Chapter 7 #2
Mina’s heart cramped with sympathy. How could she have been so oblivious?
So insensitive? Even though she accepted the way Lord Kinsale spoke as part of who he was, that didn’t mean it didn’t bother him.
Especially when others looked at him with judgment in their eyes.
“Yes, I could see how all of that might be a problem, my lord,” she said gently.
“But I should point out that while I do know a good deal about the rules of polite society, and teaching etiquette to young ladies, and how to a manage a household, I do not know how to treat a stammer. I feel that I might not have the required skills to help you.”
Lord Kinsale straightened in his chair. “But you t-teach el-elocution, don’t you? A gov-governess would do that, would-wouldn’t she?”
“Yes,” said Mina. “I do. I can. But I suspect elocution lessons and the techniques used to reduce stammering are not quite the same. I do not want to promise you that I can help when perhaps I cannot. That would not be fair to you.” She could not recall anything at all beyond rudimentary references to stammering in the Parasol Academy Handbook.
But the Parasol Academy’s extensive library might have another guide she could access.
“I understand,” said the marquess. “But all … but all I’m askin’ you to do is try.
I have no-no idea who else I could poss-possibly ask.
” Then he smiled and his green eyes gleamed.
“I’m go-goin’ to propose a deal, Miss Dav-Davenport.
If you agree to w-w-work for me, I would be quite happy for young Chris-Christopher to reside with you at Kin-Kinsale House here in Lon-London.
During the day he can t-t-take lessons with Tom if that would suit.
And in the evenin’, perhaps … perhaps you could help m-m-me.
With me … with me speech. And w-w-with etiquette lessons.
You could trans-transform me into a silver-tongued toff. ”
Oh. Oh my. Mina inhaled a quick breath. Such a position, one in which she could keep Lord Fitzwilliam close by her side, would be welcome indeed.
While she knew her mother and sister would do their best to care for the young viscount, she couldn’t help but worry that something might go wrong.
That Sir Bedivere might somehow work out that she’d had something to do with his ward’s disappearance.
The tutor, Mr. Meecham, might recall some of their exchange aboard the Valiant if the effects of the confusion spell had dissipated quickly, which it sometimes did.
And if Sir Bedivere decided to return to England’s fair shores instead of pushing onto the Arctic, if he came looking for Lord Fitzwilliam at Rose Cottage—not an impossibility by any means if he hired a private detective—her mother and sister would be ill-equipped to protect the boy.
She kept hoping that such a thing wouldn’t happen, but the doubt kept pricking away at the back of her mind.
Of course, if Sir Bedivere began nosing about London, it followed that he might discover where Mina was working and that Lord Fitzwilliam was with her.
It was a risk, but Mina also had an array of magical weapons at her disposal.
If the worst should happen—if Sir Bedivere came knocking on the Marquess of Kinsale’s door, at least she could effect another escape.
Accepting Lord Kinsale’s offer made sense.
Although, she would have to continue to lie to the poor man to conceal the young viscount’s identity.
She’d have to employ some other kind of ruse to explain how she and Christopher were related.
One that wouldn’t arouse suspicion or cause the marquess’s staff to look askance at her. But she’d work it out later.
Praying she wouldn’t be sent to Fae hell for being so duplicitous, Mina summoned a smile. “My lord, I think such an arrangement would suit both Christopher and me perfectly. I will gladly serve as a governess within your household.”
Lord Kinsale’s mouth tilted into a heart-stopping smile. “Ex-excellent. You’ve m-m-made this Irishman very happy, Miss Dav-Davenport.”
Tom did not seem to share in the sentiment though. His nose scrunched up. “Bleedin’ ’ell. Does that mean I have to learn to read an’ write an’ talk proper?” he asked around a mouthful of cherry tart.
“Being able to read and write are useful skills to have,” said Mina. “And I would endeavor to make the process as entertaining as possible. As for the way you talk, a few less oaths referencing hell and blood would be welcome. But I would never try to change that unless you want to.”
Tom shrugged. “All right then, miss. I’ll ’ave a go.”
Lord Kinsale gave his new ward a nod of approval. “That’s the sp-spirit, Tom.” Then he looked at Mina. “Wh-when Mrs. Temple returns, I imagine I will n-n-need to talk to her about the t-t-terms of your con-contract.”
