Merry Christmas, My Love

“It is not that he doesn’t like me, exactly. He wants what’s best for you, and we disagree on what that is.”

“Will he really make you leave?” Charlotte studied her with wide eyes.

“All right, girls. I think we’ve had enough conversation about the duke. It’s past your bedtime, and we’re all tired from our trip today. Let’s say our prayers and off to bed with you.”

Dowager Duchess of Penrose, known as Kitty to her close friends and family, glanced up from her place on the settee in the drawing room as her son entered. Eyes flashing, his body held rigid, he extended his arm to her. She rose and laid her hand on his arm, then they walked toward the dining room.

“Are we not waiting for Miss Chambers?”

He glared in her direction. “She will not be joining us this evening.”

Lord Brandon, her younger son, chortled. “Don’t tell me Miss Chambers has defied your edict?” As they settled in their places, he reached for his glass of wine, drained it, and held it out toward a footman.

“She has already taken dinner with her charges. I’m afraid you will all need to wait until tomorrow to make her acquaintance.”

“What? She didn’t grovel at your feet and scurry down here to do your bidding?” Lord Brandon’s eyes danced with mirth. “I am truly anxious to meet this woman.”

“She’s an American,” Penro

se said through tightened lips, as though that explained it all.

“How very interesting.” Kitty took a piece of roasted salmon from the serving plate the footman held. “I wonder what possessed Lord Bedford to hire a foreigner?”

“When he and Eleanor visited the colonies a few years ago, their nanny caught a fever and died. I imagine they must have felt quite desperate to engage the likes of Miss Chambers.”

“Is she that bad?”

“Remarkably unsuitable. She has no sense of propriety, no appreciation for the world the girls will enter in a few short years. She’s opinionated, stubborn and impertinent.” He took a deep breath and attacked his food.

“Well. She has certainly gotten under your skin.” Kitty smiled at the pique she rarely saw in her always-in-control eldest son.

“Nonsense. The woman doesn’t trouble me at all. In any event, she’ll be leaving soon.”

“Leaving? Has she another position already?” Lord Brandon pushed away his half eaten dinner and signaled for more wine.

Penrose glared at his brother’s actions. “Not that it is necessary to keep you apprised of my decisions, but to quell any curiosity on your part, Miss Chambers has a week or two to see the girls settled into their new routine. At that point I will give her a stipend sufficient enough to tide her over until such time as she can secure a new situation.”

“Dear, do you suppose the girls will feel secure enough in that short period of time? I believe you told me this governess has been with the family for some time now.”

“Don’t concern yourself, Mother. Now let us enjoy our dinner with a more pleasant topic.”

Kitty smiled behind her wine glass. Whatever or whoever this Miss Chambers was, she’d gotten more of a reaction from Penrose than anyone she’d ever seen. At four and thirty, her son, very much the duke, kept his feelings and emotions well hidden. Even as a child, he’d been like his father, pompous and haughty, always aware of his station. She’d been waiting for years to see a crack in that armor, and it seems a cheeky American governess was the one to do it.

Yes, she definitely would need to meet Miss Chambers, and as quickly as possible. She took another sip of her wine and listened to Lord Brandon and Penrose argue over her younger son’s latest escapade.

The next morning Merry summoned a maid to help her dress. After assuring the girls were busy with their meal under the watchful eye of the nursery maid, she left with instructions on how to find the breakfast room. She could probably wander around a bit and get there, but with her luck she would run into the duke who would find another reason to chastise her. What a stiff-necked man. Lord Bedford had been warm and friendly, Lady Bedford the same. But this man-this aristocrat-embodied everything she disliked of the upper crust.

She and Lord and Lady Bedford had agreed the girls would enjoy a carefree childhood. In another couple of years Lady Charlotte would begin preparations for her coming out, but until then the girls enjoyed the activities all young children should be allowed to engage in.

Once she arrived outside the breakfast room, Merry took a deep breath to quell her thumping heartbeat, then slowly opened the door. The duke sat at the head of the table, with a plate filled with kippers, eggs, fruit, toast and bacon steaming in front of him. A folded newspaper was positioned at his elbow. Aside from him, the room was empty. Her stomach tightened.

He rose at her entrance. “Miss Chambers. I hope you had a comfortable night’s sleep.”

“Yes, Your Grace. The governess’s room is quite comfortable, a lovely room. Quite pleasing and cheerful. Shall I be vacating it today? Is this not the day the new governess arrives?” Good heavens, she was babbling. One look from those penetrating eyes and all rational thought left her head.

Penrose held out a chair for her, and after she slid into it, he returned to his seat. “Why don’t we enjoy our breakfast, and then we will discuss the plans for the day?”

An older woman swept into the room, nodded at the duke who stood as a footman pulled out a chair. She sat across from Merry. “You must be Miss Chambers.”