My Brown-Eyed Earl (3 page)

Will faced the girls, arms crossed over his chest. “It is especially bad form to eavesdrop and knock a person to the floor before introductions have been made.”

One of the girls thrust her hand at Miss Lacey. “I'm Diana. Pleased to meet you.”

“The pleasure is mine. I'm Miss Lacey.” She shook the girl's hand and turned to her twin, who clutched a doll tightly to her chest. “Lord Castleton has told me a bit about you both. You must be Violet.”

“No.” Tears welled in blue eyes too big for her face, and her lower lip trembled. “My name isn't Violet.” She cast an accusatory glance at Will, who suddenly felt about three inches tall.

“Her name is Valerie,” Diana said helpfully. “A far better name than Violet.”

“Agreed,” Miss Lacey said quickly. “It's no contest.” Her gaze flicked from Valerie to Will and back. “Please forgive my mistake. Lord Castleton said your name was
Valerie
—I'm certain—and then I went and botched it.”

Valerie brightened instantly, beaming at Will like he was some sort of hero. He stared at Miss Lacey in wonder. With a small fib she'd elevated him from scoundrel to prince. What type of sorceress was she?

“It was lovely meeting you both,” she said to the twins, “but I really must go.”

The truth hit him like a thunderbolt. He couldn't let her walk out of his study. There were a dozen reasons why she was the wrong candidate, but the radiant smile Valerie wore trumped them all. “Wait.”

“What is it, my lord?”

“I'd like you to reconsider.”

The look she gave him was polite but regretful. “I think we both know I'm not right for this position.”

After the series of unfortunate events that comprised the interview, he hadn't expected her to readily accept. But he was encouraged by the fact that thus far she'd made no threats of head shaving or convents.

“I think you
are
right for the position,” he said smoothly. He was used to getting what he wanted. Now that he knew what—or, rather, whom—he wanted, it was a mere matter of negotiating the terms.

And he fully intended to win.

*   *   *

Meg had no intention of changing her mind. She was going to have to ask Charlotte to help her find another position. And yet, she couldn't resist the opportunity to hear Lord Castleton grovel.

“What are you saying, my lord?”

His mouth curled into a slow, dangerous smile. “I'm offering you the job.”

She wondered if he'd forgotten about the twins, who stood behind him, absorbing every word of the conversation. “And what brought about this sudden change of heart?”

He shrugged impossibly broad shoulders. “Perhaps my hangover has finally worn off.”

“I see.” But his casual air and charming banter did not fool her. A horn had just sounded, signaling the start of the hunt—and she, a prospective governess, was the fox he pursued. “I'm afraid I cannot accept.”

“How can you say no? We haven't even discussed the terms.”

“The particular terms are irrelevant. I won't be swayed by an extra afternoon off.”

He chuckled, sending a shiver down her spine. “I was under the impression that you needed the income.”

Heaven help her, she did. But surely, another opening would come along, wouldn't it? “I will find something else.”

“Let's discuss your salary.”

“There's nothing to discuss.” She tried not to think about the new spectacles that Uncle Alistair desperately needed or the pretty rose-colored shawl that Julie longed for. Meg couldn't be bought—not by the earl.

“Whatever your friend, Miss Winters, makes … I'll double it.”

She gasped. “Why?”

“Because I wish to reach an agreement. Right now.” He sauntered closer, his hard arm brushing against hers as he bent toward her ear. “Every woman has her price.”

She bristled at his words and the obvious innuendo. “Not I, my lord. Of all people, I should have thought you'd learned that by now.”

He rubbed his chin and smiled, seemingly unperturbed. “You are a formidable negotiator, Miss Lacey. Very well, then. I shall triple Miss Winter's salary and also put you up in the blue guest chamber—it has the best view of the garden.” He paced a moment, as if he'd let that sink in, then smiled smugly. “Now do we have a deal?”

“We do not.” Later she might kick herself for refusing his offer, but at the moment pride firmly held the reins. “Money is not the only consideration in a decision such as this.”

