He went over to his father-in-law’s side and rescued the blushing nursemaid from his attentions, directing them instead onto his grandson.
Polly curtsied to him. “Thank you, sir. I’ll go and wait over there until Master Ned is ready to return to the nursery.”
She retreated to the door. Robert returned to his wife, who was standing with Penelope Fletcher in the middle of what appeared to be an animated conversation.
“Well, if I were you, Lucy, I wouldn’t allow that woman in my house.”
“Why not?” Lucy asked mildly enough. “She appears to be an excellent nursemaid.”
Lucy and Penelope had a somewhat fractious relationship. But Robert knew his wife would always champion her employee against her friend’s objections.
“She is far too pretty!” Penelope rolled her eyes in Robert’s direction. “You would not want to give your husband ideas, now, would you?”
“Ideas about what?” Robert joined the conversation.
“You know very well what I’m referring to.” Penelope sniffed. “Men can be weak and easily mislead—especially when their wives are no longer in the first blush of youth.”
Lucy raised her eyebrows. “As we are the same age, Penelope, are you suggesting that Dr. Fletcher will also stray?”
“Of course he won’t.” Penelope patted her hair. “I am still beautiful, whereas you, my dear Lucy, have never been much more than passable.”
Robert hastened to intervene as his wife visibly drew herself up. “I can assure you that my wife has nothing to worry about. I am very content with my choice.”
Penelope regarded him dubiously for a long moment and then nodded. “I will allow that, seeing as you turned down my beauty for her . . . average looks, maybe you aren’t inclined to chase your nursemaid.”
“Thank you, I think,” Robert said. “But I believe you were the one to break our engagement, not me.”
Penelope waved away his correction. “It hardly matters now, does it? We both ended up with the partners we deserved.” She smiled fondly over at her husband, who was in deep discussion with his brother. “I, too, am well content with my lot.”
Foley appeared at the door and loudly cleared his throat.
“Dinner is served.”
Ned disappeared back up the stairs with his new nursemaid without making a fuss, and Robert turned his attention to the prospect of his dinner.
* * *
As the gathering was informal, after making sure that Ned was on his way back to bed, Lucy accompanied Robert into the small dining room. Penelope’s comments about her husband becoming enamored of a pretty face hadn’t bothered her. She’d known as soon as Polly appeared and every man in the room stared at her that Penelope would say something. As Penelope was accustomed to being the most beautiful woman in the room, she probably hadn’t enjoyed being outshone.
Lucy took her seat and waited as her father said grace before dismissing the servants so that they could serve themselves. Robert much preferred to eat his meals in comfort, and with her current guests being so familiar, she was more than willing to accommodate him.
He caught her attention as he sat down and raised his eyebrows as he picked up his wineglass. Lucy offered him a tiny nod in return, and he cleared his throat.
“My wife and I are happy to announce that we are expecting an addition to our family at Christmastime.”
Everyone turned to smile at Lucy, who felt herself blush.
“How lovely!” Rose said. “A little brother or sister for Ned.”
“Indeed.” Robert gave one of his rare smiles. “We are delighted.”
Dr. Fletcher winked at Lucy. “I’ll assume that Grace is caring for you, but don’t hesitate to ask for my help if you need it, my lady.”
“Gladly,” Lucy replied. “In truth, I am feeling remarkably well this time.”
“I’m pleased to hear it.” Dr. Fletcher toasted her with his glass.
As everyone settled in to eat, Penelope leaned in close to Lucy.
“As you are expecting, I’ll double my warning about allowing that young woman in your house. Even good men are known to stray when their wives are unable to accommodate their more physical needs.”
“I have no concerns about that, Penelope.” Lucy spoke as firmly as she could.
“Then let’s just hope that your confidence in Sir Robert is justified,” Penelope stated. “Because if I were in your shoes, Lucy Kurland, I wouldn’t be quite so sanguine.”
Chapter 2
“I’ll accompany Master Ned to the stables.”
“That’s my job, Mr. Fletcher.”
