Charlotte Louise Dolan Read Online Free PDF Page A

graves, so do not try to gull me. And you know perfectly well that after three days in one another’s company you are both at daggers drawn.”
    “Nonsense, we could not be more alike in our way of thinking.”
    “Exactly. I have never yet known a household with room for two managing females.”
    “ Touché .”
    “Besides, Mr. Trussell has offered you a full year’s salary for only three months’ work.”
    “I am not that hard up for money.”
    Anne was now smiling at her, which Dorothy hoped was a sign the younger woman was weakening.
    “You might also consider this. Although Miss Alice Featherton, who was married off last week to young Mr. Claymore, was in all ways a shining example of your ability as a governess, you must admit that she was not the least bit of a challenge. Virtually any of the governesses who are handled by this agency could have turned her out in a creditable manner, so sweet and compliant as she is. On the other hand, if you take this job in Devon, you will be taking on a considerable challenge. Moreover, it is a challenge others have tried and failed to meet— and ,”she added, without giving Anne a chance for a rebuttal, “I seem to recall that you have a partiality for clotted cream. Need I remind you that strawberries are just coming into season?”
    “Unfair tactics, Mrs. Wiggins.” Anne could no longer hold back her laughter. “Very well, I shall let you pack me off to Devon, but if I come back at the end of the summer as fat as a Christmas goose, it will all be on your shoulders.”
    She stood up, but did not immediately leave. “Tell me, my dear Mrs. Wiggins, now that you have persuaded me to go against my better judgment, do you know if any of the other governesses are in London at the moment? The ones who did not find clotted cream adequate compensation for living at Wylington Manor?”
    “Why, yes. Miss Jennings has accepted a position as companion to Lady d’Auberville, and I believe they have not yet departed for Bath. But why do you ask?”
    “As my great-aunt Sidonia used to say, ‘A general is only as good as his spies.’ I intend to know as many details about those two boys and their tricks as possible before I match wits with them.”
    Watching her depart, Mrs. Wiggins speculated on the man Lady Letitia had picked to win the hand of Lady Anne. That it could not be Mr. Trussell was obvious. On the other hand, as Anne had mentioned in passing, Lord Leatham was never in England long enough to pursue even a lightning courtship. The only other eligible bachelor in the vicinity of Wylington Manor was Lord Thorverton, and he was already engaged to be married.
    More than likely this temporary position was in the nature of a stop-gap. Lady Letitia was undoubtedly planning something for the little Season in the fall and was now merely guaranteeing that Lady Anne would be unemployed and available then, while at the same time solving what had become a thorny problem for the agency.
    * * * *
    “It is really a shame dear Mr. Trussell was not left in charge of the twins. He is their uncle, you know—their mother’s brother, and such a sweet man. So courteous in every respect, but with no real authority to take charge of their lives. He confided in me what a terrible blow it was when he discovered the twins’ guardianship had been left to Lord Leatham. Perhaps you have heard of him? He is not even their uncle, although the boys are accustomed to referring to him as such. He is merely their father’s second cousin and quite a barbarous man. Only imagine, months go by without a word from him and then he simply descends upon the household with no warning, encourages the boys in their wildness, and then departs, leaving poor Mr. Trussell to try to undo the harm. Such a dear man, and he does his best, but it is an impossible situation. More tea?”
    “No, thank you. I really must be going. I do appreciate your helpfulness.” Anne rose to her feet and pulled on her gloves.
    Miss