Page 80 of Brave New Earl (The Way to a Lord's Heart 1)

“As soon as you can agree on whathelpmeans to him,” said Mrs. Thorpe.

“Precisely. And before Tom heads off on his own. Because I think he will. The nursery will soon have a new ruler. The applicants for the position are coming tomorrow. I had a note confirming my arrangements this morning.”

“They’re coming here?” Jean was surprised.

“From Bristol. I’m sending a carriage. Much more efficient to interview them all in one day, I thought.”

“That should be an interesting journey,” said Mrs. Thorpe dryly. “Do they know they’re rivals for the same position?”

Benjamin blinked. “I suppose they’ll find out.”

“I suppose they will,” the older woman replied, hiding a smile.

“How many are there?” Jean asked.

“Four.” He frowned. “Do you think we should have gone up to Bristol instead?”

“We?” Mrs. Thorpe looked from him to Jean and back again. Jean could practically see the wheels turning in her mind.

“Miss Saunders has agreed to help me evaluate them.”

“How kind of her.”

“You could help as well,” said Jean as a diversion.

“Oh, I’ll leave it to you…two. I’m sure you’ll do a fine job. Shall we return to our sewing, Jean?”

Life at Furness Hall had been simpler without a chaperone, Jean thought as she followed Mrs. Thorpe back to the parlor. But even then she couldn’t have dragged Benjamin off to his bedchamber for a repetition of last night. It was broad day; they’d be missed immediately. Catching Mrs. Thorpe’s eye as they sat, Jean felt as if her improper thoughts were written all over her face. She flushed, and with that came echoes of the venomous inner voice that had plagued her youth. Had she gone mad? Her mother’s sneering face flitted through her memory. Was she so stupid that she’d risk her freedom and her future? Grimly, Jean fought the voice down.

“Are you all right?” asked Mrs. Thorpe.

“Of course.”

“Not feeling ill? For a moment, you looked queasy.”

That was a good word for it, Jean thought. But she wasn’t going to think of Mama, or let her revenant intrude. “Sewing makes me bilious,” she joked.

“Ah. The rise and fall of the needle?” Mrs. Thorpe’s hand created waves in the air. Her eyes twinkled.

“Like a ship’s deck in a storm.”

The older woman laughed.

• • •

The carriage full of prospective nannies arrived at eleven the following morning, pulling up before Furness Hall with a clatter of hooves. From an upper window, Benjamin observed the four women who emerged. They all appeared to be in their thirties; he’d stipulated youth with some years of experience. All four wore plain, sensible gowns and bonnets. Their hair and gloves were immaculate. One was rather tall. One quite short. The other two were of medium height. He could tell little else from this distance. If the journey together had disturbed their composure, none showed any signs.

He didn’t hurry downstairs. His housekeeper was primed to welcome the candidates and offer them respite and refreshment. In due time, he would speak with each of them in the library. He went to join Jean Saunders instead.

He knew exactly where she was. These days, he always seemed to. Her presence throbbed in him like a second pulse. If he let it, the bond took him to her. Indeed, it was becoming more and more difficult to stay away.

And there she was, striding along the corridor toward him. Did she feel the same pull? He dared hope so.

“They’ve arrived,” she said.

“I saw.”

“They don’t look very…jolly.” Her expression was dubious.

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