by Dawn Brower
“You truly had nothing left in Texas? No parents?” She knew what it was like to be alone. And to need to try another place in hopes of making a fresh start.
“My parents are there. I write them often and send money. They weren’t surprised to find that I’d left the States again. My father thought it best that I had something to occupy my time. They knew about the drinking. Like you, they didn’t approve.”
“They must miss you.” She doubted Lizette missed her. Not with a new life stretching in front of her.
“I suppose they do, but they’re pleased this venture is working out for me. I’d like to stay here as long as I can. Get Camprich’s horses straightened out. They’re beautiful animals. They only need time to become working animals.”
“I have no doubt you’ll get them into top shape. The work you’ve done with Oro amazes me.”
“It’s easier since I’ve known him from a colt. Harder with horses that are mistrustful of humans simply because they’ve been neglected.” He scowled. “I’d like to ring the last stable manager’s neck. He might have ruined them. You saw how Jenny behaved. Most of them were that wary when I first arrived.”
“Regardless, Lord Camprich trusts you. That says a great deal about your character. You are allowed mistakes. I only wanted you to go away because I feared you would do something or say something that would make it impossible for us to remain friends.”
“I did, didn’t I?” His shoulders slumped. “It must have taken a lot of courage for you to join me today.”
“I didn’t want to. Mrs. Lusk all but forced me to do it.”
“You should have refused if you felt that strongly.”
“It’s never done much good to try. All my life the Eastons pushed me into doing things. Sometimes I feel as though I haven’t moved on from there. My life isn’t my own as long as I’m in someone else’s employ, but it’s what I’ve got. At least I know what to expect from it.”
“That’s a sad way of seeing things. I wish you were as capable of having adventure as I was. You should join Cody’s Wild West show.”
She laughed. “As what? A shoe shiner? I don’t have any performing skills. Nor can I shoot. Horses are out, I’m afraid.”
“Can you sing? You could wow the audiences with a little vocal talent.” He smiled. The lines of regret and worry softened until they were gone from his face. Mr. Nash looked carefree again.
“I can’t sing either. I’m out of luck, it seems. Drat.” She shook her head. “No adventures for me.” Unless one counted getting her first kiss from a drunken cowboy in a baron’s parlor. “Although, someday, I might like to try riding a horse. If that horse was as good and tame as Oro or Little Dan.”
He raised his brows, clearly surprised by her admission. “You’ve come to the right person for that. Oro’s yours any time you feel the need to get on a horse. I’d be happy to teach you the fundamentals of horsemanship.”
“Thank you. I make no promises that I will ever be good at it, but Bethany appears to have so much fun, it can’t hurt for me to try.”
“You’re very brave, Miss Strange. I’m sure you’ll manage just fine.”
Their gazes met and a tingle started over Jayne’s skin. Such warmth and sincerity in Mr. Nash’s voice. Aside from his one night indulging in the bottle, he’d never done anything to frighten her. It was for the best that she’d allowed Mrs. Lusk to coerce her into going to town today.
“I shall try my best. I hope Bethany won’t laugh if I fall off the horse.”
“No one will laugh, I promise. But if you do, you have to promise to get on again. Never stay down, Miss Strange.”
“Jayne.” It tumbled from her lips. “You may call me Jayne when we’re in private.”
His mouth turned up and the sunlight hitting his face brightened his eyes. “Call you by your given name. Well, how about that? You can call me Fletcher.”
“It’s a deal. I’m glad we’re friends again.”
He shifted the reins to one hand, then offered his free one. “I missed seeing you down at the stables.”
She slipped her hand into his. His hand contained warmth and strength in the gentle grip. “I must admit, I missed going. There’s something nice about it down there. Perhaps it’s just the sounds or the way it’s different than the things I’m accustomed to. I’m sure I would have been a good horsewoman had anyone at the Easton’s residence cared about horses.”
“I have no doubt. And no doubt that you will be yet.” He took back his hand. “Say, did Mrs. Lusk tell you about Bethany’s birthday?”
