“Yes,” he immediately added. “A very important secret.”
He didn’t even sound out of breath, damn him.
“What secret?” Elizabeth asked, diverted.
The earl crossed his arms and rocked back on his heels, looking annoyingly smug. “About something Miss Thraxton is very fond of doing.”
“What are you fond of doing?” Elizabeth asked, looking at Anna with eager eyes. Greyley stood watching, amusement lurking in his gaze.
Amusement, but not a speck of the passion that had so shaken Anna. That jolted her back to life. She smoothed her skirts with trembling hands and pasted a smile on her mouth. “Lord Greyley said that we might ride every day if you and the others wish.”
Elizabeth gave a jump of joy. “Every day!” She turned and dashed back into the nursery, shouting her good news.
There was a moment of silence. “Strange,” he said, “but I don’t recall saying anything about riding every day.”
“Well, you did. Right between the ‘you taste so good’ and the ‘let’s go to your room.’” Anna straightened her dress, which had somehow gotten twisted. “It was very kind of you to allow us to ride so often. I’m sure the children and I will enjoy it very much.” She smoothed her skirts, somehow afraid to meet his gaze. “Lady Putney and Grandpapa will wonder where you are. You had better go.”
“Anna, I…”
“No. We’ve said enough.”
To her disappointment, he only nodded. “We can discuss this later.”
Anna curtsied, then turned and made her way back to her room. Once there, she shut the door and leaned against it, her breath uneven. Good Lord, what had come over her? Whatever it was, it would never happen again. Never.
She’d taken this position intent on bringing order to Greyley House, not to disrupt her own life. And that is what would happen if she allowed the physical bond that fired between the earl and her every time they were alone.
Perhaps that was the answer—she would never be alone with him again. In a large household, populated by a virtual army of servants, that shouldn’t be too difficult. Anna prepared for bed, yet she continued to mull over that impetuous kiss. It had proven one thing—Greyley was not as immune to her as he pretended. It wasn’t much of a sop to her tattered pride, but it was something. Something indeed.
Anna managed to avoid being alone with the earl for two entire days. Not that it was difficult, as being with the children took all her time. But they proved to be challenging enough. Desford was alternately sullen, resentful, caustic, and rude. The other children tended to follow his lead, though less often as the hours passed.
But it still took its toll, and by the end of the second day, she was so weary all she wanted to do was fall into her bed. Grandpapa took one look at her and ordered her dinner to be sent to her room. Also, he didn’t once press her about joining the family for dinner, but had talked quietly, then dropped a kiss on her cheek before leaving her in peace.
Too tired to think, she changed into her gown then climbed into the huge bed. The pillows and luxurious bed coverings enveloped her tired body. She fell into a dreamless sleep and remained that way until something brushed against her leg.
Anna was wide awake in the blink of an eye. She waited, breath held…but nothing stirred. She had just convinced herself that she’d imagined it when it happened again. And this time there was no mistaking the feel of dry, slithery scales against her bare ankle. With a loud screech, Anna bolted from the bed, scrambling madly to free herself from the heavy tangle of sheets and comforter.
Grandpapa burst into the room, resplendent in a purple robe. “What’s wrong?”
Anna kicked at the counterpane and a small black head stuck out from beneath the lace edge.
“Oh dear,” Grandpapa said, his lips twitching slightly. “A lizard.”
“I-it was in my b-bed.” To her horror, tears welled in her eyes. “It t-touched me.”
Grandpapa was beside her in an instant, patting her shoulder. “There, there. No harm done. It’s a harmless little lizard, and not even a big one at that.”
She shuddered. “Do they bite?”
“Not enough to hurt you.” Grandpapa stared at the lizard thoughtfully. “I wonder how he got in here? It’s strange it was attracted to the linens. They usually hide in the woodwork.”
Anna didn’t answer. She had no question about how the lizard had gotten inside the house and into her bed. “Desford. The children have been whispering for the last two days. I knew something was afoot.”
