How to Claim a Governess’s Heart - Bridget Barton Page 0,80

hear,” Mrs. Smith said quickly.

Bridget smiled but encouraged Mrs. Smith to go on with the information she had on the man.

“Her Grace only spoke of him on a few occasions. She has two older brothers. One who is now the Duke of Sanguard, and the second, Mr. Smelting. She did mention he was a bit of an oddball in the family. He took a commission in the military and did the proper thing for a time. Other than that, all I know is that after his wife died, and his only son grown and being estranged from him, he left to make his money on the plantations. I believe he has done well for himself by her words, but can’t say for sure.”

“So it could be this Mr. Smelting or the business partner who may wish to blackmail me for the jewellery’s cost. I suppose they are worth a pretty sum. I didn’t think about that when I took them, just that they were a favourite of Mrs. Smelting and would have liked Betsy to wear them also.”

“It is possible, only...”

“Only what?”

“Why would they insist you leave Lord John’s employment? Why should either care about that.”

“Perhaps that fact narrows our search down to Mr. Smelting. I am sure he would care as Betsy is his granddaughter.”

“But did you ever meet him or hear of him in all the years that you lived with the Smeltings?”

“No.”

“So why would he have concern for the child now. My understanding from her Grace was that he was happy with his life there with the natives. In fact, she suggested once that he took an aboriginal woman to be his wife.”

Bridget had little opinion on who a man fell in love with. It didn’t seem that Mrs. Smith did either, but it did explain things. Mr. Smelting might stay away from his son out of consideration. Frank Smelting was still relatively new in his field of work, learning he had a father with such a connection might scare away potential business.

“Perhaps I should write to him anyway. He might just be concerned for his granddaughter, and if I explained to him the situation, I am sure we could come to an agreement.”

“But what if it is someone different altogether?” Mrs. Smith said, putting a worried hand on Bridget’s arm.

“It would be a risk confessing the stolen items to Mr. Smelting if he had no knowledge of it on his own. It could be a second person seeking my imprisonment. Oh, Mrs. Smith, what am I to do?”

“Talk to Lord John,” she urged again.

Bridget shook her head. She couldn’t bring this burden on him. Worse, a small part of her did fear what Lord John would think of her taking the items.

“He will know how to move forward. The only advice I can give is to seek his aid,” Mrs. Smith finished.

Bridget knew that Mrs. Smith was right. Lord John would know how to fix all of this. Still, she couldn’t bring herself to divulge this secret to him. She feared it would only change his feelings for her forever.

Chapter 26

“The post has just arrived,” Mrs. Smith said, bursting into the breakfast room.

The three seated at the table all started at the suddenness.

“There is a letter addressed to Constance Brown,” she finished holding the letter out.

Miss Thatcher looked over at Lord John with a question in her brow.

“I suppose you should open it. After all, it’s addressed to your fictitious name,” Lord John replied to her unasked question.

“But you are the author. You should open it.”

“Oh, I’ll just open it,” Mrs. Smith said, bursting with excitement.

She ripped open the letter. Both sat in silence as her eyes wildly read over the parchment.

“It says he finished the book. He really enjoyed it. Oh, my goodness,” Mrs. Smith finished with hand raised to her cheek.

“What?” both Lord John and Miss Thatcher said in unison.

“He wants to meet with you,” she finished, handing over the letter to Miss Thatcher.

Miss Thatcher read through it before passing the letter on to Lord John. He too scanned the letter quickly before coming up to stand.

“He wants to meet this very afternoon.”

“Do you think this is good news?” Miss Thatcher asked.

She was doing her best to keep her own excitement in check.

“This is wonderful news,” Lord John said.

He helped Miss Thatcher up from her seat and then scooped her up in his arms. He spun her round and round. Miss Thatcher squealed with delight, and Betsy could be heard giggling as she twirled