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The young Misses Collingham were standing on each side of their nurse, an elderly, rosy-cheeked woman with curly wisps of snow-white hair peeping out around the edges of her cap. Juliana thought she looked a good-humoured creature, but just now her face displayed a mixture of mortification and embarrassment as she realised her charge’s outburst must have been overheard.
Juliana gave her a brief smile and turned her attention to the children. They, meanwhile, had realised that Juliana had not come alone, and were staring open-mouthed at Thomas and Amy.
‘I dare say your papa forgot to tell you that I would be bringing two travelling companions for our journey.’ She led her siblings forward and performed the introductions. Gwendoline and Thomas greeted each other with frosty politeness, while the two younger children merely stared solemnly at one another. An awkward silence ensued and Juliana was about to break it when Amy spoke up.
‘I have a doll, too,’ she said, staring at the handsomely dressed little lady that Wilhelmina was clutching before her. ‘She’s sitting on my bed at the moment. She is called Sarah. What do you call yours?’
Wilhelmina hugged her doll even closer. ‘Her name is Lady Arabella,’ she said.
Amy stared at the wooden figure in its brocade gown. ‘She’s very beautiful.’
Wilhelmina held it out. ‘Would you like to hold her?’
Amy glanced at Juliana, who nodded, then stepped forward to take the doll and the two girls moved off together, talking in low tones.
‘Well now,’ murmured Nurse with a smile.
‘A good start,’ agreed Juliana. ‘Thomas, perhaps you would help me by making a list of the books on the shelf over there. I am sure Nurse will help you to find a pen and paper. Miss Gwendoline, shall we sit down, and you can tell me just what you have learned with your last governess.’
Shortly before the dinner hour, Juliana was summoned to Major Collingham’s study. At the door she paused to shake out the skirts of her grey silk gown, the only mourning gown she owned, then she knocked and went in. Major Collingham was seated at his desk, but he rose as she entered. He did not smile as she approached, confirming her belief that his request had not been one of courtesy, more a command. He was dressed for dinner in a plain dark coat and biscuit-coloured knee-breeches, the snowy whiteness of his shirt and necktie contrasting sharply with the black cloth of his coat and his equally black hair. He motioned her to a chair.
‘I am sorry I was not here to receive you. I trust you have everything you need?’
‘Yes, Major, thank you. Our rooms are very comfortable, and more luxurious than I had expected.’
‘It was more convenient to put you and your family together. After all, it is only for a few days.’
‘Have no fear, Major, I shall not forget my position here.’
‘Is that comment designed to put me in my place?’
Her eyes flew to his face.
‘Not at all, sir, I—’
‘If I sounded impolite, I apologise,’ he said bluntly. ‘I am not in the habit of making pretty speeches. I understand that you have made your brother and sister known to my girls.’
‘Yes. The older ones are still painfully polite, but Miss Wilhelmina and Amy are already firm friends.’
‘Good. You may, of course, include your brother and sister in your lessons, if you wish.’
‘Thank you, Major. I would rather they were occupied and under my eye.’
He nodded. ‘Brasher tells me you signed the contract. Did you read it first?’
‘Of course.’
‘And?’
‘The terms are very generous. It is good of you to allow either party to terminate the agreement upon two weeks notice, should it prove necessary.’
‘That was Brasher’s doing. I never contemplate failure, Miss Wrenn.’
Her chin went up.
‘No more do I, sir.’ She hesitated, recalling Gwendoline’s hostility towards her. ‘However, if it should prove impossible for me to win the children’s regard, I should not wish to inflict myself upon them for the full four months.’
‘Then you may be sure that you would not be paid for the full four months.’
A scorching glance accompanied these words, and Juliana had no doubt the Major had used such a look to make young soldiers quail. She had to remind herself that she was no raw recruit to be intimidated.
‘I would expect to be paid for work carried out, Major. Mr Brasher assures me that you treat your employees fairly, and I am told you are an honest man.’
‘Oh, so you have been making enquiries about me?’
‘Of course, since I am entrusting the care of myself and my family to you.’
A faint gleam of approval lit his eyes.
‘Then welcome to my household, Miss Wrenn.’ He got up and went to a side-table where a selection of decanters and glasses rested on a silver tray. ‘Will you take a little wine with me, madam, to seal our bargain?’
‘Yes sir, thank you, for there is something that I wish to discuss with you.’
