Page 4 of It's a British Christmas

“Now you’ve gone and frightened the girls again.” She regarded him from her position on the floor, not making the effort to stand and re-arrange herself.

Penrose drew in a deep breath through his nostrils and attempted to soften his expression. It wouldn’t do for the young girls to fear him, or he’d never be rid of Miss Chambers. “I apologize, ladies, I did not mean to startle you.” His eyes shifted in the direction of the governess. “May I have a word with you, Miss Chambers? Outside.” He turned on his heel and left the room.

He paced the corridor waiting for her to join him. Hands behind his back, he tried to calm himself. She was an American, the land of savages. It would bode him well to remember that in his dealings with the woman. Why his friend, and, of all people, Lady Eleanor, had seen fit to allow Miss Chambers anywhere near their daughters was a mystery.

Finally, she stepped from the doorway, her hair pinned up, and his quick glance at her feet showed she’d put on her shoes as well. At least the woman had a smidgen of dignity.

“Is there a problem, Your Grace?” She stiffened her shoulders and regarded him.

“The problem, madam, is I instructed you to join my family tonight for dinner. At exactly eight o’clock.” He withdrew his pocket watch. “It is now sixteen minutes past eight. And my maid tells me you informed her you already took your dinner with the young ladies.”

“Correct. They are trying to get used to their new environment. I felt it would be in their best interests for me to forego a formal dinner with your family tonight, and spend the time with the girls.”

“Whether that was a good decision or not is irrelevant since I requested you join us.”

“Ah, Your Grace. That is where the problem lies. You see, you did not request that I join your family. As you stated a few moments ago, you ordered me to join you.”

His eyebrows rose. “What is the difference?”

Miss Chambers sighed. “Exactly.”

“What the devil does that mean? You are speaking in riddles, madam.” He bent close to peer directly into her eyes. “I will allow this one bit of defiance, as it might have been wiser for you to share their dinner tonight.” He rose to his full height. “However, in the future, I will decide what will be done with the young ladies, and you, Miss Chambers, will abide by my wishes as long as you are under my roof.”

By God, it actually looked as though she fought to keep from smiling. The woman had managed to rile him up more than anyone else in his life thus far. Not wishing to give her any more time to vex him further, he pivoted and strode down the corridor.

Merry returned to the nursery. Neither girl had moved an inch. Charlotte stared at her lap, and Clare chewed on her fingernail, her other hand busy twirling a lock of hair that had come loose from her braid.

“Does the duke dislike us?” Charlotte asked.

Merry smoothed back the young girl’s hair. “No, of course not. The duke was your father’s dear friend. Most likely he is not used to young ladies.”

“He sure doesn’t like you, Miss Merry.” Clare mumbled.

“It is not that he doesn’t like me, exactly. He wants what’s best for you, and we disagree on what that is.”

“Will he really make you leave?” Charlotte studied her with wide eyes.

“All right, girls. I think we’ve had enough conversation about the duke. It’s past your bedtime, and we’re all tired from our trip today. Let’s say our prayers and off to bed with you.”

The Duchess of Penrose, known as Kitty to her close friends and family, glanced up from her place on the settee in the drawing room as her son entered. Eyes flashing, his body held rigid, he extended his arm to her. She rose and laid her hand on his arm, then they walked toward the dining room.

“Are we not waiting for Miss Chambers?”

He glared in her direction. “She will not be joining us this evening.”

Lord Brandon, her younger son, chortled. “Don’t tell me Miss Chambers has defied your edict?” As they settled in their places, he reached for his glass of wine, drained it, and held it out toward a footman.

“She has already taken dinner with her charges. I’m afraid you will all need to wait until tomorrow to make her acquaintance.”

“What? She didn’t grovel at your feet and scurry down here to do your bidding?” Lord Brandon’s eyes danced with mirth. “I am truly anxious to meet this woman.”

“She’s an American,” Penrose said through tightened lips, as though that explained it all.

“How very interesting.” Kitty took a piece of roasted salmon from the serving plate the footman held. “I wonder what possessed Lord Bedford to hire a foreigner?”

“When he and Eleanor visited the colonies a few years ago, their nanny caught a fever and died. I imagine they must have felt quite desperate to engage the likes of Miss Chambers.”

“Is she that bad?”