Elizabeth smiled genuinely. “Thank you, my lady. This means a lot to me. I shall not disappoint you.”
“Lovely. I shall be most glad of your assistance with the children, for I am expecting guests in a fortnight. A small house party during my brother’s visit.”
Elizabeth’s stomach flipped, but she maintained a pleasant smile. Alex Bainbridge was coming. The man before whom she’d utterly humiliated herself.
The man who could have her fired with the merest word.
So much for a peaceful existence in the country. It appeared she would be put to the test immediately.
Alex spurred his mount across the final stretch of open field. The stallion tossed its head, then flexed its muscles beneath him as it responded to the command. Alex reveled in the crisp air rushing through his hair. His eyes teared at the corners as the horse gained speed, flying over the acres of the Grumsby estate.
He could think of nothing he’d rather be doing on this perfect May morning. He’d purchased that stallion at the Derringworth stables on behalf of his brother-in-law, Brian Grumsby. Normally, he’d have examined the animal thoroughly before making an offer, but he’d been too irritated by that sorry lout Wetherby to bother negotiating.
Brian hadn’t balked at the price, but knowing Alex was the better horseman, had merely asked him to put the animal through its paces, once it had been delivered, to evaluate whether the amount had been fair. Alex welcomed the task, and the excuse to spend some time in the country.
The physical exertion of this morning’s ride helped wrench his mind from the dissolution of his past, and the clean, open air and fields eased the feelings of suffocation that had lately plagued him in London.
His brother-in-law had acquired a fine, strong horse. It was young, and a bit lacking in polish and endurance, but that would come with time and maturity.
Alex let his mind wander as the ground disappeared beneath the flash of hooves. In London he was constantly hounded by businessmen, fawning nobles, and aspiring women. The business he enjoyed, and he’d long since grown used to the others, but sometimes a man just wanted to be left to himself. He’d been feeling that way more and more often of late.
The fact was—and he was man enough to admit it—he’d come to a point in his life where he wasn’t quite sure of his direction. His estates and investments were operating smoothly. After fifteen years of watching his ventures pay off, he was confident in all his business decisions. But he was no longer inspired, no longer driven to prove himself. Nor was he interested in living the life of leisure and dissipation so many of his fellow noblemen embraced. He’d certainly tried it. But the cards grew old, the women tiresome. And the one time he’d made a mistake, it had been disastrous.
No, he needed something different, something new. He just didn’t know what.
The country house with its manicured grounds came into view. After he cooled off the horse, he would have a nice visit with his sister and say hello to her children, who adored their only uncle. The other guests would arrive soon. He hadn’t been thrilled to hear of the party, but Marian rarely entertained and was counting on his presence. He wouldn’t let her down by returning to London.
As he approached the gardens, Alex reined in the horse. The children were out enjoying the morning with their governess, each tugging on one of her hands as they excitedly pointed out flowers, bugs, and other delights. Young Henry struggled to hold the leash of an exuberant black Labrador puppy, a recent gift for his sixth birthday.
Their governess was a plain woman, in gray cap and gown, but her attentiveness to the children was admirable. Alex saw her nod and laugh as his niece, Clara, held up a tiny bird’s nest for examination. So absorbed was she in her young charge’s treasure that she failed to hear Alex’s approach. The puppy, on the other hand, went wild with excitement, broke free of Henry’s grip, and ran pell-mell through the garden before rushing back to the trio.
Poor Henry grabbed for the trailing leash as the puppy dashed between Clara and the governess, toppling them both as he was brought up short. Masses of red hair tumbled out of the governess’s cap, which now sat severely askew.
Alex caught his breath. Only one woman he knew had hair like that. But what in blazes would she be doing here? He dismounted quickly.
Plain, indeed. The children’s governess, he saw as he strode toward the garden, was none other than Elizabeth Medford. She dusted herself off gingerly and checked Clara for bruises while Henry admonished his puppy.
“Don’t scold him too hard, Master Henry,” she said. “He’s just a pup, after all, and what is a pup to do when a great, scary horse rides up?”
Elizabeth looked up, and Alex saw her eyes widen as she recognized him. Her cheeks filled with color and she shook her head slightly.
Alex nodded, acknowledging her silent plea. He had plenty of questions for the brash Society miss-turned-governess, but he would not embarrass her by raising them in front of the children.
“Uncle Alex!” Blissfully unaware of the tension between the two adults, Henry jumped up and down in an effort to get his uncle’s attention.
“Your governess is right, Henry,” Alex said smoothly, bending for the little boy’s hug. “Here, let me show you a better way to hold that leash.”
Elizabeth’s eyes were boring holes in the back of his neck, but he absorbed himself in puppy care. From the corner of his eye, he saw her straighten her cap and withdraw to a small garden bench as he played with the children. Her meek attitude completely belied the brazen chit he remembered from that morning in Hyde Park. The serviceable gray serge gown also made clear that she was not merely a guest of his sister who’d taken the children for a stroll.
What on earth had happened in the last two weeks to change her so completely? And how had she landed in his sister’s employ?
Whether Miss Medford wished it or not, he was going to find out more.
With a promise to return soon, he sent the children running back to Elizabeth.
He quickly found a lad to care for the stallion—thankfully the beast hadn’t wandered far—and strode into the house, ignoring the servants’ subtle glances at his dusty boots and jacket. He needed to find Marian.
His sister sat in her favorite salon, the blue-and-white room, working peacefully at her embroidery.
“What is she doing here?” Alex boomed.
Marian jumped, dropping her needlework. “Who?”
“Her. Miss Medford.”
“I took her on as governess to the children.”
“Clearly. But—” Alex searched his mind for how to say what needed to be said. He strode toward his sister. “Do you even know who she is?”
“Of course I do,” Marian said calmly. “Sit down, Alex. There’s no need for dramatics. I fail to see why you’re upset. It isn’t the poor woman’s fault her circumstances are so reduced. Would you rather I’d turned her away?”
“No.” Alex raked a hand through his hair, ignoring the invitation to sit. “Yes.”
Marian
