She walked around the garden, enjoying the cool, clean air and the soft sounds of nature, trying to clear her heart of the unsettled feeling that had lodged there after hearing that Nicholas Langdon’s former fiancée would be arriving the next day, and that a whole houseful of guests would be here in a week.
Julia shook her head. It hardly affected her. But she couldn’t help but wonder if Mr. Langdon would be interested in renewing his offer of marriage to the woman he had fallen in love with years ago, now that she was a widow. Didn’t people always say that first love was the strongest? And if Mrs. Tromburg had only a small jointure to live on after failing to produce an heir, then perhaps Mr. Langdon would marry her out of pity—and because he still loved her.
These thoughts weren’t making Julia feel any better. Since it was growing quite dark, she went back inside and up to the safe haven of her room.
Julia’s young pupils stood at the window, staring down at the carriage below, as Mrs. Tromburg alighted and made her way to the house.
“May we please be allowed to go and greet her?” little Elizabeth, the six-year-old, asked.
“No, I’m afraid not.”
“Oh please, Miss Grey!” The older girl and even some of the boys joined their voices to Elizabeth’s.
“Your mother would not be pleased at all with that, I am sure. Now, if you are good girls and boys, I shall allow you to have extra gingerbread at teatime, and I will ask your mother’s permission to let you go down, in an orderly and genteel fashion, to greet Mrs. Tromburg then. She will be tired from her journey, and you had much better greet her when she is rested.”
“But it is three hours until tea!” Elizabeth said it as if it were three years.
“No need to worry, Miss Elizabeth. You will still be alive and well in three hours.”
When teatime came, Julia walked the children toward the drawing room. The boys hung back, seeming shy at the prospect of meeting a young lady, but the girls started to run. Julia couldn’t get their attention without yelling. No matter. They wouldn’t want their mother’s guest to think they weren’t ladylike, and they would slow down when they reached the drawing room.
“Come along, boys.” Julia shooed the boys in front of her.
Julia entered but stood near the door, knowing she was only wanted to watch the children, not to join them for tea. The young widow was sitting near Mrs. Atherton and smiling at the girls. She greeted each of the children formally but pleasantly.
The children seemed awed by her, even the boys. Julia had to admit, Mrs. Tromburg was quite beautiful. Her hair was a vibrant blond, her eyes bright blue, and her skin was clear and fair. Her hair was perfectly arranged and her dress immaculate. She didn’t look the least worse for having traveled most of the day.
While they had their tea, Julia found a book and sat near the door, observing their visitor discreetly while the children entertained her with their stories and questions. Julia was impressed with their good behavior. They normally weren’t nearly so well mannered.
When tea was over, the nursemaid came to fetch the children, as their instruction was over for the day. Julia stood to leave as well, but Mrs. Tromburg called out, “Won’t you stay a few moments, Miss . . . ?”
“Miss Grey,” Mrs. Atherton supplied.
The two women looked completely comfortable as they waited for Julia to approach. She made her way toward them, feeling dowdy in the dress she had taught in all day.
“I know you as the Wilherns’ ward. You were at a ball I attended, I am sure of it. How do you like being a governess?”
Julia tried not to notice the snide look in Mrs. Tromburg’s eyes. “I have very worthy young pupils, I thank you.”
Mrs. Tromburg smirked. “And I see you were able to regain your health after Mrs. Dinklage prevented you from marrying her son. It is always a shame when young love is thwarted.”
“I am sure I don’t know what you mean. I was never in love with Mr. Dinklage.” Julia pretended a coolness she did not feel.
“Oh, forgive me. I meant no harm.” She waved her hand nonchalantly.
Of course you didn’t. “Will that be all you require?”
“One moment. Mrs. Atherton. Won’t you allow Miss Grey to join us for the dance when all your guests arrive next week?”
They both looked at Julia’s employer, who wore a smile.
“If you wish it, my dear, of course.”
“Miss Grey must miss such amusements now that she is earning her living.”
Julia gave Mrs. Tromburg a fake smile, curtsied, and left their presence. She was thankful they allowed her to leave without asking her if she would attend, for she wasn’t certain her reply would have been at all civil.
The next day, Julia received the information she’d requested from Felicity. She immediately wrote to the school, desperate as she was to escape from her present position. She felt like a rat, always hiding, working hard to teach children who had no desire to learn and then scurrying back to her room to avoid Mr. Atherton’s attention.