The girls left her skirts for the first time since they’d alighted from the carriage earlier, hurrying to discover the wonders of the bookshelves.
“I’m going to get settled in my bedchamber, which is right alongside this one.” Merry addressed the girls, amused to see they barely acknowledged her as they flipped through books and pulled out puzzles.
The governess’s room was as large as the nursery. Blue and white striped silk covered the walls, broken up by windows on two of the four walls, bathing the area in bright sunlight. A large canopied bed with a flowered quilt and numerous pillows caught her eye as she viewed the room. Her shoes sank into plush carpet. The huge fireplace stood cold, causing her to run her hands up and down her arms against the chill.
“I’ll light a fire for you right away, miss,” the young maid assured her.
“Thank you. That will be nice.”
Merry wandered about the room, examining the dressing table and chair, the empty wardrobe, and more bookcases filled with books. Penrose might be an overbearing brute, but the family certainly took very good care of their governesses. Well, no matter, she wouldn’t be here long. Since the new governess was due to arrive tomorrow, this would probably be Merry’s only night in this splendid room.
Her stomach clenched as she recalled the conversation with the duke. He obviously held little regard for Americans. Well, this American was not going to bow and scrape. Let her English counterparts do that. She sniffed. The aristocracy meant nothing to her. Her previous employers had allowed leniency in their daughters’ upbringing, and having them now subjected to all the mores and strictures of Polite Society almost brought her to tears.
Merry sat on the floor of the nursery, legs crossed, Charlotte and Clare on either side of her, the three heads bent over the storybook Merry read. This was her favorite time of the day, when dinner was over, the girls washed and dressed for bed, and an engrossing story holding them hostage until time to sleep.
A maid had come to assist her to dress for dinner earlier, but she told the girl she would eat with her charges, and would not be joining the duke’s family in the dining room.
“And the prince charming swept her into his strong arms, and twirled her around the dance floor. ‘Will you marry me, my princess?’ he asked. ‘Yes,’ she responded, much to his delight.”
She paused for effect, then sighed. “After the royal wedding, they lived happily ever after.” She gently closed the book. “The end.”
“I like that story,” Clare said before slipping her thumb into her mouth.
“Me, too,” Charlotte added, dreamy-eyed. “One day I will meet a prince charming, who will twirl me around the ballroom.”
Her younger sister nodded, enthralled with Charlotte’s dream.
“I will wear the most beautiful gown, with matching−"
Merry jerked her head up as the door to the nursery flew open and slammed against the wall. Like the wrath of God, the Duke of Penrose stood in the doorway, fire in his eyes, his hands fisted at his sides.
“Miss Chambers, I ordered you to join my family for dinner.”
Chapter 2
Penrose couldn’t believe his eyes. The termagant sat crossed-legged on the floor, her skirts halfway up her limbs, practically to her knees. The hair that had begun its descent earlier now fell in clumps around her shoulders. Miss Chambers hadn’t changed from her travelling gown, and as one stockinged foot peeked out at him, she’d apparently removed her shoes. A total disgrace, and completely unacceptable as an influence on his wards.
“Now you’ve gone and frightened the girls again.” She regarded him from her position on the floor, not making the effort to stand and re-arrange herself.
Penrose drew in a deep breath through his nostrils and attempted to soften his expression. It wouldn’t do for the young girls to fear him, or he’d never be rid of Miss Chambers. “I apologize, ladies, I did not mean to startle you.” His eyes shifted in the direction of the governess. “May I have a word with you, Miss Chambers? Outside.” He turned on his heel and left the room.
He paced the corridor waiting for her to join him. Hands behind his back, he tried to calm himself. She was an American, the land of savages. It would bode him well to remember that in his dealings with the woman. Why his friend, and, of all people, Lady Eleanor, had seen fit to allow Miss Chambers anywhere near their daughters was a mystery.
Finally, she stepped from the doorway, her hair pinned up, and his quick glance at her feet showed she’d put on her shoes as well. At least the woman had a smidgen of dignity.
“Is there a problem, Your Grace?” She stiffened her shoulders and regarded him.
“The problem, madam, is I instructed you to join my family tonight for dinner. At exactly eight o’clock.” He withdrew his pocket watch. “It is now sixteen minutes past eight. And my maid tells me you informed her you already took your dinner with the young ladies.”
“Correct. They are trying to get used to their new environment. I felt it would be in their best interests for me to forego a formal dinner with your family tonight, and spend the time with the girls.”
“Whether that was a good decision or not is irrelevant since I requested you join us.”
“Ah, Your Grace. That is where the problem lies. You see, you did not request that I join your family. As you stated a few moments ago, you ordered me to join you.”
His eyebrows rose. “What is the difference?”
Miss Chambers sighed. “Exactly.”
“What the devil does that mean? You are speaking in riddles, madam.” He bent close to peer directly into her eyes. “I will allow this one bit of defiance, as it might have been wiser for you to share their dinner tonight.” He rose to his full height. “However, in the future, I will decide what will be done with the young ladies, and you, Miss Chambers, will abide by my wishes as long as you are under my roof.”
By God, it actually looked as though she fought to keep from smiling. The woman had managed to rile him up more than anyone else in his life thus far. Not wishing to give her any more time to vex him further, he pivoted and strode down the corridor.
