Gambling for the Governess: A Victorian Romance (The Seven Curses of London Book 9)

by Lana Williams

  Amelia turned to see Mrs. Wimbly nodding in approval. “Why, thank you.”

  “Mrs. Smithson has the right of it,” the housekeeper continued as she joined them. “The children are much more cheerful and better behaved with you here. You’re doing an excellent job.”

  Amelia stared at the housekeeper, wondering if she’d be so complimentary if she knew about Amelia’s feelings for Christopher. “I’m pleased you think so.”

  “Now take that picnic basket and enjoy the park,” Mrs. Wimbly said with a smile as she moved to hold the kitchen door for her.

  “Thanks to both of you, I will,” Amelia said, her heart swelling with pride and pleasure.

  Mrs. Smithson closed the lid and lifted the handle into position. “Here you go. There are a tablecloth and napkins in there as well.”

  Amelia lifted the basket and smiled at both the women. “Thank you again.”

  Her heart was light as she walked to the entrance hall where Charlotte and Ronald waited with Charles. The footman took the basket from her.

  “What’s in there?” Ronald asked with wide eyes.

  “You’ll have to wait and see,” Amelia said, “but I promise you won’t be disappointed.”

  The short drive to the park passed quickly with Amelia taking advantage of the ride to practice sums with the children. They learned quickly and enjoyed seeing who could answer her questions first.

  As the carriage drew to a halt, she closed her eyes, offering a silent prayer of gratitude. Everything was going unbelievably well. The children. Christopher. Everything. She held hope for the future unlike anything she’d felt before.

  Drawing a shaky breath, she reminded herself not to step ahead too far. She needed to focus on each day even while holding tight to that hope. Many obstacles remained for them to overcome. Her background made the idea of a future with Christopher seem impossible. But only once he caught the blackmailer could they consider what happened next.

  In the meantime, she’d remain on guard against any possible threat and would do her job to the best of her ability while enjoying every minute of it.

  “When shall we have James return for us, miss?” Charles asked as he helped them alight, his gaze sweeping the area.

  “Charles, you’re coming with us?” Charlotte asked with surprise.

  The footman shared a look with Amelia then smiled at the girl. “As heavy as this basket is, you’re going to need assistance to eat everything Cook sent.”

  Both children laughed.

  “Two hours should be sufficient,” Amelia said.

  Charles gave instructions to the driver and hefted the basket. “Lead the way. It’s a fine day for a picnic.”

  “This will be fun,” Charlotte said as she took Amelia’s free hand.

  “I’ve never been on a picnic before.” Ronald started to skip, his speed quickly taking him ahead.

  “Not too fast,” Amelia called. “Wait for us.”

  Ronald slowed his pace. “Can’t we walk faster? I’m hungry.”

  “Already?” Amelia asked as Ronald looked back to make certain Charles was still following.

  “He’s always hungry.” Charlotte shook her head.

  “Now then, which direction shall we explore first?” Amelia asked as she searched the area just as Charles was doing.

  They wandered along the paths, stopping to look at anything that caught their interest, from chirping birds to chattering squirrels as well as some of the spring flowers.

  Amelia shared a few facts and a Latin name or two, but the beauty of the day took over and soon she let all that go, only wanting to enjoy the moment and all the joy it brought.

  Charlotte’s smile.

  Ronald’s giggle.

  Her own heart swelling with joy.

  Despite the possible threat, moments like this were to be cherished. Lessons could wait. At least until they returned home.

  Home.

  Was it her home now? It certainly felt like it. What might happen in the future remained to be seen. But today was a good day.

  “Miss Tippin?” Ronald drew close to her side, his voice a whisper.

  “What is it?”

  “That other governess is staring at you again.”

  Heart pounding, Amelia followed Ronald’s gaze to see Elizabeth Trunch glaring at her.

  Before she could take a breath, the woman marched toward her, her lips pressed into a thin line, her two young charges in tow looking unhappy.

  “Millie.” The name Amelia had so detested rang in her ears. “I don’t know what you think you’re about by pretending to be a governess, but I won’t stand for it.”

