Free The Gentleman's Bride Search by Deborah Hale

from the governess for fear they might offend his daughter with a burst of laughter.
    “She is all alone in the world, you know,” Emma continued in a tone of gentle pity. “She got married to a soldier but he was killed at Waterloo. I think she still misses him.”
    The way Emma still missed her mother? The thought gave Jasper a pang. He recalled how his late wife had doted on their first child, such a quiet, contented infant.
    “I’m sure she does,” Miss Fairfax spoke up when Jasper’s memories rendered him silent. “But I believe she enjoyed herself today and was happy to make a new friend.”
    Her words seemed to comfort the child and encourage her to focus on how she could help Mrs. Dawson rather than dwell on the sadness of their bereavement.
    Owen looked toward the nursery window where fat drops of rain spattered against the glass. “It’s too bad we won’t be able to play hide-and-seek in the garden after tea.”
    The other children murmured their disappointment, but their governess was quick to offer a suggestion. “What if we play downstairs before the guests come down to dinner?”
    Jasper’s children immediately cheered up, greeting the idea with enthusiasm.
    “We will need your father’s permission, of course.” Miss Fairfax cast him a pleading look. “And we must promise to be very careful and not break anything.”
    “We promise!”
    “Can we, Papa? Please!”
    Jasper gave a cheerful shrug. “I don’t see why not.”
    The children cheered and their governess flashed him a grateful smile.
    “Perhaps we should ask Miss Brookes to join our games,” he suggested. “She told me she wished she could have played with us last night.”
    Alfie nodded. “I think we should. I like her.”
    “So do I,” said Matthew. “Miss Webster, too. Can we ask her to play, Papa?”
    “If you like.” Jasper wondered if the other children would want to invite their particular friends.
    Before any of them should suggest it, Miss Fairfax rose from her place. “Let’s get tidied up first. Rosie, how on earth did you manage to get jam on your nose?”
    Jasper turned to the nursery maid, who had begun to clear away the dishes. “Jane, will you kindly inform Miss Brookes and Miss Webster that the children will be playing downstairs for the next hour, if they would like to join us?”
    “Yes, Mr. Chase.” The girl bobbed a curtsy. “Right away, sir.”
    Perhaps this would be an opportunity to become better acquainted with one of the other ladies. Jasper mulled over the idea as Jane bustled off to relay his invitation. Without Miss Anstruther around to claim his attention, it might be easier to engage Abigail Brookes or Margaret Webster in conversation.
    Yet somehow, he could not dismiss the ridiculous impression that the ladies would be intruding on his family time with the children and Miss Fairfax.

Chapter Five
    O n the fourth day of the house party, Evangeline woke even earlier than usual. After checking that yesterday’s rain had stopped, she dressed and arranged her hair with more than usual care. Mixing with Mr. Chase’s guests had made her conscious of her appearance. She did not want to be an embarrassment to her employer, after all.
    Once she was ready, she crept out to the nursery, where Jane had already lit a small fire and left a pot of coffee. Evangeline had just poured herself a cup when the nursery door eased open and Jasper Chase peered inside. She was not surprised to see him. The day before, he had asked if there was a time he might speak to her without the children present. She’d told him there was only this early morning hour or the evening after her pupils were tucked in for the night. Mr. Chase insisted he did not want to make her wait up.
    Now he entered the nursery with quiet footsteps, closing the door softly behind him. Evangeline poured him a cup of coffee as he slipped into the chair beside her at the round nursery table. Of course, it would be easier to speak in hushed tones