Free Nina Coombs Pykare by Dangerous Decision Page A

one and ate their breakfasts in peace, though she had a little trouble getting Constance to even think of eating, so eager was the child to get outside. Even Henrietta’s eyes seemed less bleak when they turned toward the sunlight streaming through the dusty dining hall windows.
    They’d cleaned their plates and were pushing back their chairs when Simpson shuffled in and leaned over to whisper in Edwina’s ear, “The earl be wanting to see you in the library, miss. Right away.” Though she said no more than that, her toothy smile flashed an obvious I-told-you-so.
    Edwina turned to the girls. “I’m going to talk to your papa for a few minutes. So I want you to go back to the nursery and study your lessons, the ones Miss McGovern set you before she left. When I get through with your papa, I’ll come upstairs for you and then we’ll go outside.”
    Constance cast a wistful eye in the direction of the front door, but she went dutifully up the stairs. These girls were used to obeying, perhaps too used to it, Edwina thought ruefully.
    * * * *
    In his library Charles stood rigid by the hearth, his hands curled into fists as he tried to control the anger threatening to choke him. He hadn’t been this angry since he couldn’t remember when. This obstinate new governess was causing no end of problems.
    He should have sent her away right off, as Leonore wanted. Still how could he do that? The girls were there. They needed attending to. And Leonore, in spite of all her sweet words to the contrary, was plainly not the sort to raise children. She could barely abide to have them in the same room with her, let alone devote her whole day to their care.
    But why did the stubborn Miss Pierce have to bring them downstairs? When he’d first heard their childish voices, he’d almost expected to hear Catherine’s too, to hear her call to him to hurry, they were going out to play.
    His orders had been clear and simple: the children did not come downstairs. Plainly Miss Pierce did not follow orders. Plainly Miss Pierce did as she pleased. She was the most aggravating chit, trying to run his life. She needed to learn who was master here.
    * * * *
    Edwina paused outside the library door. In bringing the girls downstairs she had only done what any decent human being would have done. She refused to feel guilty about it. But she still couldn’t help feeling anxious about this summons to the earl’s presence.
    Well, she might as well get it over with. Though she was breathing hard, and under her shabby gown her knees had started a foolish trembling, she opened the door and stepped in. She was by nature, or perhaps necessity, a very practical person. Practicality demanded that she give way before her employer’s demands.
    But she was also God-fearing. She could not possibly be party to what was being done to these innocent children. To practically imprison them in the nursery, to deny them access to fresh air and sunshine ...
    The earl stood with his back to the door, gazing out a window that looked onto the castle courtyard. Even in her anxiety she noted that his coat, though somewhat shabby, still hugged his broad shoulders, showing the faultless fit London tailors prided themselves on. But were those shoulders rigid with anger? She was afraid so.
    She cleared her throat. “Milord? Mrs. Simpson said you wished to see me?”
    He swung around and glared at her imperiously. “Yes! I do!”
    If previously she had thought of him as a commanding figure, now he actually seemed to tower over her and his eyes blazed. In confusion, she took a step backward. “Milord? What is it? What’s wrong?”
    “I heard the children in the hall.”
    So that was it. He’d heard them. Well, boldness was her best defense. After all, she had done nothing wrong. Nothing at all. “Of course, milord. We came down to eat breakfast.”
    “The children eat in the nursery,” he thundered, his face the picture of wrath.
    “They did, milord,” she soothed. “Now