  Unease crept up Amelia’s spine. “Good day, Elizabeth.”

  The woman raised her chin. “That’s Miss Trunch to you.” She looked Amelia over from head to toe before her gaze swung to the children then back to Amelia. “I want the name of your employer so I can explain that you are nothing more than a maid and should not be allowed to teach.”

  “Miss?” Charles asked from behind her, the doubt in his tone bringing forth her own.

  Amelia swallowed hard, unable to form a word when her mouth was so dry.

  “Well, Millie? Who is it?” Elizabeth demanded with a dismissive glance at Charles.

  “I-” Her reply was choked by the same hot ball of guilt and shame that had consumed her when Elizabeth caught her in her aunt’s office, answering Christopher’s letter when she was supposed to be dusting. Was this what it would be like if one of Christopher’s acquaintances learned she was a maid?

  But she wasn’t that person anymore. She was a governess and a good one at that. “That is no business of yours, Elizabeth.”

  “Miss Tippin is an excellent governess.” Charlotte’s hand reached for hers while Ronald joined her.

  “The best governess ever,” he added.

  Amelia tightened her grip on Charlotte’s hand as she lifted her chin to face the awful woman. “Don’t you think your time would be better spent helping others rather than finding fault? What I do and who I work for is of no concern to you.”

  Elizabeth’s eyes narrowed. “You are nothing but a maid. You didn’t attend the governess academy.”

  “No, but that doesn’t mean I’m not qualified.”

  “Do not believe for a moment that this is the end of the matter, Millie.”

  “My name is Amelia. My employer is well aware of my background.” Her relief at that truth knew no bounds, but the statement was also a reminder of her true relationship with Christopher, regardless of her hopes. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, we’re going to have a picnic.” Amelia nodded. “Good day.”

  Then she turned on her heel and walked away with Charlotte and Ronald at her side. She kept walking until they were well away from the awful woman.

  “Are you all right, miss?” Charles asked.

  “Yes.” Amelia drew a deep breath to calm herself, but the children at her side eased her upset even more.

  “That woman is an unpleasant sort,” the footman said, “sticking her nose in other people’s business.”

  “I don’t like her or those boys,” Ronald said.

  “She is an unhappy person.” Amelia straightened her shoulders. What the woman thought didn’t matter. Thank goodness Christopher knew the truth and had kept her in the position anyway.

  “We won’t permit her to ruin our picnic.” Amelia glanced around the expanse of grass and trees, searching for a spot. “Where shall we have it?”

  “Over there.” Ronald pointed to a lovely spot under a tree well away from the other people visiting the park.

  “Perfect,” Amelia declared. “What do you think, Charlotte?”

  “Perfect.” The girl nodded then released Amelia’s hand to take her brother’s, and the pair hurried ahead.

  Amelia glanced over her shoulder to make certain Elizabeth hadn’t decided to follow them. To her relief, the other woman wasn’t in sight.

  Charles spread the white tablecloth on the grass, his
gaze sweeping the area before joining them.

  Amelia pulled one item at a time from the basket, challenging the children to guess what it might be. Soon, thick slices of ham and bread with butter sat on their plates along with grated cheese moistened with cream and sprinkled with chopped nuts. Mrs. Smithson had also included thinly sliced potatoes fried to a crisp, and crackers in a tin box. For dessert, there was a small chocolate cake with cream filling as well as small fruit tarts.

  “How can we possibly eat all of this?” Charlotte asked in wonder.

  “I think Cook would like us to try.” Ronald reached for another sandwich, obviously willing to do his part.

  “Who wants lemonade?” Amelia asked. She poured a small amount into each of the tin cups included in the basket. “Mrs. Smithson thought of everything.”

  As they ate, Amelia’s nerves settled further. Elizabeth had been terrible while at the academy. It shouldn’t surprise her that her behavior hadn’t changed. What did surprise her was that neither Charlotte nor Ronald asked about what Elizabeth had said.