He threw her a frowning glance, but said nothing until he had given her a full glass.
She sipped her wine. It was smooth and fruity, nothing like the weak potions served in Mr Pettigrew’s house. It confirmed her opinion that Cousin Alfred watered down his wines to make them go further.
‘What is it you wanted to discuss with me, Miss Wrenn?’
He had returned to the side-table to fill a glass for himself.
‘Oh, I beg your pardon. Yes, I know I said I wanted to be paid with a lump sum at the end of our agreement, but my visit to the schoolroom today has revealed a sad lack of books and games for the children. Oh, there are plenty of religious and educational tracts, but I need to make a few purchases if I am to keep the children amused, especially on a long journey.’
‘Very well, madam. See Brasher tomorrow morning and tell him how much you need. You may also have my carriage for your shopping expedition. Brasher will arrange it, if you tell him what time you wish to go out.’
‘Thank you.’ Her eyes were straying around the room, and they alighted upon a small painting on the wall: three children at play in a garden. ‘Oh, is that your family, sir?’
‘Yes. My mother had it done for me, when I was in the army. I think it was to remind me that I had a family.’
She rose and went over to the picture. It hung on the wall above a console table, upon which rested a glass case of miniatures. She leaned forward to study the figures more closely.
‘They were much younger, then, of course,’ said the Major, ‘but I think it is a good likeness.’
‘Yes, indeed. They are all handsome children, sir.’
He came to stand behind her.
‘Giles takes after his mother. As does Wilhelmina.’
‘They are fairer, certainly, while Gwendoline has your own dark colouring—oh!’ She turned back, but he was so close that she found herself trapped between his body and the table. She stared at his neckcloth, at the cleft in his strong chin, then raised her eyes to his mouth and found herself wondering what it would be like to be kissed by him. Her heart leapt to her throat as the Major reached out and took her arms. What was it Lawrence had said about him, a devil in the bedroom? She felt scandalised, elated and frightened all in a moment.
He said quietly, ‘You are almost sitting on the glass case, Miss Wrenn.’
He gently moved her aside, then let her go and returned to the desk. She could feel her cheeks burning. How had she been so foolish. Had he noticed? Did he think she was trying to…it was too embarrassing even to think of it!
‘Now,’ he said. ‘Is there anything else?’
‘No, sir, I believe—’
She broke off as the door opened and she heard a deep, cheerful voice saying,
‘No need to announce me, Fraser, I’ll find him—and lay another cover for dinner, there’s a good fellow!’
Unable to curb her curiosity, Juliana turned to see who dared to walk in upon Major Collingham with such insouciance. She saw a gentleman dressed in the first style of elegance, his short fair hair brushed forward to frame a handsome, good-humoured countenance supported—or more properly confined—by a collar whose points came up to his cheeks. A tight-fitting blue coat and white embroidered waistcoat encased his body, while inexpressibles of the palest cream and gleaming Hessians completed the picture of a top-of-the-trees man-about-town. If the gentleman heard the Major’s curt demand to know what the devil was going on he gave no sign, but stopped just inside the door and made an elegant bow.
‘Well, now, Fraser did not tell me you had company, Damon. How very remiss of him.’
The Major was regarding the newcomer with a mixture of amusement and exasperation. ‘Would it have stopped you charging in, had you known?’
The gentleman gave a grin. ‘I dare say I’d have allowed him to announce me.’
Major Collingham sighed. ‘Your manners really are appalling, Richard. Miss Wrenn, may I present to you Sir Richard Mondwyck?’
Juliana stepped forward, her cheeks still warm from her recent embarrassment.
‘Yes. That is, we—we have met.’
‘By Jove, yes, I thought you looked familiar! I knew her father,’ he explained to the Major. ‘Clever fellow, Jonas Wrenn. Could always rely on him to decipher the more difficult codes I put to him.’ Sir Richard took her hand. ‘I was very sorry to hear of his death, Miss Wrenn. I was in France at the time or I should have attended his funeral. He was a very good man.’
‘Thank you, sir.’ She gently withdrew her fingers from his grip and Sir Richard moved across to the side-table to pour himself a glass of wine.
‘Well, now, Miss Wrenn—what are you doing here with this reprobate?’
‘Miss Wrenn is in my employ,’ the Major responded curtly. ‘She has agreed to act as governess for a few months, until I have settled the girls into Blackthorpe.’
