On the following morning he was in the library, dealing with his estate accounts, when there was a knock on the door. Not Firbank, or Joanna. Had Mrs Aston some problem, he wondered as he called to them to enter. To his surprise it was Nanny, followed by Sally, looking apprehensive and twisting her apron in restless hands.
'Sir Kenelm, may we speak to you for a moment?'
'Of course, Nanny. Is there some problem? Is it the children? Come and sit down, both of you.'
He pulled a couple of chairs closer to the fire, made them sit, and then took a seat opposite them.
'It is the children, in a way, Sir Kenelm,' Nanny said. 'It's that governess, she's not treating them right, and she's trying to turn them against Miss – that is, Lady Childe.'
He stared at them, bewildered.
'What's that? How do you mean?'
'Sally, tell Sir Kenelm what you heard.'
Sally took a deep breath and told him in words as close as she could recall, all that had been said.
'I didn't mean to eavesdrop,' she finished, 'and I never have before, but I was so shocked.'
'Young Amelia tells me things, too,' Nanny added. 'I haven't taken too much notice, for I know she didn't want to accept her ladyship as a new Mama, and I thought it was just childishness, and she would soon come to like her ladyship, even if she did not accept her as a Mama.'
'What sort of things?' Sir Kenelm felt his heart contracting. He loved his children, but he would not permit them to continue hurting Joanna.
'She won't put her in her prayers at night, and I've heard her muttering things afterwards, like she were wishing her ill. I thought, as she were whispering and didn't want me to hear, it were best not to show I'd noticed.'
Sir Kenelm nodded slowly. 'I suspect I might have taken the same attitude, Nanny. What else? There is something else, isn't there?'
Nanny took a deep breath.
'Yes. It all adds up, though at the time it don't seem like more than a bit of childish spite. Both she and George keep asking whether her ladyship will be going away, and when I tell them no, they ask whether, if she has a baby, she will die like their Mama did.'
Sir Kenelm winced. 'How can they think like that?'
'Only if someone puts it into their heads, I'll guess. And sometimes they tells me about her lessons, and what books Miss Busby makes them read.'
Nanny paused for a moment, then took a deep breath and continued, speaking slowly.
'It's not often they mentions them, but when I began to think about it, after Sally told me what she'd heard, I realised the stories they read are all about children who've been lost, or abandoned. Even the history lessons seem to be about children who should have been kings or queens, but who vanished, like the little princes in the Tower, and that poor Lady Jane Grey who was beheaded. I thought, knowing what bloodthirsty little devils boys his age are, she, Miss Busby, that is, might just be choosing stories he'd like, as a way of getting him interested, like, but now I think it's more.'
Sir Kenelm nodded.
'I suspect you are right. Thank you, both, for coming to me. I will deal with it, don't worry. Say nothing to the twins or Miss Busby.'
They smiled in relief and left the room, and Sir Kenelm continued sitting beside the fire, all thoughts of estate accounts forgotten, while he wondered how best to tackle this problem.
*
Joanna thought Sir Kenelm looked preoccupied when she saw him, but this was only at dinner and supper, for he spent the rest of the day in the library, and she knew he had accounts to deal with, so did not interrupt him. It was only after supper, when she began to set out the chess board, that he said he did not wish to play that night.
'I have something serious to discuss with you, my dear.'
Her heart gave a leap of fear. Had he had second thoughts about sending her to Scotland? Might he now think a period when the twins did not have to see her might be beneficial? She did not want to leave Rock Castle, and in particular did not want to leave him. The situation with the twins would, she thought optimistically, resolve itself in time, when they realised she was not a threat to them, and was not taking him away from them.
'What is it?'
To her surprise he came and sat on the sopha beside her, something he had never done before, and to her greater surprise he took her hand in his.
'Sally overheard something in the schoolroom,' he said. 'I'm afraid it might hurt you, Joanna.'
He told her, calmly and unemotionally, what Sally and Nanny had told him.
