An Affair to Remember (8 page)

In the meantime, she had to find a way to convince Greyley to let
her
establish the routine for the nursery. She was just grappling with this thorny problem when a soft knock heralded the entrance of the butler.

Jenkins bowed. “My lord, Miss Thraxton’s room is ready.”

Anna smiled brightly. “Wonderful! I would dearly love to rest before dinner.” She bustled to the door. “Thank you for your time, Lord Greyley. I truly enjoyed seeing your library.”

The earl lifted a brow, no humor in his gaze. “Running away, Thraxton?”

Anna managed a prim sniff. “I never run. I do, however, walk away from a conversation that promises to spark my temper.”

Anthony almost grinned at her frank admission. He couldn’t help it—she was honest, which was as delightful as it was surprising. In all his dealing with the Elliots, not a one of them had tried that particular tactic. “Then walk away, Miss Thraxton. We will discuss the schedule sooner or later. There is no escaping it.”

Her eyes silvered, humor lurking in the curve of her lush mouth. “We can discuss it after I’ve had something to eat.”

Anthony glanced at Jenkins. “I believe Miss Thraxton is tired and hungry. Please see her to her room and have Mrs. Stibbons bring her a tray.”

“I believe Mrs. Stibbons is already seeing to it.” Jenkins held the door open and bowed. “After you, miss.”

Thraxton gave Anthony a very saucy curtsy and then she left, her skirts bristling as she went. She strode rather than walked, every step vibrating with energy. It was difficult not to picture her trim legs or to ignore the way her gently curved hips swung to and fro beneath her skirts.

The door closed and the latch clicked into place. Anthony shoved his hands into his pockets and shook his head. God help him, but there were unforeseen difficulties in letting Thraxton into his house. She was even more stubborn than he’d thought and too damned attractive for her own good.

Not that that was a completely negative thing. He was a man who appreciated feminine beauty. He just wished the
woman wasn’t so argumentative. Anthony supposed he couldn’t complain; he’d won her willingness to serve as governess to his wards, though that had cost him plenty. Now all he had to do was clearly demark the lines between Thraxton the governess and Thraxton the busybody.

To his chagrin, he remembered the twinkle in her eyes and a feeling lifted in his chest. It took him a moment to realize it was a chuckle…She was a handful, that one. And it had been a long time since anyone had been able to make him laugh.

“L
ooks like it belongs in a harem,” Grandpapa said, staring at the huge blue silk-draped bed in the center of the room. “But I like it.”

Anna swallowed. This couldn’t be her room. Expensive blue wallpaper adorned the walls and thick rugs covered very inch of the polished floor, a perfect setting for the rich furnishings—a massive wardrobe stood to one side, beside it was an ornate dressing table, complete with a velvet covered seat. An assortment of crystal bottles and flagons decorated the marble top, catching the afternoon rays. But it was the bed that held one’s attention. Heavy blue draperies hung about the bed, tied back with extravagant red tassels. It was large enough, Anna was sure, for four or five people. Maybe six. “This must be a mistake.”

“No, it isn’t,” Grandpapa said with a gleam of satisfaction. “Greyley knows you are a Thraxton.”

“I am the
governess
.”

“Today, perhaps. But tomorrow…” He shrugged, a secret smile touching his lips. “You never know.”

“Tomorrow I’ll
still
be the governess.”

“Hm.” His smile faded a bit as he considered her. “I don’t mean to say anything ill, but ah, are you going to wear that gown often?”

“Perhaps. It is perfectly appropriate for my position.”

“Yes,” he said gently. But not for your birth. It wouldn’t be wise to appear…common.”

“Common? Grandpapa, I am a governess. I should dress as such.”

“You are also a Thraxton. And you should remember it.”

Anna frowned. What was he up to? “Grandpapa, are you—”

“Do you hear that?” He limped toward the door. “I hear the clink of silver. Daresay they are bringing you a tray for lunch, just as they did me.”

A knock sounded and Grandpapa swept open the door. Mrs. Stibbons bustled in followed by a thin, slight maid carrying a tray.

The housekeeper frowned at Grandpapa. “Sir Phineas, what are you doing here? You should be resting.”

“Yes, but I—”

“You can’t rest wanderin’ about the house.” She took his arm and led him to the adjoining door. “Your room’s right through here. You’ve no business makin’ yourself ill. A nice nap’ll do wonders, it will.”

A faint pout touched the corners of Grandpapa’s mouth. He shot a humorous look at Anna. “I am being forced to take a nap. Do you need me for anything, my dear?”

“No. Go and rest. I’m going to eat my luncheon.”

