came out more like an order. “Now, if you will accompany me to the nursery, my son will be pleased to learn you have accepted the position.”
“Of course, Your Grace.” Miss Shaw hurried to keep up as Hayden strode into the house. “Would you like me to begin his lessons right away?”
“Indeed not.” He steeled himself against the charm of her eagerness. “Kit will be tired out from last night, if he has not made himself downright ill. We will postpone any lessons until he is fully recovered. I only hope the assurance that you have accepted the post will relieve his anxiety and allow him to get some rest.”
“You make it sound as if it is my fault your son was upset,” she said as they ascended the main staircase toward the new range. “If you recall, I came here yesterday with every intention of being his governess. It was your initial refusal to let me stay that disappointed Kit.”
Coming on the heels of too many other sleepless nights, his most recent one had worn Hayden’s patience threadbare. He resented Miss Shaw’s accusation that he was responsible for distressing his son to the point of illness.
But he could not deny it.
“What does any of that matter now?” he demanded. “It is settled that you are staying. Who decided what and when is of no consequence.”
“It is of consequence to me.” Leah Shaw spoke quietly but with firm insistence that warned Hayden he would have his hands full during the next twelve months. “I would never do anything to upset your son.”
“But I would?” Hayden shot her a glare as she tried to keep up with his long-striding pace. “Is that what you are saying? I will have you know—”
What he would have her know must wait, it seemed, for they had reached the nursery. Hayden did not want to risk a confrontation with Miss Shaw where his son might overhear.
With considerable effort, he moderated his tone. “I beg your pardon, Miss Shaw. I did not mean to imply that you were responsible for my son’s distress. But surely you can understand why the start of his lessons must wait until I am satisfied that he is well enough.”
The lady accepted his apology with a gracious smile that held a vexing suggestion of triumph. Even so, the way her full, mobile lips curved upward, bracketed by winsome dimples, was too appealing to suit Hayden. He could not risk falling under her charm for fear she might use it to persuade him to relax his vigilance over his son.
“Perhaps we should decide together when Kit is ready to begin,” she suggested. “I assure you, I do not mean to subject him to a rigorous course of study that might tax his strength. I only want to provide him with an agreeable diversion, so he will be less inclined to dwell upon his limitations. I hope that will make him less prone to upsets and restless nights, which would benefit you both.”
Without awaiting his reply, she pushed open the nursery door and entered.
“Is that you, Papa?” Kit demanded, his voice thin and fretful. “I heard you talking outside my door. Did you catch Miss Leah before she left? Did you ask her to stay and teach me?”
“He did, indeed,” Miss Shaw piped up brightly as she approached Kit’s bed. “And very persuasive he was, too. I have promised to stay for a year then I will help your father find a new governess to take my place.”
Hayden gritted his teeth. He wished she had not blurted out that information to Kit right at the outset. She had sworn she would do nothing to distress his son and he believed her. The problem was, she did not seem to anticipate the effect her words or actions might have on the child.
“A year is a very long time.” Kit seemed to take the news well, much to his father’s relief. “Can you teach me everything there is to learn in one year, Miss Leah?”
She laughed, not in a way that mocked the child’s ignorance, but as if they shared an amusing jest. Her laughter seemed to waft through the room like a fresh summer breeze.