Read Online Seeking Celeste by Hayley Ann Solomon - Free Book Online

stare at their governess in astonishment.
    â€œBut of course,” they said, almost in unison. “It is the Carmichael way. We all do.”
    Miss Derringer sighed. “I warrant you do.”
    The business of packing the eighth Earl of Edgemere’s London necessities into the landau was not sufficiently interesting to arrest the children’s attention for long. Especially not since, after a few brief words with the coachman and Miss Danvers herself, Lord Carmichael disappeared once more.
    â€œWhere the blazes did he go?”
    â€œBlessed if I know! Let’s find him!”
    Anne opened her mouth to call them back, then shut it again. She was not inclined to waste her energies on useless ventures.
    Besides, she understood their feelings. If she had not been brought up the soul of discretion, she would be running after him herself. The thought, though wanton, disreputable and faintly intoxicating, was honest. Miss Derringer could have no idea how pretty she looked with a faint flush to her cheeks and her bonnet askew from peering illicitly below.
    The crack of a whip and the rolling of wheels on the flagstones indicated that Miss Danvers, at least, was on her way. Anne breathed a small sigh. With her went the certainty of twenty pounds a year and a lifetime of servitude. Her new life promised more but was less— far less—predictable.
    â€œDo you always spy on your employers?”
    The colour grew rosier as Anne whirled round. “How in the world ...”
    â€œThere is a secret stair. The children will show you, I have no doubt!”
    â€œI have every doubt! Do you mean to say they may suddenly disappear and I shall have to hunt around for secret passageways? I thought that sort of thing went out with the Gothic!”
    â€œIt did! This, however, is a Gothic style villa. It could not claim so prestigious an appellation if it did not have its fair share of dungeons and skeletons and—”
    â€œNow you are absurd, sir!”
    â€œAnd you are beautiful, my lady! And you still do not answer my question. I believe you are being deliberately evasive.”
    â€œAbout spying on my employers? You are the first one I have had, and I will have you know, my lord, that that was not spying; that was merely assuring myself—”
    â€œThat I heeded your managing advice and escorted the old witch to Staines?”
    â€œWhich I see you are not doing ...”
    â€œFiddlesticks! I most certainly am! My phaeton will pass the landau at the first junction, you shall see. I have at least an hour at my disposal before I need concern myself—”
    â€œAre you aware of Aesop, my lord?”
    â€œAesop?” For once, the earl looked blank.
    Anne smiled smugly. “The hare and the turtle ...”
    â€œGood God, woman! You don’t mean to compare me to a common hare, do you? As for a turtle, the only thing I noticed in that line was a hedgehog, and why that woman should have a hedgehog hiding in her coat pocket beats me ...”
    Their eyes met in dawning comprehension. Anne’s merely twinkled, but the earl so far forgot himself as to allow the corners of his delectable lips to become involved, too. They twitched now uproariously.
    â€œShall you strangle them or shall I?”

Six
    â€œThe hare must fly.”
    â€œI disapprove of mixed metaphors, my lord.”
    â€œThere is apparently much you disapprove of, Anne of the bewitching eyes.”
    â€œMy lord ...”
    â€œYes, yes, I know. You disapprove of that, too. I shall be very proper and say farewell, Miss Derringer. Be diligent in your duties.”
    â€œThat is better, sir, but would be better yet if you released my hand and did not plant kisses upon my palm.”
    â€œHow very disappointing and dreadfully dull, Miss Derringer! Nevertheless, since I wish to remain in your good books, I shall release your delightful fingers at once and make haste to catch up with Miss Danforth or