“She did, and asked me to help with the preparations. I’m excited to be a part of it.” Whatever she could do to make Bethany’s birthday better, she’d see it done. “Were her parents here last year? It seems as though they travel often.”
Fletcher’s smile failed. “They weren’t. Bethany was disappointed, but she understands her father has business contacts on the Continent and that her mother prefers to be with him. She’s mature for a girl so young.”
“Then we shall have to do our best to make this an unforgettable birthday for her. I understand being alone on your birthday. It’s no fun.” At least she’d received a warm welcome to Camprich Manor that day.
“No one celebrated with you on your last birthday? The Eastons didn’t host a dinner or something for you?”
“I’d left them already. That was the day I came here. It hardly seemed appropriate to mention that I’d just gained another year to perfect stranger.”
His mouth opened, but it took him a moment to recover. “You should have said something.”
“Hello, my name is Strange and I’m having a birthday?” She nudged him with her elbow. “That would have been quite the introduction.”
“If nothing else, we could have had cake the next day. I’m sorry you had to travel so far on your birthday. Especially that the Eastons didn’t keep you around long enough to have a celebration. Another strike against them.” He frowned. “We can do better than that.”
He made too much fuss about it. It wasn’t as though she’d ever had a grand party like Lizette. How could one miss what one never had? “Don’t think of it that way. Their daughter had just gotten married. They were sending her off to live in another household. It was bittersweet for them, don’t you think?”
“I think it was mean-spirited of them to bring you up alongside her, but not give you the same treatment. You weren’t a stray puppy.” He reined Duff in as they approached town. “I understand why you tolerated that treatment, but it doesn’t mean I have to approve of it. They didn’t give you a gift of any kind?”
Nothing personal. No pretty new jewelry or special trinket. No hand-me-down heirlooms like Lizette had received for her wedding treasury. “My entire wardrobe and some money for savings. It seemed generous considering they sheltered and clothed me for years.”
“Generous. They probably could have sold your selection of grey and lavender gowns to some other servant.” He made an annoyed noise. “If I ever meet them, so help me.”
“I’m grateful for everything I did get.”
“It’s pitiful.”
They rolled to a stop in front of the general merchandise shop.
Jayne took the list from her handbag. “There are a few things I need to get. Are you coming in with me or do you have business elsewhere?” Hopefully not at the pub where he’d spent the other evening.
“I need a few things inside.” He stepped out of the dog cart, then rounded the other side to help her. “I hope they have all those herbs the cook needs. Heaven forbid we get back without dill weed or marjoram or whatever he wants. I couldn’t tell you the difference.”
Fletcher offered his arm and she gladly took it. He was several inches taller than her, but she didn’t have to crane her neck to an unpleasant angle to look up at him. It was comfortable. And nice having a man by her side.
A little bell tinkled when he got the door for her.
The pleasant-faced woman at t
he desk smiled in greeting. “Welcome. Hello, Mr. Nash. And who is this with you?”
“This is Miss Strange. She’s the new governess at Camprich Manor. We’re in need of a few things to stock the kitchen pantry.”
“I’ll certainly try to help. It’s lovely to meet you, Miss Strange.” The woman held out her hand for the list. “I’m Miss Cavendish. This shouldn’t take me too long. Perhaps twenty minutes. Please let me know if there’s anything else I can get for you.” She hurried off to fulfill the list.
“Care to look around?” Fletcher nodded at the shop interior. “They have novelty items, books, material, just about anything you need.”
Jayne nodded. They had time to fill while Miss Cavendish got the order. “Certainly. I need to find a birthday present for Bethany.”
“Anything with a horse on it will do for her. Although I thought she could do with a different animal. Her folks would never go for an inside dog, but she might like a rabbit.” Fletcher tucked his hands behind his back as he looked at the shelves packed with items.
“Aren’t rabbits food?”