“And I’m telling you that I’m doing it today.”
“You bloody well are not—”
Lucy hastened toward the two men, who were nose-to-nose at the bottom of the stairs in the main hall, glaring at each other.
“What on earth is going on?”
Dermot Fletcher swung around, his expression that of a small boy caught in mischief.
“Lady Kurland! I do apologize for disturbing you. I was just offering to walk young Ned down to the stables.”
“Which is my job, as you well know, Lady Kurland.” James, who was the most senior footman at the hall, jumped into the conversation. “I was just about to go upstairs to collect him and Miss Polly when Mr. Fletcher decided to interfere.”
“I was not interfering, I simply—”
Lucy stared at both men until they fell silent. “I think I will walk with Ned today, so neither of you are needed.”
Mr. Fletcher took a step back and bowed. “As you wish, my lady.”
He stalked off into the house. Lucy distinctly heard his office door slam farther down the corridor.
“I’m sorry, my lady, but that Mr. Fletcher is being right annoying to Miss Polly,” James said. “And she ain’t for the likes of him, I can tell you that.”
“I didn’t ask for your opinion, James,” Lucy said severely. “And I’m fairly certain that Polly would not appreciate you wrangling over her like two dogs with a bone. When she is with my son, she is doing her job and not to be distracted by either of you.”
“Oh, she does her job, my lady. Don’t you be thinking otherwise, and the young master likes her very much, and does as she tells him,” James hastened to reassure her. “Now, I’d best be going upstairs, my lady. The young lad will be worrying as to where I am.”
Lucy held up her hand. “I told you that I am going with Ned today. Please return to the kitchen and find something else to occupy your time.”
James looked crestfallen as he bowed and went back toward the servants’ stairs. Lucy raised her eyes heavenward and walked up the stairs to the nursery. Penelope had been wrong about Robert being interested in their new nursemaid, but in the past three weeks, every other male in the household, from Mr. Fletcher downward, had been acting like fools over the poor girl.
And to be fair to Polly, she was nothing but pleasant to everyone. She performed her job well and encouraged none of the men dancing around her for attention. It wasn’t the first time Lucy had found the men of the household squabbling over Polly, and she suspected it wouldn’t be the last.
When she reached the nursery, Ned came running toward her, his smile so like his father’s that she couldn’t help but smile back at him.
“Horses?” he asked hopefully.
“Yes, indeed.” Lucy glanced over at Polly, who had her cloak and bonnet on and was ready to go. “It is a beautiful sunny day, and we will all enjoy the walk.”
“Yes, my lady.” Polly curtsied and turned to Agnes, who had just come in with a load of fresh linen. “We’re off then, cousin.”
“Hmmph,” Agnes said. “Take your time. I’ve got to get this bed done.”
Polly hesitated. “If you wait until I come back, I can help you.”
“No need,” Agnes nodded at Lucy. “It’ll get done much faster without you and Ned helping.”
Polly didn’t seem to take Agnes’s sharp words too seriously as s
he took Ned’s hand. “Come on, then. Let’s go.”
Lucy held the door open to allow her son and his nursemaid to precede her. Polly hadn’t seemed bothered by the lack of a male escort on her walk, which indicated to Lucy that, despite all the attention, she wasn’t pining after any one man in particular.
They went out one of the many side doors of the old Elizabethan manor house, through the formal gardens at the back that led down to the stables and the Home Farm. Ned skipped ahead, his countenance cheerful, and Lucy simply enjoyed watching him. After two miscarriages, the birth of her son had changed her in so many ways. She was almost embarrassed by the depth of emotion she felt for him and tried hard to conceal it.
“He’s a lovely lad, Lady Kurland.” Polly fell into step beside Lucy. She was wearing a plain blue dress that did nothing to detract from her beautiful figure. “Such a sweet nature.”
“One hopes he will keep it,” Lucy agreed. “The advent of a baby brother or sister might cause some jealousy.”
“Oh, aye.” Polly chuckled. “I remember that with my family, but with all the attention Ned gets, I suspect he won’t worry too much.”
