He saw Mrs. Thorpe’s refusal even before she began to shake her head.
He would not be denied today. “Fanny mentioned you were a governess and a good one I suspect. Before that a wife with an undoubtedly happy husband. My youngest daughter is expected to come out next year and I’d like to help avoid those unwise choices you mentioned.”
Her lips parted but no sound came out.
Despite the silence, he was pleased she hadn’t said no immediately because he was about to be somewhat indelicate. “A woman like you, so confident, so sure of yourself could only have had a happy and satisfying marriage.”
“Father!” Fanny protested.
“No, this is too important not to say upfront. Mrs. Thorpe, your husband was undoubtedly fortunate in his choice of bride. There are many things I cannot speak to my youngest daughter about concerning marriage, my other daughters live elsewhere, and I am certain Jessica will have bold questions to ask of another lady who has been through the experience of matrimony and the marriage bed. She cannot wait upon the mail from her sisters for her answers.”
Mrs. Thorpe grew pale. “I see.”
“It is none of my business what you talk about, and we will never need to speak of this again but I will expect you to answer Jessica’s questions honestly, no matter how scandalous they might be.”
She licked her lips, eyes downcast. “I could do that,” she whispered.
Mrs. Thorpe kept her eyes lowered and he sighed at she’d turned shy. Undoubtedly, he was in the wrong, but he was asking the exact same questions he’d planned to ask other governesses in interviews tomorrow.
Given the last governess’ pathetic advice to Jessica—repeatedly asking her to keep her knees firmly pressed together around any male she met—Nicolas felt he had no choice but to conduct interviews personally. “Having once had a wife and daughters to raise without her, I know women talk about things I shouldn’t ever be privy to. Excellent. I’m glad that is settled.”
“Nothing is settled, your grace,” Mrs. Thorpe said suddenly, looking up at him with unexpected anger. “I have not said I wanted the governess position you offer.”
Fanny laughed heartily. “Do you see what I mean about her making me laugh?”
Fanny assumed Mrs. Thorpe was joking, but Nicolas knew better. He had uncovered a very strong-minded woman, which made him all the more determined to employ her. “I do not offer you a governess position. I want you for Jessica’s companion.”
“Companion?”
He nodded, enjoying her surprise and the interest in her eyes. “I think you are just the sort of woman my daughter needs to consort with if she’s to make the right choices in her life. Jessica is already strong-willed and determined. All my children are, unfortunately. I need someone who is not afraid to stand up to them and make them listen. I think you and I could manage Jessica very well together.”
Mrs. Thorpe regarded him a long moment, clearly tempted. “Only time will tell if we can get along, your grace.”
He beamed at her. He liked that she didn’t leap in to agree with him. Too many women did that already. “I do like your attitude, madam. Please, won’t you join us for luncheon so we might become better acquainted.”
She returned his smile and nodded. “All right, but only if you promise to let Lady Jessica decide if she wants me for her companion.”
“Deal. We will leave London as soon as you are packed and then you can meet Jessica.” He held out his hand again. “Do you have any tips for a poor father so he may steal a few minutes peace each day?”
Mrs. Thorpe took a step toward him, gripped his hand firmly and said in all seriousness. “You could always lock the doors as I’ve had to do around Lady Rivers.”
He laughed even as Fanny complained that was unfair. Damn, but Fanny had been right—Mrs. Thorpe made him laugh too.
Chapter 1
Nine months later,
Stapleton Manor
Nicolas loathed the excesses of the festive season. His estate, his very home, was awash in lively chatter and the ever-present threat of standing beneath a maliciously placed clump of mistletoe.
Nicolas was far too old for such nonsense at four and forty years, and if he did kiss anyone, he certainly wouldn’t advertise the fact in a public display of affection.
That was why he suppressed an oath as Miss Natalia Hawthorne’s eyes flashed as she moved closer. Sensing danger, he glanced up, noted he was near another clump, and hastily took a pace back. His neighbor’s daughter was far too young to be chasing after him. She was only eighteen, a year older than his youngest daughter, for God’s sake.
Miss Hawthorne pouted. “La, your grace. You are a tease.”
He was not. What he was feeling was entirely murderous toward the woman who’d formed the guest list and included such a flirt in their number. He should never have opened his home to guests for this farce, a weeklong Christmas party to prepare his youngest child, Jessica, for her coming out during the upcoming summer. Nicolas had felt this a bad idea from the very beginning and discovered so at every turn. However, his daughter had pushed, and even Jessica’s companion had agreed a party that included family would be beneficial.