He straightened, appreciation making his chin tuck back. “Surely, he would continue to support you.”
Her delicate shoulders rose then fell. The curve of them was lovely and his fingers itched to trace their slender shape. “I’m sure he would. But I will not be a burden to my family any more than I’ve already been. I’m perfectly capable of working.”
He blinked. He had to confess, for her small stature she was decidedly determined. He liked that. Honestly, he liked her.
Which was dangerous. She’d be his employee, which meant he needed to remain detached from her. Besides, she looked strikingly like his first wife and that was the type of woman he’d never touch again.
Chapter Two
Mary pressed her hands together in her lap, hoping the desk covered her gesture. She wanted to appear confident despite the fact she was anything but.
She’d like to blame her nerves over embarking on a new chapter in her life but even she knew her fluttering stomach was caused in part by his warmly handsome façade. She looked down into her lap. “Perhaps I should introduce you to my daughter. See how the two of you get on.”
She nodded, still not looking up. Part of her wished to rise from the chair, thank him for the interview, and leave. She could return home but her pride demanded she stay. She’d never intended to be a spinster but this was her life now and she’d make the best of it she could. “That’s an excellent idea.”
“Reeves,” Lord Sinclair called. “Would you fetch Anne? She’s waiting in the nursery.”
“Of course, my lord,” the butler answered, his voice rising as though quite happy to complete the task. He sounded like a completely different man then the one who’d greeted her at the door.
She snapped her teeth together to keep from sighing. Mr. Reeves was going to be terrible to work with if the Earl hired her.
“I’m glad you’re here.” Sinclair pulled her from her thoughts. “We’ve had a difficult few months and I’ll be glad for the help.”
“Difficult?” she asked, her chin snapping up. Which was a mistake. Those eyes drew her in the moment their gazes met.
Sinclair frowned as he rubbed his forehead. “Are you aware of the special circumstances that Lady Abernath created?”
Mary’s lips pursed. The Countess of Abernath had died but before she did, she’d made the Chase lives a living hell. Mary herself had been knocked out when the other woman had stolen her cousin, Cordelia. “Yes, of course. I too suffered at her hand.”
The quill in Sinclair’s hand snapped. “She stole my daughter from our back alley in her plot to try and get to your cousin, Diana. My daughter hasn’t been the same since the kidnapping.”
Mary drew in a gasp. “Poor child.”
He rubbed his neck. “It was my intention to marry but with everything in such turmoil, I just don’t know if that’s wise. Anne, however, she needs help now. She’s terrified after what happened.” He raked his hand through his hair. “She mostly appears fine during the day but at night…”
Mary’s heart jumped in her throat. She remembered her own sense of helplessness when she’d been knocked out and Ada had been taken. No wonder the child was afraid. “Of course she does,” she murmured. “Truly, if that’s what you’re hoping for, I’m sure I can help you. I understand the threat and I helped my own family cope. I—” She stopped, sure she was saying too much.
His eyebrows had lifted and he stared at her for a few moments before he finally spoke. “With all due respect, you dealt with this as a grown woman. She is a child. One who already lost her mother.”
A flush filled her cheeks, heating her skin. He had every right to protect his daughter by choosing the best woman for this position. “As I said, I’ve worked with children and have intimate knowledge of the situation with Lady Abernath. I think I could help you.”
“My lord,” Reeves called from the door. “Lady Anne.”
Mary stood, as did Lord Sinclair, and she turned toward the door to see a darling girl assessing her. Large brown eyes exactly like her father’s blinked back at Mary.
“Anne,” her father called. “This is Miss Chase. She’s applying for the position of your tutor.”
The little girl gave a curtsey. “Pleased
to meet you.”
“And you as well.” Mary gave the girl what she hoped was a warm smile. She noted the girl was perfectly dressed, her hair impeccably groomed into symmetrical ringlets and her shoes nicely polished. “Don’t you look lovely.”
The girl grimaced, her hands lifting out her skirt. “My nanny helps me ready for the day.”
Inwardly, Mary cringed. She wondered if the butler had hired the nanny. The girl looked as stuffy as Reeves acted. Granted, Anne was the daughter of an earl but a child should be exploring and having fun, she wasn’t just a doll to dress up. And she’d gain confidence by playing outdoors. “I see. And what do you do with your day?”
The girl looked to her father, nibbling on her lip. “I have lessons, I read, and practice the pianoforte.”