‘My father was not a rich man, sir,’ she answered the question in Sir Richard’s look. ‘So now I must earn my living.’
She ended brightly, smiling, and Sir Richard merely nodded, understanding in his eyes.
‘As must I, Miss Wrenn,’ he replied in the same light vein.
‘Fortunately, there are wealthy men such as Damon here who have need of our services occasionally.’
Major Collingham’s lip curled. ‘Thank you, Richard. Now, before my patience is quite worn out, perhaps you will tell me what you are doing here?’
‘I wanted a little company, so I invited myself to dinner, Damon.’
‘Really? Louisa will be overjoyed.’
Sir Richard almost choked on his wine. ‘No! Is your sister in town? Well, I didn’t know, but no matter. I shall be delighted to see her again. This really is a superb burgundy, Damon—shall I refill your glass? And we are all standing around like perfect strangers! Miss Wrenn, will you not be seated, ma’am?’
‘Thank you, but I think Major Collingham and I have finished our business, and I must get back to my charges. If that is all, Major?’
‘It is for now. You will oblige me by bringing the girls to the drawing room after dinner, Miss Wrenn.’
‘As you wish, sir.’
Sir Richard opened the door for her and Juliana gave him a fleeting smile as she went out. She was feeling a little light-headed as she made her way back to the schoolroom. She attributed this to the wine, but could not deny her pleasure at seeing Sir Richard again. He had been an infrequent visitor to her father’s house, always on business, but on the rare occasions they had met he had treated her with respect and she felt now that his acknowledgement of her had added to her standing with her new employer. All at once she found herself looking forward to going downstairs after dinner.
Chapter Five
‘So you are taking the children back to Lancashire,’ said Sir Richard.
‘Blackthorpe Hall is their home, and mine, too.’ Major Collingham tossed off his wine and walked to the side-table. ‘I have hardly been there since their mother died. There is much to be done.’ He held up the decanter and Sir Richard came over with his empty glass.
‘And you plan to marry that neighbour of yours—the widow?’
‘Lady Frances. Yes. She was in town with her father a few weeks ago. Nothing was said, of course, but much was hinted at.’
Sir Richard grimaced.
‘Too cold for my taste, old friend. I cannot ever recall seeing a spark of warmth in her.’
Damon shrugged. ‘She will make the girls a good mother. That is all I want.’
Sir Richard sipped his wine, saying nothing. The Major eyed him for a moment, then set down his glass with a snap.
‘Damnation, man, say what is on your mind.’
‘If I did that, my friend, you would call me out.’
‘You think I am making a mistake?’
Sir Richard looked down at the toe of one gleaming Hessian as he traced the pattern on the carpet. ‘I do not think Lady Frances will make you happy.’
‘I am five-and-thirty, Richard, past the age of romantic notions. So, too, is Frances. I want a mother for my children, nothing more.’ He paused, then said with some difficulty, ‘I loved Harriet. To lose her was—agony. I have no wish to go through such pain again. Frances and I understand each other—we have been neighbours for many years. She will bring up the girls and look after my house, leaving me free to get on with the business of running the estate. We shall be very comfortable.’
‘Then I wish you happy. And you have found a governess to look after the children. How did you manage that so quickly?’
‘Miss Wrenn is related to Pettigrew, the lawyer dealing with my cousin Willoughby’s affairs—you will remember he made me trustee before he died. Miss Wrenn and I struck a bargain—she is contracted to me until September, which will give me time to arrange matters in Lancashire.’
‘There were other children in the Wrenn family, as I recall.’
‘Aye. Two. They are travelling with us.’
‘The devil they are!’ Sir Richard laughed. ‘What has come over you, Damon? I thought you didn’t like children above half!’
‘Nor do I.’ He scowled. ‘You may take that look out of your eye, Rick, I’m not going soft in the head, if that’s what you are thinking. They would have to follow their sister at some stage, so it seemed expedient to take them with us. They will be company for my own girls.’
‘True, and Miss Wrenn will be looking after them, will she not? I doubt they will bother you.’
‘That is my hope. You knew her father, you said?’
‘Aye. He spent some years in France as a young man and his knowledge of the country and language was quite exceptional. In my work for the government, I often have need for someone to decipher the notes we intercept from French spies. Wrenn was one of the best.’
The Major studied his wine glass. ‘And how well do you know his daughter?’