“So true.” He ambled toward the twins, stood behind them, and patted their unruly blond curls. “Girls, how would you like to have Miss Lacey as your special new friend?”

“Friend? I hardly think a governess is the same thing as—”

“Oh, yes!” The twins bounced on their toes as if their glee were too much to contain.

“They've never had a governess before,” the earl said in a stage whisper. “I thought we should ease into it.”

No. There would be no
easing in
of anything. How dare he use those poor little girls as pawns?

Meg knelt before them and looked earnestly into their hopeful blue eyes. “I've no doubt Lord Castleton will find someone better suited to the position.” Probably by this time tomorrow.

“Better suited? What does that mean?” asked Diana, her little nose crinkling. “You don't want to be friends with us?”

Valerie wrung her tiny hands. “We're sorry we knocked you down earlier.”

“I'm not cross about that,” Meg assured her. “Of course I'd like to be your friend, but circumstances don't allow—” She sighed. “It's complicated.”

“That's what Mama said when she brought us here … before she left us.” Diana scowled at the memory. Valerie whimpered.

Meg shot the earl a withering glance before returning her attention to the girls.

“Everything will be fine,” Meg said. “You'll see.”

“Mama said that, too.” Valerie sniffled. “But
nothing's
been fine. I miss her.”

Diana draped an arm around her sister's shoulders and raised her pointy chin. “Don't fret, Val. I'll take care of you till Mama comes back.”

Meg flicked her gaze to Lord Castleton, who gave a somber shake of his head.

So, their mother wasn't coming back for them.

The poor, brave dears. She swallowed the knot in her throat. The girls' wan faces reflected all the grief and fear she'd felt eight years ago after losing her parents, her home, and the only life she'd ever known. What she would have given then for someone who understood that she needed to be a child for a while longer. For someone to assure her that she'd be safe and protected—maybe even loved.

No, she couldn't walk away from these two. “What if I agreed to stay, just for a little while?”

“Would you?” Diana asked, one part hopeful and one part suspicious.

Meg nodded and was almost bowled over again when Valerie threw her arms around her neck. Diana hung back, watchful and cautious, but Meg detected a reluctant smile.

“Will you come see the nursery? I could show you where Molly sleeps,” Valerie asked.

“Molly's her doll,” Diana provided helpfully.

“Miss Lacey and I have a few matters to discuss,” the earl interjected. “But you'll have plenty of time with her in the days ahead. Run along now.”

“I shall see you soon,” Meg assured them, and they bounded out of the room, leaving her quite alone with Lord Castleton.

“It seems we have a deal after all,” he gloated.

Her palm itched to slap the self-satisfied smile off his face. “For the
girls'
sake, I've agreed to a temporary assignment.”

“Excellent. I shall honor the terms I set forth earlier.”

“That's very … generous.”

“And I expect you to begin working tomorrow morning.”

“But—”

He raised his brows. “Unless you'd prefer to start this evening?”

Meg smiled sweetly. “No.”

“I thought not.”

She had much to do. Beth and Julie didn't even know about the interview, and now she had to let them know she was moving into the earl's residence—at least for a while.

As she exited the study, Lord Castleton strolled behind her, triumphing no doubt.

“What made you change your mind about me?” she asked over her shoulder.

“They need you,” he said simply. “Even an idiot like me could see that.”

She laughed in spite of herself. “Well, they need
someone
.”

“Not me. I promise to stay out of your way.”

Of course he would. The great Lord Castleton couldn't be bothered with a pair of heartbroken little girls or their plain, unfashionable governess. He was now free to resume his drunken bachelor activities, leaving the rest of them to their own devices.

And that was clearly for the best.

 

Chapter
THREE

 

“Did you have a nice time with Charlotte?” Beth looked up from her sewing, blew an errant chestnut curl away from her face, and smiled.

