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were saying..."
Nellie's face turned beet red. "Oh, my! Dearie me!" She
raced out of the room.
With a grimace of pain, Lord Stratten leaned against the
hat tree for support. "Where the bloody hell is everyone? This
place is quiet as a tomb."
Henry appeared pale as snow when he charged into the
foyer. "I didn't know you were back, milord," he sputtered,
practically tripping over the suit of armor.
"That is obvious. For some reason, I get the distinct feeling
I was not expected to return from this trip."
"We heard rumors, sir, but I did nothing to propel them."
"That seems to be the thrust of the problem, Henry. You
did nothing. When my niece and Mrs. McClarron came by, you
sent them away."
Henry blanched. "I felt Miss Springfield's being here would
further fuel the speculation about your whereabouts. I told
that brassy Scotswoman that Miss Serenity should go back to
her brother."
Seeing Henry shaking like a leaf was a novel experience
for Fiona. This man, who had bullied her all these years,
didn't look so fearsome now. He looked like an old man who
had made a grave miscalculation. For reasons Fiona couldn't
understand, she decided to smooth things over.
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"He is telling the truth, Lord Stratten. I heard the whole
conversation. He told Mrs. MacClarron to take Serenity to
Myles."
"With the rumors going around about attempts being made
on your life, sir, I felt it might not be safe for her here."
He studied Henry for a tense moment. "I can see where
you could have drawn that conclusion."
"I never thought that, well ... Master Myles wouldn't be
able to find Miss Serenity." Henry rang his hands. "Made me
wonder if the little miss had reasons of her own for not
contacting him. I decided to stay out it. I knew the child was
safe with Mrs. MacClarron."
"You overstepped your authority."
"I know, sir. But it was not my place to interfere in their
private squabble."
"I suppose you have a point."
After a long, uncomfortable silence, Lord Stratten looked
directly at Fiona. "May I lean on you, Miss Cameron, to get to
my study? I feel a bit weak at the moment."
"Certainly." She saw a flicker of anger in Henry's eyes as
they lumbered down the dark hallway.
When they reached Oliver's haven, the older man sank
down into the huge leather chair. Here he looked perfectly at
ease among the piles of papers, stacks of books, vases and
broken bits of pottery. Oliver stroked his muttonchops,
making Fiona more nervous by the minute.
"What a bloody waste of a morning. I can't believe Rose's
staff was so tight-lipped about her whereabouts." He frowned.
"The way I see it, we have a big problem. Serenity has
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by Catherine Stang
agreed to be a governess for the MacClarron children. Now,
knowing my stubborn niece, she will see the task done,
unless we give her an out. That is where you come in."
"I dinna understand, sir."
"Shut the door, Fiona."
Fiona closed her eyes as she closed the door. She hoped
the added privacy didn't bode ill for her.
"Good. A bit of privacy is what we need for this discussion.
No doubt Henry and Nellie are still lurking in the hallway." His
voice rose. "It would be a pity to turn them out for being so
nosy."
The sound of footsteps trying to tiptoe on the hard wooden
floor made Fiona giggle.
Oliver chuckled. "Now, where were we? Ah, yes." He
motioned for her to sit in the leather-bound chair in front of
his huge desk. "My brain wasn't injured last night."
She felt her face burn, knowing what was coming, but
hoping to avoid it. "I'm sorry. I dinna know what you mean."
"I do remember you. You appeared on my doorstep one
rainy October morning with no references."
Fiona glanced down at her trembling hands, recalling in
vivid detail that morning when the Sandersons had let her go.
Mrs. Sanderson had caught Mr. Sanderson cornering her in
the library. She winced, remembering every one of the older
woman's hateful words. Their groom had felt sorry for her
and had given her Lord Stratten's name. He had said Stratten
was an odd sort who was never home, but good to his staff.
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"Nellie never let you forget your sudden arrival either, I
imagine. The woman thinks everyone is out to steal her
husband and her job."
Fiona stifled a gasp of surprise. She didn't know Lord
Stratten was aware of her situation. "Miss Nellie doesna like
me. That's the truth."
"So I can assume it took no large infraction for her to turn
you away the other day."
"'Tis true. I was a wee bit late for lunch." She conveniently
left out that she had been meeting Myles.
"Yes, well ... the way I see it, staying on here is a mistake.
The minute I'm gone Henry and Nellie will find some reason
to send you away again."
Well, that was that. He would let her go now, too. "I'm
afraid you're right." She tried to keep her voice from
trembling.
"Then maybe we can help each other. Mrs. McClarron took
my niece out to be a governess for her great-granddaughters.
Why? I still have not figured it out. If I'm going to convince
Serenity to come home, I need to replace her in that
position."
Fiona's eyes widened at the prospect. "You want me to be
a governess for the wee lassies. But ... but I'm not suitable."
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