She blushed, but his jest pulled a slight smile from the earl’s lips. “We’ve been working on that road for several months.”
Then his gaze moved back to Victoria. She felt more warmth come to her cheeks under his perusal.
“But you’ll not be wanting to stand out here in the courtyard talking about estate improvements,” he said.
“I’m forgetting my manners,” Alec said. “Arnprior, may I introduce your new governess, Miss Victoria Knight.”
The earl nodded. “Welcome to Castle Kinglas. My youngest brother is looking forward to meeting you.”
His manner wasn’t rude. Not precisely, anyway. But despite his words, it wasn’t exactly welcoming, either. Mentally shrugging, Victoria descended into a respectful curtsy. “Thank you, Lord Arnprior. I’m eager to meet your brother and take up my duties. Please accept my sincere thanks for the wonderful opportunity you’ve given me.”
When his eyebrows arched up, she ground her teeth. She supposed she did sound a tad obsequious, but that was the result of nerves.
“We’ll see about that,” he replied rather cryptically.
Rather than leading the way inside, he fell to inspecting her again, this time with a frown. She had to resist the temptation to scowl back at him.
“Perhaps we should be getting inside,” Alec prompted. “I’m afraid Miss Knight might be catching a chill.”
“Oh, no, I’m fine,” she said in a sugary voice. “I’d be happy to stand out here all evening.”
Arnprior’s dark eyebrows arched up again.
Lovely.She’d just been rude to her new employer.
“This way, Miss Knight,” he said, waving her forward.
She didn’t miss the rather long-suffering look he cast at Alec. Clearly, she and the earl were off to a less than stellar beginning.
Sighing, she headed toward the enormous oak door, held open by a footman dressed in plain black. An elderly gentleman loomed in the doorway and then stomped out directly in her path, forcing her up short. His thick, snowy eyebrows bristled at her, as if they had a will of their own, and his stare was more hostile than welcoming.
“Och, so herself has arrived, has she?” the man growled.
“Obviously,” the earl growled back as he came up beside her.
“Just what we dinna need,” the elderly fellow said bitterly. “A spoiled little Sassenach telling us what to do.” He spun on his heel and stomped back the way he came.
Victoria was certain Arnprior cursed under his breath as he took her elbow and led her inside.
Chapter Three
Too pretty, too slender, too pale.
Miss Knight forcefully reminded Nick of one of the porcelain figurines his stepmother had loved to scatter about the drawing rooms. And like those Dresden misses, this woman appeared ready to shatter with the first bit of rough handling.
Just like Janet had shattered.
Gritting his teeth, he steered her toward the tower house. When she stumbled on the cobbles, he tightened his hand to steady her.
As a first impression, Miss Knight didn’t look like she’d last a week at Kinglas. Not unless they put meat on her bones, color in her cheeks, and dosed her with a physic three times a day. Nick had never had cause to doubt Sir Dominic’s word, but how in God’s name was this weedy, pale-looking girl to manage the disaster that was the Kendrick family? Even he couldn’t do that, and he’d tried everything, including knocking heads together in desperation.
He slid his hand up her arm. Sensing the delicacy of Miss Knight’s frame even under the sturdy fabric of her wool traveling dress, he firmed his grip as he guided her up the steps of the stone porch that fronted the entrance of the great hall.
The girl shot him a sharp, sideways glance, her cornflower-blue eyes frowning a question. Their gazes locked for an instant that seemed oddly intent. Then her focus darted down to her feet again, and a sudden blaze of pink stained her cheekbones, highlighting a complexion so clear and delicate as to be almost translucent. With that hectic blush, the lass almost looked like she was in a high fever.
A string of oaths pushed themselves to the tip of his tongue. The notion of having the care of another delicate flower made his gut tighten with dismay. He’d been down this road once before and vowed never to do it again.
Get a grip, man. She’s only a servant.
