Free The Mistress of Hanover Square by Anne Herries Page A

at the mercy of her family. Except that Marguerite had no chance of marriage at all and Amelia might have married if she had wished.
    Something must be done for her friend, Amelia thought. A Season in town would not solve Marguerite’s problem, but perhaps she could think of some way of getting her away from her family for a while. She wrote a long and cheerful letter and sealed it. It had occurred to her that she would need someone she trusted to help her care for Lisa. Marguerite adored children and she might enjoy helping with Lisa’s education.
    Glancing at the clock, Amelia realised that it was time she paid her visit to the nursery. Lisa would have had her breakfast and she would be waiting for the gift Amelia had promised her. She hoped the child would be pleased with the doll she had chosen.
    Amelia spent a pleasant half an hour in the nursery, playing with Lisa, who had been given several presents, including a pretty doll from her father. Lisa was delighted to have two dolls, especially as Amelia’s had curly hair.
    ‘She is like me,’ she said and put the doll up against her face. ‘Thank you, Mademoiselle Royston.’
    ‘You may call me Amelia. We are going to be friends, Lisa.’
    ‘Papa says you are to be my mama.’ Lisa’s eyes were large and apprehensive. ‘Will you live with us, Melia?’
    ‘Yes, I shall live with you and your papa,’ Amelia replied. ‘That is why I want us to be friends, dearest. As you grow up, it will be I who buys your dresses and teaches you to be a young lady. You will have a governess, but she will be kind and I shall make certain that your studies include games as well as the dull things.’
    Lisa’s face lit up, then a shy expression came into her eyes. ‘Will you love me, mademoiselle ?’
    ‘I already love you,’ Amelia said and took her into her arms, hugging and kissing her. ‘You are a delight to me, Lisa—and perhaps one day you may have brothers or sisters to play with you.’
    ‘I should like that but…Papa will not send me away when you are married?’
    ‘No, of course not. Why should you think that?’
    ‘Nanny told me it would happen if I did not do everything she told me.’
    ‘That lady has been dismissed. I shall choose another nurse to help look after you, and I assure you that she will be kind.’
    ‘I love you,’ Lisa said as she climbed on Amelia’s knee and put her arms about her neck. ‘Nanny hasn’t left yet, Melia. I saw her in the garden as I looked from my window. She was talking to someone—a man. I have seen her talk to him before, but she said that if I told Papa she would whip me.’
    ‘She was very wicked to threaten you like that.’Amelia controlled her anger. ‘Your papa has dismissed her. If she has not already left this house, she will do so within a few hours. I dare say your papa thought it would be unfair to make her leave at Christmastide. However, she will not be allowed near you again.’ Amelia touched her hair. ‘You must always tell Papa or me these things, Lisa, if someone hurts or frightens you—or if you see someone who makes you feel uncomfortable.’
    ‘I will tell you. Papa might think I was telling tales—and gentlemen do not approve of such things.’
    ‘There are times when telling a grown-up the truth is important. If someone frightens you, Lisa—or threatens you—you must tell us. Please promise me you will?’
    ‘I promise.’ Lisa slid from her lap as some of the other children came running into the nursery school-room. They were all clutching new toys of some kind. ‘I must not keep you, mademoiselle . Nanny said that mothers only spend a few minutes with children; they are too busy to waste their time with us.’
    Amelia smothered a sigh. Gerard had not dismissed that woman a moment too soon!
    ‘When we are all living together, you will spend a part of your day with your papa and me when he has the time. It is true that gentlemen have their business to keep them busy, but I assure you