Page 5 of It's a British Christmas

“Remarkably unsuitable. She has no sense of propriety, no appreciation for the world the girls will enter in a few short years. She’s opinionated, stubborn and impertinent.” He took a deep breath and attacked his food.

“Well. She has certainly gotten under your skin.” Kitty smiled at the pique she rarely saw in her always-in-control eldest son.

“Nonsense. The woman doesn’t trouble me at all. In any event, she’ll be leaving soon.”

“Leaving? Has she another position already?” Lord Brandon pushed away his half eaten dinner and signaled for more wine.

Penrose glared at his brother’s actions. “Not that it is necessary to keep you apprised of my decisions, but to quell any curiosity on your part, Miss Chambers has a week or two to see the girls settled into their new routine. At that point I will give her a stipend sufficient enough to tide her over until such time as she can secure a new situation.”

“Dear, do you suppose the girls will feel secure enough in that short period of time? I believe you told me this governess has been with the family for some time now.”

“Don’t concern yourself, Mother. Now let us enjoy our dinner with a more pleasant topic.”

Kitty smiled behind her wine glass. Whatever or whoever this Miss Chambers was, she’d gotten more of a reaction from Penrose than anyone she’d ever seen. At four and thirty, her son, very much the duke, kept his feelings and emotions well hidden. Even as a child, he’d been like his father, pompous and haughty, always aware of his station. She’d been waiting for years to see a crack in that armor, and it seems a cheeky American governess was the one to do it.

Yes, she definitely would need to meet Miss Chambers, and as quickly as possible. She took another sip of her wine and listened to Lord Brandon and Penrose argue over her younger son’s latest escapade.

The next morning Merry summoned a maid to help her dress. After assuring the girls were busy with their meal under the watchful eye of the nursery maid, she left with instructions on how to find the breakfast room. She could probably wander around a bit and get there, but with her luck she would run into the duke who would find another reason to chastise her. What a stiff-necked man. Lord Bedford had been warm and friendly, Lady Bedford the same. But this man−this aristocrat−embodied everything she disliked of the upper crust.

She and Lord and Lady Bedford had agreed the girls would enjoy a carefree childhood. In a few years Lady Charlotte would begin preparations for her coming out, but until then the girls enjoyed the activities all young children should be allowed to engage in.

Once she arrived outside the breakfast room, Merry took a deep breath to quell her thumping heartbeat, then slowly opened the door. The duke sat at the head of the table, with a plate filled with kippers, eggs, fruit, toast and bacon steaming in front of him. A folded newspaper was positioned at his elbow. Aside from him, the room was empty. Her stomach tightened.

He rose at her entrance. “Miss Chambers. I hope you had a comfortable night’s sleep.”

“Yes, Your Grace. The governess’s room is quite comfortable, a lovely room. Quite pleasing and cheerful. Shall I be vacating it today? Is this not the day the new governess arrives?” Good heavens, she was babbling. One look from those penetrating eyes and all rational thought left her head.

Penrose held out a chair for her, and after she slid into it, he returned to his seat. “Why don’t we enjoy our breakfast, and then we will discuss the plans for the day?”

An older woman swept into the room, nodded at the duke who stood as a footman pulled out a chair. She sat across from Merry. “You must be Miss Chambers.”

The duke regarded her with raised eyebrows. “Mother, I haven’t seen you at the breakfast table in quite a while.”

The woman dismissed him with a flick of her fingers. “I rose early and decided to join the family.” She turned her attention to Merry, ignoring Penrose’s stare.

“Yes, ma’am, I’m Miss Chambers.”

“It’s Your Grace” Penrose said.

“I am the Duchess of Penrose, and I am delighted to meet you.” She cast a bright smile and glanced in the direction of the duke who regarded her through slitted eyes.

The duchess was pale where Penrose was dark, her features striking rather than pretty. The enthusiasm in her expression brought beauty to her face. A light fragrance had emanated from her as she’d moved from the door to her seat, settling in comfortably. After what Merry had witnessed of the duke thus far, it was hard to reconcile this lovely, charming woman as his mother.

Merry sighed in relief. At least the entire family wasn’t as arrogant as the duke. “And it is my pleasure to make your acquaintance, Your Grace.”

“Ho. It appears our little governess has deigned to join us this morning.” A man, perhaps a few years younger than the duke, but bearing him a striking resemblance nevertheless, strode into the room. He stopped before Merry, bowed slightly before taking her hand, and raising it slowly to his mouth as he stared into her eyes, kissed it. “I am Lord Brandon Worthington, brother, and unworthy heir apparent, to Penrose. At your service.” He winked at her and moved to the sideboard to fill his plate.

“Another surprise visit at the breakfast table,” Penrose mumbled.

“My dear,” the young man spoke as he took the chair next to Merry, “I am delighted you are with us. You must tell me all about America. Is it true the savages run amok, killing people at will?”

Her smile vanished. The misconceptions she’d run into during her years in England amazed her. She thought of Boston, with its maze of streets, hundreds of shops, as much a bustling city, if perhaps a bit smaller, than London.

“No, my lord, the savages do not kill at random. In fact, I come from Boston, which is a thriving city, even more so since we drove out your Redcoats.”

The duke’s head jerked up, his lips tightening. Lord Brandon choked on a bit of food, and the duchess grinned.

“Miss Chambers, you are indeed a breath of fresh air,” the duchess said, patting her lips with a serviette. “I shall enjoy meals all the more in the days to come.”