Page 8 of It's a British Christmas

Miss Jennings shook her head, her lips pursed.

Penrose returned to his seat. “I have agreed to allow their present governess to remain, for a brief time, in order to help my wards adjust to their new surroundings.” He leaned forward. “However, I wish to make it perfectly clear that you are to supervise their daily routine, and Miss Chambers is to hold no further influence over them.”

Miss Jennings inclined her head in acquiescence.

“Do you have any questions?”

“None, Your Grace. I will take charge immediately so the poor young dears can start on the correct path.”

The duke nodded. “Then I will ring for someone to show you to your chamber.” He crossed the room and rang for a servant.

Miss Jennings stood as a young maid entered.

“Escort Miss Jennings to the governess’s room. If Miss Chambers has not yet been relocated elsewhere, do so immediately. Also, Miss Chambers awaits me in the drawing room. Tell her I am ready to see her.”

The girl bobbed. “Yes, Your Grace.” She addressed Miss Jennings. “If you will follow me, miss, I’ll accompany you to the nursery.”

Miss Jennings turned to the duke. “Your Grace, I am pleased to be here, and sure we can undo whatever damage the American has done to the poor little girls.” Two bright spots rose on her cheeks, and her long nose twitched. Straightening her already stiff shoulders, she exited the room.

Penrose moved to a chair in front of the blazing fireplace, waiting for Miss Chambers. After several minutes, a footman entered the room.

“Your Grace, the downstairs maid indicated you wished to receive Miss Chambers. However, she is not in the drawing room.”

“Not there?” Where the devil did she hie off to now? He distinctly told her to wait there to be summoned. “Have you any idea where she is?”

“Cook said she went out the back door a bit ago, with the young ladies, and appeared to be heading to the gardens.”

The duke frowned, his jaw tightening. “Thank you. That will be all.”

The woman dared to defy him again? He slammed his chair back and strode from the room. This situation would not continue. His long legs ate up the distance through the house and out the back door to the garden. Cook jumped in surprise when he sailed past, not having seen him in the kitchen since he’d outgrown his short pants.

Off in the distance, Miss Chambers, Lady Charlotte and Lady Clare strolled along, hand in hand. They chatted, livelier than he’d seen them until now. Just the sight of her meandering along, without a care in the world, had his heart thumping. They stopped and examined one of his mother’s prized Winter Jasmine plants. Miss Chambers pointed excitedly as she spoke to the girls.

“Miss Chambers.” The voice that had caused grown men to shake in their boots reached the wanderers. All three turned. Their joyful expressions collapsed.

“Did I not tell you to await my summons in the drawing room?”

“How pleasant to see you in the gardens, Your Grace. Perhaps you would like to wish a good morning to your wards?”

Penrose jerked at the distinct reprimand in her voice. Good God, the woman had audacity. To think she’d taken him to task. He opened his mouth with a rejoinder, and glanced at the two girls clinging to Miss Chamber’s skirts. The younger one slipped her finger into her mouth and began to chew on the nail. Both looked up at him, eyes wide in terror.

This would not do. The woman caused him to upset the girls again. Drawing in a deep breath, he attempted to put a smile on his face. “Good morning, Lady Charlotte, Lady Clare.”

“Answer His Grace,” Miss Chambers urged.

They buried their faces deeper. Helplessly, he glanced at Miss Chambers, who regarded him with raised eyebrows. His blood pounded through his body, no doubt a precursor to the apoplexy she would soon cause him.

“Miss Chambers,” he began.

“Yes, Your Grace.” She smiled at him as if in possession of a great secret.

“Miss Jennings, the new governess will now be in charge of the young ladies’ daily routine. I demand, no, request, you to escort them to the nursery so they may make her acquaintance.”

“Very good, Your Grace.” She smirked and turned the girls toward the house.

What the devil did that mean? Was she obeying his command, or complimenting him on his wording? If he didn’t get Miss Chambers out of his house soon, he would be a candidate for Bedlam.

Penrose inhaled deeply to recover his control as he watched them return to the house. Miss Chamber’s hips swayed gracefully beneath her pelisse, causing a different type of roaring blood to race through him. The creamy skin of her elegant neck begged to be kissed and nibbled. Wisps of golden hair teased her shoulders, released from the not-so-neat topknot. Even if his body recognized a beautiful, sensual woman, his mind put an immediate stop to that nonsense. The sooner she packed her bags and left, the better for his frame of mind. He shook his leg to adjust his breeches and followed them.