How to Claim a Governess’s Heart - Bridget Barton Page 0,62

wove deeper into the park than she had ever gone before. Lord John was liking the feeling of showing them things they had no idea was there.

All of London was like an old hat to Lord John. He often visited the city in his youth with his family, but as a young gentleman, he discovered the ins and outs of every venue offered in the metropolis.

He wanted the celebration today not to be just a lavish dinner to commemorate the completion of his novel, but also to celebrate the start of their new life. He knew that finding a publisher was still looming, but knowing that he would be able to front the initial costs of the publishing, many businesses would find him a safe risk to take.

Though he despised the fact, he also knew that his name and family connected to it would make it that much easier to profit off the book sales. He was sure that once a publisher was acquired, he would not have difficulty producing enough to supplement his annual income for a comfortable life for his future family.

Soon they emerged on the other side of the park, opening up onto a long street of various shops and properties. Both Bridget and Betsy’s eyes darted from one shop to the next, wondering which one was their intended surprise.

“We are almost there,” Lord John encouraged them.

He knew it was a bit of a long walk. At first, he had considered this a good thing. Betsy had been near bouncing from wall to wall in her excitement as various items were delivered to the kitchen for the big feast.

He had considered the long walk would help to expel some of her energy as well as keep her out of the servants’ way as they went about the added business of preparing a large meal.

He wondered if it was too much to ask for them to walk all the way across the park and still yet further. The surprise in itself would involve a lot more walking yet. He made a point to remember to hire a hansom for the way home.

He was beginning to realise he needed to be more forward-thinking. In the past, there was only just him to consider. Often he took the cheaper choice of walking to any destination that was in the city. He was a healthy man and enjoyed the added exercise it gave him.

Now he was a family man and would have to put the needs of others before his own.

However, as of yet, Betsy and Miss Thatcher were far too excited to see the surprise awaiting them to even notice the length of the journey.

“It’s just around this corner now,” he said.

Once exiting the park, Betsy had felt less sure of herself. She had fallen back to take Lord John’s hand, and the three of them had strolled side-by-side. It was a rather busy part of town, and Lord John couldn’t help but beam with pride as each passer-by took notice of his small party walking together. He suddenly felt like for once in his life, he was a part of a family that brought him pride and joy.

“Here it is,” he stated as they turned the bend.

Betsy gasped in shock at the large building that rested across the street from them. They paused on the street corner to allow her head to look up and take it all in.

The front of it was a long wide stone stairway that led up to a row of Romanesque columns. Behind the columns were the larger-than-life doors ornately carved into a rich oak wood.

The building itself took up the length of an entire block with the doors exactly centre of it. Several storeys up, the building finished with a large dome cap. It was all made of stone that glittered in the setting sun, giving it a magical effect.

“Oh, Betsy,” Miss Thatcher exclaimed. “It’s the Natural History Museum.”

“What’s that?” Betsy asked as they proceeded to cross the street and make their way up the steps.

“That means there are animals from all over the world inside. It will be just like in your favourite book, only real.”

“Alive?” Betsy skipped in excitement.

She nearly missed a step, and Lord John held her tight to prevent her skinning a hole in her stocking. He couldn’t help but catch her excitement and lifted her up into his arms to carry her the rest of the way.

“They aren’t alive,” he explained. “But they were at one time. Some