Meg hung her hat and shawl on a peg in the front hallway, then joined Beth on the settee in the cozy parlor. Smaller and easier to heat than the drawing room, it was where the sisters spent most of their time. As Meg looked around at the stacks of books and piles of unfinished sketches and stories, she felt a pang—a hint of the homesickness that was sure to come. “We only had a brief visit, but she is well.”

“Brief? You were gone most of the afternoon.” Beth squinted at her needle as she gracefully guided it through the hem of a gown pooled in her lap. “Did you stop somewhere else?”

“Yes.” Meg tried to keep the nervousness from her voice. “I have news. Where's Julie?”

“She went to check on Uncle Alistair. You know how he is—he gets so absorbed in his research that he forgets to eat. What is this news? It sounds very mysterious.”

“I'll tell you both when Julie returns.” Meg picked up the sleeve of the navy dress draped across Beth's legs. “I thought you'd already let the hem out of this.”

“I did, but I think I can stretch another inch out of it. Shouldn't Julie have stopped growing by now?”

“Did I hear my name?” Julie breezed into the parlor and placed her hands on her slender hips. “Meg, you're back!”

“She is, and she has something to tell us.” Beth scooted over and patted the settee cushion beside her.

Ignoring the invitation, Julie clasped her hands under her chin. “How exciting. Don't tell me—let me guess. We've received a ball invitation?”

“No, darling. Nothing as exciting as that, I'm afraid,” Meg said. The youngest of the trio, Julie was the only one who still became dreamy-eyed at the mention of a ball. “Come sit, and I'll explain everything.”

Julie kicked off her slippers and tucked her long legs on the settee beneath her. Beth plopped her sewing onto the table in front of them. “I don't like the sound of this. What's going on?”

Meg let out a long, slow breath. “It's wonderful news, actually.”

Beth narrowed her pretty blue eyes. “Then why do you seem so anxious?”

“Well, this afternoon after I met with Charlotte … I went on an interview.”

“An interview?” cried Julie. “For what?”

“A governess position caring for young girls—twins.” Meg paused. “I was offered the job … and I start tomorrow. I'll need to pack my things tonight.”

Julie pressed trembling fingers to her throat. “But … but why would you seek a governess position?”

“I think you know,” said Meg, lowering her voice to a whisper. “Uncle Alistair can barely afford the few servants he has left. I had to do
something
to help, and this job pays well. I'll be able to cover some of the household expenditures. Maybe even set aside enough to buy new gowns for both of you.” She desperately wanted her sisters to make decent matches—even if it was too late for her.

Julie shook her head. “Oh, Meg. I don't want a new gown if it means you have to move out. We're the Lacey girls, remember? We stay together, no matter what.”

It had been their mantra after the death of their parents. When well-meaning relatives planned to farm each sister out to a different second cousin, the girls had pleaded to stay together—and Uncle Alistair had valiantly come to their rescue.

“I'm not abandoning you,” Meg said. “I'll still be in London, just a few blocks away. But you must realize things are different now that we're grown.”

“She's right,” Beth said to her younger sister. “I've examined each line of the budget. I've scrimped and saved everywhere I possibly can, and the truth is … we can't go on as we are. Besides, we knew we couldn't stay together
forever
. One day soon, you could have an offer of marriage.”

“An offer of marriage?” Julie rolled her eyes. “From whom? I can't even recall the last time an eligible gentleman asked me to dance. Unless we're counting Lord Winston.”

Beth shuddered at the mention of the portly baron old enough to be their grandfather. “I don't think we should consider him eligible for anything.”

“Agreed,” said Meg. “Our prospects are admittedly few. Which only proves my point—we must seize control of our futures.
Before
one of us is reduced to accepting a marriage proposal from a toothless widower.”

“This all just seems so sudden,” Julie fretted. “Can't you wait till next week?”

“I'm afraid not. The twins are in desperate need of guidance.” She smiled at the thought of their freckled faces and turned-up noses. “You'd adore them. They remind me of the two of you when you were younger—full of energy and a small dose of mischief. Sadly, I have the distinct impression that their parents are unable or unwilling to care for them.”