'For some reason the woman is intent on making the children hate you. No,' he said, as she instinctively shook her head, 'there is no other explanation, but I cannot understand why. She knows they resent you and refuse to accept you as their Mama, but why is she trying to make matters so much worse?'
Joanna sat in silence, trying to absorb what he told her, aghast someone she barely knew should hate her so much, for such it seemed was behind Miss Busby's behaviour. Why? Only one reason came to her.
'She has resented me ever since we met here,' Joanna said slowly. 'She thought I was applying for the same position, as a governess, and no doubt felt a sense of triumph that you had chosen her. And then she discovers me here, set above her, though I have never attempted to interfere with her lessons, or try to control her, or give orders. I don't think it my place to.'
He pressed her hand, and she suddenly became aware of the warmth and comfort his touch gave her.
'You have behaved with common sense and considerable restraint, given the way the twins, despite all I can say to them, behave towards you.'
'I understand how they feel, I think. But what can we do? How can we stop this?'
'The only way is to dismiss the woman. I doubt if my speaking to her will make her change.'
'No,' Joanna said swiftly. 'That would only make her worse.'
'Then I will send her away tomorrow.'
'Should we not wait until after Christmas? It is just a few days. It's a bad time for anyone to be dismissed from their post.'
'The longer she stays the more damage she can inflict, which I cannot permit. She cannot stay once I have challenged her on her behaviour. It's like you to be so considerate.'
Joanna shook her head. 'I am thinking more of the necessity for advertising for yet another new governess,' she said, and managed a slight laugh.
Sir Kenelm groaned, and Joanna, finding he still held her hand, gave it a squeeze of sympathy.
'I will give her a quarter's salary, which is more than she deserves, and that will enable her to pay for lodgings. I'll send her to whichever town she prefers, Leeds or York or Harrogate, tomorrow. Or she can travel to London, or back to her home and family, if she possesses either. Oh, I remember, I believe she has a brother in Leeds. She can go to him. In fact, I will drive her there myself, rather than inflict her on Potts. I've no doubt the servants all know quite well by now how she has been behaving.'
'No, send Potts. I'm sure he will not mind. And it will be some small revenge if he shows her what the servants think of her. And surely you do not wish to be made a recipient of complaints and excuses all the way to Leeds? She would not restrain herself.'
'That is the first sign of your wanting to retaliate,' Sir Kenelm said, laughing. 'Joanna has claws, I see, even if they are sheathed most of the time.'
She laughed again. 'I have a suggestion,' she said slowly.
'Not that you become their governess, I hope.'
'Of course not, that would never serve. But I had a good friend at the school where I taught. Brigid is Irish, her parents came to London and put her into the school, but they died when a boat sank on the Thames, and she became a teacher like I did.'
'Poor girl.' He looked serious. 'Your schoolmistress seems prone to turning her pupils into teachers.'
Joanna smiled. 'She says she at least knows our capabilities and characters. But Brigid was brought up in the country, she never liked London, or even Kensington, which is little more than a village. Sh
e would like it here, and would treat the children well, though she cannot play the harp or teach Italian!'
He laughed, sounding much happier, and seized her other hand. Joanna trembled, and hoped she was not blushing. His touch sent delicious shivers down her spine and into the pit of her stomach. She tried to pull away, but his grasp simply tightened.
'Don't try to escape me. I think, perhaps, the harp and Italian can be dispensed with.'
'She is a good teacher, and the girls all liked her, but I don't think she could teach Latin either,' Joanna said, suddenly aware of all the problems if he wanted a superior governess.
'I will ask the curate to give George such lessons. It is only for a few months until he goes away to Eton, but he needs a grounding.'
'I know she would teach everything else well. Miss Benson said she was a gifted teacher,' Joanna repeated.
He looked dubious. 'Then will she permit her to leave?'
'She would not prevent it, if she perceived it as being of benefit to Brigid, helping her to gain advancement.'
'And she would be a friend to you, something which I see you have been lacking. Her influence on the twins would also benefit you.'
