Merry Christmas, My Love

Her stomach clenched as she recalled the conversation with the duke. He obviously held little regard for Americans. Well, this American was not going to bow and scrape. Let her English counterparts do that. She sniffed. The aristocracy meant nothing to her. Her previous employers had allowed leniency in their daughters’ upbringing, and having them now subjected to all the mores and strictures of Polite Society almost brought her to tears.

Merry sat on the floor of the nursery, legs crossed, Charlotte and Clare on either side of her, the three heads bent over the storybook Merry read. This was her favorite time of the day, when dinner was over, the girls washed and dressed for bed, and an engrossing story holding them hostage until time to sleep.

A maid had come to assist her to dress for dinner earlier, but she told the girl she would eat with her charges, and would not be joining the duke’s family in the dining room.

“And the prince charming swept her into his strong arms, and twirled her around the dance floor. ‘Will you marry me, my princess?’ he asked. ‘Yes,’ she responded, much to his delight.”

She paused for effect, then sighed. “After the royal wedding, they lived happily ever after.” She gently closed the book. “The end.”

“I like that story,” Clare said before slipping her thumb into her mouth.

“Me, too,” Charlotte added, dreamy-eyed. “One day I will meet a prince charming, who will twirl me around the ballroom.”

Her younger sister nodded, enthralled with Charlotte’s dream.

“I will wear the most beautiful gown, with matching-"

Merry jerked her head up as the door to the nursery flew open and slammed against the wall. Like the wrath of God, the Duke of Penrose stood in the doorway, fire in his eyes, his hands fisted at his sides.

“Miss Chambers, I ordered you to join my family for dinner.”

Chapter 2

Penrose couldn’t believe his eyes. The termagant sat crossed-legged on the floor, her skirts halfway up her limbs, practically to her knees. The hair that had begun its descent earlier now fell in clumps around her shoulders. Miss Chambers hadn’t changed from her travelling gown, and as one stockinged foot peeked out at him, she’d apparently removed her shoes. A total disgrace, and completely unacceptable as an influence on his wards.

“Now you’ve gone and frightened the girls again.” She regarded him from her position on the floor, not making the effort to stand and re-arrange herself.

Penrose drew in a deep breath through his nostrils and attempted to soften his expression. It wouldn’t do for the young girls to fear him, or he’d never be rid of Miss Chambers. “I apologize, ladies, I did not mean to startle you.” His eyes shifted in the direction of the governess. “May I have a word with you, Miss Chambers? Outside.” He turned on his heel and left the room.

He paced the corridor waiting for her to join him. Hands behind his back, he tried to calm himself. She was an American, the land of savages. It would bode him well to remember that in his dealings with the woman. Why his friend, and, of all people, Lady Eleanor, had seen fit to allow Miss Chambers anywhere near their daughters was a mystery.

Finally, she stepped from the doorway, her hair pinned up, and his quick glance at her feet showed she’d put on her shoes as well. At least the woman had a smidgen of dignity.

“Is there a problem, Your Grace?” She stiffened her shoulders and regarded him.

“The problem, madam, is I instructed you to join my family tonight for dinner. At exactly eight o’clock.” He withdrew his pocket watch. “It is now sixteen minutes past eight. And my maid tells me you informed her you already took your dinner with the young ladies.”

“Correct. They are trying to get used to their new environment. I felt it would be in their best interests for me to forego a formal dinner with your family tonight, and spend the time with the girls.”

“Whether that was a good decision or not is irrelevant since I requested you join us.”

“Ah, Your Grace. That is where the problem lies. You see, you did not request that I join your family. As you stated a few moments ago, you ordered me to join you.”

His eyebrows rose. “What is the difference?”

Miss Chambers sighed. “Exactly.”

“What the devil does that mean? You are speaking in riddles, madam.” He bent close to peer directly into her eyes. “I will allow this one bit of defiance, as it might have been wiser for you to share their dinner tonight.” He rose to his full height. “However, in the future, I will decide what will be done with the young ladies, and you, Miss Chambers, will abide by my wishes as long as you are under my roof.”

By God, it actually looked as though she fought to keep from smiling. The woman had managed to rile him up more than anyone else in his life thus far. Not wishing to give her any more time to vex him further, he pivoted and strode down the corridor.

Merry returned to the nursery. Neither girl had moved an inch. Charlotte stared at her lap, and Clare sucked her thumb, her fingers busy twirling a lock of hair that had come loose from her braid.

“Does the duke dislike us?” Charlotte asked.

Merry smoothed back the young girl’s hair. “No, of course not. The duke was your father’s dear friend. Most likely he is not used to young ladies.”

“He sure doesn’t like you, Miss Merry.” Clare mumbled around her thumb.