How to Claim a Governess’s Heart - Bridget Barton Page 0,28

the attachment he tied to the governess.

It was only three days before Christmas that Lord John had cause to name the strange feeling that he was attaching to Miss Thatcher. Higgins had called late in the afternoon, and Lord John had insisted that Higgins stay for dinner.

His first stirring of recognition started when Miss Thatcher changed into her very best dress for their evening meal with the guest. She had reserved wearing the garment for Sundays only until this point. He didn’t know why he felt a pang that she chose to look her best for Higgins.

Quickly Higgins and Miss Thatcher easily fell into a cordial conversation. They had a quick and natural friendship. Lord John knew this fact should have made him happy. Higgins was, after all, his closest friend. He should have been glad to see that they enjoyed each other’s company.

Instead, his mind raced with less than friendly thoughts towards Higgins. He wondered if his coming had only been to evaluate the governess, as Lord John had brought her up on several occasions during his efforts to show more presence in society.

Higgins was an unmarried vicar. It was well known that such a man would have the responsibility to take on a wife to set the standard for his parish. It would be difficult for him to seek such a union from the boundaries of his congregation. Here in London, he would struggle to find a lady of the Ton willing to settle for a country life as a religious figure's wife.

A governess, however, would be a most welcome option to Higgins. She certainly would have no qualms about being the wife to such a gentleman. In fact, Lord John could see it being an ostentatious match for Miss Thatcher.

Until this point, Miss Thatcher had made it clear her desires lay with staying in Betsy’s company. He never once considered that she would be looking for a marital situation that would take her away from the child. With the two of them laughing and enjoying each other’s company, the thought of Miss Thatcher’s continued presence, if only to connect herself to a respectable man in marriage, seemed to be all he could think about. Not just think about but dread the possibility of it.

It was late into the night when Lord John’s mood seemed to sink to its very lowest. Betsy had been put to bed, and Miss Thatcher had returned, as was her usual custom, to spend some time in the parlour. This had been sacred time to Lord John, where the two had talked in privacy.

Now Miss Thatcher and Higgins were instead discussing their opinions on popular sermons published. Apparently, Miss Thatcher had been required to learn from collections of well-known addresses throughout her schooling. Together, the two discussed excerpts they enjoyed or portions they questioned were valid interpretations of the scriptures’ meanings.

“That reminds me of my original purpose in coming,” Higgins said, turning to Lord John. “I had a chance to meet with my acquaintance at Miss Heartfelt’s Seminary.”

Higgins turned to Miss Thatcher. “I hope that you don’t mind that John shared with me that as a tutelage of the school you had less than optimal opinions of the place.”

Miss Thatcher’s eyes widened to Lord John in a shocked, accusing manner. She pulled nervously on the long sleeves of her gown and did her best to control the emotion seeping into her cheeks and eyes.

“I mentioned that you informed me of their strict nature and how you worried it might not be conducive to Betsy’s gentle countenance,” Lord John quickly amended.

His eyes implored Miss Thatcher to believe that he would never go around telling others her deeply personal experiences. Miss Thatcher studied Lord John for a few minutes before finally relaxing back into her chair.

“Though he gave little detail,” Higgins continued, unaware of the silent exchange between his two companions, “it was confirmed by my friend that they prefer severe measures in the girls' upbringing. He states that they philosophise that intense and immediate punishment was the best action to root out negative traits in a child.

“I can imagine how, to a parent, this might seem a suitable education for the whole child, but I fear he was delicately explaining the cruel treatment of the children.

“So, I came to apologise for offering you advice when I, myself, had only a portion of the facts,” Higgins finished.

“No apology is necessary. I don’t hold you at fault at all. If anything, I am glad to have