“Yes, Samuel, that’s right! Good for you!” She smiled at him and wrote a big four under the equation. “You can go ahead and finish your picture while your brother and sister finish their work.”
The little boy beamed at her, and she felt a wash of affection for him sweep over her. He was such a sweet boy. All three of Duke Richard’s children were not only intelligent and friendly, they were some of the best looking children she’d ever seen. There were no other children their age in the city that were perfect in their features, with heads of beautiful blonde hair and eyes of violet and blue.
She watched the three of them working diligently on their school work. It was very important to their father that they were educated so that they could carry on business with the best of them. He didn’t want any paupers for children, but he didn’t plan to give them handouts, either.
Rose admired the way Richard was with his children. He always showed them a lot of love and concern, doting over their accomplishments, consoling them in their failures. She was impressed with him but did her best not to let it show. It was not her place as governess to let her admiration show.
The door was thrown open, and Elizabeth came sweeping in, three small velvet bags clutched in her small hands.
“Helloooo.” She sing-songed and struck a pose like a princess.
“Auntie Liz!” All three children called out delightedly and jumped up from their work. Rose smiled wide, watching them abandon their school work for their aunt. They ran to her and threw their arms around her at the waist, almost knocking her down in their excitement. She just laughed and hugged them all one at a time.
“Hello, children!” She looked up at Rose with pretty, wide eyes. “I’m sorry to interrupt, dear Rose. I know you are keeping them hard at work on their education.”
Rose shook her head with a smile for her friend. “Not at all, Liz. They were almost done with what they were doing. How are you today?”
“I’m doing very well, thank you for asking.” Elizabeth turned her attention the children. “Samuel, this little bag has a treat in it just for you! And here’s one for you, Charlotte, Frederick.” She handed the small velvet bags to them. They were color coordinated for each child. Charlotte’s favorite color was purple, so her little bag was purple. Frederick’s bag was green and Samuel’s blue. They each squealed in delight and thanked their aunt profusely. She leaned down so they could kiss her cheek one by one. Then they ran back to their chairs and sat down to look in the small bags.
Rose stood up as Elizabeth approached the small table. She pulled a chair over to sit facing Rose and sat down in it, balling her hands up in her lap. “So, Rose, tell me what kind of tea you have for me today?”
Rose’s smile made her face brighten. She turned to the table and spread her hands out in front of the small basket she brought in every morning. “As you can see, I have a variety of flavors today.”
They both laughed. The tea was never any different from one day to the next. Elizabeth chose one of the three teacups that were on the tray next to the basket and plopped a small tea bag into it. She held it out for Rose to pour in the water.
“Thank you, Rose. How has the day gone for you and the children?”
“Very well. They are learning so fast. So intelligent. It really surprises me sometimes.”
“They take after their daddy. Not that there was anything wrong with their mother.” She added hastily. “But Richard was always very smart. He was ahead of all the other young boys his age all through his schooling. I could never catch up with him, that was certain.”
Rose just nodded. There were a great many things to admire about the Duke. “Was he able to find an interesting match last night at the ball?”
Elizabeth snorted in an unladylike fashion, and Rose chuckled at the sound. “No,” Elizabeth said bluntly. “He isn’t really looking, though, is he? He has had many opportunities, even ladies who don’t mind becoming a stepmother to the children. They step up to him, but he doesn’t respond. That’s very discouraging.”
“Is he really trying at all? Does he participate in the dancing?”
“As well he should!” Elizabeth was a little frustrated with her brother. “But not enough. And when he does, he just…well, he doesn’t seem to want to be involved. And you have to want to be involved, or nothing will ever happen.”
“Perhaps he has high standards.” Rose smiled.
“As well he should!” Elizabeth’s voice was firm, but her face betrayed that her frustration was because she cared about Richard. “But he can’t expect perfection, now can he?”