Grandpapa pursed his lips. “Seems your instincts were correct.”
“Unfortunately.” Anna looked at the fallen counterpane, spilled across the blue and gold carpet. The lizard darted from beneath a fold of lace and made his way to the top of the mound, where it sat, lolling its tongue as if it were king of the castle. “I think it’s time Mr. Desford and I began to play in earnest.”
Thus it was that Desford, who was lying awake at that very moment, congratulating himself on making his new governess scream, was somewhat shocked when the door opened and Miss Thraxton entered. She was dressed in a white night rail, her hair braided, and a large bundle of white clutched at arm’s length.
She walked past Richard, who tossed back his covers and sat up, watching with wide eyes as she marched straight to Desford.
“I believe you left something of yours in my room,” she said and then shook her counterpane over his head.
Something small and black and somewhat slithery fell into Desford’s bed. Or rather, onto his legs, where it immediately burrowed beneath his nightgown and disappeared.
The feel of those tiny suctioned feet on his bared skin made Desford yelp and grab at his night rail. The lizard scrambled to get away and burrowed deeper, finding a hiding spot in Desford’s lap. Desford gasped loudly, his face paling as he dug for the small animal. Finally he recovered it, but not until it had traversed his body three entire times.
“Very good,” Miss Thraxton said, as if she hadn’t watched the entire proceedings with a wide grin on her face. “Take it to the window and let it go.”
Desford was tempted to toss the lizard on her, but she pinned him with such a steely gaze that he realized it wouldn’t be a good idea. Not now, anyway. Careful not to look at Richard, who appeared to be suffering from a spate of giggles, Desford climbed from his bed and did as he was told, silently planning how he would thrash his brother as soon as Miss Thraxton was gone.
As soon as the lizard scampered from sight, Miss Thraxton reached past him and shut the window. “The next time you put something in my bed, I shall put two of them in yours. Now go to sleep, Desford. We have a very busy day tomorrow.” With that she leaned over, kissed him on the top of his head, and left.
Desford stared at the closed door for a long time. She’d kissed him. He rubbed his head where her lips had been. Of all the governesses they’d had, not a one of them had dared confront him so directly. And none of them had kissed him.
It wasn’t to be borne. He leaped onto his bed and plunked his hands onto his narrow hips and yelled at the closed door. “You think that has solved anything? We have not yet begun to fight!”
Richard’s only answer was a choked laugh. Desford threw a pillow at him and then climbed beneath his sheets, where he spent a restless night planning new strategies.
Chapter 13
Lud, you don’t have to tell me about the foibles of mankind. I daresay I’ve slept with every one of them.
Mrs. Fairfax to her niece Viscountess Rundall, while watching the fireworks at Vauxhall Gardens
Mr. Dalmapple stifled a sigh. For the past half hour, he’d attempted to engage the earl in a meaningful conversation on the possibility of building some new tenants’ cottages. Normally the earl would have joined in with enthusiasm; he was a man who took his responsibilities to heart. But this time, he was so distracted that all he did was give faint, monosyllabic answers and stare out the window.
Dalmapple supposed he unde
rstood; the earl’s wards were enough to drive any man to distraction. Or drink, for that matter. Dalmapple gave a tiny shudder, glad he was both unmarried and childless. He doubted Lord Greyley was aware of the antics that had been going on between the earl’s wards and the new governess, though the entire staff was abuzz. Abuzz and delighted—they had all been made to suffer for the children’s high spirits, and it was somewhat satisfying seeing them get a little of their own.
He wondered if he should say something to the earl, but then decided against it. Let Miss Thraxton continue her war without bothering the poor earl. She seemed more than capable of handling Greyley’s hellions.
A knock on the door preceded the footman. He crossed to the desk and held out a silver salver. “A note, my lord. From Miss Thraxton in the nursery.”
The earl swooped up the note, and Dalmapple watched his expression. The poor man was obviously tied in knots over the whole affair.
