How to Claim a Governess’s Heart - Bridget Barton Page 0,79

remove the veil from the publishing company’s eyes. I will be happy to tell them the truth. If they want to continue to use Constance’s name or my own, I don’t care.”

Bridget studied him as he spoke. She could see the excitement dancing in his blue eyes. She was already so excited about the little success they had produced today, she could only imagine how it felt for him. Lord John had spent a lifetime perfecting his craft, and it had all led up to a moment he had to hide in the shadows until it came. Despite this, he stilled glowed with anticipation.

Lord John reached over and took Bridget’s hand in his own. Raising it to his lips, he kissed it reverently.

“You know none of this would have been possible for me without you,” he solemnly stated, looking up at her through his thick golden lashes.

“I am sure you would have found another way around your brother’s trickery,” Bridget assured him.

“Perhaps I would have, but I mean more than just an agent taking me seriously. I mean everything. You have somehow brought light into my life, you and Betsy both. I never realised how dull and wanting my world was until the two of you walked in through my door, drenched and forlorn.”

Bridget took her hand from his and brushed her fingers softly along the line of his angled jaw. She knew she was taking a liberty, but they were nearly engaged.

“You have brightened my life as well. I never expected such happiness, such joy, to be attainable for me. With you, I feel I deserve those things I never did before.”

He kissed the palm of her hand again.

“You deserve the world, my love.”

“I don’t need the world,” Bridget said with a wrinkle of her nose. “Just you and Betsy is enough to give me a lifetime of joy.”

“I couldn’t have said it better myself,” Lord John agreed with a knee-weakening smile.

Bridget was sure that by the time she left the office half an hour later, she had smiled so much that her mouth was permanently stuck in that shape. She had never felt so happy in all her life. She found Mrs. Smith and Betsy in the small garden behind the townhouse. It was a simple patch used to supplement the kitchen with fresh herbs and vegetables.

It had also served as a perfect teaching tool for Betsy. She had learned not only the practical applications and skills of gardening but also a plethora of information on insects and botany.

At the moment, Betsy was doing her part to remove weeds from the soft dirt. Bridget quickly thanked the housekeeper for taking time out of her busy day to spend time with Betsy so that Lord John and she could have those few moments alone.

Mrs. Smith gave a knowing smile at the mention of them spending time alone. Though nothing had been outwardly said to others about their shared affection, Mrs. Smith always seemed to know things. This was one of those matters that she had perhaps predicted before even they knew it.

“I thought Betsy might like the fresh morning air,” Mrs. Smith explained. “And also,” she added, digging into her apron pocket, “I got a letter from my brother, at the solicitor’s.”

Mrs. Smith lowered her voice as she spoke and produced the note.

“What did he say? Did he have some advice for me?” Bridget asked.

She was wearing her usual grey dress and was keenly aware of her own letter still tucked into her own pocket.

“He was able to locate the person that inherited the estate. It did take him a little digging as it wasn’t a large estate after the money set aside for Betsy, but he found it. His half of the shipping business went to his partner,” she read from the letter. “I guess he had the means, but his partner had the funds. Originally his estate was to be given to his father, Mr. Jeromy Smelting. Since he owed the partner a debt for the business, the house and valuables were sold, and the debt was paid off. The remaining went to Mr. Jeromy Smelting.”

“I was not aware that Mr. Smelting’s father was alive,” Bridget remarked.

“From the little my brother wrote here, he is living on a plantation in Jamaica. I don’t know that he has had much contact with his family. I know the dowager duchess only mentioned him in years past, not that I was listening, mind. It was only that I happened to