Rexanne Becnel by The Heartbreaker Read Free Book Online

nurse they brought from London was sent packing yesterday.” She pressed a finger to her cheek. “Or was it the day before?”
    “Good Lord.”
    “The way I hear it, the baby wails all night, and the other one runs wild all day.” Mrs. Leake shook her head. “Seems the gossips ran Himself out of London. That’s why he’s here after so long away from the district.”
    “I doubt the gossips shall run him away from here,” Phoebe said with some asperity. But the irony of her remark was lost on Mrs. Leake. Though she was at heart a kind person, Mrs. Leake had a strong need to know everyone else’s business. It probably came of running the main store in town. The men gossiped at the pub or the blacksmith’s, while the women gossiped at Leake’s Emporium. And right now the primary subject of gossip was Lord Farley. Phoebe supposed she ought to be glad there was someone in the district whose bad behavior exceeded even Louise’s.
    “How’s a bachelor to raise two little girls?” Mrs. Leake went on. “That’s what I’m wondering. And what’s he intend to do about that little thief he’s thrust into our midst?” She broke off when the bell over the door tinkled. With an innocent air and lips clamped tight, she commenced scrubbing the already spotless countertop.
    A man entered the shop and, removing his hat, approached them. He gave Phoebe a nod, then addressed Mrs. Leake. “Good day, mum. I’m up from Farley Park with a notice from Himself. He asks if you would be good enough to post it in a conspicuous location.”
    He handed a sheet of paper to her, and after she scanned it, she nodded. “’Twill be my pleasure. Be sure to tell your master that Mrs. Leake is happy to post any notice he should like. Anything at all.”
    “I will, mum. Thank you, mum.”
    Once he was gone, Mrs. Leake turned, and with an expectant look on her face, thrust the notice at Phoebe.
    Governess required to supervise the care of
two children.
    References required. Inquire at Farley Park.
    Mrs. Leake raised her brows until her forehead was as furrowed as a newly plowed garden plot. “Didn’t I say so? The nurse is gone and the household is in an uproar.” She harrumphed, then added, “Seems to me they’re more in need of a gaoler. You know, Phoebe, you’re the most qualified person to take on that position. Such a good, God-fearing girl. And a natural-born caretaker. That’s what I always said. First your ailing father, then little Helen and your mother too. And then there’s all the fine manners your mother taught you, the book-learning and the way she brought you up so proper and la-di-dah.”
    She rummaged around for a tack and hammer. “Your mother might not have been the easiest person to know—God rest her soul. But no one can argue that she was the closest thing we had to a proper lady around here—at least since the young lord’s mama moved away.”
    She tacked the notice onto a post, then turned and faced Phoebe directly. “You’re already teaching Helen at home. Why not take on Lord Farley’s young ones as well? It’s no secret around here that you could use the money.”
    So everyone knew about her financial difficulties. Phoebe wasn’t surprised, but it was humiliating all the same. Still, Mrs. Leake’s suggestion haunted Phoebe all the way home. Her, supervising the care of two children? A viscount’s children?
    She’d never before considered taking on work as a governess. Then again, there’d never been such a position available in the neighborhood before.
    But there was now.
    He needed a governess; and if she was to keep her farm, she needed a better income than eggs, cheese, and honey brought in. Should she apply for the position? And if she got it, would she have to live at Farley Park? She certainly didn’t want to do that.
    But if she didn’t pay her land taxes, she’d have to sell out and move to town, and she didn’t want to do that either. Better to be someone’s governess, she decided,