The Impossible Governess Read Online Free PDF Page A

the washstand, picked up a china basin containing the remains of Marissa’s ablutions from after breakfast.  She nodded at her employer, who was watching her every move from the doorway, walked over to Marissa and calmly poured the contents of the basin over the child’s head.
    After a moment of sputtering and staring dazedly up at her governess, Marissa broke into a more natural sounding cry.  In response, Georgeanne got down on her knees and used the little girl’s pinafore to gently wipe her face and smooth back the damp curls.
    “Just what in damnation do you think you’re doing?”
    From his expression, Georgeanne deduced Lord Raynor was on the verge of strangling her.  But she had no desire to haggle with him.  It was Marissa who needed her attention.  Defiantly, she threw him a look of utter disgust before taking the child’s hands, from where they now hung limply by her sides, in her own and giving them a comforting squeeze.
    “Marissa dear, let me get you dried off and changed into a pretty fresh frock.  Then, we can return and go over your sums.”  She rose and placed a protective arm about the child’s tiny shoulders.  “Come with me, dear,” she said, gently urging Marissa around the table, past her speechless uncle, and out the door.
    When they returned a short while later, Georgeanne stared at the clean but empty room.  When Hattie came in with lunch, she related, “Milord dispatched a footman to tidy up everything.”
    Though Marissa’s behavior remained subdued the rest of the day, Georgeanne stayed close.  Guilt had Georgeanne reading an extra story at bedtime.  Even then, she’d been reluctant to leave the pathetic little figure after Marissa fell asleep.
    Overshadowing her charge’s recovery, Georgeanne felt on edge, waiting for Lord Raynor to call her upon the carpet for her unconventional handling of his niece.  Several days passed, and still she’d heard nothing.  And while Marissa appeared content, the child was less inclined to bring up the subject of her uncle.  No doubt, she felt slighted by him.  Thus, Georgeanne became furious with the absent nobleman and his intolerable lack of concern for his orphaned niece.
    Georgeanne knew better than to gossip with the servants, but some things called for desperate means.  “I was under the impression Lord Raynor cared a great deal for his niece.”
    “Oh, he does, Miss,” Hattie was quick to respond.  “’Tis just he don’t understand the little one.  And I do think her screaming scares him.  He’s like any other man, you know.”
    Just what that cryptic remark meant, Georgeanne wasn’t sure, nor was she content to leave well enough alone.  In a fit of pique, she dashed off a note.  Then, she cornered his lordship’s valet with instructions to deliver her missive to the unfeeling lout as soon as possible.
    Later, after her ire had cooled somewhat, she regretted her impulsiveness.  Once again, she was plagued with dreadful imaginings of her employer’s reprisal.  If he did not dismiss her outright, he would surely have a great deal to say about such impertinent behavior from a servant.
    As had become her habit during the two weeks of her employment, Georgeanne made it a point to take Marissa outside in the afternoons when the weather was nice.  She couldn’t tolerate being cooped up all day and believed it was unhealthy for her charge as well.  Since today had promised to be unusually sunny and warm, Georgeanne arranged for a picnic lunch, and they escaped the schoolroom early.
    Luckily, there was a park in the center of Berkley Square, two blocks from the townhouse.  They could easily walk to it without having to prevail upon any of the staff to accompany them.
    As they returned from their outing, Raynor, driving a shiny black phaeton with bright red wheels, happened to pull up to the front of the house.  He tossed the reins of his two perfectly matched grays to his groom before jumping down.  He nodded to