more do I, sir.’ She hesitated, recalling Gwendoline’s hostility towards her. ‘However, if it should prove impossible for me to win the children’s regard, I should not wish to inflict myself upon them for the full four months.’
‘Then you may be sure that you would not be paid for the full four months.’
A scorching glance accompanied these words, and Juliana had no doubt the Major had used such a look to make young soldiers quail. She had to remind herself that she was no raw recruit to be intimidated.
‘I would expect to be paid for work carried out, Major. Mr Brasher assures me that you treat your employees fairly, and I am told you are an honest man.’
‘Oh, so you have been making enquiries about me?’
‘Of course, since I am entrusting the care of myself and my family to you.’
A faint gleam of approval lit his eyes.
‘Then welcome to my household, Miss Wrenn.’ He got up and went to a side-table where a selection of decanters and glasses rested on a silver tray. ‘Will you take a little wine with me, madam, to seal our bargain?’
‘Yes sir, thank you, for there is something that I wish to discuss with you.’
He threw her a frowning glance, but said nothing until he had given her a full glass.
She sipped her wine. It was smooth and fruity, nothing like the weak potions served in Mr Pettigrew’s house. It confirmed her opinion that Cousin Alfred watered down his wines to make them go further.
‘What is it you wanted to discuss with me, Miss Wrenn?’
He had returned to the side-table to fill a glass for himself.
‘Oh, I beg your pardon. Yes, I know I said I wanted to be paid with a lump sum at the end of our agreement, but my visit to the schoolroom today has revealed a sad lack of books and games for the children. Oh, there are plenty of religious and educational tracts, but I need to make a few purchases if I am to keep the children amused, especially on a long journey.’
‘Very well, madam. See Brasher tomorrow morning and tell him how much you need. You may also have my carriage for your shopping expedition. Brasher will arrange it, if you tell him what time you wish to go out.’
‘Thank you.’ Her eyes were straying around the room, and they alighted upon a small painting on the wall: three children at play in a garden. ‘Oh, is that your family, sir?’
‘Yes. My mother had it done for me, when I was in the army. I think it was to remind me that I had a family.’
She rose and went over to the picture. It hung on the wall above a console table, upon which rested a glass case of miniatures. She leaned forward to study the figures more closely.
‘They were much younger, then, of course,’ said the Major, ‘but I think it is a good likeness.’
‘Yes, indeed. They are all handsome children, sir.’
He came to stand behind her.
‘Giles takes after his mother. As does Wilhelmina.’
‘They are fairer, certainly, while Gwendoline has your own dark colouring—oh!’ She turned back, but he was so close that she found herself trapped between his body and the table. She stared at his neckcloth, at the cleft in his strong chin, then raised her eyes to his mouth and found herself wondering what it would be like to be kissed by him. Her heart leapt to her throat as the Major reached out and took her arms. What was it Lawrence had said about him, a devil in the bedroom? She felt scandalised, elated and frightened all in a moment.
He said quietly, ‘You are almost sitting on the glass case, Miss Wrenn.’
He gently moved her aside, then let her go and returned to the desk. She could feel her cheeks burning. How had she been so foolish. Had he noticed? Did he think she was trying to…it was too embarrassing even to think of it!
‘Now,’ he said. ‘Is there anything else?’
‘No, sir, I believe—’
She broke off as the door opened and she heard a deep, cheerful voice saying,
‘No need to announce me, Fraser, I’ll find him—and lay another cover for dinner, there’s a good fellow!’
Unable to curb her curiosity, Juliana turned to see who dared to walk in upon Major Collingham with such insouciance. She saw a gentleman dressed in the first style of elegance, his short fair hair brushed forward to frame a handsome, good-humoured countenance supported—or more properly confined—by a collar whose points came up to his cheeks. A tight-fitting blue coat and white embroidered waistcoat encased his body, while inexpressibles of the palest cream and gleaming Hessians completed the picture of a top-of-the-trees man-about-town. If the gentleman heard the Major’s curt demand to know what the devil was going on he gave no sign, but stopped just inside the door and made an elegant bow.
‘Well, now, Fraser did not tell me you had company, Damon. How very remiss of him.’
The Major was regarding the newcomer with a mixture of amusement and exasperation. ‘Would it have stopped you charging in, had you known?’
The gentleman gave a grin. ‘I dare say I’d have allowed him to announce me.’
Major Collingham sighed. ‘Your manners really are appalling, Richard. Miss Wrenn, may I present to you Sir Richard Mondwyck?’
Juliana stepped forward, her cheeks still warm from her recent embarrassment.
‘Yes. That is, we—we have met.’
‘By Jove, yes, I thought you looked familiar! I knew her father,’ he explained to the Major. ‘Clever fellow, Jonas Wrenn. Could always rely on him to decipher the more difficult codes I put to him.’ Sir Richard took her hand. ‘I was very sorry to hear of his death, Miss Wrenn. I was in France at the time or I should have attended his funeral. He was a very good man.’
‘Thank you, sir.’ She gently withdrew her fingers from his grip and Sir Richard moved across to the side-table to pour himself a glass of wine.
‘Well, now, Miss Wrenn—what are you doing here with this reprobate?’
‘Miss Wrenn is in my employ,’ the Major responded curtly. ‘She has agreed to act as governess for a few months, until I have settled the girls into Blackthorpe.’
‘My father was not a rich man, sir,’ she answered the question in Sir Richard’s look. ‘So now I must earn my living.’
She ended brightly, smiling, and Sir Richard merely nodded, understanding in his eyes.
‘As must I, Miss Wrenn,’ he replied in the same light vein.
‘Fortunately, there are wealthy men such as Damon here who have need of our services occasionally.’
Major Collingham’s lip curled. ‘Thank you, Richard. Now, before my patience is quite worn out, perhaps you will tell me what you are doing here?’
‘I wanted a little company, so I invited myself to dinner, Damon.’
‘Really? Louisa will be overjoyed.’
Sir Richard almost choked on his wine. ‘No! Is your sister in town? Well, I didn’t know, but no matter. I shall be delighted to see her again. This really is a superb burgundy, Damon—shall I refill your glass? And we are all standing around like perfect strangers! Miss Wrenn, will you not be seated, ma’am?’
‘Thank you, but I think Major Collingham and I have finished our business, and I must get back to my charges. If that is all, Major?’
‘It is for now. You will oblige me by bringing the girls to the drawing room after dinner, Miss Wrenn.’
‘As you wish, sir.’
Sir Richard opened the door for her and Juliana gave him a fleeting smile as