A Most Unusual Governess by Amanda Grange Read Free Book Online

unfortunate he had just walked into the library. Gathering up the books she had chosen she made to walk past him, but he did not move out of her way.
    Those look interesting,' he said, looking at the books she was carrying. 1 didn't know you were fond of botany.'
    Was she mistaken, Sarah wondered, or was there a hint of a smile around his full lips?
    Unable to stop it, her mouth broke into a smile all of its own. 'I'm not.' She tried unsuccessfully to suppress a gurgle of laughter.
    To her surprise - and intense relief - her laughter did not incense him. In fact, his own smile broadened.
    Then why the books?' he asked.
    'I'm preparing one of Lucy's lessons.'
    'At this late hour?' He was surprised.
    'It's cooler to work in the evenings,' she explained. 'Besides, it isn't as if I have anything better to do.'
    'Oh, yes, you have,' he said, surprising himself almost as much as he surprised her. You can stay a while and talk to me. If, that is,' he said, again with a smile, *you think that is better than preparing one of Lucy's lessons!'
    Sarah smiled.
    He took the heavy books from her and put them in a pile on top of the finely-carved lectern. He motioned her towards one of the Hepplewhite chairs drawn up beside a large writing-table, and when she had seated herself he sat opposite her, his firm legs stretched out in front of him.
    The situation was proving easier than she had expected. When she was not bristling with anger - and when he was not angry either - they seemed to share a rapport, and she hoped this rapport would make it much easier for her to talk to him in the future. She did not know what to make of Lord Randall's change of manner, but she felt that now, whilst his softer mood lasted, it would be a good idea for her to make amends for her earlier angry outburst.
    'I have something to say to you,' she began hesitantly. 1 —'
    'No,' he said, interrupting her. 'Not before I have said something to you.'
    He paused, seeming not to know how to continue.
    There's really no need —' began Sarah, when he didn't speak.
    Yes, there is. There's every need. You see —' He broke off and stood up, striding over to the mantelpiece. I'm not often wrong,' he said at last, *but I was wrong the other day —'
    'No,' said Sarah firmly. 1 was the one who was in the wrong. I should never have spoken to you like that.'
    'No, you shouldn't,' he agreed. It was very wrong of you. In fact,' he added with a wicked smile, 'it was very impertinent!'
    Sarah smiled, realising that he was teasing her.
    'But I was wrong, too,' he went on. You see, I caught sight of William racing through the woods on my way back to the house. I've never seen him like that before. He's always been so... '
    'Distant?' asked Sarah.
    Yes. Distant. But there was nothing distant about him then. He looked... alive.'
    Sarah nodded. 1 know.'
    'And it was you who brought him to life. I don't want the children behaving like ragamuffins, but a little play is...' He smiled, '...a little play is perhaps something they need.'
    'It is,' said Sarah. You must have needed to play yourself. I can't believe that learning to run the Grange meant you never had time to play.'
    You're right.' He returned to his chair. 'I used to play in the stables as a boy. I'd forgotten all about it until you reminded me.'
    His expression softened, but then he said, 'However, the children have a lot to learn.'
    'But not all of it is Latin and Greek,' said Sarah. They will learn and lot from playing, as you must have learnt a lot from playing in the stables, as well as simply enjoying yourself,' said Sarah.
    'How so?'
    Well, you must have learned how the horses were cared for, and how many jobs there were to be done, for example. And you must have learned a lot about the stable hands as well - which men worked well on their own, for instance, and which ones needed to be pushed. Then, too, you must have developed a respect for them, seeing how hard they worked. All important knowledge for a boy who was