With a faint grin, he allowed the housekeeper to bustle him into his bed. Anna listened to his faint protestations and
could tell he was enjoying the attention, just as she was sure he was enjoying their well-appointed accommodations.

She glanced around the room, admitting that she loved blue silk almost as much as she loved a well-stuffed mattress. It would be selfish to demand to be placed in a less ostentatious room, as wherever she went, Grandpapa would follow, and he deserved a room like this.

Anna glanced again at the huge bed and noted the mounds of pillows and the satiny smooth sheets, and her skin tingled at the thought of sleeping in such luxury. What was she thinking?
She
deserved a room like this. She smiled and patted a plump pillow back into place.

Besides, Greyley had mentioned that there was some problem with the governess quarters, so it would be ill-bred to complain. And the Thraxtons were never rude. Well, not more than circumstances warranted.

Mrs. Stibbons returned. “Lily, put the tray on that table by the window. I’m certain Miss Thraxton would like to see the gardens while she’s eating. We’ve some lovely roses this year.”

The maid did as she was told, her hands trembling as she arranged the silver.

“Now there’s no need to rattle everything,” Mrs. Stibbons scolded, though her words were softened with an encouraging smile. She glanced at Anna. “Lily’s new. Only been here a week now.”

Anna smiled at the girl. “Lily is such a pretty name. I always wanted a flower name, though with my height, I daresay I would have been more appropriately named after a bean of some sort.”

Lily giggled, her nervousness lessening.

“Well done, Lily,” Mrs. Stibbons said, looking at the table. “Pour Miss Thraxton some tea and then be on your way.”

Lily did as she was told, sending Anna a thankful smile. The maid quietly finished her duties then left, shutting the door behind her. As soon as they were alone, Mrs. Stibbons turned to Anna. “Thank you, miss. She’s a good child, but easily frightened.”

“She seems very sweet natured.”

“That’s her. And you’ve won her over already, I could see it. Not like that Lady Putney,” the housekeeper added darkly.

“The children’s grandmother?”

“Yes, and a meaner, more narrow person, I’ve yet to meet. She came to Greyley only to stir up trouble amongst the children, and so I’ve told His Lordship time and again.”

“If she’s been such trouble, I’m surprised Greyley hasn’t sent her packing.”

“He doesn’t dare; the children would be in an uproar. Even worse than they are now, which would suit Lady Putney just fine. She wants those children and she’s bound and determined to get them.”

It seemed as if Mrs. Stibbons knew all there was to know about Greyley House and its occupants. “I wonder why the children are so badly behaved,” Anna mused aloud.

“They’re not anywhere near as bad as they wish to be.” Mrs. Stibbons smoothed the coverlet on the huge bed and whisked away an imaginary dust mote. “They’re just a mite confused, the poor souls.”

Anna smiled. “Did you get all of the frogs out of the master bedchamber?”

“Indeed we did. They were very attracted to his neckcloths, they were. Must be the starch His Lordship’s valet uses.” Mrs. Stibbons made a disapproving face. “Don’t know why Ledbetter bothers with such. I’ve told him time and again that His Lordship doesn’t like his neckcloths so stiff, but he won’t listen to me.”

“Form before fashion,” Anna murmured.

“What?”

Anna managed a rueful grin. “I’m sorry. I have a bad tendency to mumble. Tell me, what do the children hope to gain by playing such pranks? They must know they are only making Lord Greyley angry.”

“They hope to so disgust His Lordship that he will send them off to live with Lady Putney.”

Anna frowned. “Does Lady Putney encourage such behavior?”

Mrs. Stibbons smoothed the edge of a curtain to a more sedate angle. “In my opinion, she’s the source behind most of their pranks. She has sway over them, she does. Brings them sweets every time she sees them. And toys, too. Anything to win them over.”

“Bribery.”

“Exactly. It’s what they’re used to. I heard tell that their parents were very busy socially and left the children to be raised by a parcel of servants. They’ve used their knowledge of such to get rid of most of the governesses His Lordship has hired.”

So the children were experts on governesses, were they? That was interesting information, indeed. “I daresay His Lordship’s gruff manners play very much against him.”

“As much as I respect His Lordship, he can be a mite terse. Children don’t understand those things, miss. You know how it is.”

Anna nodded thoughtfully. ’Tell me, Mrs. Stibbons. What is it that the children like to do most?”

“Riding. They love their ponies, they do. And they’d be gone all day if His Lordship would allow it. But he only lets them ride on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. He’s quite particular about schedules.”