'Would it cause problems, if I seemed to favour her? I know governesses are not meant to mix on equal terms with members of the family.'
He stood up and pulled Joanna to her feet so that she stood facing him, closer than they had ever been before.
'I think, seeing how unconventional our relationship already is, we can afford to be unconventional if we show some favour to our children's governess. I know you will not cause jealousy by making your friendship too obvious, and the servants will be so pleased to be rid of Miss Busby they will welcome it. She did not make herself popular with her airs and graces, and constant complaints. They are very fond of you, you know.'
Joanna smiled, and tried not to tremble.
'What about the twins? Will they accept her if they know the new governess is my friend? It won't make them behave badly with her?'
'I hope they will be sensible, and at least they will not have pernicious lies fed to them. Will you write to your friend tonight, inviting her to come, and Potts can post it tomorrow when he rids us of Miss Busby. I will include a letter she can take to my man of business in London, and he will provide her with funds for the journey if she agrees to come. It is late, so perhaps I will not face Miss Busby tonight. I am too much of a coward.'
Joanna shook her head. 'I do not envy you the task, but you are no coward.'
'I will see her first thing tomorrow. It will not take her long to pack, so Potts can be away by mid morning. Now, go to bed, my dear, but write that letter first and let me have it. Sleep well. Don't dwell on what is past, but how it will be when your friend joins you.'
He bent towards her, and before she was aware of his intention, kissed her on the brow. Then he turned and swiftly left the room. Joanna stood like a statue, her hand unconsciously straying to touch the spot. A sense of well-being spread through her entire body, and she didn't know whether it was because she would be rid of the woman who seemed to hate her, and the children might eventually come to accept her, or because she would soon be reunited with her friend Brigid, and not feel so isolated and alone here in her new life.
*
Chapter 6
Sir Kenelm was later than usual coming to breakfast. Joanna had been in the breakfast room for some time when he came in and sank down into a chair opposite her. After his unexpected kiss the previous evening she had been unsure how he would treat her this morning, but he behaved as normal. She breathed a sigh of relief.
'Would you like coffee?' she asked, and when he nodded she poured him some while Firbank, knowing his master's preferences, carved several slices of ham and brought the plate to the table.
'Thank you. I don't need anything else. You can go now.'
Joanna thought Firbank gave him a conspiratorial smile as he left the room. She raised her eyebrows.
'Well?'
He smiled. 'Yes, all's well. The twins have gone with Nanny and Sally to see the new litter of kittens at Home Farm. I just hope they don't come home with one.'
'Or two?' Joanna laughed. 'Surely they will be too young to leave the mother cat?'
'And by the time they are old enough let us hope the twins will have forgotten. Miss Busby is packing,' he added abruptly, and Joanna gave a sigh of relief. This was what she had really been wanting to know.
'Thank you. How did she take her dismissal?'
'Much as I expected. Assumed incredulity that anyone could possibly find her work unsatisfactory, then righteous anger, and predictions that the twins would grow into ignorant, uncivilised adults. I'm afraid she blamed you, my dear. It was your jealousy because she had more accomplishments than you did. She demanded to know whether you had in fact applied for the position as governess, and cast doubt on the fact of our marriage. It was, she believed, a ruse we had concocted to conceal a different relationship. The woman is insane. I informed her that if she spread any such rumours she would be taken to court and details of her attempts to turn her pupils against us would be dealt with publicly. I think that will have silenced her. She will be gone by ten o'clock.'
Joanna gave him a tremulous smile. 'Thank you. Now, perhaps, I can begin to get to know your children.'
'They can have a holiday until your friend Brigid comes. What, by the way, is her other name?'
'O'Neill. She is a typical red-haired, blue-eyed Irish girl, but she does not have a strong brogue. I don't think the twins will become unintelligible, like some of the Irish soldiers I knew in Portugal.'
'You relieve my mind. Have you any plans for today, or would you like to ride with me?'
