Seeking Celeste by Hayley Ann Solomon Read Free Book Online Page A

Danvers!”
    â€œOh!” The wicked implication caused Miss Anne Derringer to smother a most unladylike chuckle of amused comprehension. This mirth was not, however, reflected on the leaner Miss Danver’s countenance. She poked at the earl with her stick and demanded to know if he had dared sully her ears with gross innuendo.
    When he solemnly nodded an affirmative, she gasped in outraged virtue and took a seat upon the instant.
    â€œMy lord, I have been sorely deceived!”
    â€œI, too, Miss Danvers!” His eyes danced across the room and caught Anne’s in a fleeting embrace of the spirit.
    â€œI have references from no less than Lady Markham, Miss Rochester-Smythe and at least a handful of minor peeresses!”
    â€œI am relieved, for you shall then have no difficulty in procuring employment elsewhere!”
    â€œI have been hired to escort Miss Carmichael, here, to Miss Parson’s Academy for young ladies and that I shall do!”
    â€œMiss Danvers, whilst you shall most certainly have your fee for your obvious inconvenience, I have to advise you that Miss Kitty Carmichael is going nowhere, least of all to Miss Parson’s Academy!”
    â€œLady Markham—”
    â€œA pox on Lady Markham! Miss Kitty is not travelling anywhere and that is my final word on it!” His lordship crossed over to the mantelpiece and extracted a fine cigar from the silver box marked with his crest and emblazoned, in crimson, with his initials.
    â€œProfanity, my lord!”
    â€œI believe so, Miss Danvers. Now, at the risk of further offense, I must beg you to withdraw to the blue salon, where I assure you your ears shall not be further smirched by my unruly tongue.” His lordship smiled so charmingly that the prim Miss Danvers felt slightly mollified at this obvious concession to her gentility. She was moved, however, to question the earl further, something he considered a sad error.
    â€œMiss Danvers, cease worrying at me like a ... like a ...”
    â€œBeaver?”
    His lordship looked up and grinned. “Thank you, Miss Derringer! How eminently helpful of you. Miss Danvers, desist from worrying at me like a beaver. Miss Carmichael has no need of your services, for she and her brother are to be tutored at home.”
    â€œBy you?” Miss Danver’s genteel voice dripped sarcasm.
    The earl’s voice was gentle, but there was no denying the steel behind the tone.
    â€œHave the goodness, ma’am, to credit me with a modicum of common sense. By the veriest good fortune, I have managed to procure for myself one of the finest governesses in all of London. May I present to you Miss Anne Derringer, of ...”
    â€œWoodham Place.” Anne supplied the information automatically. The earl did not blink or so much as glance in her direction.
    â€œWoodham Place.”
    â€œWell!” Miss Danvers eyed her rival in a new light. “Well! And do you teach the finer arts?”
    â€œNaturally, ma’am, I am passing proficient in watercolours, dancing ...”
    â€œAre you indeed?” The eighth Earl Edgemere turned once more to address her. He smiled lazily, but his sleepy lids did not fool Anne for a second. Her heart began to stammer in that strange, exhilarating manner.
    â€œBut, of course, your lordship ...”
    â€œFamiliarity, my lord, not excellence!”
    â€œVery well, then, familiarity. I do, however, require excellence in the celestial globe,” his lordship stated.
    â€œBut naturally.” The undercurrent between the pair was now palpable. Miss Danvers, regarding both parties with rising distaste, announced that she had most certainly been sadly deceived, for a household that prized such flimflammery nonsense above basic accomplishments was not at all what she had expected in one distinguished enough to house a peer of the realm.
    The said peer came perilously close to a rather wicked comment that upon reflection was best left