How to Claim a Governess’s Heart - Bridget Barton Page 0,42

to settle herself here.”

“I want you to stay, Bridget. Both you and Betsy,” he assured her.

It had only been the second time he had ever used her Christian name. He loved the way it felt to speak to her with such closeness. He hoped it meant something to her as well.

“Good,” Miss Thatcher said, hiding a blush. “Then that settles that.”

She came to stand and Lord John followed likewise.

“Betsy and I will stay here with you in London. You will write and tell your brother as such, won’t you? Not just let him find out as time passes?”

“Yes. I promise I will set it right,” Lord John assured her.

Though it was not quite proper for a governess to scold her employer, even in the kind tone she had, he didn’t mind it at all.

Bridget Thatcher was no longer an employee to him. She was his confidante and partner in his endeavour to bring up the child.

Miss Thatcher turned to leave and then hesitated. Turning back, she looked up at him, deciding if she wanted to say what was on her mind.

“I want you to know,” she finally spoke after a pause, “I have no intention of using your society to leave Betsy.”

Lord John did his best to hide the relief that her words gave to him.

“I would never, never accuse you of such malice intentions.”

“Good, because I am pleased with my station. I want for nothing, I have more joy than I could have ever imagined with Betsy. I wouldn’t risk that happiness. I am very settled to my lot,” Miss Thatcher said with her little chin pointed upward in determination.

“I am relieved to hear it, though Higgins probably wouldn’t agree with my feelings,” Lord John spoke and studied her face for a reaction at the name mentioned.

“Mr. Higgins is a charming man, and I am flattered that he would even consider giving me attention. I could never be a vicar’s wife, though,” she said, rubbing her forearms unconsciously.

Lord John placed a gentle hand atop one of her arms. He rubbed one of her silver scars with his thumb. He would have liked to kiss them away if it were possible, though he still didn’t know the lady’s feelings on such a gesture.

“I understand,” Lord John replied. “Higgins will come to see your heart lies with Betsy too as time goes on. As you said, he is a good man, he will not be too terribly hurt by your rejection.”

“I hope not,” Miss Thatcher spoke softly. “I have never had to consider such things in all my life. I don’t exactly know what to do in the situation.”

“Surely you knew men would find interest in you?” Lord John asked in surprise.

“Not at all. What could I possibly have to offer?”

“So much, Miss Thatcher. Anyone who could spend five minutes in your presence would find you a dream one could only aspire to reach.”

Chapter 14

“Miss Thatcher, what’s this?” Betsy childlike voice called out to her governess.

They had been spending time upstairs in Betsy’s room, playing with her toys. The wind outside had been blowing with a blistering winter storm for two days. Bridget was doing her best to find new places to keep the child entertained in the afternoons.

Today they had decided to revisit some of Betsy’s old toys upstairs that had been neglected. In contrast, Betsy had obsessed with her new doll’s house. Bridget was sure that having been away from such things for several weeks, it would be like new entertainment all over again. At least for one afternoon.

While Betsy played around the room, Bridget moved a chair closer to the window. She took in as much light as she could from the grey sky as she read her latest book peacefully. She knew soon, in this weather, she would have to light candles to see at all. Her upbringing had warded against such wasteful use as reading by candlelight during the day, so she hesitated in its use.

As Bridget read, Betsy fluttered around the room, using up every space afforded her to skip and play. Once, when Bridget looked up from her pages to check on the child, she had a moment of panic when Betsy was nowhere to be found. The child had curled her tiny body into the closet with her doll, claiming it was their secret room.

Now at Betsy’s question, Bridget put her book down to see what the child had found. Betsy was next to the small drawer by the bed and had been