Chapter Six #2
“But you cannot deny that you need one. Surely you understand the importance of education. It is never to early for children to begin learning.”
He knew she had a valid point. Most noble families engaged a governess to supervise the early education of their children, some when the child was just learning to talk. But the earl’s was hardly a typical household. Damien tried a different approach.
“I strongly doubt you would be comfortable living here, Miss Browning. The Grange is an exceedingly unorthodox household.”
“So I have been given to understand.”
The earl straightened up from his causal pose. “By whom?”
Isabella felt a chill run up her spine, but she did not break their eye contact. “I met Lady Edson at the posting inn near Buckingham this morning. She was most anxious to relate some rather bizarre tales about you and your staff. Naturally, I do not believe such malicious gossip.”
“Perhaps you should, Miss Browning.” The earl spoke in an unemotional voice.
Isabella’s color heightened as she remembered Lady Edson’s preposterous accusations claiming that the earl impregnated three female members of his staff.
Even though she felt certain these rumors were lies, she would have liked to hear the earl deny them, but Isabella knew she lacked the courage to directly confront him on such an indelicate personal subject.
“Idle gossip does not interest me, my lord,” Isabella declared truthfully. “I am more concerned about securing a position.”
“After what happened between us yesterday morning, I am very surprised you would wish to work for me,” the earl said in a soft voice.
Isabella lowered her eyes, not wanting him to see how near the mark his words hit. “I bear you no ill feelings, my lord. Since our unfortunate incident, other individuals have commented on my resemblance to Emmeline. In retrospect, I have come to the conclusion that you made an honest mistake.”
The earl’s mouth formed a tight line. “If you worked for me, Miss Browning, your reputation would in all likelihood be severely compromised, perhaps even ruined irreparably.”
Isabella shrugged philosophically. “A sterling reputation does not provide an adequate living, my lord. I need this job. Badly.”
Damien felt a twinge of guilt, knowing he was responsible for her current unemployed status, but he ignored it. “Have you nowhere else to go, Miss Browning?”
“My stepbrothers are scattered throughout the country. It has been years since we’ve corresponded.
I’m not precisely certain of their current direction.
” Isabella strove for lightness. “I suppose my grandfather could be forced to tolerate my presence for a while. However, the earl’s generosity is rather limited in my case. I prefer not to rely on it.”
“The earl? Your grandfather is an earl? Yet you insist you must earn your living as a governess.”
Isabella almost groaned out loud at her unintentional slip. She did not want him finding out about her parentage. It was too deep a wound, too personal a hurt.
“My maternal grandfather is the Earl of Barton. He and my mother were estranged before I was born. I did not even know of his existence until I was sent to live at his estate in York when I was seventeen. After staying there for three years, I took my first position as a governess. It was my only means of escape.”
Damien stroked his chin thoughtfully at her revelations.
She was obviously alienated from her stepbrothers, and he heard the subtle contempt in Isabella’s voice when she spoke of her grandfather.
He got the distinct impression that if he asked her additional questions concerning her family and her past, she would truthfully answer him, but he did not press the point.
It was none of his business, even if she did become governess to his children.
Damien stopped short when he realized where his thoughts were taking him. Could he actually be seriously considering offering her a job? The benefits to his children aside, did he really want this enchanting, disturbing creature living under his roof?
“I still find it difficult to believe you do not have grave misgivings about working for me, Miss Browning.”
“I would not be here if I did, my lord,” Isabella stated softly, surprising them both with her answer.
Damien considered her carefully as Isabella anxiously awaited his response.
He supposed she could have tried to shame him into offering her a job, since he was ultimately responsible for her losing her position with her former employers.
She might have pleaded with him or even wept over her predicament, although years of listening to Emmeline’s crying on cue had hardened the earl against a woman’s tears.
But she had done none of these things. Instead she forgave him for his boorish actions. Damien made his decision.
“You are hired, Miss Browning.”
The smile she gave him was dazzling. “Thank you, my lord. I promise you will not regret this decision.”
“I sincerely hope you are right, Miss Browning,” Damien replied with a frown, determined to repress the odd stirring he felt in his chest at her enchanting smile.
The very last thing he needed was an attraction to his children’s new governess.
“I am sure you are tired from your long journey. I shall instruct our housekeeper, Mrs. Amberly, to show you to your room immediately.” He reached out and pulled the bell cord to summon the housekeeper.
Isabella hesitated. “I would like to meet the children first, please.”
Damien’s frown deepened. This was an unexpected request. “I am certain tomorrow will be soon enough for introductions, Miss Browning. Besides, I wish to speak privately to my son and daughter before you meet.” The earl reached over and pulled hard on the bell cord a second time, not about to reveal that he had no idea where his children were at the moment.
Isabella curtly nodded her head in acquiescence. Damien could tell she was displeased by his reply, but with an effort she held her tongue.
After an uncomfortably long, silent wait, the earl’s summons was finally answered.
A short, dour-faced elderly woman entered the study and was introduced to Isabella as the housekeeper, Mrs. Amberly.
The women exited the study as Jenkins entered it, and Isabella gave the valet a warm smile when they passed in the doorway.
“Judging by the scowl on Mrs. Amberly’s face and the sweetness of Miss Browning’s smile, I assume you have engaged a governess,” the valet remarked the moment the women were gone.
