My Favorite Bride by Christina Dodd Read Free Book Online

improve your mind, to write letters, to plan lessons.” Colonel Gregory leaned back, his large hands at rest on the chair arms. “You will review those lessons with me once a week on Monday night.”
    â€œAs you wish, sir.” She’d found pleasure in saying that phrase, but so far, the interview had been . . . almost agreeable.
    Of course, Colonel Gregory was insufferable. But then, according to a great many people, so was she. Either Colonel Gregory didn’t notice or he didn’t care—although that surprised her. In her experience, these stiff military types liked their due respect, and then some. Perhaps he was so desperate to keep a governess he was willing to put up with anything. Or . . . what had Adorna said about her in that letter?
    â€œVery well. I have explained everything.” He picked up a paper off his desk and studied it. “I’llexpect to see you here at seven o’clock sharp on Monday next.”
    That was concise. Now she would be equally concise. “About the cloth for the children’s dresses—”
    In painstaking motions, he put down the paper. “What about the word no do you not understand?”
    â€œThey’re girls, not soldiers.”
    â€œThose are serviceable clothes designed for the wear and tear of healthy children.”
    â€œHealthy girls also require pretty gowns for dancing and parties,” she shot back.
    â€œMy children do not attend parties.”
    â€œAre there no children’s parties in the country?”
    He glowered, his blue eyes heating with annoyance. “No.”
    â€œIf not, how do children learn how to behave?” Samantha shook her head reprovingly. “Colonel Gregory, you are—you must be—one of the foremost landowners in the district. It’s up to you to set an example for the other parents. We should plan a party here at once.”
    â€œI have no intention of—” He stopped speaking and stared at her as if he’d had a revelation. More slowly, he said, “I have no intention of hosting a children’s party.”
    â€œThen you may get me the cloth for the girls’ gowns and once a week I will host a party, just for them, and teach them the intricacies of social encounters.”
    â€œA point to be considered.” He stroked his chin.
    Samantha could have sworn he was paying her no heed. She didn’t know if that were good or bad, but she struggled on. “Agnes is not too many yearsoff from her debut, and Vivian right behind.” Rising, she walked toward the door, hoping to escape before his attention returned to her. “A different color for each girl, please. We want them to feel like individuals, important in their own right. No pattern, and for the material, jersey, I think, since you’re correct—they are still children and likely to be hard on their clothes.” She could see she hadn’t succeeded.
    He rose, also, a slow motion that somehow gave the impression of threat and dominance. “Miss Prendregast.”
    He was impressive. She was intimidated. She didn’t show it. “Yes, Colonel Gregory?”
    â€œKyla is getting a cold. Please notify her nursemaid and have the child moved to a bedchamber separate from her sisters.”
    Samantha blinked. Whatever she had expected, it wasn’t this. “Indeed I will, sir. But if I might ask, how did you know—?”
    â€œShe was scratching her nose. Mara has outgrown her boots. I’ll order new ones, but they won’t be here for at least a week. In the meantime, have her try on Vivian’s old boots to see if they will fit.” He clasped his hands behind his back. “In fact, check all the girls to see if they’re in need of new footwear.”
    â€œYes, sir.” Samantha strained to remember what he’d seen that alerted him to Mara’s problem. “Mara was . . . rubbing her foot against her