Mr. Gardiner and the Governess - Sally Britton Page 0,21

morning, Miss Arlen,” Mr. Gardiner said, all politeness.

“Thank you, Mr. Gardiner.” Miss Arlen’s clever brown eyes darted to Alice’s, then back to Mr. Gardiner. Her lips pressed together a moment, as though she was making sense of the scene she had come upon. “Are you joining us for tea?”

“No,” Alice said before the gentleman could answer. “He has only come to speak to me about his insects, and now he must be on his way.” Although she did not precisely mean to sound upset, she did not sound approving, either. The rudeness of sending the man on his way made her feel momentary guilt.

Miss Arlen shivered. “Ah yes, the project for the duke. I cannot say it is a topic I know much about.” The well-mannered companion sounded apologetic. “But I do understand the importance of the subject.”

Mr. Gardiner’s smile tightened. He bowed again. “I thank you for that much, Miss Arlen. As Miss Sharpe has said, I must excuse myself. I have things to attend to before this evening.”

Alice caught a puzzled frown from him the instant before he turned away to walk down the corridor to the main staircase. She watched his retreating form for several moments until Miss Arlen shifted to stand beside her.

The two of them watched him for a beat before Miss Arlen spoke. “He is a handsome gentleman, to be certain. But can you imagine being married to a man who brings boxes of insects into his rooms?” She shook her head. “I would have nightmares of them escaping.”

Alice nearly snorted a laugh but kept it back. Barely.

Miss Arlen’s eyes danced, and she wrinkled her pixie nose. “You do not mind insects, I take it?”

“Not overmuch.” But the gentleman studying the crawling creatures had unexpectedly proven problematic. Alice gestured to the closed door behind them. “Our tea will arrive soon, and I made certain the kitchen knew to send up enough for a guest.”

Miss Arlen’s steps were light and buoyant as she walked into the schoolroom. She took in everything with an alertness she had not possessed the day before. “I realized yesterday,” said she, “that it has been ages and ages since I spent more than a moment in this room. Lady Josephine and I had another five years left of schooling when this room was opened to us, ten years ago now.”

Lady Isabelle and Lady Rosalind had apparently put away their things in preparation for tea. Lord James had left the table to set up a row of tin soldiers along one of the shelves.

“Emma,” Lady Isabelle said brightly. “I am glad you’re here.”

“As am I,” Lady Rosalind said chirpily, coming forward with arms extended for a hug. Obviously, Lady Josephine’s companion was well liked and most familiar with the family. The young noblewomen immediately set up a chatter, asking questions about the guests from the dinner the night before.

“Now, you know your mother does not like gossip.” Miss Arlen took a chair at the large round table. “You must put your minds at rest. The adults spoke about adult things, such as politics and matchmaking, and that is all you need know.”

“Matchmaking?” Lady Rosalind asked, batting her eyelashes. “Who is matchmaking?”

“Everyone, of course. If people are not talking about politics or fashion, they are speaking of marriages, which require both.” Miss Arlen’s laugh dismissed the topic at once. “I am not here to rehearse the dinner conversation with you. I wish to know Miss Sharpe better.”

Both girls blinked as though surprised, but their brother spoke the thought they obviously had. “But she’s just the governess.”

A flash of memories flooded Alice’s mind and heart, memories of aunts and cousins, grandmothers and uncles, all muttering something along the lines of, Oh, it’s only Alice.

She cleared her throat. And the sting of a hundred dismissals. It took her a moment to form words, to try and find what to say that would not sound like a weak defense of her position.

Thankfully, someone else knew precisely what to say.

Miss Arlen’s previously cheerful expression had changed to one of compassion, and no little amount of understanding. “I am just your sister’s companion, James. Not anyone of great importance, by many standards, and yet I have the ear of the duke’s eldest daughter. Miss Sharpe, though employed by your family, has your parents’ trust along with her solemn responsibility to tutor the three of you.” She gestured to include the silent sisters in the conversation. “Who do you think educates the ruling class in our society? Who