Read Online No Moon by Irene N.Watts - Free Book Online

“And what is it that you find so amusing, Gardener?”
    “I was thinking how prettily the table is set, Nanny,” I say, trying to placate her.
    “I predict that we will have two spoiled little girls to deal with when we get back to London. However, as it is only for a month, I’ll say no more. Miss Portia, there will be no cake or jam until you have finished your piece of bread and butter. Both jam and butter, unheard of for children, even for a Sunday tea in my day!”
    I tie a serviette around Miss Alexandra’s neck and take a sip of the good strong tea, but not before I hand Nanny Mackintosh her cup. I know exactly how she likes it: a generous helping of milk and two heaping teaspoonfuls of sugar, though she says sugar is bad for children and growing girls, meaning me! She stirs her tea, tastes it, and moves the cake stand out of the children’s reach.
    “Most welcome, I am sure,” Nanny says, pushing her cup towards me to be refilled. For once, she has no more complaints.
    I just have time to wash the children’s faces and hands before the parlor maid tells Nanny that thefamily is waiting to see the girls. “Lady Portland wishes Gardener to accompany you, Nanny Mackintosh.”
    We follow her down the back staircase and into the drawing room, decorated in the palest blues and greens. Glass doors lead onto the terrace, where the family is gathered. Lady Milton opens her arms for the children to run to her. I let go of Miss Alexandra’s hand, and she toddles towards her father. Lord Milton lifts her high in the air.
    Behind me, Nanny says, “Not after tea, your lordship, if you please.”
    He immediately sets his daughter back on her feet. She clings to his legs. “More, want more!” she shouts.
    Nanny looks daggers, and I draw Miss Alexandra aside and whisper that she must not be so loud. Lord Milton asks his daughter if she has been a good girl and then tells her she may sit on his knee.
    I am quite taken aback to hear Lady Milton say, “I do believe we have finally found a nursemaid who lives up to your high standards, Nanny Mackintosh. You may leave the girls with us for half an hour while you settle in. Gardener will bring them upstairs for their baths. We will come to the nursery later to say good-bye before dinner. We shall be leaving early in the morning to fetch Master Roger from school. He will spend his holiday abroad with us.”
    I stand a little way apart, but close enough to remove the children when their parents wish me to. They are exceptionally well behaved this afternoon, and Miss Portia leans fondly against her grandmother’s knee. But after a while, Miss Alexandra begins to cry. Her tooth bothers her and the thumb is back in her mouth.
    “Upstairs to Nanny, please, Gardener,” Lady Milton says. “I will bring Miss Portia up presently.” I bob a curtsy and carry Miss Alexandra upstairs. I can’t help wondering what Lady Milton would do if she had to look after six children, without help, as Mother does. But then, we’d all be out of work.
    “Miss Alexandra seems a little feverish, Nanny Mackintosh. My mother always swears by chamo-mile tea for sore gums.” The moment the words are out of my mouth, I wish I had not spoken them.
    “Indeed, Gardener. Do not imagine that because you overheard one compliment, this entitles you to run my nurseries, or to give me the benefit of your advice!” Nanny bristles.
    “I beg your pardon. I spoke out of turn, Nanny Mackintosh.”
    “I trust it will not happen again. There can only be one person in charge. In future, try to learn from the experience I pass on and keep silent until your opinion is asked for.”
    “Yes, Nanny Mackintosh.”
    “Go downstairs and ask Cook if we may have a small pot of chamomile tea, also a teaspoon. Hurry up, and when you return, run a warm bath for Miss Alexandra.”
    I don’t know where the door to the servants’ quarters is. Thankfully, I encounter Ellis, the maid, who helped me unpack earlier.
    “Do you