Page 88 of Trouble

‘I was testing you. I know you aren’t nasty, and now I know you’re humble to boot. Captain Edwards says he cannot imagine the house without you.’ She was looking out over the grounds in the failing light, with a smile that seemed to be fading just as rapidly. ‘I suppose it would have been all right here. Ah, well.’

Emily did not attempt to parse her meaning; she was still reeling from the thought that Captain Edwards had beendiscussingher with this woman.

‘Do you plan to stay on, for the long haul?’

‘Oh, no,’ said Emily. ‘Only to see Captain Edwards married. I suppose that works out well – you can vet the next governess yourself.’

She laughed. It sounded like wind chimes.

‘Why on earth would I do that?’

‘I thought you were .?.?. engaged to be married,’ Emily said, stumbling over her words slightly. ‘Or that you intended to be so, soon.’

‘Ah .?.?. No,’ said Mrs Spencer. ‘Not at all, actually. I cannot even remember whose idea it was in the first place, because neither of us have ever been particularly keen. Still, we did insist on being sensible andtalkingabout it. We entertained the idea for a while, but we have decided against it.’ She sighed. ‘I’m afraid I tend to prefer horrible men.’

Emily blinked, taken aback by this sudden turn.

‘And you don’t think he’s .?.?. horrible enough?’

‘Good heavens, no. Not an ounce.’

‘Oh,’ said Emily. ‘I see.’

‘Well, youdosee, don’t you? The people who work in houses like this always do. My lady’s maid would tell you that I’m difficult, spoiled .?.?. set in my ways. She could have told me it was never going to work out. It’s been six years since my husband died, and while I didn’t enjoy burying him, I am adjusting rather well to the rest.’ Mrs Spencer put down her pipe and sighed, stretching her arms indulgently. It made her look like a very attractive cat. ‘What about you? What wouldyousay about the master of the house?’

‘Nothing,’ said Emily.

‘Well, very good, then. He’s lucky to have you. He talks a lot about what a boon you’ve been for the children – I know he will find it very difficult to lose you. I suppose .?.?. I suppose eventually he’ll find somebody strong and spirited to marry. That’s what he needs – a bit of fire, a bit of cheering up. I’ve never seen somebody so terribly, obviouslysad.’

When she got to her feet, the movement was so graceful she seemed to be flowing, like water. Emily found herself quite captivated.

‘Good evening, Miss Laurence. Be careful if you’re going to stay out here – there’s a very hungry-looking woodlouse on the rail just by your left elbow.’

Emily sat down on the steps Mrs Spencer had vacated, and although she remained unmolested by the woodlouse, she felt just as shaken and out of sorts as if she had been.

1‘Where’s your dog? What is your dog’s name? Can I please pet your dog?’

2‘Where are your dog’s other paws?’

3A brick.

4‘I love dogs.’

Chapter Thirty

Aster was still awake when Emily went to check on the children, a habit she had picked up sincebothof them had gone missing from their beds on separate occasions.

‘He isn’t engaged, is he,’ Aster said conversationally, when Emily opened his door a crack to find him sitting by the fire still dressed, scratching out a letter with very haphazard handwriting.

‘No,’ said Emily, without thinking. ‘Well .?.?. I shouldn’t think so.’

‘I knew it,’ Aster said, with distracted triumph. ‘Damn. This ink is too .?.?. inky.’

‘Aster,’ Emily said. ‘When you were .?.?. Before, when you were saying .?.?. with the arm-wrestling. You were .?.?. jesting, weren’t you?’

‘I didn’t actually think you were going to arm-wrestle her, if that’s what you’re asking,’ said Aster. ‘But no, I was perfectly serious about the rest.’

‘What rest?’ said Emily, with great trepidation.