Oh, Cherry Ripe

She eyed him a moment and said, this time not looking at him, “The measles, my lord. She is in no danger but, of course, cannot be seen for the time being.”

“The measles?” he said thoughtfully with his head inclined and just the correct amount of sympathy in his voice. “I am sorry to hear it. You will please send her my regrets.”

“Yes, of course,” Lady Elton murmured, thinking she had managed the matter very well. He seemed to accept it without any problem.

“I shan’t keep you.” He was already up and bending over her hand. “I am certain Miss Elton must need you.”

“Thank you, my lord. You are most understanding, my lord.” She watched him stride out of the room and felt herself relax a moment. She had bought some time …

* * *

“I wish, dearest Nanny, you would take me more seriously,” Cherry pleaded.

“I do see what you think you want, and I am taking you seriously,” returned Cherry’s nanny with a grave sigh. “You are most welcome to stay on with me for as long as you like, but not until I have returned.”

Cherry stopped and eyed her nanny questioningly. “Returned? Returned from where?”

Polly Corbett met Cheryl’s glance with a straightforward eye, but a blush stole into her cheeks all the same. “From my honeymoon.”

“Honeymoon?” The word was a shriek. It was followed by a clap of hands, and then Cheryl threw her arms around her nanny’s plump body. “You are getting married! This is superb and wonderful.”

Polly Corbett smiled softly and said in a quiet voice, her eyes suddenly liquid gray, “I think you will like Harry very much.”

“I am certain I shall, but what is important, Polly, my sweet, adorable nanny, do you like him?”

“Why, yes, dear.”

Cherry could see something of the ‘little girl’ in her nanny’s expression, and it filled her heart. She hugged her again and asked on a serious note, “Is it love, Nanny?”

“I understand that you are asking if a woman of my age can be in love. And the answer is yes, my girl, yes. Perhaps not as wildly, or as blindly, as one does when one is in their first bloom, but most definitely, just as deeply.”

Cherry dropped a kiss on her nanny’s hand and said in a hushed tone, “Oh, dearest Nanny, I am so very happy for you … so very happy.”

“Yes, but the timing leaves us in somewhat of a bind—”

“Never mind that.” Cherry broke in impatiently. “You must not think of anything but your upcoming nuptials.”

“Yes, but—”

“It doesn’t change the fact that I am hiding away from Mama, Almack’s, London beaus, and London gossip. I shall hide here alone, and no one shall know.”

Polly was startled. “No, my dear, you cannot even—”

“That is unless you can send me off somewhere as a governess before you get married?” Cherry cut her off.

“Nonsense. You are talking in absurdities.”

“Why? I think I should like to be a governess.”

“’Tis not a game.”

“I would take the job very seriously, and perhaps it is what I need to mature … to take care of children?”

“Cheryl, love, there is not a wife alive that would allow you to be underfoot and in her husband’s eye!” Polly finally got it out.

/> “But … why … ?”

“Use your brain, child. Would you want a beautiful, exquisitely shaped, and younger woman running about in front of a husband you love?”