old and for the past few years has been under the tutelage of a learned reverend. When I arrived in Hampshire I discovered that this gentleman has accepted a much more attractive position as bear-leader to a young gentleman embarking upon the Grand Tour. However, Giles need not concern you; once we are settled in the north, I will engage another tutor for him.’
‘You said you are leaving town at the end of next week?’
‘Yes, on Friday. I have property in Lancashire that requires my attention. I want the governess to travel with us, and to take charge of the children on the journey.’ Again Juliana found that harsh stare fixed upon her. ‘After what you have heard, are you still eager for this position, Miss Wrenn?’
She sat up and adopted her most businesslike tone.
‘I think it would suit very well, sir, if we can agree terms.’
‘Miss Wrenn, I hardly think you are in a position to make demands….’
‘Then we need discuss this no further.’ She rose. ‘Let me see, today is Saturday, your advertisement should be published on Monday, at the earliest. No doubt your secretary is very efficient; if he interviews the candidates quickly, I suppose it might be possible to engage a suitable person in time to travel on Friday, assuming he has received suitable references, of course…’
He held up his hand.
‘Very well, Miss Wrenn, you have made your point. Can you supply me with suitable references?’
‘I am sure Mr Pettigrew will vouch for my character, and you may apply to Miss Shaftesbury at the Academy in Clapham. As to my education, you can test me, if you so wish.’
‘No, I do not so wish!’ he growled at her. ‘Pray sit down again, madam, and tell me these terms of yours.’
Resuming her seat, she gave him a beaming smile.
‘They are not really so outrageous. I will engage to look after the children, Major Collingham, and educate them for the next four months, that is, to the end of September. I would like you to pay me a lump sum at the end of that time.’
‘How much?’
Juliana took a deep breath and named her price.
‘What?’
She winced, but held her ground.
‘You said you were willing to pay a king’s ransom for this service, sir; I think you will agree that it is hardly that, but it would be sufficient for me to rent a little house in, say, Harrogate or Bath, and support my family by teaching. That is all I ask, Major.’
There was no more she could say. Juliana forced herself to sit still while the Major stared at her, his fingers drumming on the desk top. The remuneration she was asking was high, but discreet enquiries of her cousin had convinced her that the Major could afford twice that sum. Now she only needed to hold her nerve. She smiled to herself; perhaps she had something of her father’s gambling spirit after all. At last he spoke.
‘Very well. I will have Brasher draw up an agreement today.’
She found she had been holding her breath, for it now came out in a long sigh.
‘Thank you, sir. I will not disappoint you.’
‘I trust you will not. I shall make sure you do not get a penny if you do not keep your side of this bargain. One more thing. What do you propose to do with your siblings for the next four months?’
She hesitated.
‘I am hoping to persuade my cousin—’
He shook his head.
‘Pettigrew is a lawyer and a bachelor. I’d wager he knows less than I do about children. You had best bring them with you. They will be companions for Gwen and Minna on the journey, and there will be plenty of room for them at Blackthorpe.’
‘Th-thank you.’
He stood up and came round the desk towards her.
‘Then let us shake hands upon it, and I will send for the children.’
Juliana rose and put out her hand. As he took her fingers in his strong grip she looked up into his face and wondered how she had ever managed to bargain with such a man. At close range he was even more intimidating. His eyes were as hard as granite; his countenance bleak and unforgiving. Dangerous. But even as she began to wonder if perhaps she had made a mistake, she saw a gleam of amusement in his grey eyes.
He said, ‘Now what are you thinking, Miss Wrenn?’
She did not even consider prevaricating.
‘That you would make an implacable enemy, sir.’
His grip on her hand tightened.
‘True. But I am also a very good friend. Which would you have, Miss Wrenn?’
Juliana could not break away from his gaze. A small voice in her head was warning that he should not be asking her such a question. She swallowed and tried to answer calmly.
‘Neither. I look only for a fair employer.’
He stared at her, a faint crease in his brows. Juliana looked down at his hand, still holding her own. Abruptly he released her and walked towards the window saying,
‘I—um—I plan to marry—when we arrive in Lancashire: a neighbour’s daughter, widow. There is an arrangement between the families. It has long been agreed. My wife will, of course, take over arrangements for the girls’ education.’
‘Then why not wait until you get to Lancashire to employ a governess?’
Even as the words tumbled out, Juliana wished them unsaid; she had signed no contract yet, and she did not want him to change his mind. The Major did not hesitate over his reply.
‘I had considered that, but their nurse is far too old to have sole control of the children on such a long journey.’
Juliana’s evil genius prompted her to play devil’s advocate once more.
‘But—forgive me—did you not say you will be travelling together, as a party?’
He turned to look at her, his brows raised in surprise, and just for a moment she thought there was a shade of unease upon those harsh features.
‘I know nothing of the needs of young girls,’ he said shortly. ‘If it was only Giles, I should not hesitate. As it is—’ He broke off. ‘I shall summon the girls to meet you.’
He strode over to the door, barking his orders to a lackey.
Moments later, two little figures trooped into the room.
‘Goodness, that was very prompt!’ exclaimed Juliana, smiling at the Misses Collingham.
They were dressed in identical redingotes of claretcoloured wool with matching bonnets. The eldest girl raised her eyes, so like her father’s, and looked directly at Juliana.
‘We
