Lady Dearing's Masquerade by Elena Greene Read Free Book Online Page A

joined the children and Jane Burton, their governess, for dinner in the schoolroom. The children, hungry from their long walk, devoured their lamb and rice pudding in silence. Meanwhile she gazed at the faces surrounding the worn oak table.
    Philippa, the first child she’d brought home from the Foundling Hospital. Clever, opinionated and fiercely affectionate, she’d exhausted the patience of the teachers there. Tall for her eleven years, with piercing green eyes in a thin face framed by an unruly mass of dark hair, Philippa was at an awkward stage, but someday she would be a striking, intelligent woman, one who might find her way even in a society dominated by men who thought they knew best.
    Ben, dark-haired, brown-eyed, big for his age, whose face had worn a sullen expression for weeks after his arrival, who had come so far in overcoming his tendency to stutter. Who’d once set a fire at the Foundling Hospital but now could coax the most tender of plants to grow. He was nine now . . . goodness, it was two years since she’d brought him home!
    Four-year-old Robbie, with sparkling hazel eyes, ears that stuck slightly out from his head, tousled red-brown hair that stubbornly resisted all attempts at taming it. The scamp whose adventurous spirit could lead him into trouble—and did at times—but who made her laugh every day.
    Her gaze fell on the most recent addition to her family: ten-year-old Mary, angelic in appearance with her pale blond hair and blue eyes. Angelic in behavior as well. Too subdued, Livvy thought, contrasting her with the others. But Mary was beginning to unfurl a few petals; Livvy had great hopes that they would soon reach a better understanding.
    If only they would be given that time.
    When they had reached the jam tarts that ended the meal, Livvy decided to prepare them for Sir Jeremy’s upcoming visit.
    “Children, Miss Burton,” she said, addressing Jane formally as she always did in the presence of the children. “We had a visitor today.”
    “We saw him riding in as we were leaving,” said Robbie excitedly. “Coo! What a prime horse he rides!”
    “Who was it?” asked Philippa.
    “Sir Jeremy Fairhill, one of the Governors of the Foundling Hospital.”
    All of the children sobered, except for Robbie, who continued to shovel jam tart into his mouth.
    “Why did he come?” asked Philippa, her voice echoing the strain in the faces of all the older children.
    Livvy took a breath. She’d already decided not to tell them about his plans regarding Mary; hopefully Sir Jeremy would see wisdom and not force the issue. The upcoming inspection was another matter. She had to prepare them somehow.
    “As a representative of the Hospital, Sir Jeremy wishes to know that all of you are thriving here,” she explained.
    “B-but we are ,” said Ben, his stutter giving evidence of his anxiety.
    “Sir Jeremy has all your interests very much at heart,” she said gently. “I have invited him to visit again tomorrow so he may become better acquainted with us. I expect you all to show him how well we get on here.”
    “Will he take us away if he’s not pleased with what he sees?” asked Philippa.
    Livvy gazed around at the children for a moment. All looked grave; Mary’s face had paled. It was no use dissembling to them. “He might. But you must not be worrying that that will happen. It is quite a routine thing, you know. The Governors make periodic inspections of the wet nurses who keep baby foundlings in the country, and they sometimes visit older children who are serving apprenticeships to make sure they are being treated properly. This is not much different.”
    Philippa nodded solemnly. Livvy could count on her help now. Glancing around the table, she saw the same resolution echoed in the other children’s faces.
     “I know you will all make me proud of you,” she said with forced cheerfulness. “Everything will be well.”
    * * *
    Jane echoed Livvy’s hope later that evening, when