“That would be wonderful.” Lucy walked on and then cast a glance at her companion. “How are you adjusting to living in the countryside, Polly?”
“I like it, my lady.” Polly took a deep breath. “The air is clean, and there aren’t too many people bothering me.”
“If anyone is bothering you, I would like to hear about it,” Lucy said firmly.
“Oh, you know men. They like to make cakes of themselves over a pretty face. I try not to encourage them, and eventually they stop pestering me.”
Lucy had never thought about that aspect of being beautiful before.
“Or if they don’t stop, my lady, I’m not averse to giving them a swift kick in the bollocks to set them straight.”
Lucy struggled not to laugh. “Indeed.”
“I grew up in the slums. I know how to take care of myself.” Polly shaded her eyes to check on Ned, who had stopped to admire a patch of daisies. “Some old bloke tried to buy me from me mum when I was around five.”
“Buy you? Whatever for?” Lucy asked.
“What do you think?” Polly’s smile was touched with bitterness. “Some men like ’em young and pure.”
“That’s . . . horrible.”
Polly shrugged. “It taught me to take care of myself, my lady. I’m not just a pretty face.”
Lucy stopped by Ned and turned to Polly. “If you wish to stay on here, you are most welcome.”
“Let’s see how the next week goes, shall we?” Polly grinned at her. “You never know, maybe a handsome prince will turn up and sweep me off my feet.”
* * *
Robert cast a distracted glance at his son and beckoned to his companion.
“James, will you keep an eye on Ned? I don’t want him running out into the stable yard when a coach is coming in.”
“I’ve got him, sir. Don’t you worry.” James nabbed the back of Ned’s collar and hefted him up onto his shoulder. “Come here, youngster.”
Robert had accompanied his son, James, and Polly down to the coaching inn in Kurland St. Mary, where Lucy was expecting a parcel. He had also been instructed to pick up any correspondence for the house or the rectory. There had been no sign of the innkeeper, so Polly had gone inside to see if his wife was in the kitchens, leaving Robert to deal with his son.
It seemed that Ned had inherited his grandfather’s love of horses, which was both a pleasure and a problem for Robert, who still struggled to go near them. No one would believe that he had once been in a cavalry regiment and had relied on his mount to see him through several engagements during the war. Since the end of his military career and almost his life at Waterloo, he’d lost his nerve, which wasn’t a convenient thing at all for a county squire. The constant chaos of the arrival and departure of coaches, farmers’ wagons, and people in the stable yard made him nervous.
Perhaps he might take up his father-in-law’s offer to teach Ned to ride after all . . .
“I got the mail, sir.” Polly came out with a pile of letters. “Mrs. Jarvis says she’ll go and find her ladyship’s parcel, and will be right out.”
“Thank you.” Robert took the mail and stowed it in the deep pocket of his coat. “Perhaps you might help James with Ned.”
Polly looked over to where the mail coach was disgorging its passengers. James had Ned on his shoulder and was showing him the four horses harnessed to the vehicle. Polly went still, and an apprehensive expression dimmed her usual smile.
“If it’s all the same to you, sir, can I wait until James stops talking to the ostler?”
“Why?”
Polly grimaced. “Because Bert Speers has taken to following me home every time I come to the village, and he won’t leave me be.”
Robert frowned over at the young ostler. “Is he, by Jove? I’ll be speaking to his master about that.”
“Don’t you bother yourself, Sir Robert.” Polly spoke fast, one eye still on the ostler and the coach passengers who were milling out into the yard. “It’ll just make things worse if he thinks I’m complaining about him.” She went on tiptoe and craned her neck to see around Robert’s shoulder. “Oh dear, it looks as if James is giving him a piece of his mind again. I hope they aren’t going to start fighting.”
“Not with my son in the middle of it, they aren’t,” Robert said. “Polly, come with me, and get Ned out of the way.”
Robert pushed his way through the crowded yard to where the two men were standing beside the mail coach. He grabbed hold of Ned and handed him over to Polly.
“Go and wait inside.”
