The Governess's Earl (Grace-by-the-Sea #4) - Regina Scott Page 0,2

the fall, and help his cousin James safeguard the village from the impending French invasion. Why, a French ship rested in the caverns below the castle even now, waiting for someone. Therefore, another must step in and care for Miranda.

Could Miss Denby be exactly what he needed?

~~~

Rosemary Denby counted off the seconds. The new Earl of Howland must grant her the position. Truly, what other recourse did she have near Grace-by-the-Sea? She hadn’t the ever-pleasant aspect of a spa hostess to serve in the Grand Pump Room in the village, and her highly competent sister-in-law Jesslyn held that position in any event. The local fathers were distressingly uneasy with a young, unmarried woman teaching their sons, so she had yielded her place at the dame school in Upper Grace to her older, widowed sister, Hester. And she would never have the patience to work in a shop.

“I don’t understand why you must work at all,” her mother had lamented only this morning when Rosemary had begged the gig to drive herself to the castle. “Your uncle left us with enough income that we need never worry.”

“It isn’t the income, Mother,” Rosemary had tried to explain. “Hester has the school and little Rebecca; you have uncle’s properties to manage. I just want something of my own.”

Her mother’s face had bunched. “And a husband won’t do?”

The words had been like a lash across her back. As if she hadn’t attended nearly every assembly the last four years, accepted the attentions of any number of shopkeepers and farmers in Upper Grace, the young officers stationed at West Creech. The one man she’d hoped, prayed, might be interested had made it abundantly plain she was not the woman for him.

“I’m not certain I wish to be a wife, Mother,” she’d said. “And there are few gentlemen here interested in taking a bluestocking for a bride.”

But perhaps a governess.

And so she had brazened her way into this interview, claiming an appointment the earl had never made. So what if she’d only ever cared for her niece, Rebecca? She remembered what it was like to be a girl whose world had suddenly been upended. Her uncle had encouraged and supported her dreams of learning. She could pass that along to another. It seemed her best objective in life.

“I can see you are passionate about your profession, Miss Denby,” the earl said, leaning toward her. He looked so much like their magistrate, Mr. Howland—same golden blond hair waving back from a strong-jawed face, the same piercing blue eyes. But the magistrate was all cool logic and determination. If she had been forced to find one word to describe his cousin, the earl, it would be…

Lost.

“I live to serve, my lord,” she assured him, leaning toward him as well.

The way he held his slender body—controlled, still—told her he was not convinced. “But Lady Miranda, I have been informed, can be a challenge.”

“A challenge I welcome,” she promised, fingers closing around her lorgnette.

They were nearly nose to nose now, and she caught herself holding her breath. Still he studied her. Would he see more than the fathers who had rejected her as a teacher? Would he see more than Captain St. Claire when he’d refused her admiration?

The click of the door sent them both upright in their seats. A blond-haired girl flounced into the room, ruffled pink muslin skirts dancing about her matching kid-leather slippers.

“There you are, Father,” she declared as if he were late for some state function. “You said we could visit Mr. Carroll’s Curiosities today and pick a new book. I’m ready.”

“So I see,” her father said with a fond smile. “I will take you when I have finished my interview with Miss Denby.”

Lady Miranda glanced her way. Rosemary knew that set to her chin, that light in her hazel eyes. On any given day, she might have seen such an attitude in her own mirror.

“But I want to go now,” Lady Miranda said.

Lord Howland looked to Rosemary. She did not so much as straighten a finger. This was a test. She had never failed one yet.

“Certainly you should go now,” Rosemary said. “All your father has to do is agree to hire me as your new governess.”

Her father frowned.

So did the little girl. “But I don’t need a governess.”

“Now, Miranda,” her father started.

She turned to put both hands on his arm and gaze up at him beseechingly. At least Rosemary had never stooped so low, but then, she’d seldom had to do more than argue