Ann Lethbridge – A Family For The Widowed Governess (страница 11)

Hell, her presence made him uncomfortable. He could not stop thinking about that glorious mane of hair when she had opened the door to him, or how the gown she had been wearing clung to her slender figure. Once more, he pushed those images aside and got on with dismounting and leading his horse into the stable to be cared for by a groom.

Peter came forward to take his horse. He frowned. Lady Marguerite must have come after all. ‘Did you get a soaking, lad?’

The boy touched his forelock. ‘It were barely spitting when we left Westram, my lord, and as Lady Marguerite said, a drop of water won’t melt us. We b’ain’t made of sugar.’ The lad grinned, showing a gap in his front teeth.

A person might not melt, but they might end up with the ague and it didn’t look as if the downpour would end any time soon.

He went indoors and changed into dry clothes. He found himself pleased to have an excuse to have a conversation with Lady Marguerite, which was nonsense, of course. He had been pleased when Nanny had reported that Lizzie had been co-operative with her teacher on the previous Wednesday and that Janey had followed Lady Marguerite around like a little shadow.

When he entered the schoolroom, the girls were not in evidence. Their teacher was cleaning off the blackboard.

‘Good day, Lady Marguerite.’

She turned with a smile and inclined her head. ‘Lord Compton. The girls are with Nanny having their afternoon snack.’

Ah, yes. He should have realised it was that time. He nodded. ‘How is everything going?’

A crease formed in her forehead and her smile disappeared. ‘Very well.’

‘Good. Good.’

She hesitated.

‘Was there something you needed?’ he asked.

‘I know we spoke of this previously, but at the risk of being repetitious, I would like to request that you permit the girls to spend some time outdoors each week.’ She smiled. ‘Provided it is not raining, of course.’

A cold chill entered his chest. ‘We did speak about this before and my answer has not changed.’

She huffed out a sigh. ‘I think you are doing them a great disservice. Yes, they are behaving themselves during their lessons, but they are listless. I am sure it is from being confined indoors every day with little to do and no exercise.’

Anger rose within him. How could she think he would endanger his girls by letting them roam around outside? And as for being listless, he had seen no sign of it. ‘If they feel the need for exercise, they have the long gallery. That is its intended purpose.’

‘That is what Nanny told me.’ She shot him a black look. ‘Have you set foot in that room recently?’

He had not. His wife used to perambulate there when she was enceinte. He had walked with her before the birth of each of the girls. Of course, they had been hoping for a son. He still needed a son. But he was in no rush. ‘I have not been up there since my wife died.’

She winced. ‘Perhaps you would be willing to accompany me for an inspection?’

No, he wasn’t willing, but he could see she was not going to take no for an answer. Besides, if there was something wrong with it, he would have it fixed.

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