Page 27 of In Search of a Husband
CHAPTER 6
Kate’s girlhoodcould be described as perfect, charmed even. Her parents loved one another and, until recently, had loved her. She played well with her two brothers, Francis and Cecil, and again, until recently, they had enjoyed one another’s company. They spent summers together in Cumbria where she met Charlotte and Lily or in London at her family’s comfortable townhouse not far from Mayfair.
Her father was a knight, and along with his title and his inheritance from his father’s mining company, Kate enjoyed plenty of luxuries.
But the MacInnes girls?
Yes, they acted like monsters most of the time, yet they were so vivacious and tedious and interesting. And frustrating. They were a lot of things, all of which she never was as a small child. They had no fear, no consequences. And after five days of being their governess, she was exhausted and drained.
And out of ideas.
Lorna and Maisie seemed determined to send her packing. She wasn’t fooled, however.
“Girls, if you refuse to do your arithmetic, then it’s time to help Mrs. Malcolm in the kitchen for dinner.”
“Why?” Lorna slumped onto her coursework. “I wish to be climbin’ trees and ridin’.”
“Aye, we havena been ridin’ in ages,” Maisie said, shooting out of her seat to stand before Kate. She clasped her hands together and pouted. “Please.”
“I enjoy riding as well, but I haven’t been hired to be your riding instructor. I am here to teach you.”
“We wish ye’d leave.” Maise crossed her arms.
Kate pinched her brow, her head aching. “I am. I’m taking the afternoon off for a swim.”
Lorna wiggled in her seat, leaning forward with sudden interest. “Swim? Where?”
“You both have to stay at the castle. I was promised an afternoon off.”
“We ken!” Lorna groaned.
“Hope it’s no’ the river.”
“Why not the river, Maisie?”
The girls peeked at one another and shrugged. “No reason.”
With a sigh, Kate pretended not to care, picking up instead. Whatever they were up to, she wasn’t interested in playing along.
“We have to tell her,” Lorna whispered loudly to her sister. “What if she’s hurt? She’s English. She dinna ken.”
A serious look settled over Maisie. “We have to tell ye somethin’. And it’s serious, Miss Bancroft.”
Nothing could be as serious as how much she needed a break. She felt as if she were going mad chasing the two small troublemakers around a big, drafty castle.
“Kelpies,” they said together.
Kate collapsed into a chair, holding back her curiosity and allowing boredom to wash over her features. She wouldn’t allow the girls to think they could scare her away so easily.
“And what, pray tell, are Kelpies?”
“Och, she doesna ken,” Lorna whispered to Maisie.
“Glad we caught ye before… it was too late.”
“Girls, I am afraid to inform you that my patience is wearing thin.”
“Verra well.” Lorna stood up, and Maisie came around to stand in front of her. “Imagine ye see a beautiful horse by the water. And ye think, that’s a fine horse, now.”
