Page 37 of The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins

Millicent was telling me everything Lord Markeley had said to her the day before. My mind had wandered but she hadn’t noticed, as she spoke with an enraptured expression. She could dream of marrying the viscount. She at least had a chance with him. I, on the other hand, did not.

I sipped my tea and tried not to dwell on what I would do if the head gardener, the land steward, and the vicar were all already married or otherwise unacceptable. Would I leave Lowndesbury House and find another position elsewhere? I didn’t wish to leave Samuel or Annabelle, especially since they had been abandoned so many times already. And the thought of leaving Lord Brookhaven made my chest ache.

Truly, I had set myself up for heartbreak.

I stared out the window at the falling rain and sighed. My longing for home and the familiar faces at Mrs. Southey’s school seemed to be competing with my pain at leaving Lowndesbury House. But such was the life of a governess, I suppose.

Twelve

That evening, dinner was quieter than usual, and we all retired a little early.

The next day, I avoided the drawing rooms where the guests were gathered.

“They’re playing cards,” Millicent informed me as she retreated with me to my little alcove again. It was really Mrs. Merryweather’s alcove, but she rarely ever took the time to even take her tea, so busy was she with running the household, and never in her little alcove. But it had a window looking out on the garden, and I liked to sit next to it while I sipped my tea and ruminated.

“I must tell you something I overheard yesterday evening.” Millicent spoke in a low voice, even though we were obviously alone.

My heart sank a bit as I braced myself. I could tell that what she was about to say was not going to be good.

“Rose Rutledge was speaking with Miss Allen about how well you played at pall mall, and I heard her say, ‘She probably had nothing else to do at that little school for orphans.’”

“Well, she’s not far wrong,” I said wryly, trying to sound amused as I tamped down my other emotions.

“But it’s cruel of her to say it, and I only hope Lord Brookhaven doesn’t marry her.” She pressed her lips together as if she’d just said something very daring.

I really was grateful to have her as a friend, but I might be more grateful if Millicent shared less about the unkind things Lord Brookhaven’s guests said about me.

That evening after dinner, Lord Brookhaven seemed quiet. He left the room twice and came back each time smelling like pipe smoke. He spoke little and seemed not in a good humor, reminding me of the first time I saw him on the roof the evening I came to Lowndesbury House.

I had not been sleeping very well, and when I could no longer stop myself from yawning, I excused myself. Millicent had already whispered to me that she would stay and see if they gossiped about me again.

I wanted to assure her that I cared not a whit about their gossip and didn’t want to know what they might say about me, but I refrained and left to go up to bed.

“Miss Robbins.”

I turned on the stairs and saw Lord Brookhaven looking at me from the landing.

“Are you well?” he asked.

“I am, but I’m tired.”

He stared up at me, but it was too dark to see his expression.

“Good night, then, Miss Robbins.”

“Good night, sir.”

I turned to continue up the stairs, but when I glanced over my shoulder he was still standing there, gazing up at me.

The house party resumed the next day in a similar fashion. At dinner, I was seated between Mr. Thomas Merritt and Lord Markeley, both of whom were unusually quiet. Then, near the end of the meal, their eyes met over my head.

Mr. Merritt leaned down and said quietly, “It seems as though Lord Brookhaven has developed an affection for you, Miss Robbins.”

My heart jolted. “Wh-what do you mean?” I could barely breathe.

“We think he may even be considering asking you to marry him.”

My cheeks grew hot. Mr. Merritt’s expression was one of disapproval, almost anger.