The Baron's Governess Bride by Deborah Hale Read Free Book Online Page A

he’d put to Miss Ellerby a few moments ago. She’d remained so quiet and still since his daughter’s sudden appearance he had almost forgotten she was there.
    “I knew something about Mademoiselle,” Phoebe admitted in a guilty mutter. “I saw her once on her half day, meeting that man—the one she ran away to marry.”
    “You blackmailed your governess?” This was far worse than he’d expected.
    “I didn’t!” Phoebe insisted. “I wouldn’t have tattled on her the way Charlotte does. I didn’t even know she was doing something she oughtn’t. But after that she let me do whatever I wanted.”
    Could he believe her? Recent events had shaken his faith in womankind, even his young daughter. What else had been going on in the Nethercross nursery without his knowledge?
    “I have heard quite enough.” With a flick of his hand he gestured toward the nursery door. “To bed with you, young lady. I will deal with you later.”
    The child’s lips set in a rebellious frown, but a look of hurt flickered in her eyes. Eyes so much like Annabelle’s that he could not bear to glimpse such an expression in them.
    “Miss Ellerby shouldn’t be in trouble,” she muttered as she retreated toward the nursery. “It was my fault and Mademoiselle’s…and Peter’s, the wretch.”
    Before her father could bid her away again, she slipped through the door and closed it behind her, leaving him alone with Miss Ellerby. Though the governess did not move or speak, her silent reproach threatened to deafen him.
    He drew in a deep breath and forced out the words fairness demanded he speak. “It seems I was hasty and harsh in my judgment. I owe you an apology, Miss Ellerby.”
    She gave a shallow shrug that seemed to accept both his apology and his earlier rebuke. “I should not have let her go, sir, for all the reasons you mentioned.”
    Her forbearance should have made him feel less ashamed of the way he’d spoken…but it did not. Quite the opposite in fact. He pictured himself as the cruel tyrant in one of Sophie’s stories. It was not a role he relished. “I should not have expected you to remedy a situation that appears to have been going on for quite some time right under my nose.”
    Miss Ellerby flicked a brief glance up at him as if she did not believe what she was hearing. Was it so difficult for her to accept that he was capable of offering an apology when it was so clearly warranted?
    “It was wrong of me,” he continued, “to assume you would know what I expect of you when we have never discussed the matter.”
    “It would help to know what the girls are permitted to do,” she agreed, “and what they are not.”
    Somehow, that made him feel better. It might provide him with an opportunity to make up for his unfairness. “In a fortnight, the new session of Parliament begins and I shall be obliged to go to London during the week. It is vital that we are quite clear about my expectations before then. Come down to the drawing room tomorrow evening after you have put the girls to bed and we can discuss the matter.”
    “As you wish, sir,” she replied.
    But behind those thick, ugly spectacles, her eyes widened as if he had proposed something improper, even dangerous. But that was ridiculous. He must have misinterpreted her expression just as he had misjudged her actions.
    This new governess was an exceedingly puzzling creature. Perhaps a meeting or two between them would help him understand her a little better, in addition to helping her understand what he expected of her. “I do wish it, Miss Ellerby. In fact, I insist. For the sake of my daughters, I believe it is vital that we confer.”
    He made a polite bow. “Until tomorrow evening, then.”
    As he strode away, she called after him in a quiet but insistent voice. “I beg your pardon, sir.”
    Rupert halted and turned on his heel.
    “Yes?” He could not fully conceal his impatience. He wanted to put this whole awkward evening behind them as soon as