Richard opened his mouth to ask more, but before he could, the ‘visitor’ had pushed past the butler and stormed into the room.
Miss Wright looked furious; her freckled cheeks blushed red with anger, and her lovely eyes were narrowed. She marched directly up to the chessboard and said, “Your Grace, you and I must talk immediately.”
Richard stared at her, shocked. He glanced at Stephen, but his friend was of little help – in fact, the earl seemed to be struggling to bite back a laugh.
Before Richard could formulate a response, Miss Wright had launched into her complaint. “I have just come from the girls, Your Grace, and it is time we had a conversation about them,” she said, frankly. She was controlling her voice, keeping it low, but somehow that made it more pointed.
It’s just the same as the voice my tutors would use when I was a misbehaving child.
He found his voice. Miss Wright was exceptionally forward for a woman, and while he was curious about what she had to say, he certainly didn’t want his servants overhearing. “That will be all, Patrick,” he said.
Ever loyal, the butler nodded his head once more and left the room. As soon as the door closed tight behind him, Richard turned to Kathy and said, “Now, Miss Wright, what on earth is it you think you are doing?”
All the limited poise she’d retained in front of the manservant vanished. The governess’s voice was low and furious as she said, “Do you know what Ailsa and Davina just told me, Your Grace? They told me they thought you didn’t care for them at all. Ailsa told me she didn’t think they deserved love anymore!”
Richard’s eyes widened, but he couldn’t get a word in as Kathy’s rant continued.
When did I start thinking of her as Kathy?
“You are their guardian now, whether you like it or not,” she snapped. “Not only that, but you are their uncle by blood. You owe those children better than this!” He opened his mouth to reply, but she kept going. “Do not tell me this is not my place! I do not care if it isn’t my place! You simply must listen to me…”
Stephen was his savior then. “All right, all right, Miss Firework, slow down, and do let the duke speak, won’t you?” he interrupted, his eyes still sparkling with mirth.
Though grateful for the interruption, Richard couldn’t help but feel a little annoyed at his friend’s obvious amusement at him being told off like a schoolboy. Still, it had the desired effect; his words seemed to make Kathy realize precisely what she was doing.
She blushed but didn’t look at all apologetic. Still, when she spoke again, her voice was calmer. “It is unacceptable that these young girls still in mourning should feel that way. That is all I came to say.”
Richard glanced at Stephen again, and his friend shrugged. Richard made a mental note to scold the earl for his amusement later, then turned back to Kathy. He had to take control of the situation immediately.
But what to tell her? How looking at these girls makes me think of the brother I have lost? Of the woman I once loved. No. But I have to say something.
Richard took a breath and then said, “Miss Wright. I have no experience with children at all. I’ve never been a father, or had younger brothers, or cousins close by. Of course, I care for my nieces, but I need time before I learn how to approach them properly.”
He met her eyes then and felt a jolt of … something powerful he didn’t understand. He wanted her approval, he realized, strange as that might seem. He wanted her to understand. And yet he couldn’t tell her everything.
“Your Grace,” she said. She was back to her usual calm self again, but he could see the stubbornness in her face and hear the steel backing up her tone. “I would have you remember, for both those girls and for your own sake, their needs are considerably more important than your hesitations.”
How to respond? He could hardly disagree. Those children … Lucas’s daughters, Isla’s daughters … none of this was their fault. They had lost everything, and he was the only person they had left. Kathy was right, of course she was right, but what could he do about it? How could he explain that even looking at the youngest girl made his heart seize in his chest?