How to Claim a Governess’s Heart - Bridget Barton Page 0,67

of the dowager while she fired off an assortment of questions.

Mr. Higgins withstood her inquisition well and even laughed when she suggested she help him find a wife to take back to his country home.

“I assure you I will have a solid match for you by the end of the season.”

“I am sure if the right lady crosses my path, I will notice her, though I appreciate your offer, Your Grace.”

“You can’t just leave these things to chance,” the lady scoffed. “Or worse, to notions of the heart. A man’s eye can easily be turned by even a slightly pretty face. It will easily trick your mind into thinking you’re in love. No, no,” she shook her head in a motherly fashion. “You need someone to have a clear mind with your best interest at the centre of their efforts. You have no mother of your own to do so, God rest her soul, and I should be happy to help.”

“I wouldn’t want to overburden you,” Mr. Higgins replied in a polite attempt to end the discussion.

“It’s no burden at all. The duke is all but finalised his own engagement. John has always been well placed with Lady Temperance, and as for my youngest, she is only just starting to come of age. I am rather bored at the moment and would love to render you the service.”

There would be no more dissuading the lady, and so Mr. Higgins simply nodded in defeat. Bridget did her best not to choke on the sip of wine she was currently drinking at the announcement that Lord John was set in marriage.

“Mother,” Lord John interceded as quickly as swallowing his bite would allow. “I think you have been misinformed. I have no intention to make an offer to Lady Temperance. Her heart was set on another.”

“Oh yes, it was silly girl folly. But all of that is over now,” she waved off.

“I have more than just myself to consider now,” Lord John continued. “I am not sure that Lady Temperance would consider a gentleman with a child.”

“Better the reason to send her to me. Now I know you want to honour Frank’s wishes,” the dowager added quickly before Lord John could interrupt. “Your brother says you were very energetic in making that point clear.”

Bridget looked over at Lord John, who made a visible effort at keeping his mouth shut while his mother spoke. It was clear this wasn’t the first time that she had taken her eldest son’s side in disagreements between the two.

“But you also need to think of yourself. No new bride, Lady Temperance or otherwise, will want to have someone else’s child hanging around during the first years of marriage if another arrangement can be made.”

Though Betsy was seated right at her side, she spoke as if she neither mattered or existed. Betsy was simply a pawn to be passed around as she dictated and not a living breathing human being.

“I have no desire to marry a woman who would want Betsy to be shut away from me. She is my responsibility now, my child, and I will not have it any other way.”

Lord John was struggling a little unsuccessfully to keep his voice even. Bridget guessed he was tired of having the same conversation over and over again with members of his family.

“Where is Agatha? Why not focus all your concerns on her?” Lord John asked, hoping to get his mother off the subject.

“She is here. She is only seventeen, though. Not quite old enough for the gentlemen to really notice her, no matter how much she tries. To be honest, she has made a spectacle of herself on a few occasions. Reads too much of those Gothic novels and then thinks it is real life,” his mother waved off her youngest child’s mention.

Lord John’s eyes caught Bridget’s and they shared a fleeting smile.

“And I don’t think you should write off Lady Temperance so quickly. Yes, she made a mistake, but don’t we all? I mean, look at some of the choices you have made. You would not believe the gossip I have heard with your name on it. No one is perfect. I don’t expect you to be, why should you expect it of her. She was young...”

Bridget decided to tune out the rest of the conversation for the remainder of the meal. It took all she had to keep her opinions to herself when the old lady tried to persuade Lord John that she was sure that