As if summoned by magic—for surely someone as prim and proper as Mrs. Felicity Temple wouldn’t have been listening at the keyhole—the headmistress entered the sitting room and the marquess announced that he would love to hire Miss Davenport.
Mrs. Temple, all charm and smiles, then ushered Lord Kinsale into her office to go through the required paperwork.
And as easy as that, it seemed that Mina had secured a new post—one that was a perfect fit. If only I didn’t feel so riddled with guilt, she thought as she took a sip of her tea. But needs must and all that. She was certain there was something along those lines in the Academy’s handbook.
When she glanced over to the marquess’s ward, there was a decided clinking—a metallic rattling—as he leaned forward to select another cherry tart from the plate.
Hmmm … Mina wasn’t sure whether to smile or frown as she said, “Now Master Tom, I know that up until now you’ve had to pick pockets in order to make a living, but really, I must ask you not to filch the Parasol Academy’s silver.
” She held out her hand. “I would like all the teaspoons and cake forks back, please.”
Tom gave a dramatic sigh. “All right,” he said, reaching into his pocket. “’Ow did you know?”
Mina smiled as he placed four teaspoons and three cake forks into her waiting palm.
“I’m a Parasol Academy governess, Master Tom Fleet.
I might not see all, but I do notice rather a lot including the tomfoolery, shall we say, of light-fingered children.
But thank you for being honest when I called you out. ”
“Honest?” snorted Tom. “I ain’t ever been called that before, miss. Or been fanked. Maybe you ain’t as snooty as I fought you might be.”
“Well, I should hope not,” said Mina. “A Parasol Academy governess might appear to be prim and proper in many respects, but snootiness is definitely frowned upon. One thing you can trust me to be, Tom, is fair. And I will always listen to my charges and do my best to care for them.”
“Huh. Maybe I might stick around for a bit then,” said Tom.
“Well, why would-wouldn’t you?” declared Lord Kinsale as he reentered the room.
His green eyes met Mina’s. “Mrs. Temple and I were dis-discussing your start date, and it occurred to m-m-me that it might be b-best to check with you. When-when would it be con-convenient for you to move into Kinsale House, Mrs. … I mean, Miss Dav-Davenport? I’m aware that you might have a mat-matter or two to take care of f-f-first.”
Oh, why was the marquess such a considerate man? It made it even harder for Mina to continue to play the role of “Unwed Mother.”
Ignoring the sliver of guilt piercing her chest, Mina smoothed her expression much as she would smooth the wrinkles from her skirts.
“Would tomorrow afternoon suit you, my lord? Around one o’clock?
I could arrange for my things here at the Academy to be sent over first thing in the morning.
And then I will arrive at Kinsale House as soon as I am able to.
” She lowered her voice. “I’ll need to collect Christopher from my mother’s house in the country.
The early train should arrive in London by noon. ”
It would be easy enough for her to teleport from the Parasol Academy to her bedroom in Rose Cottage.
But she couldn’t very well teleport straight back to the Academy with Christopher.
And until she’d visited Kinsale House and learned the “lay of the land,” she would be reluctant to teleport there.
All things considered, it would be better to catch the train back to London with her “son.” No doubt, Christopher would prefer that too.
Lord Kinsale smiled. “That would be per-perfect,” he said.
Before he disappeared back into Mrs. Temple’s office, he gifted Mina with that wide smile of his that made her heart perform all manner of odd flips and flops and somersaults.
“I have a good f-f-feeling about our arrangement, Miss Dav-Davenport.”
Oh, Mina wished with all her heart that their arrangement would work out.
Lord Kinsale was a good man and up until recently, she had considered herself to be a virtuous woman.
But circumstances beyond her control were pushing her to do things she never thought she’d have to do.
To make choices she’d never imagined she’d have to make.
One careful step at a time, Mina, she told herself. You are smart. You are resourceful. And you are only trying to keep Lord Fitzwilliam safe, just as you promised Lady Grenfell you would do.
That was the part that was most important. That was what mattered the most.
And if Mrs. Temple found out what Mina had done, and was continuing to do, that would be her defense. Protecting children—whether that be from earthly or supernatural dangers—was the Parasol Academy’s key purpose, after all.
Mina just prayed that argument would be enough to save herself from toppling headlong into ruin.