Merry returned to the nursery. Neither girl had moved an inch. Charlotte stared at her lap, and Clare sucked her thumb, her fingers busy twirling a lock of hair that had come loose from her braid.
“Does the duke dislike us?” Charlotte asked.
Merry smoothed back the young girl’s hair. “No, of course not. The duke was your father’s dear friend. Most likely he is not used to young ladies.”
“He sure doesn’t like you, Miss Merry.” Clare mumbled around her thumb.
“It is not that he doesn’t like me, exactly. He wants what’s best for you, and we disagree on what that is.”
“Will he really make you leave?” Charlotte studied her with wide eyes.
“All right, girls. I think we’ve had enough conversation about the duke. It’s past your bedtime, and we’re all tired from our trip today. Let’s say our prayers and off to bed with you.”
Dowager Duchess of Penrose, known as Kitty to her close friends and family, glanced up from her place on the settee in the drawing room as her son entered. Eyes flashing, his body held rigid, he extended his arm to her. She rose and laid her hand on his arm, then they walked toward the dining room.
“Are we not waiting for Miss Chambers?”
He glared in her direction. “She will not be joining us this evening.”
Lord Brandon, her younger son, chortled. “Don’t tell me Miss Chambers has defied your edict?” As they settled in their places, he reached for his glass of wine, drained it, and held it out toward a footman.
“She has already taken dinner with her charges. I’m afraid you will all need to wait until tomorrow to make her acquaintance.”
“What? She didn’t grovel at your feet and scurry down here to do your bidding?” Lord Brandon’s eyes danced with mirth. “I am truly anxious to meet this woman.”
“She’s an American,” Penro
se said through tightened lips, as though that explained it all.
“How very interesting.” Kitty took a piece of roasted salmon from the serving plate the footman held. “I wonder what possessed Lord Bedford to hire a foreigner?”
“When he and Eleanor visited the colonies a few years ago, their nanny caught a fever and died. I imagine they must have felt quite desperate to engage the likes of Miss Chambers.”
“Is she that bad?”
“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 another couple of 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.”
“I am Dowager 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 dowager 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 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 dowager duchess grinned.
“Miss Chambers, you are indeed a breath of fresh air,” the dowager said, patting her lips with a serviette. “I shall enjoy meals all the more in the days to come.”
“When you are through entertaining my family, perhaps you will join me in the library?” The duke addressed Merry as he stood, and then turned on his heel, not waiting for her reply.
Indeed, why would he wait for my response?
Merry decided to eat her breakfast as slowly as possible.
Kitty’s gaze followed her son as he left the room. Yes, the young woman definitely affected him. For years she’d watched him view the world from his self-imposed tower. Women had fallen at his feet practically since he was out of leading strings. He’d treated them all the same. With respect, and a bit of condensation. The mamas of unmarried ton daughters chased him down shamelessly, which resulted in his avoidance of London during the Season.
She noted Miss Chambers and Lord Brandon as they conversed about horses, which apparently Miss Chambers was quite knowledgeable about. The girl was very pretty. Soft blond curls resting against her face brought creaminess to her skin. A light blush on her cheeks and full red lips gave her just enough color. Her son could certainly do a lot worse.
Once Lady Eleanor had surprised them all, and accepted Bedford years ago, Penrose had taken himself off the market, and named Lord Brandon as his heir. Kitty was never sure if Penrose’s feelings were so engaged, or his pride merely stung. Her son didn’t like to lose. And when he’d told her younger son he expected him to marry and produce the heirs to the dukedom, Kitty had been enraged.
As much as she loved both her offspring, Brandon did not possess a single attri
bute to be a duke. Penrose was born and bred into the role, and only his son would be an acceptable heir. But her stubborn eldest refused to listen to reason, and instead attempted to make Brandon into the sort of man he could never be. This American woman might very well be his unknown salvation, and Kitty’s dream come true.
Penrose needed to be shaken up, challenged. Everyone deferred to him, did his bidding without thought. As lovely as Lady Eleanor had been, she would never have been an acceptable mate for him. Too blasé and conciliatory, he would have despised her weakness after a few years.
But this woman, who apparently had a mind of her own, would have him dancing to her tune. Not right away, of course. Arrogance was too deeply bred in her son for a sudden change. But change he would.
“We shall arrange for a mount while you are visiting us.” Brandon wiped his mouth and leaned back in his chair.
“Oh, thank you, but I need to spend my time here with the girls.”
“The duke has hired another governess, I understand, which should leave you with quite a bit of free time.”
“I certainly appreciate the offer, Lord Brandon, but if I’m to help the girls with the transition to a new governess, I won’t have time for much else.”
He shrugged. “Nonsense. Even though my older brother is an ogre, I doubt even he would object to you taking a half hour or so to ride. We shall plan to venture out each morning before breakfast. Certainly he doesn’t expect you to begin your duties at the crack of dawn.”
“If I am able to obtain his permission, I will be more than happy to accompany you on a ride.”
Kitty regarded them with pursed lips.
Penrose strode back and forth in front of the fireplace, his anger growing. Where the devil was the woman? All she had on her plate was a piece of toast. How long did it take to eat that? He checked his timepiece again. Almost twenty-five minutes since he left the breakfast room with instructions for her to attend him in the library.
Merry Christmas, My Love Page 22