Fenella J. Miller by A Dangerous Deception Read Free Book Online

He seemed far more threatening to her equanimity when he was being charming than when he was roaring and blustering.
     

Chapter Five
     
    Later that day the snow became a full scale blizzard and by late afternoon there were several feet of snow in the places where the wind had blown it in from the open fields. Amanda pressed her nose against the steamed up school room window. Cassie heard her sigh deeply.
    ‘I don’t suppose we shall be able to go down to the village again for a long while, shall we, Miss Roberts?’
    ‘No, my dear, but at least your Papa will be obliged to remain here and not go away on business.’
    The child turned, eyes sparkling with joy. ‘I had not thought of that, Miss Roberts, can I go down and see him now?’
    ‘Well, I see no reason why not, he did say if he was here you could go and find him at any time. I am to dine with him tonight and must repair to my rooms to get ready. I shan’t see you again until the morning. When you return from speaking to your father you must go at once to join Nanny, is that clear, Miss Amanda?’
    ‘Of course, I had forgotten you are to dine with Papa. Do you have something more elegant than the dress you have been wearing these past few nights?’
    ‘No, I’m afraid that I don’t. I am a governess, Miss Amanda, I do not own an elegant evening gown, it would never be used, even if I could afford to purchase one.’
    The child pouted. ‘That’s a shame, I am sure that Papa would like to see you in something colourful.’ Immediately Amanda blushed, believing she had been impertinent. ‘I beg your pardon, Miss Roberts. Your grey dresses are very smart, please don’t think I am criticising your appearance in any way, but I believe that you would look lovely in moss green, or perhaps an autumn gold?’
    Cassie laughed at her pupil’s imaginings. She’d never owned such finery, the last time she’d worn a dress that was not plain and serviceable and made from cotton fabric, was when she’d been living with her parents which was almost six years ago. ‘I have no such gowns, I’m sorry to say. Perhaps one day I shall own something that grand. My dear, if you’re going to go downstairs, you must run along right away. Nursery tea is served in less than an hour, remember, you must not be late.’
    She heard Amanda’s footsteps clattering back down the passageway. Quickly she tidied the schoolroom. She had asked Molly to have a bath prepared, she was going to wash her hair and dry it in front of the fire then have it dressed in a more becoming style. Although she had no evening gowns of the sort that Amanda spoke of, she did have a lavender muslin, that fell prettily from a high waist and had a sash of purple which set it off nicely.
     * * * *
    At six thirty precisely she arrived in the entrance hall and waited to be escorted to the drawing-room. The butler grandly threw open the door and announced her name as if she was a person of consequence. She saw Mr Anderson look up, he appeared to be as startled as she was by his butler’s performance.
    However, he smiled and his manner was charming, as if he was indeed welcoming a lady into his presence. He stepped forward bowed formally. ‘Good evening, Miss Roberts, permit me to say that you look quite charming tonight.’
    She dipped in a low curtsy and straightened, her eyes sparkling with excitement. ‘You may indeed, sir, it is not often that someone as unimportant as I receives a compliment from such a splendid gentleman.’
    ‘Come now, you’re doing it too brown, Miss Roberts. You might be a governess, but I would stake my life on the fact that once you were something else entirely.’
    Her breath stopped in her throat. Had she given herself away so easily? She felt a telltale colour rising and quickly turned away as if deciding where to sit. Had he detected her unease? Seen guilt written on her face? She didn’t dare to look up, in case he asked a direct question and she was forced to