“Stop looking so smug, Jenkins,” the earl warned. “I can clearly see your fine hand in all of this. And I intend to hold you personally responsible if this little arrangement blows up in my face.”
Jenkins appeared unimpressed by the threat. “You worry too much. I predict the entire household will benefit from Miss Browning’s presence, not just the children.”
“Hmmmm.” The earl was not convinced. “And speaking of my children, Jenkins, I require your assistance in tracking them down. It will be necessary for me to have a long talk with Ian and Catherine before they are introduced to Miss Browning tomorrow morning and I have no inkling as to their whereabouts.”
“They are most likely down at the stables with Fred,” Jenkins said. “I’ll tell them you want to speak with them.”
Giving the earl an exaggerated bow, Jenkins left the study with a smug grin of satisfaction on his face.
Isabella dutifully followed Mrs. Amberly up the long, winding staircase, attempting several times to engage the housekeeper in conversation.
Her friendly overtures were met with unintelligible grunts and Isabella quickly abandoned her efforts.
A less than warm welcome to a household was not an unfamiliar experience for her.
After taking numerous twists and turns down the long, narrow corridors, they finally reached their destination.
Isabella glanced suspiciously at the housekeeper.
The route they had taken seemed deliberately designed to disorient her, making it difficult, if not impossible, for Isabella to find the way back on her own.
The bedchamber was shrouded in darkness as they entered.
Mrs. Amberly walked gingerly across the room, flinging back the heavy draperies and opening the leaded glass windows.
Brilliant sunlight flooded the room, and the crisp, fresh air was a welcome relief from the musty odor.
Isabella wondered if it would be necessary to sleep with her window wide open to dissipate the unpleasant smell.
Looking beyond the dust and grime, Isabella could clearly see that this had been an impressive room at one time.
The heavy brocade draperies were a deep rose color and matched the delicate silk hangings around the canopied four-poster bed.
The furnishings were of a style popular fifty years ago, but they were rich and elegant.
The chairs and chaise were obviously designed for a woman; they were daintily proportioned and covered in silk patterned with blue, pink, and cream roses. The carpets echoed the same colors.
“There appears to have been a misunderstanding, Mrs. Amberly,” Isabella said, waving her hand at the misty particles of dust floating in the late afternoon sunlight.
“I should be occupying a bedchamber next to the children’s sleeping quarters. I am their new governess.”
“There is no mistake, miss,” Mrs. Amberly insisted briskly. Pointing diagonally across the hall, the housekeeper announced, “The children sleep in that bedchamber. The majority of the rooms on the upper floors are closed off. They haven’t been used in years.”
“If you’re certain the earl has no objections,” Isabella said slowly, “this room will do nicely once it has been properly cleaned.”
Mrs. Amberly stiffened noticeably. “There is no time for cleaning today, miss,” the housekeeper responded in a voice that brooked no argument.
“I’ll send one of the housemaids up with bed linens when I get a chance.
That’s the best I can do. If you have a complaint, I suggest you speak directly to Lord Saunders.
His bedchamber is next to the children’s.
” With a mocking smile on her thin lips, Mrs. Amberly left the room, leaving Isabella no opportunity to marshal a response.
The earl’s bedchamber was across from her own!
Isabella felt a moment of unbridled panic, but soon convinced herself she was overreacting.
Mrs. Amberly had already explained that most of the upper floors of the house were closed up.
And it was important that she sleep near the children.
It was merely a coincidence the children happened to sleep next to their attractive, imposing father.
Wasn’t it?
By the time the maid arrived with her bed linens, Isabella had restored her sense equilibrium. She was annoyed with herself for allowing her strange feelings about the earl and the vicious gossiping of Lady Edson to influence her common sense.
“I’ve also brought some rags with me, miss,” the pretty young maid said shyly. “After I’ve fixed the bed, I’ll try to clean away some of the dirt and dust. As soon as I can spare the time, I’ll come back with one of the other girls and give the room a thorough going over.”
Isabella was relieved to hear the friendliness in the maid’s voice. Thank goodness all of the household staff did not share Mrs. Amberly’s surly attitude. “Thank you. I very much appreciate your help . . . ?”
“Maggie.” The young maid made an awkward, off balance curtsy, her arms piled high with linens.
“Here, let me take those,” Isabella volunteered, reaching out for the stack of linens.
The large pile of bedding reached her chin, and Isabella gratefully breathed in the sweet fragrance of dried lavender that emanated from the sheets.
At least she wouldn’t have to worry about smelling mildew all night.
“I’ve never been in here before,” Maggie remarked while pulling back the dusty bed coverlet. “ ’Tis a pretty room.”
Isabella nodded in agreement. She smiled shyly at the young maid, but her smile quickly faded when Maggie stepped out from behind the bed into the center of the room to tug on the edge of the coverlet.
The pile of linens in Isabella’s arms fell soundlessly to the dusty carpet.
Isabella caught her breath in a stinging gasp and staggered slightly as she got her first unobstructed frontal view of Maggie.
The sweet-faced maid was tiny and very slender, except for her rounded and distended stomach. Though her experience in these matters was limited, Isabella estimated that it would probably be only a few short weeks before Maggie gave birth.