Read Online Pleasing the Colonel by Renee Rose - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Renee Rose
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similar, isn't it?”
Mr. and Mrs. Belford both stepped out of the house after looking out the window to see their arrival. Mr. Belford was a tall, arrogant man and his wife was a plump, high-strung, self-centered lady. They were both surprised to see the fine carriage and the two teams of horses arrive, complete with a wagon in tow. She smiled a little, thinking that they probably never dreamed she would be able to respond to their demands.
“Miss Downy!” Mrs. Belford exclaimed when the Colonel handed her out of the carriage. “What a surprise!”
She greeted them politely and introduced the Colonel as her employer. For once, she appreciated his cold demeanor, as it seemed to fluster the Belfords. “Won't you come in for luncheon? The cook was just preparing some cold sandwiches, I believe.”
“Thank you, that would be delightful,” she said, though she really felt it would be anything but. Ever efficient, the Colonel asked Mr. Belford to send a servant to show the two drivers where to find the furniture for loading and to prepare the horses. At lunch the Colonel made polite conversation with Mr. Belford, and she was pleased to notice that Mr. Belford seemed properly impressed with him, having heard of his military career and his relations.
“I think it's quite generous of you to have taken on Miss Downy, considering her lack of experience,” Mrs. Belford had the nerve to say.
Mandy clamped her teeth together. That wretched woman was trying to embarrass her. Not that she could possibly have known that Mandy had lied about her references… unless the neighbor who had vouched for her had told her. Her eyes narrowed slightly and she was filled with a sudden sense of loathing. They meant to embarrass her in front of the Colonel.
* * *
“I consider myself immensely fortunate to have hired someone as qualified and intelligent as Miss Downy. I can't imagine there's a better governess to be had, frankly,” the Colonel interjected, irritated that Miss Downy's relatives would treat her so wretchedly.
He watched Miss Downy flush and flash him a look of gratitude, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. It made him even more angry to see how much his defense meant to her. Somehow this poor young lady had taken the responsibility for her entire family after her father's death, and these relatives had not helped her at all. It was despicable. He felt like throttling the pompous Belford right there.
“So what will you ever do with the furniture? I hope it hasn't turned to rot sitting in our stable all this time.” Belford placed a subtle emphasis on “our stable,” as if to remind Miss Downy that none of this belonged to her anymore.
“The Colonel has kindly offered to store it for me,” she answered matter-of-factly.
Lunch was concluded and he had no intention of dawdling there allowing the Belfords to continue to insult his governess. He went directly outside to see that his men had completely loaded the furniture and hitched the ponies to a lead attached to the wagon.
“We will be off then,” he said rather curtly.
“Give our regards to your mother,” Mr. Belford said to Miss Downy as she bid them goodbye.
It lacked sincerity, and Miss Downy smiled tightly. “Thank you, I will.”
He offered her one hand and used the other on her low back to help her into the carriage. Her waist was so slender and pleasing to touch that he found himself wishing he could assist her climbing in and out of carriages all day. He climbed in after her, settling in for the return carriage ride. He watched with amusement as Miss Downy stole glances at him and then chewed her lip nervously.
“What are you frowning about?” he asked at last.
She tugged at her locket—a nervous gesture he'd noticed previously. “I'm just realizing that perhaps I am wasting your time and resources.”
“How do you mean?”
“Well, the truth is, I insisted my cousin save our furniture more out of ire with him than out of any
Mr. and Mrs. Belford both stepped out of the house after looking out the window to see their arrival. Mr. Belford was a tall, arrogant man and his wife was a plump, high-strung, self-centered lady. They were both surprised to see the fine carriage and the two teams of horses arrive, complete with a wagon in tow. She smiled a little, thinking that they probably never dreamed she would be able to respond to their demands.
“Miss Downy!” Mrs. Belford exclaimed when the Colonel handed her out of the carriage. “What a surprise!”
She greeted them politely and introduced the Colonel as her employer. For once, she appreciated his cold demeanor, as it seemed to fluster the Belfords. “Won't you come in for luncheon? The cook was just preparing some cold sandwiches, I believe.”
“Thank you, that would be delightful,” she said, though she really felt it would be anything but. Ever efficient, the Colonel asked Mr. Belford to send a servant to show the two drivers where to find the furniture for loading and to prepare the horses. At lunch the Colonel made polite conversation with Mr. Belford, and she was pleased to notice that Mr. Belford seemed properly impressed with him, having heard of his military career and his relations.
“I think it's quite generous of you to have taken on Miss Downy, considering her lack of experience,” Mrs. Belford had the nerve to say.
Mandy clamped her teeth together. That wretched woman was trying to embarrass her. Not that she could possibly have known that Mandy had lied about her references… unless the neighbor who had vouched for her had told her. Her eyes narrowed slightly and she was filled with a sudden sense of loathing. They meant to embarrass her in front of the Colonel.
* * *
“I consider myself immensely fortunate to have hired someone as qualified and intelligent as Miss Downy. I can't imagine there's a better governess to be had, frankly,” the Colonel interjected, irritated that Miss Downy's relatives would treat her so wretchedly.
He watched Miss Downy flush and flash him a look of gratitude, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. It made him even more angry to see how much his defense meant to her. Somehow this poor young lady had taken the responsibility for her entire family after her father's death, and these relatives had not helped her at all. It was despicable. He felt like throttling the pompous Belford right there.
“So what will you ever do with the furniture? I hope it hasn't turned to rot sitting in our stable all this time.” Belford placed a subtle emphasis on “our stable,” as if to remind Miss Downy that none of this belonged to her anymore.
“The Colonel has kindly offered to store it for me,” she answered matter-of-factly.
Lunch was concluded and he had no intention of dawdling there allowing the Belfords to continue to insult his governess. He went directly outside to see that his men had completely loaded the furniture and hitched the ponies to a lead attached to the wagon.
“We will be off then,” he said rather curtly.
“Give our regards to your mother,” Mr. Belford said to Miss Downy as she bid them goodbye.
It lacked sincerity, and Miss Downy smiled tightly. “Thank you, I will.”
He offered her one hand and used the other on her low back to help her into the carriage. Her waist was so slender and pleasing to touch that he found himself wishing he could assist her climbing in and out of carriages all day. He climbed in after her, settling in for the return carriage ride. He watched with amusement as Miss Downy stole glances at him and then chewed her lip nervously.
“What are you frowning about?” he asked at last.
She tugged at her locket—a nervous gesture he'd noticed previously. “I'm just realizing that perhaps I am wasting your time and resources.”
“How do you mean?”
“Well, the truth is, I insisted my cousin save our furniture more out of ire with him than out of any
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