Page 13 of The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins

“Or perhaps we are just expected not to show it. We always must be so dignified and proper, though I do not know who decided that the show of emotion was undignified.”

“Perhaps we shall start a new movement, to show emotion and not care who sees. Would you be able to support such a stance, Miss Robbins?”

“I would like that very much. However, to scream and wail anywhere and at any time, becoming violent whenever one is angry,would make for a rather chaotic society. There must be moderation, I think. But I would like to see more authenticity.”

A tiny smile graced his lips.

“The challenge is how to preserve authenticity in emotion while remaining considerate of the feelings of others. No one wants to be around someone who cannot control themselves.”

His grin grew bigger, with a rakish, one-sided quirk. “You have thought this through before today, Miss Robbins.”

“I have.” I allowed myself to smile back.

We stood in silence again. He stared everywhere around us except at me. I, on the other hand, allowed myself to look at him, imagining I was describing Lord Brookhaven in a letter to my friends.He is tall and wears his clothes well,though he’s no fop. His dark hair and heavyblack eyebrows enhance the melancholy look about his eyes,asif he is wiser and sadder than other young men. He has blue eyes and a Roman nose,with amasculine jawline and chin,a heavy forehead and rectangular face. He could almost be said to have perfect features ifit were not for his slightly overlapping teeth and theironic way he has of smiling and talking out ofonly one side of his mouth. But I consider himhandsome,more handsome than any other man I ever saw.

I might be partial to him because he was my employer and because of the friendly way he spoke to me, but I could not attribute it solely to that. Some women preferred men who were thin and boyish, with blond hair and delicate features, but those characteristics did not appeal to me. I also was unwilling to overlook a large age difference, as some women were wont to do, marrying someone old enough to be their grandfather. I could possibly overlook some things if he was a good man—character was more important than anything else, of course—but I hoped the man I married would be young like me.

Why was I thinking about this? Lord Brookhaven was so far above my station as to probably not even see me as a woman, and I likewise could not see him as an eligible man.

He broke the silence.

“My father sent my nurse Addy away when I was at school, dismissed her with a yearly allowance that was hardly enough money to buy food, with nothing left over for lodging. Therefore she had to live with and care for her sister, who had consumption. And she soon became ill herself. She died of the same malady as her sister.”

“I am so sorry.”

“As soon as I discovered what manner of life she was living, I sent money and made certain she had the best care, but of course, she never recovered.”

“That was very kind of you. I am sure she knew how much you cared for her and she was comforted by that,” I said.

“No more than she deserved, as she is my example of a good mother. But perhaps it is thoughtless of me to speak of such a thing with you. You are an orphan and never knew your mother, I suppose.”

“I don’t remember my mother, nor any of my family, except for the haziest memory of her lying sick. But I don’t mind hearing about yours.”

He gave me a look so warm and compassionate that it quite took my breath away.

We were quiet for a minute. Then, in a more businesslike tone, he said, “I did want to reiterate that I appreciated your assistance after the accident, even if Mr. and Miss Skidmore did not take the time to thank you. You were of great help.”

“Of course, my lord. It was no trouble.”

“And I would like to receive a report from you of the children’s progress every Friday afternoon. If there are any books or materials you need for their instruction, you can give me your list at that time.”

“Yes, sir.”

“And if you wish them to take some of their lessons out of doors, you may. Children need fresh air and sunshine.”

“Thank you, sir. I agree.”

“And you found the post office all right?”

“Yes, sir.”

“In future, allow me to frank your letters. Place them in the mail tray with the rest. Mrs. Merryweather will show you. That is all. You will forgive me for interrupting your walk.” Lord Brookhaven went toward the house, not looking back, and I watched him go.

I thought meeting an earl would be interesting, but he was so much more than I’d imagined. Not a dandy, nor a thoughtless man-child bent on destroying himself with drink and gambling. Though he might be a bit arrogant, he did have reason to be, and yet I did not find him off-putting. In short, he was not like any of the stories I’d heard about titled young men.

It was only too bad he wasn’t the vicar, steward, or head gardener.

I smiled to myself, then followed a safe distance behind.