  She glanced at them, wondering if she should explain. But if the conversation hadn’t sparked questions, why should she bother? With one last deep breath, she released the worry and focused on appreciating the day.

  They ate their fill, enjoying the scenery, watching birds, squirrels, and butterflies before packing the remains of their feast back into the basket.

  Charles kept a close watch, his alertness reminding Amelia of the danger they faced but Christopher even more so. She’d be pleased to put an end to the threat of the blackmailer.

  “Shall we walk for a bit?” Amelia asked as she checked her pin watch. “The carriage won’t return for at least another twenty minutes.”

  “Don’t you mean explore?” Ronald asked with a grin before skipping ahead once again.

  Charlotte joined him, and Amelia quickened her pace to keep up as did Charles. Ronald found a tree they hadn’t seen during their last visit and collected a leaf and a piece of bark so they could identify it when they returned to the schoolroom.

  “James will be here to pick us up soon,” Amelia said. “We need to walk to where we’re supposed to meet him.”

  They were nearly there when Charles drew close to Amelia. “There’s the man from the zoo.” He kept his voice low as if he didn’t want to worry the children.

  She followed his gaze to see the man striding toward the approaching the carriage. Amelia gasped as he withdrew a knife. “Charles, you have to warn James. Hurry.”

  The footman dropped the picnic basket and ran toward the street.

  Amelia retrieved the basket as she continued watching, her breath quickening. The man with the knife gestured to James, shouting something she couldn’t hear. She glanced at the children, relieved they hadn’t noticed the commotion. Hopefully, Charles would be able to chase the man away.

  “Look!” Charlotte pointed to a butterfly with beautiful yellow wings. The fluttering insect landed on a nearby bush.

  “Can you catch it?” Ronald asked.

  Charlotte eased toward it as a man stepped out from behind the bush.

  “Charlotte!” Amelia’s warning was too late. Her heart leapt to her throat as he grabbed the girl’s arm and held tight.

  “Release her at once,” Amelia demanded as she took Ronald’s hand in hers.

  “She’s coming with me along with the two of you.” The man’s gaze darted toward the carriage, making Amelia realize they’d planned the diversion to get Charles to step away.

  Charlotte’s green eyes were wide with fright. She started to scream only to have the man shake her.

  “Not a word or you’ll be sorry.” His dark eyes shifted to Amelia and Ronald. “That goes for the two of you as well. Keep quiet.”

  “Leave her alone.” Amelia refused to allow the cold fear pulsing through her to hold her in place. Would Charles see what was happening and help?

  “Stay where you are if you know what’s good for you.” The man glanced down at Charlotte. “And for her.”

  “Let her go.” Amelia glanced around again with the hope that someone—anyone—was close enough to assist them. But they were at the edge of the park with few paths, and no one was near. Ronald trembled beside her, and the fear etched in his sister’s face filled her with panic.

  “Help!” Amelia shouted as loud as she could despite the man’s threat. She couldn’t allow him to take Charlotte. “Someone help us, please!”

  “Damn you,” the man cursed. He lifted Charlotte under his arm as if she were a sack of flour.

  The girl screamed.

  “Let my sister go!” Ronald called out.

  Amelia released Ronald’s hand and rushed toward the man, ready to strike him with the basket and force him to release her. Yet even as she raised the basket, a glint of metal caught the sun.

  “Stay back or I’ll cut her.”

  Amelia dropped the basket and held up both hands, palms out. “Take me instead. Let the girl go and take me.” Charlotte’s tears were breaking her heart.

  The man smiled grimly. “I’ve got a better idea. I’m taking all three of you.” He raised the knife, holding it next to Charlotte’s face. “Come with me nice and quiet, else I’ll carve her face.”

  Out of the corner of her eye, Amelia saw Charles chasing the man who’d threatened James in the opposite direction. No help would be coming from the footman. James was climbing down from the carriage to secure the horses, his focus on Charles. She reached for Ronald’s hand, squeezing it to get his attention. “Run,” she whispered.

  He stared at her in disbelief.

  “Run to James.” She released his hand and grabbed the basket. “Go!”

