Oh, Cherry Ripe

She had let him kiss her … more than once and the memory rushed the heat into her cheeks.

What was he doing here? Why did he walk about like he belonged …?

Francine squealed when she saw her eldest brother, but she first took the shawl with all the ducklings away from Cherry and put them into Thurston’s hands. “Dear Thurston, take them please to the kitchen.”

“Yes, but Cook…she won’t like it…”

Thurston looked dazed for the first time since Cherry had met him, and she laughed. “I noticed a pen right off the kitchen—you can put them there until we figure out how to care for them.”

“Yes, please, Thurston—they are orphans…” added Francine.

Thurston did not express by facial or word his displeasure but scooped up the ducklings and said only, “Yes, Miss Francine … don’t worry, I shall take care of them until you can get back to them.”

She then turned and threw herself at Lord Westbrooke with pure joy taking over her face, as did her twin brother behind her, and she exclaimed, “Sky! Sky!”

Her twin offered his hand but was pulled into his lordship’s body for a bear hug.

“Come then, monkeys. We have some catching up to do.” Over their pale gold heads he looked sternly at Frederick and said, “You and I will talk presently, so I trust you will await me in the library.” He didn’t need a reply, for his tone was such that none would oppose him, and yet he received one.

“And greetings to you as well, brother,” Freddy said with some bravado it was fairly obvious he was far from feeling.

His lordship’s eyebrow rose, but he thought better of the retort that sprang to mind and then turned on Cherry, to say in stern accents, “Miss Parker, you and I must have an interview … one that should have taken place before, in fact, you were installed here at Bromley.”

“Yes, sir, but, may I ask how you come by the name of Sky, is it? I don’t know how it is, but you look like a Justin to me.” Cherry caught the giggle in her throat. He had been bosky with drink, yes, but not so much that he hadn’t tried to hide his identity from her. She couldn’t blame him; in fact, it was all so amusing.

He leveled a frown at her, “My mother had a fondness for Shakespeare. She wanted to call me Skylark, but my father wouldn’t have it, so they settled on Skyler.” He inclined his head curtly. “We shall talk about your position here as soon as may be.”

She felt the mischief work its way through her and was sure he would see the laughter in her bright eyes as she said, “Indeed, I look forward to it, though you seem a touch sterner by the light of day …” Her voice trailed off on this last and did indeed take on the hint of a giggle as she gave him her back and started to move off to the kitchen. However, his voice behind her stalled her, and she turned around. “What, my lord?”

He bowed stiffly. “My middle name is in fact, Justin, and I must tell you that I think such levity of mind…that you…er….display, is not becoming in a governess.”

“Is it not? How odd that you should think so. I have always found levity, in anyone, a becoming trait.” So saying, she gurgled and continued on her way.

Frederick waited for him to leave and rolled his eyes as he ru

shed to catch up to Cherry. He snorted. “You seem to have put him off balance. Well done, Miss Sarah, well done.”

“I think, however, that we are in for it.” Cherry laughed. Who would have thought she would end up being a governess in the house of a rogue and one that had kissed her only a few nights back? Thank goodness he didn’t know her real name!

* * *

Sky Westbrooke was in a quandary. What should he do? Walking to the study, Francine had tucked her hand in his, sighed happily, and said, “Sky … isn’t she wonderful.” It obviously was not a question as she added, “We have been having so much fun.”

“A governess is not supposed to be fun—she is supposed to look after you and provide you with an education,” he started gruffly.

“Can’t she be fun and still do all that?” Francine argued.

“No … it is unheard of …” His lordship frowned as he was reminded of a professor at school who had got him interested in ancient history simply because he had made it entertaining.

“You know, though, Sky,” Felix interjected, “she took us to the pond, which was fun yes, but then she taught us a great deal about the vegetations and the frogs … and …”

“So then you are of a like mind … and are happy to have her here at Bromley?” Sky asked. It would be a first since their mother had died. In fact, he had never seen them so bright and happy since that day.

Felix grumbled. “Well, she is better than any of the others Trekner sent us, I’ll say that much.”

“Is she, indeed?” returned Skyler, frowning darkly. This might prove a problem. “Well, we shall watch her and see …”

~ Eleven ~