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

is heavenly.”
    He pulled his clippers from his back pocket, snipped the rose stem, and held it out to her.
    She hesitated, her gaze darting from the rose to his face and back to the flower.
    His heart sank like a rock tossed in a pond. What a fool! Someone of his station should not offer a rose to the mistress of the house! It was too forward. “I’m sorry, miss. I meant no offense.”
    “You haven’t offended me. It’s a lovely gesture. It’s just”—she tucked herbook under her right arm and reached for the rose with her left—“I have a bit of a problem carrying things sometimes.”
    He studied her, not understanding.
    She slowly withdrew her hand from the folds of her skirt and held it out. “I don’t have full use of my right hand and arm, and sometimes that makes it difficult to …”
    His heart clenched. Had she been injured? Did it still cause her pain? “It’s all right, miss. I’d be happy to cut and carry a bouquet for you.” He turned back to the roses. “Which color do you prefer?”
    “I like them all, but I suppose the pink are my favorite.”
    “Pink it is then.” He clipped several roses, some buds that were just beginning to open and some in full bloom. After he had cut at least a dozen, he turned and showed her the bouquet. “How does that look?”
    “Beautiful.” She smiled, warmth filling her soft brown eyes.
    His chest swelled and filled with delight. “Come with me, miss, and we’ll add some ferns to your bouquet.”
    She nodded and followed him out the door at the far end.
    “Ferns grow best on the shady north side.” He knelt and clipped several fronds, adding them to the roses.
    “How did you learn so much about plants?”
    “I’ve worked in the gardens here at Highland since I was a boy. My father was head gardener for almost thirty-five years.” He stood and faced her. “He passed away last year, and I took his place.”
    Sympathy filled her eyes. “I’m sorry for your loss. Is your mother still living?”
    “Yes. She and my niece live with me in a cottage here on the estate.”
    Sarah nodded, a question still flickering in her eyes. “So you’re not married?”
    “No, miss. I’ve not been blessed with a wife—not yet.” He held her gaze a moment longer.
    Her cheeks turned pink, and she looked away. “Forgive me. I shouldn’t have asked such a personal question.”
    “I don’t mind. Not at all.” He shifted the bouquet to his right arm and held out the elbow of his left. “May I walk you back to the house?”
    She nodded, a hint of a smile on her lips as she slipped her hand through his arm, and together they walked down the path toward the house.

FIVE

    On Friday, Ann Norton hurried down the back servants’ stairs, carrying Andrew’s and Millie’s boots in one hand and Miss Foster’s in the other.
    “Mind you don’t drop dirt on those stairs. I’ve just swept them.” Lydia stood guard at the bottom, her broom still in hand.
    “Sorry.” Ann placed the boots in her apron and lifted the corners, hoping to catch any mud that might fall off, though most of it seemed to be caked on the boots like glue.
    Lydia grinned and waved away her warning. “I was just teasing. It’s all right. Don’t get your apron dirty on my account. With everyone tromping up and down the stairs, I’ll be sweeping them again in an hour if Mrs. Emmitt has her way.”
    Ann returned Lydia’s smile, her heart lifting. Lydia was a gem. She often had a kind word or smile while most of the other servants treated Ann with cool disdain or suspicion. She had no idea why. She didn’t want to take anyone’s position. All she wanted was to hold on to her job as nursery maid.
    Life in service at Highland was not easy, especially dealing with Sir William’s children, but it was a far sight better than the backbreaking load she’d carried at the farm where she’d grown up as the second of eleven children. She had no desire to go back to caring for her nine younger siblings