hand through the motions of the letter once, then again, and a third time. “Now you try.”
Charlotte looked up at her nonplussed. “It won’t look as good.”
“It doesn’t have to. You’re practicing, Charlotte. And every time you practice something, you get better at,” Callie said. Immediately, her traitorous mind thought of kissing again. Would that get better with practice, also? Drat him!
A movement at the door drew her eyes and Callie glanced over to see one of the maids frantically trying to get her attention. “Wait here, children. Keep working on your letters and I’ll return shortly.”
Stepping into the corridor, she closed the door firmly behind her and met the maid’s worried gaze. “What is the matter?”
“Oh, Miss St. James, I know it’s not my place and I know I’m not supposed to say anything, but it’s just awful!”
“What is your name?”
“Bea, Miss. Beatrice, but everyone calls me Bea,” the girl said. She was still breathless and clearly distraught.
“What has happened, Bea?”
“It’s the little girl, Miss. Miss Claudia. That fellow belowstairs, giving her lessons… I’ve never heard or seen such in my life. He’s a monster, Miss. A monster!”
Callie’s stomach dropped. “Wait here. Do not let the other children come below. No matter what. All right?”
“Yes, Miss!”
Callie didn’t waste another second. She raced down the stairs as quickly as she could, her feet flying over the polished wood until she reached the marble floors of the foyer. From there, she headed directly for the small music room. At the door, she paused to catch her breath and also to listen. She heard a few halting notes and then one discordant one. It was immediately followed by a sharp crack. It was a sound she knew well and one she’d felt the sting of far too frequently during her younger days. He was striking her with a cane.
A dozen conflicting emotions swamped her. Fear. Anger. But it was guilt that made her stomach turn and her knees go weak. She had insisted that Claudia have music lessons, after all, that there was no time to waste. Now Claudia was being tormented by him and it was entirely her fault.
Callie placed a shaking hand on the door knob, turned it and found it locked. Fury swept through her, burning so hotly that even the guilt faded beneath it.
“Monsieur Dumont, you will open this door immediately,” she called out.
When there was no reply, she turned to the butler. He was not the stuffy gentleman who’d first greeted her but the younger man who’d shadowed him. Foster. “Do you have a key to this room?”
“My aunt, the new housekeeper does, Miss St. James,” he said and waved to one of the footmen to fetch her. He didn’t have to go far. The newly hired housekeeper had apparently been listening at the door along with a bevy of kitchen girls and parlor maids. She came bustling in, key at the ready.
“Here you are, Miss,” she said and bobbed a curtsy.
Callie didn’t bother correcting her that she did not need to curtsy to another servant. There were more important matters to deal with. Fitting the key into the lock, she turned it and pushed the door open. Claudia was seated at the pianoforte, her face red and wet with tears. Her hands were placed on the keys and a heavy board was strapped across them, holding them in position there so that she wouldn’t be able to withdraw them even if she wanted to.
“You will get your things and leave this house immediately,” Callie said.
“By whose authority?” the man sneered. “That of a mere governess? I should think not!”
Callie drew in a deep, fortifying breath and then, with all the haughty dignity she could muster, she said, “I am not merely a governess, Monsieur Dumont. I am the governess. I am a graduate of the Darrow School… one of the most highly sought after governesses in all of England. It will take but a whispered word into the ear of my mentor, Miss Euphemia Darrow, and you will find yourself without any employment whatsoever. Is that really what you wish to do?”
“You wouldn’t dare,” he said, stepping forward until he loomed over her.
Callie squared her shoulders and met his gaze steadily. “I would. I most certainly would! Now, remove whatever barbaric contraption that is from this child and remove yourself from this house immediately. I will not tolerate bullies and abusers!”
He raised the cane high. Callie braced herself for the blow. It wouldn’t be the first