A Most Unusual Governess Read Online Free PDF Page A

little girl, and she began to believe that there was hope for their future encounters. Perhaps they would be able to work together, after all.
    Lord Randall continued to study the books. At last he looked up and said in surprise, This is good; this is very good. I'd never realised Lucilla could write so neatly - or invent such interesting stories.'
    'Her writing's coming on by leaps and bounds.' Sarah smiled, glad to be able to tell Lord Randall how well Lucy was doing. 'Her singing's coming on, too. She's very musical and loves to learn new songs.'
    He gave a reluctant smile. It seems there is something you can do more than "a little", Miss Davenport; it seems that you can teach.'
    Sarah glowed with the unexpected praise. She loved her job, and no matter how chagrined she was to discover it, Lord Randall's appreciation warmed her. With such an interested little girl it's hard to go wrong.'
    His expression softened. So much so that he looked almost human! 'She's a good child,' he said. They are all good children. It's such a tragedy that... '
    He stopped himself, and for a few moments he became lost in thought.
    Then, rousing himself, he said, Well, you have made a good start, Miss Davenport. 111 be keeping an eye on the children's progress whilst I am at the Grange. But now I mustn't keep you. You have your duties to attend to... ' - he looked ruefully at the papers littering his desk - '. . . as I have mine.'
    Sarah recognised her dismissal.
    Very good, my lord,' she said, rising.
    'Oh, Miss Davenport,' he called after her as she reached the door. There is just one other thing...
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    'My lord?'
    She turned round and caught her breath. With the light behind him he looked devastatingly handsome. The sun was painting blue highlights into his black hair and sparking lights from his velvety eyes. It was throwing into relief the sharp angles of his cheekbones and the clean cut of his chin. And his features... was it possible? Could he actually be - smiling?
    It changed his face, making him seem younger, more relaxed and less arrogant
    His smile broadened and his voice was warm as he said, Welcome to Watermead Grange.'
    * * * *
    The top floor of the Grange was used for a number of purposes. Part of it was used as servants' quarters and part of it was used for storage but the rest was given over to the children's rooms. Here, too, were the schoolrooms. William and Peter had small studies and there was a larger room in which Sarah taught Lucy. The large room was clean and sound, and because of its size it was cool for most of the day; at least until the evening, when the sun moved round and shone into the west facing window.
    Sarah often remained in the schoolroom at four o'clock, whilst Lucy, watched over by her nurse, had a rest. There she would mark the day's work or prepare Lucy's lessons for the following day, before taking charge of all three children for the early part of the evening when the boys' daily tutors left the Grange.
    The only drawback to this arrangement was that Mr Haversage had discovered it, and was beginning to become a nuisance.
    Mr Haversage was the boys tutor. He was responsible for teaching them general subjects, as well as Latin and Greek. There were other tutors who came in for a few hours each day to give the boys lessons in mathematics and the sciences, but it was Mr Haversage who was mainly in charge.
    At a quarter to five he walked into the room.
    He was a good looking young man in his early twenties and was, as always, immaculately dressed. The colours he wore were pale, and Sarah had the distinct impression they had been chosen to complement his fair colouring. His hair was a pale straw colour; his eyes were blue and cool. Despite his brilliance - he was an Oxford man - he had nothing of the air of an academic about him. Instead he had the air of an ambitious young man for whom teaching was just the start.
    He was not particularly well liked by the boys, though the housemaids adored him. But for all