“So I’ve heard,” Anna said dryly. “His Lordship and I disagree on that item. I dislike being held to a set of rules for no reason other than to create the impression of order, whether it exists or not.”

Mrs. Stibbons looked doubtful. “That sounds very reasonable, miss. Just don’t expect His Lordship to like it.”

“I don’t expect His Lordship to like it one bit. Fortunately he’s not in the nursery. The children are.”

“He’s there more than you might think,” Mrs. Stibbons said.

“In the nursery?”

“His Lordship is very particular when it comes to his responsibilities. He visits the nursery quite frequently to see how the children are and how the new governess is getting on.” She pursed her lips. “Seems we’ve always got a new governess. I’ll be glad to see one stay longer than two weeks.”

“Oh, I intend on being here for three months, at least,” Anna said smoothly. “Whether the children like it or not.”

“I wish you luck,” Mrs. Stibbons said with a doubtful look. “You’ll be needin’ it if you are planning on ignoring His Lordship’s schedule.”

Anna thought she’d need more than luck. She’d need every ounce of her persuasive abilities. Greyley was not a man who welcomed change and he was about to face quite a bit more than he realized.

Mrs. Stibbons stirred the fire, then replaced the poker in the brass stand. “I suppose I should get to work. Do you need anything else, miss?”

“No, thank you. You’ve been very helpful.”

The housekeeper beamed pleasantly, then left.

Anna waited until the woman’s footsteps had faded be
fore she tossed her napkin onto the table and leaned over to push open a window. It was a beautiful summer day, the sky blue without a cloud in sight. Below, the garden swayed sleepily in the sunlight, a cacophony of pink, purple, blue and green. The house sat quietly, as if at rest. But somewhere inside the house were five very determined children who were probably even now scheming to oust their new governess, sight unseen.

Fortunately for those five determined children, Anna was not going anywhere. She needed Greyley’s funds if she was going to establish a real home for herself and Grandpapa.

Anna knew the general lot of the children of the ton, and Greyley’s wards seemed to fit the pattern. Confined to the care of unfeeling servants, and allowed out of the nursery only to be shown to company, many children went weeks without seeing their own parents. Anna’s approach as governess was slightly different from most—she tried to improve not only the children’s behavior, but that of their parents as well. Most parents did not maliciously neglect their children; they were merely continuing a pattern they themselves had experienced.

Most governesses wouldn’t have had the opportunity for frank speech, but Anna’s unique position as both a former member of the
ton
and as the most sought after governess in London had given her access to the lords and ladies she worked for. Like her grandpapa, she never turned from the opportunity to fix same aspect of another person’s life.

Schedules, indeed
. Anna sniffed. One of the first things she needed to change was Greyley.

For too many years the earl had had his own way in life—she could see it in the way he expected complete and immediate obedience to even the simplest requests. With unlimited funding, a respected and ancient title solidly be
hind him, and an impressive physique that left him towering over most men, Greyley believed that he knew what was best for everyone.

It was a very dangerous habit for a man to possess, and Anna decided it was one that needed amending as soon as possible.

But how? She was mulling over this particularly thorny problem when a knock sounded at the door.

A liveried footman appeared holding a silver salver. “A note, miss. From Lord Greyley. He said there was no need to wait for an answer.”

Anna took the note from the salver, and the footman bowed and left.

The vellum was crisp in her fingers, the handwriting bold and strong, each letter marked with a sweeping flourish. Even if she hadn’t seen it before, she would have known Greyley’s handwriting.

Thraxton
, the note read.

The children will be assembled in the library at two to meet you. Do not be late
.

Greyley

Anna crumpled the note into a ball. It would have been polite to have at least asked if the time was convenient. For an instant, Anna toyed with the idea of sending the earl a note telling him that she would be resting at two, that four would suit her much better. But she was ready to meet her new charges.

Anna resumed her seat at the table and buttered her bread with an efficient swipe of her knife. If she was to win the children over, she’d have to start from their first meeting. What she had to do was surprise them, keep them off balance long enough for her to get under their defenses.

She looked down at her stiff bombazine gown. If the chil
dren were expecting an average governess, then she was dressed in the perfect manner. Her gaze drifted to the wardrobe that now contained her few clothes. Reworked gowns in a princess’s closet…but she had one or two items that were not reworked. Her new riding habit, for instance…A thought took hold and she smiled. Perhaps Grandpapa was right after all. It wouldn’t do to appear like a common, ordinary governess. Especially not before the Elliot children.

They might have been under the care of a wide assortment of governesses, but they’d never met Anna Thraxton before. Fortunately for everyone concerned, that was about to change.