Read Online My Lord Winter by Carola Dunn - Free Book Online Page B

brought—at present it appeared less than promising—she would be glad that she had met Mr. Selwyn.
    He brought her a half dozen volumes, setting the stack on the table beside her chair. “Our host is a noted bibliophile,” he said, as she picked up the top book and read the title. “He has followed in the footsteps of his uncle, the late Earl of Wintringham, who built up this superb collection.”
    “You sound as if you have the knowledge to appreciate it.”
    “I myself am a collector, in a small way, of course. I cannot hope to compete with this library, but I have one or two items I believe his lordship might even consider worthy of his locked shelves.” He cast a longing glance at a cabinet in one corner.
    “Rare books? I fear I should not understand their value. Jane and I simply enjoy reading.”
    “If you have taught her that, you have taught her a great deal.”
    “Taught...I...oh dear!” she said, flustered.
    “Forgive me, Miss Gracechurch. I do not mean to discompose you, but I flatter myself I am not an unobservant man. Would I be incorrect in guessing that Miss Brooke is something more than she pretends to be, and that you are her governess?’’
    “Oh dear!” She dropped the book in her lap and hid her scarlet face in her hands. “It was wicked of me to allow her to continue her masquerade.”
    “Not wicked,” he said firmly, “though perhaps unwise. However, I doubt you could have turned her from her course once she was set in it.”
    “Very true. Jane is a most determined young woman, besides being inclined to act upon impulse, as you have seen. Pray do not misunderstand me: she is also the sweetest-tempered girl. She is like a daughter to me.”
    “How long have you been with her?”
    “Since she was five years old, and she recently turned twenty.”
    “Fifteen years! But, my dear Miss Gracechurch, you must have been in the schoolroom yourself.”
    “Not quite.” She smiled at him, pleased by the implied compliment. “It was my first private position after teaching for two years in a school.”
    “A good position, I assume, since you stayed so long.”
    “I was exceptionally lucky to find such an agreeable situation.’’ And shall be even luckier to find another like it, she thought unhappily. When a young lady made her come-out, her governess’s duties were finished. “Jane’s parents never interfered in her upbringing. Indeed, we seldom saw them from one year’s end to the next. A ruined castle and a small manor house do not suit their consequence, I collect, besides being over far from London.”
    “Then the credit for her disposition and manners is entirely yours, ma’am. Allow me to congratulate you. She is a charming young lady. You are going to London for the Season?”
    “Her first. It has been postponed twice because of mourning for two distant cousins.” Her indignation on Jane’s behalf and his sympathetic interest overcame her discretion. “Very distant cousins. I should not dream of saying this to Jane, but I believe her mother has seized upon any excuse to keep her hidden away. Lady Hornby is too occupied with her own amusements to wish to be troubled with bringing out her daughter.”
    “Lady Hornby? Even I know of the marchioness’s reputation as an accredited Beauty.”
    “Oh dear, I ought not to have told you her ladyship’s name, nor spoken so of her. I am becoming as imprudent as Jane.”
    “My dear Miss Gracechurch,” he said earnestly, “I am gratified by your trust. Every word you have said will be held in utmost confidence.”
    She shook her head. “I do trust you, sir, but I hardly need exact a promise of silence. It seems Miss Chatterton is also to make her bow to Society this spring, as soon as her sister is recovered from her lying-in. I fear Jane’s escapade will inevitably be revealed. I wish that wretched Lord Wintringham had not taken it into his head to treat us as honoured guests!”
    * * * *
    At that moment, Lord Wintringham