‘We met once or twice, when I called on her father. That is all.’ Sir Richard laughed. ‘You need not worry, Damon. She was never one of my intrigues. Her reputation was—and is, I am sure—spotless.’ He bent his shrewd gaze upon his host. ‘Perhaps you have an interest there yourself?’
Damon thought of the little governess in her dull clothes with her soft brown hair braided so modestly around her head. ‘Not my line at all, my friend. She might be quite pretty, if she were dressed up.’ He sipped his wine, imagining the girl in an evening gown. Silk, he thought. It would cling to her slender body. And emerald green, to match her eyes, eyes that could suddenly gleam with mischief. He gave himself a little mental shake. ‘No, I’ve no interest there, Rick. It has never been my way to tamper with innocents, or raise false hopes.’
‘No, your taste has always been for more dashing beauties, eh, Devil Collingham?’
Damon laughed. ‘Will I never live down that damned Brussels party?’
‘It would appear not, my friend. The stories grow more outrageous every time they are retold.’
Damon shook his head. ‘We were at war and a little reckless. Who wants such stories now? The war ended over a year ago.’
‘But it pleases the ladies to remember. And it seems you did please ’em, Damon, the married ones, at least.’
‘Safer that way.’ The Major raised his glass. ‘They know I don’t offer ’em marriage. A flirtation, a little pleasure on both sides, then we go our separate ways.’
‘Like Lady Ormiston? You were very close when you came home for the Peace Celebrations in ’fourteen.’
‘That affair lasted only as long as the peace,’ said Damon, his lip curling. ‘Veronique is indeed a beauty, but she has a heart of stone.’
‘You make a fine pair, then,’ retorted Sir Richard, smiling faintly. ‘Ormiston is still playing least in sight. It seems he prefers his Scottish acres to living with his wife. I believe she has young Leeson paying court to her now; they say he’s besotted.’
‘Silly young fool.’ The Major lifted the decanter again. ‘We might as well finish this off before we go into dinner. For God’s sake, sit down, man, and you can tell me the real reason you are here.’
Sir Richard lowered himself into an armchair on one side of the empty fireplace. ‘I am chasing diamonds, dear boy.’
‘The devil you are! Is that what brings you back to England?’
‘Yes. Bonaparte’s followers have been trying to raise a force to free him from St Helena. From the letters we have intercepted we know that the Princess Borghese donated a pair of diamond earrings to the cause.’
The Major raised his black brows. ‘Bonaparte’s sister? How was she persuaded to part with them?’
‘No idea, my friend. Her passion for jewels is legendary—the Emperor himself acquired these stones in Egypt and had them made up into ear-drops for the princess. Perhaps she wanted to make a gesture of sisterly devotion.’
‘Then it would be her first! More likely one of her other—ah—admirers persuaded her to be generous.’
‘One of her lovers, you mean? Possibly. In any event, the diamonds were sent from Italy to Paris. We arrested a number of conspirators, but the gems had already been moved on.’
‘Did you identify the courier?’
‘No. We caught one or two suspects at the coast, but it seems the diamonds were hidden in rolls of cloth bound for London. We have traced the consignment and are going through all the delivery papers and bills of exchange, but that is slow work. I am investigating other possibilities.’ He crossed one elegantly shod foot over the other. ‘One thing is certain: the diamonds have not been sold. I have my contacts in the markets and there is not a whisper of such fine stones being available.’
‘What is their value?’
‘Enough to buy and fit out a ship to take Bonaparte off St Helena.’ He studied his wine glass. ‘I was going to ask you to help me track them down.’
‘Alas, Rick, I am leaving town on Friday. Besides, I am no longer in the army.’
‘True, but you do have an uncanny ability to ferret out information. Oh, never fear, I have some very clever fellows looking for these gems, so I shall find ’em.’ He finished his wine. ‘Now, you had best take me to meet the lovely Louisa, since I am joining you for my dinner.’
Nurse and the children were gathered in the schoolroom when Juliana went in, and she found herself facing a row of expectant faces.
‘Tomorrow,’ she announced, ‘we are going shopping. We shall make a list of everything we need for the schoolroom; we seem to be especially deficient of books.’ She saw their horrified looks and burst out laughing. ‘Do not look so shocked, it will not be so bad, I promise you.’ She swept Amy up into her arms. ‘There will be plenty of time for playing games, too.’