“Showing and breeding them for color is gaining popularity. I think Bethany would find it an interesting hobby.” He picked up a shoe shine brush. “I have a friend who breeds Dutch rabbits. They’re black and white and stay small.”
The idea of a pet rabbit was foreign, but the wild ones she saw were adorable. “It sounds as though you’ve given this a great deal of thought. Perhaps I should buy the materials for the rabbit housing. Surely you don’t expect it to run about the paddock with the horses.”
He laughed. “I’ve already got that arranged too. The hostlers are helping me build it a shelter.”
“Then I suppose I’m on my own to find her a gift.” A book was too obvious and boring. Bethany seemed to have no interest in dolls. Another thoughtless gift. Bows and ribbons were too common a gift. “Perhaps jewelry?”
“Anything with a horse.” Fletcher winked.
Her gaze fell on a paint kit. She lifted the hinged lid. An array of paints and brushes lined the tray. A drawer on the bottom contained a small palette.
“Can you paint?”
She nodded. “Very well. Lizette never took to it, but I enjoyed the lessons.”
He touched one of the little paint brushes. “You think you could teach Bethany to paint?”
“I could try. I’ve seen her draw. She could be good with some practice. I would like to paint a portrait of her with Little Dan. Do you think she might like it?”
The kit contained a variety of colors. More than enough to paint a girl and a pony.
“I think she’ll like anything you give her. She admires you greatly, Jayne. If you painted something terrible, I believe she’d like it.”
“Then I’ll buy a kit for myself and for her. Perhaps she’ll be able to learn to paint and enjoy it. We might spend more together doing still lives and landscapes.” If she could get him to stand still long enough, she might be able to paint a certain cowboy.
She spent the remainder of the time looking through books and wistfully wishing she could afford the price of new dresses. Anything besides grey and lavender.
“Pink would look good on you.” Fletcher stepped up beside her. “Not that bright one. The light one that’s soft. Any of the light colors. This mint green. Maybe not the yellow. It won’t go with your complexion.”
“I can’t buy material right now. I have savings, but it’s not for items I don’t need. I have an entire bureau full of gowns.”
“Sensible. A very good virtue for a governess.” Fletcher nodded. “I think Miss Cavendish is almost finished. You ready to pay?”
“I believe so.” She carried the paint kits to the counter. “I hope she’s pleased with my choice of gift. I don’t want to see her disappointed.”
“She’ll love it. Probably not as much as my rabbit.” He pulled out some money while Miss Cavendish rang up the purchases for the manor.
“We can’t all give her live animals. She would be overrun with them if that were the case.”
“Seeing her smile is rewarding.” Some of the humor faded from Fletcher’s expression. “Makes me feel like I’m teaching her something valuable when she takes care of her pony. The rabbit too. I admire people who are kind to animals. I hope whatever I teach her makes a difference and matters.”
She paid for the kits and waited for Miss Cavendish to wrap them. “It does. You have purpose. She appreciates you for it.”
“I used to wonder whether I did have a purpose.” He gathered the purchases. “Life makes more sense when you know your place.”
They left the shop and stepped into the street again.
“I have to agree with you about that. Whatever you might believe about the Eastons, being a companion to Lizette taught me compassion and kindness. Even when people didn’t show it to me, I realized how important it is to treat others as though they matter.”
“You do matter, Jayne.” He smiled. “No matter what anyone else says or thinks. I’m grateful you were able to forgive me.”
Perhaps you should learn to forgive yourself. Let go of what you couldn’t do to save your wife and child. “It’s really more for Bethany’s sake then either of ours.”
“The little girl at the heart of the matter.” He nodded and placed their purchases in the back of the cart before he came to help her into the seat.
“You’re going to help me make this her best birthday yet, aren’t you? Rabbit aside?”
“Yes, ma’am. A birthday party with all the fun a girl can imagine.”
Chapter 6
Rather than let Bethany’s maid wake her, Jayne crept into Bethany’s room and yanked the curtains back so that the crisp yellow walls were awash with light.
