Mr. Gardiner and the Governess - Sally Britton Page 0,29

expected to do my best, yes.” She lifted it to inspect the next one.

“You see, the gentleman owes you a favor.” Lady Josephine sounded rather triumphant as she handed the note back to Alice. “You will make your best effort on his behalf, so he will do the same for you.”

As though used to echoing her lady, Miss Arlen immediately agreed. “You can at least ask him, Miss Sharpe.”

Alice shook her head, reading his note once more, her eyes tracing the curls of his handwriting as well as its sharp points. The R continued to intrigue her.

“Perhaps you are right. If an opportunity presents itself, I will speak to him.”

From the corner of her eye, she thought she detected Lady Josephine and Miss Arlen sharing suspiciously pleased grins. But she had to have imagined it. What did they truly care if she spoke to Mr. Gardiner or not?

Alice had more pressing issues. She had two dozen types of flowers to paint.

Chapter 10

Rupert dug about in his largest trunk, hunting for a book on the subject of bees. He had found a large swarm in the lower gardens and meant to discover exactly where they had come from and where they might go next. The beekeeper on the estate knew nothing of the swarm and swore not a single one of his hives had abandoned their posts. He seemed keen to add new bees to his colonies, however.

“I am uncertain we brought your book on beekeeping, sir.” Billings stood by, stoic as ever, with several starched cravats in hand. “But since you are here, perhaps you would choose your jacket for dinner this evening?”

“My choice of clothing is not nearly as important as those bees.” Rupert came out of the trunk and fussed with his hair, trying to get it out of his face. “They do not look at all like the bees kept on the castle grounds. I think they are a different breed entirely. I have asked the beekeeper about catching them.”

Billings simply stared at him, cravats still in hand.

The valet assisted Rupert with insects when required but had no interest in them on his own. With a sigh, Rupert gestured to the closet. “The blue jacket, then.”

“Very good, sir.” The valet turned with his cravats, apparently intending to stow them away, when he paused. “I nearly forgot to tell you, sir, but Miss Sharpe sent back your drawings. They are upon your desk.”

“She did?” Rupert brightened at once and rushed to the desk. A stack of papers waited for him, with a half sheet on top of the whole. He held it at an angle to read with the low evening light.

Mr. Gardiner,

I have given your sketches color, to the best of my ability. I apologize for the time I took to complete the task, but with the arrival of the new guests, my time has been limited. I hope you find my work satisfactory.

Miss A. Sharpe

A numbered list below her note labeled the flowers.

The sketches had gone to her four days previous. Four days. She had worked with more speed than he had thought possible. How had she done it so swiftly?

He took up two of the papers and held them to the light, studying the colors carefully. Each drawing had a small number in one corner, corresponding to the name of the flower on the list Miss Sharpe had sent.

“Beautiful,” he murmured, noting the unique orange of the Welsh poppy, the delicate shading of white Ground-elder. Wildflowers and those planted and cultivated by the groundskeeping staff were each given the same amount of care.

“I take it you are pleased with her work, sir?” Billings sounded disinterested, but when Rupert glanced up, he saw his valet’s eyes had narrowed.

“Very pleased. She has a perfect eye for color and an artist’s hand. Look at these.”

Billings came closer and accepted one of the papers. He hummed with feigned interest. “It is lucky you found out about her talent.”

“Indeed.” Rupert took up several more sheets, sifting through them. “Her work is stunning.”

“You ought to tell her that, sir.” Billings put his paper back in the pile. “It does a soul good to know when their work is appreciated.”

“You are right, of course.” Rupert put the papers down and clapped his valet on the shoulder. “As you well know. Thank you, Billings. I will find her and give Miss Sharpe her due.” He glanced out the window. “After my work is done today.”

Rupert had left most of his things outside, near