When a Duke Loves a Governess (Unlikely Duchesses #3) - Olivia Drake Page 0,67

of unlit coals on the grate or grabbing several tarts from the tea tray that had been delivered. They scolded the girl halfheartedly, then immediately undermined the correction by indulging her pleas for more sweets. All the while, they had the nerve to flash accusatory looks at Tessa as if it were all her fault that a four-year-old couldn’t restrain her impulses.

A number of hours had elapsed since breakfast, and Tessa’s stomach rumbled. She was offered nothing, even though there was an extra cup on the tea tray and plenty of pastries left. Despite their fine airs, the Norwoods had manners that struck Tessa as unconscionably rude. She could name a dozen friends and neighbors from the East End who were kinder and more cordial.

Lord and Lady Norwood alternately pampered Sophy and ignored her. As they began gossiping about parties they’d attended in Brighton, the girl grew increasingly whiny. She tugged on her grandmother’s skirt. “I want to see Moo-Moo. Why didn’t you bring her, Gammy?”

“You might ask your papa that question. It was he who sent her away. He didn’t want the dear old woman in this house.”

Sophy kicked the leg of the table. “Papa’s mean, I hate him.”

“Here now,” Lord Norwood said gruffly. “Stop that racket at once.”

“Such a rag-mannered child,” his wife added in distaste. “Since your mama was a perfect angel, I daresay the bad temper comes from your papa’s side of the family.”

That only made the girl angrier. She struck the table so hard that the tea tray might have slid off the polished surface had not Lord Norwood bestirred himself to catch it. Then she threw herself onto the floor and burst into tears.

Tessa had witnessed quite enough. Leaving her chair, she marched toward the group. “I’m afraid Lady Sophy must return to the nursery. She’s already missed her luncheon and it is nearly time for her nap.”

“Don’t want no nap!” the girl wailed, pounding the carpet with her fists.

“Well!” said Lady Norwood as she arose in self-righteous indignation. “I do hope you will teach the child proper grammar along with manners, Miss Johns. This behavior is the outside of enough!”

Tessa didn’t bother to correct the mangled name. She unclenched her teeth long enough to say in cold civility, “Good day, milady, milord.”

As the pair trotted out of the drawing room, muttering about insolent servants, she turned her attention to Sophy, who was still actively engaged in a tantrum, kicking and sobbing and writhing on the floor.

Her skirts pooling around her, she knelt to gently rub the girl’s back. The poor child was trembling and crying, and Tessa couldn’t blame her. How could anyone treat their granddaughter with such callous disregard? And to walk out while she was weeping!

At least now Tessa had a better understanding of the appalling household in which Sophy had grown up. Meeting the Norwoods had left Tessa in a state of simmering anger. It was easy to see how Sophy had been influenced into hating her father. The Norwoods had encouraged just that.

All Sophy wanted was to be loved by her grandparents, but they were too selfish to see beyond their aristocratic noses. They had overindulged her with sweets, compared her unfavorably with their daughter, and thrust her away instead of kissing her.

“There, there, dearie. I’m sorry you’re so unhappy. You’ll feel better in a few moments. Come, let’s go upstairs, and I’ll read you a book.”

Sophy lifted her head, her face stained with tears. She scrubbed her sleeve across her eyes and gave one last hiccupping sob. “Two-two books?”

“Yes, my clever little monkey,” Tessa said with a tender smile. “Two books it is, then. But only if you come straightaway without making a fuss.”

The girl clambered to her feet and placed her small hand in Tessa’s. Aside from a few sniffles, she was calm enough to let herself be led upstairs to the nursery. The outburst appeared to have sapped her of energy, though, and she submitted to Lolly’s fussing over her having missed luncheon and let Winnie change her out of the jam-smeared pinafore. Then, much to Tessa’s delight when she sat down in the rocking chair to read to the girl, Sophy climbed into her lap instead of sitting on the floor as she usually did.

With that small body snuggled against her, Tessa felt a sweet rush of love. She knew she shouldn’t encourage such closeness. Carlin had not yet said how long she’d be permitted to stay, and if she was forced to leave here