Page 58 of Only a Mistress Will Do

“Surely not treachery, my lord.” Raising an eyebrow, Tris settled himself on the sofa and sipped the hot tea gratefully. He was chilled to the bone and not only by the weather outside. “Miss Giles must have had a good reason for her precipitous flight.”

“I daresay she finally got fed up with Anna’s little tricks,” Harper spoke up, staring into his drink. “She can be a little terror when she wants to be.”

“Simon.” His mother shook her head, her mouth drawn. “Dora, stop standing there and come get your tea.”

“Simon, how can you say such things?” Dora stared at her brother, a scowl marring her face. She took the proffered cup, but didn’t drink. “Anna is a perfectly sweet child. I have cause to know.” A glance at Tris and some of the tension left her face. “Miss Jones’ departure in November put me in charge of her for two weeks. We had a lovely time together.”

“Well, then, how do you explain Giles’ flight today?” Simon rounded on her. “You don’t know anything about it, Dora. You shouldn’t speak when you have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Perhaps one of the servants upset her. Here, Dora, come sit by me.” Lady Downing patted the sofa beside her. “I will inquire of the housekeeper, Mrs. Lane.”

“Whatever the reason, we are left once again without a governess.” Pacing like a tiger, Simon stalked back to the sideboard. “Children and servants can be a terrible nuisance, Trevor. Be sure you have both well in control.”

“I’ll be sure to take that into consideration, Harper.” Tris eyed him askance. His brother-in-law seemed strung tight as a bow over the departure of a governess.

“Dora, you will have to take over as governess to Anna until other arrangements can be made.” Lady Downing nodded as she sipped. “She seemed to respond well to you last time.”

“That is fine, Mama. You know I don’t mind. I like children very much.” She smiled shyly, her gaze on Tris.

“Because you are a child yourself, Dora.” Her father snorted into his drink.

“I beg to disagree, Lord Downing.” Tris sent a warm smile back to his betrothed. “I’m glad the future mother of my children will enjoy caring for them. Dora is a kind and gentle woman who has very maternal instincts.” In truth, Dora had shown today she could be both womanly and compassionate, hardly the child he’d mistaken her for in November. Perhaps her impending marriage had changed her. He smothered a laugh. Or he’d simply misjudged her.

“I hope you find her so when the time comes.” Lord Downing snorted, completely oblivious to the presence of his daughter. “In any event, Trevor, what about this relation of yours. Will she do?”

“What relation?” When had he lost the thread of the conversation? “And do for what?”

“You told me some time ago a relative of yours was in need of a position as companion or governess.” Scowling, Downing peered at him. “So is the woman engaged elsewhere or not? We need a governess for Anna at once.”

If he hadn’t already swallowed his mouthful of tea he’d have choked. He coughed, sputtered and sucked in a breath. The man wanted Violet. Damn. His heart beat like a drum as he strove to answer nonchalantly. “I believe you are referring to Miss Carlton, a very distant relation, who is nevertheless dear to me.” Surreptitiously, he cut his eyes toward Dora, but she was deep in conversation with her mother.

“I don’t care about her name, Trevor. Can she come immediately is the question?”

He’d rarely been in a situation so fraught with peril. The position was exactly what Violet had been looking for, what she needed to be able to survive. Yet how could he bring her here, see her every day, at least until he married, and not acknowledge her? Still, if she were a governess he’d likely have little chance to see her. Knowing she was under the same roof would likely drive him to madness, but if that was the price he had to pay to provide a position for her, then he’d manage it somehow.

Oh, but it was folly. How could he withstand being always near her and never with her? Even worse, could he keep his feelings for Violet hidden from Dora? Could he risk it to give Violet her chance? Damned if he did and damned if he didn’t.

“Why yes, Lord Downing. Miss Carlton is available, or she was when I left London.” He forced himself to speak calmly. “Shall I write to her extending the offer?”

“Yes, thank God.” Downing’s voice boomed and echoed in the chamber.

Tris nodded and, with a stricken glance at Dora, hurried to the door. He sprinted to his room, cursing Downing, Dora, Violet, and himself.

God help them all.

Chapter 23

Violet sat in the music room, staring at the curt note she clutched, her head spinning as she tried to stop her hands from shaking. She’d recognized Tris’s handwriting and broken the seal with a pop that shot it into the air. Hungry for news of him after nearly a week, she’d almost torn the paper unfolding it. The summons to Harper’s Grange, however, had left her troubled and wary.

The offer of a position as governess to Lord Downing’s granddaughter was as manna from heaven. The Lord had obviously answered her daily prayers for a respectable position. She smoothed out the cream-colored paper again, running her fingers over the masculine script, afraid to feel elated. Did she truly want to take this position? There were pitfalls whatever choice she made.

Spending the better part of four days sitting idly, reading, or practicing on piano or harp had convinced her she must find some employment to keep her occupied. Mrs. Parker had offered to teach her some of her best baking secrets, so yesterday she’d made a valiant attempt at an apple tart. After one bite of the misshapen, blackened thing, she dumped it in the trash bin. “I wouldn’t even feed it to the pigs—if we had any,” she’d confided to Susan.

There must be something she could do to be useful and earn her living. Perhaps she should take up her needle again. She might find employment with one of the other mantua makers. And now here the ideal position had presented itself, and she hesitated.

She’d never taken care of children before, true, but surely she could teach one little girl all the things she’d been taught. The letter didn’t mention why the post had come open, but she doubted the child herself was the issue. If so, she could certainly manage a six-year-old.

No, the true reason she hesitated was Tris. If she became governess at Lord Downing’s estate, she’d most likely have to see Tris again on a regular basis and in the company of his betrothed. At least until their wedding. Could she bear being in such proximity to him without exposing her feelings to him or anyone there?