Read Online Bouquet for Iris by Diane T. Ashley - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Diane T. Ashley
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head. “How far away is it?”
Lance’s eyes narrowed as he calculated the distance. “It’s probably ten miles.”
“It looks much closer.”
“I suppose so.” He smiled at her. “Since you’re from Nashville, the mountains must be quite different to you.”
Iris leaned against the back of the wagon seat and breathed deeply. “I like it here though.”
This morning, once Lance had loaded her things into the wagon, she and Camie had tearfully hugged each other. As they pulled out onto the road, Iris had been torn by conflicting emotions. Part of her wanted to stay with her childhood friend for a few more days, but another part of her was anxious to begin her new position. Now that she had heard the story of the Spencer children, she was glad she had not tarried longer. The Spencer children needed someone to hold them and love them.
“Camie is so happy to have you living close by. I hope you will be able to visit often.” Lance’s words brought her thoughts back to him.
“It’s wonderful to see her so hap—” The word broke off when her mouth formed an O as they drove through an iron gate onto the Spencer estate. Thick woods had hidden the large home until they turned into the lane. It was more a mansion than a house. She’d never seen such a large home except in some of the fancier neighborhoods of Nashville. It was made of dark red brick and resembled a large box … a very large box.
As they drew closer, she saw the house had three floors. A row of windows at ground level indicated the presence of a basement, too. Dormer windows jutted out from the sloping, gray-tiled roof that made up the third floor. Four windows per floor looked out on one side, lined up one on top of the other with symmetrical precision. The front side of the home featured a porch on the first floor, topped by an identical balcony for the second floor, each flanked by six white columns. The dark-paneled double doors that formed the entrance on the first floor were echoed by an identical doorway on the second floor. The third floor had no door or balcony, but six windows completed the balanced architecture of the house.
Iris focused on the second-floor balcony, wondering what room led to it and hoping it would be the children’s parlor. Once the temperature warmed a bit, she could see herself teaching the two little girls while they sat on the balcony and listened to the cheerful gurgle of the nearby stream that wound a silvery path along one side of the property.
Lance slowed the wagon as they reached the wide set of stairs marching up to the front porch, while Iris admired the beaded detail on woodwork that separated the brick walls from the tiled roof. She hadn’t realized until now just how wealthy Mr. Spencer must be.
Iris accepted Lance’s help to dismount and trailed him up to the front door. He grabbed an ornate brass knocker and banged it against the polished wood of the wide front door to announce their arrival.
After a moment the door opened, and a short, rotund woman with a face as dark as a starless night wrung her hands on a white apron and smiled at them. Her white teeth shone brightly in a face wreathed with smiles. “If it isn’t Master Lance come to visit.” She turned her dark brown gaze to Iris. “And you must be the new nanny. I have to say it’s a relief to see you. Not that I don’t adore the children, but there’s so much other work that needs to be done.”
Iris felt a little overwhelmed as the friendly woman continued her monologue. Uncertain what else to do, she gathered her skirts and dropped a curtsy.
“Oh, you don’t need to be bowing to me, missy. It’s not like I’m kin to the master. I just keep the house and watch over the children.”
Lance greeted the older woman. “Josephine, it’s good to see you.”
“Who’s here?”
Josephine peered back over her shoulder. “It’s Master Sherer and the new nanny.”
Iris looked past her to the man who was making his slow way
Lance’s eyes narrowed as he calculated the distance. “It’s probably ten miles.”
“It looks much closer.”
“I suppose so.” He smiled at her. “Since you’re from Nashville, the mountains must be quite different to you.”
Iris leaned against the back of the wagon seat and breathed deeply. “I like it here though.”
This morning, once Lance had loaded her things into the wagon, she and Camie had tearfully hugged each other. As they pulled out onto the road, Iris had been torn by conflicting emotions. Part of her wanted to stay with her childhood friend for a few more days, but another part of her was anxious to begin her new position. Now that she had heard the story of the Spencer children, she was glad she had not tarried longer. The Spencer children needed someone to hold them and love them.
“Camie is so happy to have you living close by. I hope you will be able to visit often.” Lance’s words brought her thoughts back to him.
“It’s wonderful to see her so hap—” The word broke off when her mouth formed an O as they drove through an iron gate onto the Spencer estate. Thick woods had hidden the large home until they turned into the lane. It was more a mansion than a house. She’d never seen such a large home except in some of the fancier neighborhoods of Nashville. It was made of dark red brick and resembled a large box … a very large box.
As they drew closer, she saw the house had three floors. A row of windows at ground level indicated the presence of a basement, too. Dormer windows jutted out from the sloping, gray-tiled roof that made up the third floor. Four windows per floor looked out on one side, lined up one on top of the other with symmetrical precision. The front side of the home featured a porch on the first floor, topped by an identical balcony for the second floor, each flanked by six white columns. The dark-paneled double doors that formed the entrance on the first floor were echoed by an identical doorway on the second floor. The third floor had no door or balcony, but six windows completed the balanced architecture of the house.
Iris focused on the second-floor balcony, wondering what room led to it and hoping it would be the children’s parlor. Once the temperature warmed a bit, she could see herself teaching the two little girls while they sat on the balcony and listened to the cheerful gurgle of the nearby stream that wound a silvery path along one side of the property.
Lance slowed the wagon as they reached the wide set of stairs marching up to the front porch, while Iris admired the beaded detail on woodwork that separated the brick walls from the tiled roof. She hadn’t realized until now just how wealthy Mr. Spencer must be.
Iris accepted Lance’s help to dismount and trailed him up to the front door. He grabbed an ornate brass knocker and banged it against the polished wood of the wide front door to announce their arrival.
After a moment the door opened, and a short, rotund woman with a face as dark as a starless night wrung her hands on a white apron and smiled at them. Her white teeth shone brightly in a face wreathed with smiles. “If it isn’t Master Lance come to visit.” She turned her dark brown gaze to Iris. “And you must be the new nanny. I have to say it’s a relief to see you. Not that I don’t adore the children, but there’s so much other work that needs to be done.”
Iris felt a little overwhelmed as the friendly woman continued her monologue. Uncertain what else to do, she gathered her skirts and dropped a curtsy.
“Oh, you don’t need to be bowing to me, missy. It’s not like I’m kin to the master. I just keep the house and watch over the children.”
Lance greeted the older woman. “Josephine, it’s good to see you.”
“Who’s here?”
Josephine peered back over her shoulder. “It’s Master Sherer and the new nanny.”
Iris looked past her to the man who was making his slow way
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