite all the excitement, to call it no worse. You are happy at Haven Hall?”

Surprised by the anxiety in her mother’s voice, she smiled reassuringly. “Yes, I am. I own I was devastated to leave Braithwaite Castle, but somehow, Haven Hall, though much less…convenient, has become my home.” She squeezed her mother’s arm. “We have much to discuss.”

“Yes, we do,” her mother agreed, walking with her into the coffee room and closing the door.

Caroline blinked because not only Javan but everyone else was there already—Marjorie, Rosa, Peter, Eliza, Richard, Williams, and even Killer Miller—most of them sitting not at tables but in chairs set out in a clear space before the fire. Archie the innkeeper was there too, facing them, while his wife and one of the inn servants skulked more in the background.

Javan advanced to meet Caroline. She met his gaze with bewilderment. He offered his arm but her mother hung on to Caroline’s hand.

“He says you’ve agreed to marry him,” her mother blurted. “Before I give my blessing, I need to know it’s what you want. I won’t have you pushed into anything for any reason.”

Caroline swallowed, distracted by the intensity of Javan’s eyes. “Yes, it’s what I want…” Suspicion, realization, began to dawn and her eyes widened. “Now?” she squeaked.

“Why not?” Javan countered. “Archie there has the same rights as the Gretna blacksmith to marry us under Scots law.”

She stared at him, the enormity of this step crushing her. Although she wanted it with all her heart, she hadn’t imagined it would be quite so soon.

“I thought it might be more comfortable returning to Blackhaven already married, than putting you through another engagement which is bound to set tongues wagging.”

“Another engagement?” her mother repeated, startled. “Who were you engaged to before?”