“Yes, sir.” Polly took Ned’s hand and ran with him toward the inn.
James didn’t look away from the angry face of the ostler. “This blaggard is annoying Miss Polly, sir.”
“Indeed.” Robert turned his attention to the shorter man. His dark eyes, thick black hair, and ferocious scowl didn’t inspire Robert to approve of him.
“If I find out you’ve been bothering a member of my staff, I will haul you up in front of the local magistrate—who happens to be me—and make sure you pay the price for your insolence,” Robert snapped.
“You can’t stop me asking a girl to walk out with me,” Bert sneered.
“I can if the girl has repeatedly turned you down, and you still pursue her.”
“Who says I’m doing that?” Bert glanced toward the inn, where Polly and Ned had retreated. “She’s lying, sir. She lures us in and then laughs at us, and you expect us to do nothing? Look at her. She’s a worthless whore who deserves everything she gets.”
Robert shoved his finger in Bert’s face. “If you say one more word, I will have you put into the county gaol.”
“For what, sir?”
“For whatever I say you have done.” Robert didn’t like to use his privilege, but in this one instance, he was quite prepared to do so. “Who do you think they will believe? You stay well away from Polly Carter and keep off my land, and we’ll say nothing more of this.”
Bert finally stepped back and mumbled something that might have been an apology before disappearing into the stables. Robert let out an aggravated breath.
“Did you know about this, James?”
“I only found out yesterday when I was walking with Polly and Master Ned, sir, and Bert came after us.” James shuffled his feet. “I was hoping to have a quiet word with him about it, but as you can see, he’s not one to back down.”
“Hopefully now he will,” Robert suggested. “If he doesn’t, I want to hear about it immediately.”
“Yes, Sir Robert.” James drew himself up to his full height, and Robert noticed the bruise on his cheek.
“Have you been fighting?”
“As I said, sir. Bert came after us yesterday. I sent Miss Polly and Master Ned on their way and waited for him to catch up.” James rubbed a hand over his jaw. “We exchanged a few blows before he
ran off, but nothing serious.”
“This is not acceptable behavior where my son is concerned,” Robert said severely. “What if you’d been knocked out and Bert had followed Polly home? What might have happened then?”
“I wouldn’t have let that happen, sir. I’m twice the size of that little imp.” James insisted. “I would give my life for the young master.”
Robert shook his head and went back toward the inn, where Mrs. Jarvis was waving at him from the door. There was a lot he wanted to say to James, but he needed to gather his thoughts and speak to Lucy before he said something he didn’t mean. His absolute fury at the thought of Ned being caught in such an ugly situation surprised him.
“There you are, Sir Robert!” Mrs. Jarvis smiled up at him. “And how lovely to see your little boy! And I hear Lady Kurland is increasing again, so well done on that score.” She winked and elbowed him in the side. “I have her parcel of fabric and lace from London right here, sir. Although she probably won’t be needing any new gowns in her current condition, will she?”
“Probably not.” Robert finally managed to get a word in edgeways. “Well, we must be on our way. It’s way past time for Ned’s nap.”
“Always a pleasure to see you, sir. Mr. Jarvis will be sorry he missed you.”
Robert lowered his voice and leaned in toward the innkeeper’s wife “Your ostler. Bert Speers.”
“What about him, sir?”
“Tell your husband that if I hear that Bert has been chasing after my nursery maid and my son again, I will be most displeased.”
“Bert?” Mrs. Jarvis looked over toward the stables. “He’s a quiet one. He hasn’t been here above a month. He doesn’t seem to have any friends and keeps to himself, except when he’s had a few pints.”
“He’s been following Polly home.”
“Well, she is rather beautiful. Who can blame him for trying?” Her smile faded as she registered Robert’s expression. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”
“I most certainly am.”
“Then I’ll mention it to Mr. Jarvis the moment he gets back.” She nodded. “It’s not fair on Polly, who’s a respectable girl and not one to lay out lures to the boys, despite her looks.”
Death Comes to the Nursery Page 2