  The boy ran as quickly as his legs could carry him.

  “Here now!” The man stepped forward with a crying Charlotte still under his arm. “Come back here.”

  Amelia slammed the basket into the side of the man’s head on the opposite side of Charlotte.

  “Damn you.” He dropped Charlotte, lifting his hand to protect himself while Charlotte scrambled behind Amelia.

  The sound of footsteps running toward them had Amelia’s hopes rising. She turned to see a stranger rushing toward them. “Help us, please!”

  “Peterson, what the hell is taking so long?” The man scowled as he caught sight of Ronald running toward the carriage. “You were supposed to get all three of them.”

  Amelia stared in horror. Help hadn’t arrived after all.

  Peterson touched his head, his fingers coming away with blood. “You didn’t warn me that the woman would be such a menace, Connolly.”

  Amelia grabbed Charlotte’s hand and started to run with her only to be halted by Connolly. “You aren’t going anywhere.”

  Peterson took Charlotte’s arm and pulled her away as Connolly glanced over to where Ronald was nearing the carriage some distance away. The boy waved his arms frantically at James.

  Relief filled Amelia to know he’d be safe in a matter of minutes. But there was little chance of her and Charlotte joining him.

  “Let us go,” she demanded.

  “Not a chance.” Connolly jerked Amelia’s arm, causing her to stumble as he dragged her and Charlotte behind the bush. “We’re going for a ride. Now move it.”

  “No.” She tightened her hold on Charlotte, fear draining her strength and her bravado.

  “We can leave you here dead if you’d prefer. But we’re taking the girl.” Connolly leaned close, his face an inch from hers. “The choice is yours.”

  Without waiting for a response, he pulled her forward. “Move. Both of you.”

  Amelia held tight to Charlotte’s trembling hand as they walked toward the street on the far side of the park. She had to find a way to escape with Charlotte. But for the moment, she did as she was told.

  ~*~

  Malcolm shoved the woman’s back to hurry her and the sniffling girl along, Peterson at his side, and directed them into the trees. He’d left the hackney driver fart
her along the road in a wooded area where few ventured. If they hurried, they’d be on their way before the footman realized he’d been led away from the children.

  “Can’t believe you told the boy to run.” Malcolm shook his head. He’d wanted the boy as well, but the girl would do. If the governess was too much trouble, he’d get rid of her.

  He, Peterson, and Clarke had arrived at Beaumont’s earlier in time to see a carriage pulling away. They’d followed, as he’d thought the meddling lord would be inside. When the governess and the children had alighted at the park with their picnic basket, a new idea had come to mind.

  The children were the perfect target. If they lived with Beaumont, they surely meant something to him.

  The hackney driver waited with his cab where Malcolm had left him. He pushed the woman again, wishing she’d walk faster, then glanced over his shoulder to make certain they weren’t being followed.

  No one was in sight. Perfect.

  Maybe something was going according to plan after all.

  Peterson muttered under his breath, touching his head once more. “That hurt. Blast you.”

  “Stop your whining.” Malcolm was surprised by how much of a fight the woman had given them. It wasn’t as if the children were hers.

  “Where are we taking them?” Peterson asked.

  “You’ll see soon enough.” He checked to make certain they had eluded any followers as they approached the hackney. The woods separated them from the carriage. “Get in.”

  “Please, sir,” the woman called to the hackney driver. “Help us. We’re being taken against our will.”

  The man ignored her, not even bothering to look. Malcolm chuckled. “There’ll be an extra coin for your deafness,” he called to the man.

  “Get in,” Peterson gestured to the door. “Hurry now.”

  The governess assisted the crying girl into the cab then took her sweet time joining her.

  With a frustrated growl, Malcolm gave her another shove. “Keep that up and you’ll be lying dead in the street before we reach our destination. Do I make myself clear?”

  She nodded as she took a seat next to the girl.

  “Sit inside with them,” Malcolm ordered Peterson.

  “I ain’t sitting in there. I’ll sit with the driver.” Peterson touched the side of his head again as if to make his reason clear.