Joanna was tempted. It was a sunny day, and she always enjoyed her rides with Sir Kenelm, but she shook her head.
'I must not. Mrs Allan and I mean to go over the plans for Christmas now that Henry and his family have decided they are coming. Do you wish the children to join us for dinner on Christmas Day?'
'Yes, of course. It will please them. Well, I must leave you now. I trust Potts is having a pleasant drive to Leeds!'
*
Sir Kenelm was in the stable yard when Potts drove in just before dusk. He raised his whip in a salute and handed the curricle over to a groom, then walked across to where Sir Kenelm waited.
'I left her there,' he said. 'She spoke not a word except ter tell me where she'd be staying.'
'Did she go to this brother of hers?'
'No, she went to one of the best inns.'
I was too generous to her, Sir Kenelm thought. How long would she be able to afford their charges?
'She made no complaints? Didn't despise the curricle? No demands to be carried in a post chaise?'
Potts grinned. 'I think she were too shocked at bein' turned off so sudden. Good riddance, I say. Allus interfering, she were. Even tried ter tell me what ter do with ponies the kiddies ride.'
'How in the world did she do that?' Sir Kenelm was startled. He had not heard this before.
Potts shrugged. 'Said I fed 'em wrong, made 'em too frisky.'
Sir Kenelm chuckled. 'What, those two? They're far too placid even to break into a trot unless they're kicked hard!'
'Aye. But it were plain she knew nowt about horseflesh. She wouldn't ride. Said it were no fit way of travel fer ladies. What she knew about ladies I can't say. Either couldn't, or didn't want ter be shown up.'
Sir Kenelm grinned. 'Thank you for taking her. It can't have been a pleasant day for you. Did you get the newspapers?'
'Aye, for the past two weeks.' Potts drew two copies of the Leeds Intelligencer from a capacious pocket and handed them to Sir Kenelm. 'There's a big story,' he said. 'Everybody's laughin' about it. I heard when I stopped for some ale. No doubt it'll be in they papers.'
Sir Kenelm thanked him and went into the house. He put the papers in the library and then went to change out of his riding clothes. He had been out for longer than he had inte
nded. Then he went to see the twins, who were playing in the schoolroom under the fond supervision of Nanny, delighted to have her darlings under her wing again. As he had expected, they greeted him with demands to have one, and preferably two, of the kittens they had seen that morning.
'It wouldn't be fair to have just one,' Amelia said. 'If we had one each, we wouldn't quarrel about it,' she added virtuously.
'Can you look after a kitten?' he asked, hiding a grin. 'Do you know how to feed it?'
'Yes. Miss Busby will tell us what to do. Where is she? Why did we not have lessons today?'
He knew this had to come, and wondered how they would greet the news that their governess had departed. Surely they could not have been fond of her? He prevaricated.
'I thought it was time you had a holiday,' he said. 'It is almost Christmas and you have been working hard.'
'Yes, but where is she?' George asked. 'I peeped into her sitting room and the book she had been reading was gone, and so were the drawings she said she had done as a girl. I didn't think they were very good,' he added, 'but she did.'
'She has had to leave us,' he said. It would serve no useful purpose to tell them the reason she had gone, and they would probably not understand. He suspected from what Sally had said that her campaign, if it could so be called, against Joanna, had been too subtle for them to appreciate what she was doing.
'Leave? You mean go away altogether? Won't she be coming back?' Amelia asked.
'No, she cannot. But I hope, after Christmas, that a new governess will be coming instead.' He must not tell them Miss O'Neill was a friend of Joanna's. That would set them against her before they even met. 'So you will have a holiday for a while. You know Harry will be here?'
'And George will want to be with him all the time! They say girls can't do the same things, but I could climb trees if I wore breeches!'
'Can't!'
'Can!'
'Children, if you can't behave better than this you will not be permitted to come to Christmas dinner.'
They looked at one another, and such saintly expressions crept over their faces he had to pull out a handkerchief in order to smother his smiles.
The Chaperone Bride Page 9