“Best of birthdays!” She shook the bedframe. “It’s time to get up and have breakfast. We have a full day of adventuresome things to do.”
Bethany blinked sleepily. “I was dreaming that Little Dan could fly. He’d grown wings, but he wouldn’t come down to let me ride him.”
The girl was horse mad. Jayne couldn’t help laughing. “He would never do such a thing.”
“He would be quite fast if he could fly. Fast enough to keep up with Oro.” Bethany sat up. “Where’s Miss Emma? I have to get dressed. We must go down to see the horses before my party. I want to give them apples.”
“We’ll have time. I’ll summon Miss Emma for you, but I wanted to be first to wish you a happy birthday.”
Bethany climbed out of bed, then wrapped her arms around Jayne’s waist. “Thank you. You’re a very kind friend, Miss Jayne. I’m so glad you’ve come to stay here.”
“I’m so very glad we get along well. I’ll see you downstairs for breakfast.” Jayne left the room. She nodded to Emma, who had waited outside.
Then she went to wait at the foot of the staircase. They wouldn’t be going to the dining room. Not with the weather as beautiful as the birthday girl. Fletcher waited in the garden with Oro and Little Dan staked to the grass. Hopefully he was able to keep them out of the flowers or the gardener might threaten them all with his rake.
It was several minutes before Bethany came down the stairs. Dressed in blue muslin with a white pinafore and a matching bow in her red hair. “I thought we were meeting at the table?”
“Well, turns out there’s been a change of plans. Come with me.” Jayne motioned toward the front door.
“But I’m hungry. Aren’t we going to get something to eat?” Bethany’s nose scrunched with her puzzlement.
“Soon, soon. You’re going to want to see this.” Jayne ushered her out the door.
They walked to the gardens. Dew covered the lawn, sparkling like diamonds. Among the flowers, Oro gleamed bright as his name. Earlier, Jayne had braided Little Dan’s mane and woven ribbons into his mane and tail.
Fletcher grinned and waved.
Bethany’s eyes rounded. “What are they doing out here?”
“We’re all having breakfast together. Do
you like it?”
“I wish I could have breakfast with Little Dan and Oro every day.” Bethany approached them. Her mouth opened as she took in Little Dan again. “Is that a new saddle?”
Fletcher nodded. “Your father ordered it a while back. I had to keep it in my house so you wouldn’t come across it.”
She ran her hand over the smooth leather. “It’s beautiful. Miss Jayne, did you braid his hair?”
“I did. Wasn’t that brave of me? Fortunately Little Dan was patient. Sit down on the blanket and let’s eat. I’ve worked up a hunger this morning.”
Fletcher joined them. He removed his hat, letting the sun shine down on his dark hair. “Happy birthday, Bethany. I can’t believe you’re already ten years old. You’re growing every day. You were just a runt of a thing when I came here.”
Bethany grinned. “Big enough to need a running horse of my own soon?”
“That depends on your father and whether you’re good in Miss Jayne’s lessons. What’s for breakfast? Not only did Miss Jayne get up early to make Little Dan pretty, I got up early too so Oro would be extra shiny.”
“They both look so handsome. Thank you. I’m so pleased with this surprise.”
Jayne exchanged a look with Fletcher. Just wait. You’ve got quite the day ahead of you.
He winked at her before helping himself to the dishes laid out on the blanket.
After they ate, Fletcher checked Little Dan’s saddle again, then told Bethany to try it out. While Bethany tore across the yard in her new saddle, he brought out the cage he’d built.
Jayne held the small black and white rabbit. It sat in her arms, unexcited by the activity. “Is it a boy rabbit or a girl rabbit?”
Fletcher laughed. “Buck or doe. This one is a doe.”
“She’s darling. She hasn’t bitten me once.”
Her fur was soft and appeared clean. She smelled of sweet hay.
“I find the calmest animals I can for the kid. This one was hand-raised and handled every day by children. I didn’t pull it out of the forest.” He held out his arms for the rabbit. “You ready to give it up?”