“Damn.” Greyley tossed the note onto his desk. He cast a dark glance at the footman. “Did you tell her that I wished to speak with her today?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“And what did she say?”
The footman colored slightly. “I don’t believe I heard—”
“What did she say?” the earl repeated.
“She said she had better things to do than make up a schedule and that if you wanted one so badly—” The footman swallowed.
The earl was clearly stunned. After a brief moment he said, “I see. That will be all.”
The footman bowed, then left, his footsteps muffled by the heavy rug. Dalmapple waited until the door had closed before he delicately cleared his throat. “Is there anything I can do, my lord?”
The earl shook his head. “No. I will handle this matter myself.” He stood and smoothed his coat in an uncharacteristic manner.
Dalmapple frowned, noticing for the first time that the earl was wearing an intricately tied cravat. It was quite unlike Lord Greyley to bother with such, especially when here in the country. “Do you wish me to complete the estimates for the new cottages?”
“What? Oh, the estimates. Of course.”
The man was clearly distraught. “My lord, I hope you will forgive me, but ah, are the children well?”
“Yes, of course they’re well.”
“And the new governess? Is she turning out as you expected?”
This time Dalmapple had the earl’s entire attention. “No,” Greyley said with a thoughtful frown. “She’s nothing like I expected at all.”
The poor, poor earl. Dalmapple gave a quick prayer of thanks for his canary, two dogs, and three cats. None of them talked back. And only one had what one could call a mischievous disposition. He gathered his papers and stood. “Shall we meet at a later time?”
The earl nodded, his mind obviously already a thousand miles away. Sighing sadly, Dalmapple tucked his papers into his satchel and left.
“What is it today?” Grandpapa asked, peering around Anna’s bedchamber. “More rocks beneath your mattress? Or did they spread cookie crumbles in your sheets in hopes of drawing ants?”
It had been three days since Anna had found the lizard, and Desford hadn’t budged an inch. If anything, every day he seemed a little more fractious. But that was to be expected. He couldn’t like someone besting him at his own game.
She tightened the tie on her wrapper and gave the room a perplexed frown. “I haven’t been able to find anything.”
“Perhaps you’ve worn them down.” Grandpapa chuckled. “I wish you’d seen Master Desford’s face when he bit into his morning toast and found that you’d salted it.”
“I daresay it wasn’t near as humorous as his expression when he went to put his hand into his saddlebag to get his lunch on our ride yesterday and instead pulled out a neatly wrapped block of wood slathered with molasses. None of the other children would let him have their food and so he came home hungry.”
“And angry, I’d wager.”
“Yes. I had hoped that would have done the trick, for he’s bound to get tired of this foolishness some time or another.”
Grandpapa sighed. “Well, I’ll leave you to dress. I’m going for a walk. The gardens are lovely in the morning.” He crossed to the door, then halted. “Shall I look under your bed for you?”
“I’ve already looked. Perhaps you’re right and Desford is finished.” She smiled. “It won’t last, but it should put us on an even playing ground, and that is what is most important.”
Grandpapa grinned. “If you find yourself stuck to the bedpost or some such thing, just yell out the window and I’ll return to assist you.”
“Thank you,” she said dryly. “You’re too kind.”
He winked and then left, closing the door behind him. Anna took one last look around, checking under table edges and peering into the wardrobe. Finally, satisfied that everything was as it should be she began to dress. She was just thrusting her foot into her pantaloons when she realized what trick had been played. Someone had sewn the legs of the garment completely shut.
There she was, balancing on one leg, her foot halfway in, but unable to go any further. She tried to pull her foot out, but the garment tangled about her ankle and she lost her balance. She hopped wildly, trying to regain her footing, but it was impossible. Within moments, she tumbled to the ground, right onto her rump, her left elbow catching the edge of the dresser.
