Read Online The Governess of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky - Free Book Online Page A

the garden wall and walked toward the house.
    So Miss Foster had attracted the attention of at least two of his staff. How many others had their eye on her? He huffed as he strode across the back courtyard. If one of those men wooed her, she would most likely accept his proposal and resign her position. If that happened, he’d have to start his search all over again.
    What an unhappy turn of events. Here he’d finally found a governess who had a sensible head on her shoulders, and he might lose her before the one-month trial had even finished. That’s what he got for hiring a young woman who was so attractive.
    But he didn’t like the idea of losing Julia Foster, not to Dalton the gardener, Nelson the footman, or anyone else.

    Clark Dalton lowered his head and leaned on the wooden greenhouse shelving. What had he been thinking? If he was going to hold on to his position, and he must, then he’d best keep his head down and his eyes on the seeds and soil, not on Miss Sarah Ramsey.
    Father, help me rein in my thoughts. Don’t let me wander off the path You’ve marked out for me .
    Caring for the gardens and grounds was in his blood. He’d been raised at Highland and learned those skills at his father’s side. But it was a solitary life, working from sunrise to sunset with only the plants and trees as his companions. He did oversee two younger under-gardeners, but both were merely boys. They had little schooling or interest beyond their daily duties, while he longed for intelligent conversation with someone who could discuss books, politics, faith, and life past the gate at Highland.
    From the first time he had seen Miss Ramsey walking in the garden, his heart had been drawn to her. The kindness in her eyes and her gentle smile impressed him deeply. Now he watched for her every day. What would he do when the cold weather arrived and her walks in the garden ceased? How would he catch a glimpse of her?
    With a heavy sigh, he pulled his gloves from his jacket pocket and tugged them on. Maybe the coming change in seasons was for the best. Perhaps it would give his heart time to realize what a fool he was for thinking—
    “Excuse me, Mr. Dalton?”
    He pulled in a sharp breath and turned.
    Miss Ramsey stood in the greenhouse doorway, her soft blue shawl draped around her shoulders and her book in her hand. “I’m sorry to disturb you.”
    “No, miss. It’s all right. You’re not disturbing me.”
    She sent him a sweet smile. “I thought you should know the arm of the bench in the garden has come loose.”
    He stared at her a moment, taking in the loveliness of her face andform. Her soft pink cheeks, so much like rose petals, and her lovely brown eyes like those of a newborn calf.
    Her smiled faded. “Mr. Dalton, are you all right?”
    He blinked and straightened. “Yes, miss. I’m fine. I’ll see to repairing the bench right away.”
    “Oh, there’s no need to hurry.” She glanced around the greenhouse. “I’m sure you must be very busy taking care of all these flowers as well as the estate grounds.”
    “Highland is a large estate, but I’m grateful for my work. I enjoy it very much.”
    “I can see why. It’s all so lovely.” She glanced out the greenhouse windows to the garden beyond. “Our home in London doesn’t have much of a garden. If we want to enjoy time outdoors, we must to go to a park.”
    He nodded, enjoying the sound of her voice.
    “So you can see why I’ve been so eager to spend time in the garden.”
    “You’re wise to take advantage of it now. The temperatures will be dropping soon, and when it freezes, that will be the end of most of these flowers until next year.”
    “Except for those you have in the greenhouse.” She smiled and shifted her gaze to the blooms around him.
    “Yes, miss, that’s true.” He turned and scanned the rows of plants and flowers he tended year round.
    “The roses are beautiful.” She leaned forward and sniffed a deep red bloom. “Their fragrance