‘Miss Sevenoaks said games were for babies,’ scoffed Gwendoline.
‘Then I pity her pupils,’ chuckled Juliana. She looked around as the door opened.
A young man walked in. Despite his light brown hair he was so much a younger version of her employer that Juliana guessed immediately his identity. His first words confirmed it.
‘My father said I should come up and make myself known to you. I am Giles Collingham.’
Juliana immediately brought her brother and sister forward to be introduced.
‘You have been with your friends today, I understand?’
‘Yes, which is why Papa has said I should join you for dinner, and get to know you, since we will be travelling together.’
‘Oh, poor you.’ Juliana gave him a sympathetic smile. ‘How dull for you to be consigned to the schoolroom.’
Giles coloured a little. ‘Yes, well, it is not so bad, you know.’
‘I am sure you would prefer to be dining with Papa when you know who is with him,’ put in Gwendoline as they took their places for dinner. She cast a quick, triumphant look around the table. ‘Sir Richard Mondwyck! Nelly told me he walked in, bold as brass, and directed Fraser to set another place for him.’
Nurse tutted. ‘Now, Miss Gwendoline, you should not be listening to servants’ gossip, nor repeating it, neither.’
‘I’ll wager Aunt Louisa will be in high dudgeon,’ grinned Giles, ignoring Nurse’s mild strictures.
‘Oh, he will turn her up sweet,’ returned his sister, giggling. ‘She thinks he is a charmer.’
‘Enough, if you please,’ said Juliana firmly. ‘Such talk shows little respect for your aunt or your father’s guest.’
Giles flushed and Gwendoline scowled across the table at her governess.
Wilhelmina looked up. ‘Sir Richard was in the Peninsula with Papa, was he not, Giles? But he was only a mister then.’
‘He was knighted last year, for services to the country,’ said Giles. ‘Father says he is an intelligence officer, collecting information against our enemies.’
‘A spy!’ Gwendoline’s eyes grew round.
‘If he is, then it is perhaps best we do not talk of it,’ responded Juliana. ‘Wilhelmina, shall I help you with your napkin?’
Juliana thought back to Sir Richard’s visits to her father, the bound notebooks and closeted meetings. Suddenly, it all seemed to make sense.
While the soup was being served there was a sudden clatter to Juliana’s right, where Wilhelmina was sitting.
‘Oh, dear, Minna,’ said Nurse. ‘You have dropped your spoon.’
‘I’ll get it!’ Gwendoline was out of her seat and racing around the table.
‘Gwendoline, there is no need,’ Nurse expostulated mildly. ‘Really, dear, do stop waving your arms, your napkin is almost in Miss Wrenn’s face.’
With mumbled apologies Gwendoline returned to her place. Juliana picked up her spoon, but as she was about to dip it into her soup she stopped. There, in the middle of her bowl, was a small, black beetle.
She heard Wilhelmina stifle a giggle. Across the table, Gwendoline was addressing herself to her food, a picture of innocence. Juliana put down her spoon and began to talk to Nurse on some unexceptional topic until the soup bowls were removed and she could help herself to one of the other dishes on the table.
As soon as the meal was over, Giles excused himself and went downstairs, but Juliana waited until she received word that the gentlemen had joined Lady Varley in the drawing room. Nurse promised to take care of Thomas and Amy, and Juliana glanced at her two charges to make sure they were looking neat and tidy.
‘Very well, shall we go?’
As they went down the stairs, Juliana let Wilhelmina run on ahead while she moved a little closer to Gwendoline.
‘That was a very neat trick you played at dinner—no, please do not deny it. Where did you find the beetle, in the schoolroom?’
Gwendoline tossed her head. ‘Yes, if you must know.’
‘Well, let me warn you, Gwendoline, that I will not be put off by your tricks or stratagems. Your papa has engaged me until the end of September and I do not intend to give up this position, however unpleasant you try to make it.’ She glanced down at the mutinous little face beside her. ‘Please try to make the best of it, Gwendoline—the time will pass much quicker if we work together. And remember that I have a younger brother and sister, so I have a few tricks of my own.’ She lowered her voice, ‘Beware how you get into bed tonight!’ She laughed at Gwendoline’s quick, alarmed glance and patted the girl’s arm. ‘Come, Gwendoline, cry friends with me; I am not an ogre, I promise you.’