Afterward she lay staring at the ceiling, her pantaloons wrapped about one foot, waiting for the ache in her behind to subside. That was it. Today was the end of this little war. Anna peeled the pantaloons off her foot and climbed to her feet. She’d best hurry if she wanted to get to the nursery before the children.
Anna was sitting in the chair by the fireplace when Lily brought the children in. They peeked at her, giggling as they did so. Desford had apparently shared his little trick, for they were all grinning from ear to ear.
Anna refused to admit that anything was wrong. She greeted them gaily, asked about their breakfast, and settled them down to work. They kept exchanging glances and she could see that they were wondering what had gone awry.
She kept them busy for the next hour working on a variety of things when she turned around to find Greyley standing in the doorway. Her heart gave a strange leap. “Lord Greyley. What a pleasant surprise.” Why did he have to appear now, of all times?
“Miss Thraxton,” he returned, his jaw tight. “I sent a note this morning asking to meet with you.”
“So you did. But I’m very busy right now,” she said, glancing at the children. “Perhaps another time.”
Anthony noticed that she seemed uncharacteristically restless. He frowned. “It has been three days. You, Miss Thraxton, owe me a schedule.”
“Of course. You’ll get one as soon as I have it ready.” She walked toward the door as if anxious to get him to leave. “Thank you for coming, but the children and I are very busy today.”
Anthony pulled to a halt. She was far too anxious to get him to leave. “I think I will stay for a while. Just to see how things are progressing.” He found the largest chair the nursery offered and seated himself. He then crossed his arms and leaned back with the air of a man settled for the duration.
Thraxton did not look pleased to have him there. For several minutes she looked as if she might say something, but finally she shrugged and turned away. Moments passed, during which Anthony noticed that the children seemed uneasy. They glanced at one another and watched Miss Thraxton warily.
Anna finally broke the silence. “Desford, would you bring Richard a new sheet of paper?”
Desford went to rise, but fell back in his chair. He sat, stunned, then scowled and tried to rise again. Once more he fell back into his chair.
Elizabeth blinked. “What is it?”
“Can’t you get up?” Anthony asked. He glanced at Anna and surprised a ghost of a smile on her lips, but it was gone before he could be sure.
Desford tried to stand again. This time he made
it, but his chair went with him. “It’s stuck to my pants!” he said in a voice of blank wonder. He pushed at the chair, and it slowly released and dropped to the floor with a thunk.
The seat was covered with a thick grayish paste. “Glue,” Desford said blankly. “Someone put glue in my chair.”
Serena placed a hand over her open mouth, her eyes on the seat of her brother’s pants. “Desford, your pants are wet. You look like you’ve p—”
“I know what it looks like,” he snapped, cheeks pink. He glared at Elizabeth. “Did you—”
“Of course not!” she said indignantly, tossing her brown curls. “How could I? I was with you all morning.”
Desford whipped his glare to Richard.
Richard shook his head, his brown hair flopping into his eyes.
“It had to be someone,” Desford said menacingly. “It had to be—” Suddenly he swung his gaze to Thraxton. “It was you.”
Anthony waited for her to deny it, but instead she smiled serenely. Desford’s face reddened.
“I believe I won that trick,” she said calmly.
Elizabeth, who had been staring curiously at Desford, suddenly giggled. Which set off Marian and then Selena. Even Richard had a ghost of a smile on his face.
Anthony wasn’t sure he liked any of this. “Did you really put glue on his seat?”
“Desford and I have been trading jokes, haven’t we, Desford?”
The boy’s mouth continued to open and close, his face an alarming shade of red. “You—you—”
“Easy there.” Anna lifted her brows. “It’s a joke, Desford. Rather like stitching someone’s pantaloons closed. Ever heard of anyone doing such a thing?”
Desford shrugged, some of his anger melting away. “Once or twice.”
“Yes, well, although that seems like a very funny thing, it is quite possible someone could get hurt.”
Elizabeth’s giggles ceased. “How could someone get hurt from that?”
Anna pushed up her sleeve. A huge blue and black bruise appeared on her elbow.